Marine Industries Production Campus

Transcription

1 Photograph Ministry of Defence Environmental Statement Volume 3: Non-Technical Summary Prepared for: +City Deal, Plymouth City Council Economic Development Department Marine Industries Production Campus Proposed Redevelopment of South Yard, Devonport, Plymouth November 2014 UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

2 REVISION SCHEDULE Rev Date Details Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by 0 November 2014 Final for submission to local planning authority Charlotte Cook Technical Director And Steffan Shageer Ian Roach Associate Director Environment and Planning Ian Roach Associate Director Environment and Planning Senior Assistant Environmental Consultant URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited Mayflower House Armada Way Plymouth Devon PL1 1LD (T)

3 Preface This document is Volume 3: Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement that accompanies the outline planning application for the proposed redevelopment at South Yard, Devonport. The Environmental Statement also comprises the following separate volumes: Volume 1: Main Text and Figures Volume 2: Appendices

4 Limitations URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited ( URS ) has prepared this report for the use of +City Deal, Plymouth City Council Economic Development Department ( Client ) in accordance with the Agreement under which our services were performed. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this Report or any other services provided by URS. Where the conclusions and recommendations contained in this report are based upon information provided by others it is upon the assumption that all relevant information has been provided by those parties from whom it has been requested and that such information is accurate. Information obtained by URS has not been independently verified by URS, unless otherwise stated in the Report. The methodology adopted and the sources of information used by URS in providing its services are outlined in this Report. The work described in this Report was undertaken between September 2014 and November 2014 and is based on the conditions encountered and the information available during the said period of time. The scope of this Report and the services are accordingly factually limited by these circumstances. Where assessments of works or costs identified in this Report are made, such assessments are based upon the information available at the time and where appropriate are subject to further investigations or information which may become available. Certain statements made in the Report that are not historical facts may constitute estimates, projections or other forward-looking statements and even though they are based on reasonable assumptions as of the date of the Report, such forward-looking statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties. Copyright This Report is the copyright of URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person other than the addressee is strictly prohibited.

5 Introduction The Proposed Development forms part of the Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal which was announced in January The City Deal is a ground breaking agreement with government that aims to deliver economic growth in the south west. The deal area covers Plymouth, Cornwall, Devon, Torbay and Somerset. The City Deal will tackle low rates of productivity by investing in three key areas: Marine Development, Business Support and a Deal for Young People. The proposed development comprises a Marine Industries Production Campus located within South Yard, Devonport, Plymouth. The south west peninsula, despite its coastlines and marine centres, still lacks accessible employment sites close to major marine companies and deep water berths. This has a continuing impact on the ability of supply chain companies to grow and develop. The aim of the Proposed Development is to grow the marine and advanced manufacturing sectors across the peninsula by providing additional facilities for the relocation and development of supply chain companies. It is anticipated that these new facilities will link marine centres and assets across the peninsula. Public sector funding worth 21m will be invested to facilitate the development, and it is hoped to lever in a further 59m of private sector investment to develop the Marine Industries Production Campus, creating over 1,200 new jobs.

6 Environmental Impact Assessment The Proposed Development is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The EIA procedure requires the developer to undertake certain environmental studies and compile an Environmental Statement describing the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development on the environment and proposed measures to mitigate these effects. This document is a non-technical summary of the Environmental Statement. The Environmental Statement and non-technical summary have been prepared by the Plymouth office of environmental consultants, URS Environment & Infrastructure UK Limited (URS). URS has considerable experience of EIA in Plymouth and across the UK. URS is a registrant to the industry-standard EIA Quality Mark scheme of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment and is entitled to bear the following logo. Outline Planning Application An application for outline planning permission has been made for the Proposed Development by +City Deal, Plymouth City Council Economic Development, as the developer for this project. Local Planning Authority The Local Planning Authority that will determine the outline planning application is Plymouth City Council. There is a clear organisational distinction between Plymouth City Council s two roles as developer and Local Planning Authority. Ministry of Defence and Other Parties The land is currently part of the Devonport Dockyard, however as part of a joint venture between the Ministry of Defence, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Homes and Communities Agency and Plymouth City Council Economic Development, the land has been identified as available for release to the market for development. The proposals have been developed in full consultation and agreement with these parties, as well as existing businesses within the site and in the surroundings. Public Consultation Two public consultation events were carried out on 7 October and 11 October The feedback from these events has informed the proposals.

7 Site and Surroundings The Site is located at the western edge of Devonport, within the historic dockyard adjacent to Granby Way and Gun Wharf / Morice Town. The Site has been used as a Royal Naval Dockyard, and for associated military activity, since the late 17th Century. The whole of South Yard covers an area of approximately 35 hectares (86 acres). The site of the proposed development comprises land known as Area 1 and Area 5 of South Yard, whose areas are approximately 2.04 hectares and 3.84 hectares respectively, making a total site area of approximately 5.88 hectares. The extents of Area 1 and Area 5 comprising the site, as well as the surrounding context, are shown in the aerial photograph over the page. Historically Area 1 and Area 5 were amongst the earliest parts of the dockyard to be developed; they have been used by the Royal Navy for at least 300 years. The Site continues to be used for various dockyard activities. Within the Site there are a number of existing land uses and buildings including: Area 1 Former car park; and Naval museum spread across several buildings (one of which, the former Pay Office, is shown below). Area 5 Land between three docks (known as Number 2 Dock, Number 3 Dock and Number 4 Dock); Numerous buildings with various dockyard-related uses; Access road linking South Yard and Morice Yard (and North Yard beyond); and External storage areas. There is a large retaining wall which separates Area 1 from Area 5. There are several Listed Buildings within the site.

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9 Proposed Development The proposed development comprises a total of 25,854 square metres (278,290 square feet) of employment space, achieved partly by converting some existing buildings into employment use and partly by constructing new buildings. The most important of the existing historic buildings will be retained and refurbished. There will also be parking (including street level parking and a multi-storey car park), landscaping and a café provided. The Proposed Development will create an improved sense of arrival to South Yard, benefitting existing businesses such as Princess Yachts as well as new employers. The Proposed master plan is illustrated over the page. Naval Heritage Collection The Naval Heritage Collection is currently housed in four existing buildings within the site. There is an agreement which will provide for the Naval Heritage Collection to be consolidated but retained on the site until an alternative arrangement has been agreed as part of Plymouth s History Centre project. While not a planning matter, there is assurance that the part of the site that will continue to house the heritage collection and will not be redeveloped until the future of the heritage collection has been appropriately secured.

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11 Ecology Survey and assessment scope Surveys and a desk study were undertaken between June 2011 and October 2014 including: Ecological desk-study Ecological walkover survey Bat surveys Existing conditions The following designated ecological sites, and habitats and species on Site, were considered: Impact assessment The construction of the Proposed Development would not lead to significant effects on designated sites, either alone or in combination with other projects and plans. Temporary noise disturbance from the construction activities has the potential to impact upon migratory fish using the Tamar estuary. There will not be any piling in the river, and the type of piling that is proposed on the Site is drilled auger piling, which causes less noise and vibration than driven piling. The effects on fish are not expected to be significant. Type European Sites within 5km Statutory and Non-statutory Sites within 2 km Habitats on Site Species on Site Name Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation Tamar Estuaries Complex Special Protection Area Tamar Estuaries Complex Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Mount Wise SSSI Richmond Walk SSSI St John s Lake SSSI Western King SSSI Railway Biodiversity Network Feature Devonport Park Biodiversity Network Feature Improved grassland, scrub and scattered trees Buildings and hard standing Bats potentially roosting in buildings, foraging and commuting Breeding and wintering birds There are records of a number of bat species present within the Site and our surveys have recorded bats flying through the site. No evidence of bats was found during the building inspections, although this does not entirely rule out their presence and the Proposed Development therefore has the potential to have a significant effect on bats. Broad-leaved trees, buildings and flat-roofed buildings on the Site are suitable roosting and nesting sites for breeding, wintering and migrant birds. Significant effects could occur as a result of habitat loss and noise disturbance during construction. Mitigation and monitoring Strict environmental management controls will be in place during construction works. Night time lighting within the Site will need to be minimised and directed into the Site, away from the designated ecological sites. It is recommended that during test piling some underwater noise monitoring is undertaken to verify that there are no significant effects on migratory fish, or to change working practices or propose further mitigation measures if required. There are five buildings that have been identified that should, as a precautionary measure, be checked for hibernating bats during the winter months (December February 2014/15). A precautionary wintering bird survey should also be undertaken during the winter months. An update to this Environmental Statement will be submitted in February 2015 to further assess impacts on bats

12 and birds and, if necessary, specify mitigation measures. Any vegetation removal and demolition works should ideally be timed to avoid the breeding bird season (generally taken to be March to August inclusive) to prevent disturbance to nesting birds. If this is not possible then standard mitigation will be implemented, involving a suitably experienced Ecologist checking for any nesting birds no more than 24 hours prior to any works being undertaken and if a nest is found then it should remain undisturbed until the young have fledged. Conclusion The majority of the effects associated with the construction stage of the Proposed Development are assessed as not significant, except for the potential effects on roosting bats and wintering birds which could be significant if protected bat or bird species are identified in forthcoming surveys. Further survey and assessment during winter 2014/15 is required. Small areas of low quality habitat on Site will be lost during construction, which will lead to an initial, short term loss in biodiversity. However this will be compensated for by additional habitat creation that forms part of the Proposed Development. Once the proposed habitats have established, the overall effect upon biodiversity will be positive.

13 Heritage Survey and assessment scope An assessment of the impact of the proposed redevelopment on various heritage assets on Site was carried out. In addition, to ensure that all impacts have been fully considered, the study was expanded to assess features of heritage value 250m from the boundary of the Site. The Proposed Development was considered in terms of its impact upon the heritage assets and this was weighted according to the value assigned to that asset. lower level were more industrial and operational in form. The complex arrangement of the heritage assets within the study area is highlighted by the identification of some 36 designated (i.e. the most important) assets, although only 9 of these are within the application Site. A further 13 nondesignated assets fall within the Site. Impact assessment Considerable care was taken during the design process to ensure that the Proposed Development was mindful of the value of the heritage features within the site. This is demonstrated in the results of the assessment, which show how limited the impact of the Proposed Development would be upon the identified heritage assets within the Site. With the exception of the removal of a section of parapet walling to the terrace wall, removal of one capstan at the head of the dock, and demolition of several non-designated buildings (including Building SO28 The Surgery ), few of the heritage assets will be affected. These effects are considered to have a modest impact upon the overall heritage value of the Site. Mitigation and monitoring Existing conditions A fully documented Heritage Baseline Assessment was undertaken to understand the development of the dockyard as a whole, and its national role as one of three key historic royal dockyards. This detailed study drew on a wide range of historic data to build up a clear picture of the historic evolution of South Yard and the buildings within it, complemented by detailed site visits. The heritage significance of the Site was described in terms of its potential for archeological deposits, and a full description of the individual buildings and structures, and their significance, has been prepared. Detailed building recording will take place prior to demolition. Whilst this recording would not mitigate the effects, given their low significance this is considered to be an appropriate monitoring measure. Conclusion The Proposed Development would involve minor impacts upon assets within the Site, with the exception of the proposed works to The Surgery, an unlisted building for which a moderate effect is identified. However, taken as a whole, none of the impacts are determined to be significant in terms of their effect on the heritage assets of the Site overall. Given the historic nature of Devonport Dockyard, the assessment needed to consider not only the significance of the existing heritage assets within the site, but also the form and function of the original building groupings. It was apparent that the upper level of the dockyard had a much more formal arrangement, whilst structures on the dockside,

14 Ground Conditions Survey and assessment scope An assessment has been undertaken of the potential impacts of ground contamination on humans, land and water. For harm to occur as a result of potential land contamination, three conditions need to be met: there needs to be a source of contamination; there needs to be a human or environmental feature that can be harmed by the contamination; and there needs to be a pathway between the two. Existing conditions Information on the Site and surrounding area is provided within a Phase 1 Land Quality Assessment report included in the Environmental Statement. The Site and the remainder of South Yard (extending to the south) have had an industrial land use since the pre 1800 s and the surrounding land use (to the north, and east) is mixed residential and commercial use. The majority of the contemporary industries in the immediate vicinity of the Site are now inactive, such as the scrapyard which was adjacent to the north in Holman Buildings Road, but this area has since been redeveloped and it is assumed that any associated contamination would have been dealt with at this time. The Dockyard operations (current and historic) represent the most potentially contaminative industry in the locality. Impact assessment It is possible that soil and groundwater beneath the site is contaminated; there may also be ground gas present. These could all, in various ways, potentially affect construction workers, underlying groundwater, the nearby river, and the new buildings that are proposed. Mitigation and monitoring The most significant design measure is the incorporation of significant areas of hardstanding across the majority of the Site, preventing rain water from getting into Site soils, which in turn could then transfer any contaminants present into groundwater. Strict environmental management controls will be in place during construction works. There are also various standard practices that can be relied upon to mitigate contamination impacts, such as the incorporation of gas protection measures within new buildings; the utilisation of appropriate personal protective equipment by construction workers, and a procedure for dealing with unforeseen contamination. Further site investigations will allow these mitigation measures to be specified in detail, including if necessary Site clean-up works..

15 Conclusion Contaminated soils: Following the implementation of mitigation measures, the effects on ground and surface water, construction / maintenance workers, and the new built environment from contaminated soil are not considered significant. Further site investigations may also further reduce the risk to groundwater and surface water. Contaminated groundwater: Similarly the effects from groundwater contamination are not considered to be significant once mitigation measures are put in place. Again, further site investigations may also further reduce the risk to groundwater and surface water. Ground Gas: With the implementation of the mitigation measures the risk of an effect from ground gas on construction workers is not considered to be significant. Overall therefore, it is considered that provided appropriate mitigation, monitoring and control measures are employed during each phase of the development, the Proposed Development will not pose an increased risk to human health or the environment in relation to ground conditions.

16 Noise Survey assessment and scope An assessment of construction noise impacts has been undertaken based on likely construction activities and their associated noise and vibration impacts at residential properties close to the Site. The noise assessment for the completed development focuses on setting noise design criteria for future businesses plant and activities and assesses the site s suitability for office use. An assessment is also made of the impacts of road traffic noise. Existing conditions The Site is currently commercial / industrial in nature, with further commercial / industrial to the south, and residential to the north and east. All residential properties are of high sensitivity to noise, but commercial / industrial activities are of medium or low sensitivity. Noise monitoring was undertaken at three residential locations surrounding the Site in November This provided representative noise levels for daytime, evening and night. Impact assessment Demolition and Construction Demolition and excavation / earthworks using heavy plant are likely to be the main source of noise impacts at nearby properties. The construction and fitting out of the new buildings, and internal refurbishment of existing buildings, and associated landscaping works, are likely to result in lower noise levels. The potential for significant vibration impacts is likely to be limited just to piling works. However, the site benefits from an existing and substantial solid stone wall between the Site and residential properties to the north, which will provide significant screening, particularly at ground level. Construction noise would be audible. However, based on the likely nature of the construction works and the proximity of residential properties, the phased and temporary nature of the works, and the strict control of site activities including limited working hours noise minimisation measures, construction noise effects are not assessed as being significant. Operation Road Traffic: The largest traffic flow increases are anticipated on Granby Way (east and westbound); this being the key access route to the site. Increases of up to 17% are anticipated in 2017, but this would only equate to a traffic noise increase of less than 1 decibel, which is negligible and not significant. In the longer term, traffic flow increases on Granby Way could rise by 39% in 2027, which equates to a noise increase of 3 decibels. The effect is this is considered minor and not significant. For all other local roads assessed the traffic increases would be lower, negligible and not significant. Noise from Industrial Sources: Details of the new businesses and the exact uses of the buildings are not yet known. However, once the development is complete and fully operational the level of overall activity at the site will increase from current levels. Mitigation and monitoring Noise and vibration will be managed during construction, with mitigation measures to be prescribed and enforced through a Construction Environmental Management Plan. On-site, good practice procedure will be followed, such as use of hoarding. The assessment presents design parameters in the form of noise limits, that have been derived from the background noise measurements. Conclusion Through implementation of mitigation measures and industry best practice it is considered that construction noise and vibration effects can be controlled such that they would not be significant. Once the buildings start to be occupied, the predicted changes in road traffic noise on Granby Way indicate a minor adverse but not significant effect in the longer term. On all other local roads the traffic noise would be negligible. The buildings will have to be designed to certain noise standards such that significant effects will not occur.

17 Air Quality Survey assessment and scope The air quality assessment includes a study of the following: the impact of emissions of dust (including fine particulates) from construction activities on neighbouring residential properties; as well as the potential track out of material on vehicle tyres that could potentially affect roads leading from the site access; the impact of road traffic exhaust emissions (nitrogen dioxide and fine particles) to occur as a result of predicted changes in road traffic movements on the local road network as a result of the Proposed Development; and the impact of emissions generated by the proposed commercial and industrial activities on the Site. Existing conditions The closest residential properties are located adjacent to the northern boundary of the site, including on Cornwall Street, Albany Street, Cornwall Beach and Holmans Buildings. The precise uses of the proposed buildings are not yet known but emissions from Site activities could potentially include welding fumes, grinding emissions, and paint and coating fumes. These activities are expected to be small in scale, and any emissions are likely to be correspondingly small. Similar emissions from the existing dockyard are similar in type and scale. Once the new buildings start to become occupied there will be some increases to traffic flows on roads in the vicinity. These changes in traffic flows have been assessed against projected future traffic baseline flows for two future years: 2017 and These years represent the indicative opening year of the Proposed Development (2017), and the indicative completion year (2027). The Government sets air quality objective values for the protection of human health. In 2017 the traffic emissions are not predicted to exceed the air quality limit values at any location for any pollutant assessed. The largest predicted increase in nitrogen dioxide concentration is just 0.2 microgrammes per cubic metre at Chapel Street, with the Proposed Development increasing nitrogen dioxide levels from 31.3 to 31.5 microgrammes. The Government s objective value is This increase is negligible and not significant. To undertake the assessment of road traffic emissions a computer model has been used to quantify future pollution levels. Inputs into this model include local air quality background data obtained from Plymouth City Council, recent weather data, and existing and predicted future traffic flows. URS is currently conducting a nitrogen dioxide survey along several roads in the vicinity of the Site in order provide verification of the road traffic emissions model and an assessment of current conditions on and in the immediate vicinity of the Site. An update to the air quality assessment will be issued upon completion of this survey in February Impact assessment level without development 2017 level with development 40.0 National objective for protection of health During the construction phase, there is the potential for construction activities to increase dust concentrations at locations up to 350m from the Site boundary, and 50m from roads extending to 500m from the site access due to track out. Predicted annual average nitrogen dioxide concentrations at Chapel Street in 2017 (microgrammes per cubic metre)

18 For comparison, existing nitrogen dioxide levels in Royal Parade in the city centre already exceed the objective value by some way recent measurements have recorded levels of 75.0 microgrammes. In 2027 the assessment predicts even smaller changes as a result of the Proposed Development. Mitigation and monitoring Strict environmental management controls will be in place during construction works, which would include measures to minimise dust and mud on the roads. No other mitigation measures are considered to be necessary. Conclusion The effects of the construction and operation Proposed Development on air quality would not be significant.

19 Flood Risk Survey assessment and scope A Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) has been undertaken. The FRA seeks to identify and assess the risk of flooding to and from the development, and to outline how flood risk will be managed so that the development will remain safe throughout its lifetime. The FRA took into account the tidal flood risk posed by the Tamar Estuary, including considering the anticipated effects of climate change on sea level rise and wave action. The FRA also assessed the risk posed by all flood sources including surface water management at the site, to ensure flood risk to third parties is not increased. The assessment included a review of flood risk data from the Environment Agency and other data sources. In addition a site survey was undertaken. Existing conditions The majority of the Site is identified by the Environment Agency as falling within Flood Zone 1, where there is a low risk of flooding. The jetties fall within Flood Zone 2 where there is because of their location and level a medium risk from river or sea flooding. Impact assessment Drawing on guidance published in the National Planning Policy Framework the proposed light industrial and office uses in the new buildings are defined as Less Vulnerable. The new warehouse style buildings proposed around the jetties are defined as Water Compatible ; these uses are considered appropriate in all Flood Zones. The risk of the development flooding from a combined water level and wave action event was found to be the most likely within Area 5 closest to the river. The risk posed by other sources of flooding was considered low. An outline drainage strategy within the FRA proposes measures for the management of surface water on Site that would further reduce the existing risk posed by surface water and sewer flooding. With regard to the risk of flooding from the development, as the existing site is predominantly hardstanding and the proposals include some areas of open space / soft landscaping, the total hardstanding area, and therefore rate at which water runs off the Site, was not found to increase as a result of the Proposed Development. Mitigation and monitoring Recommendations have been made for flood resilient design measures including appropriate finished floor levels for the proposed buildings, whilst having regard to the need to provide level access for forklift trucks, etc into the structures. A Flood Management Plan is also recommended to manage the risk posed to the site during an extreme water level and wave event. The use of sustainable drainage systems will further reduce run-off from the development. As part of this development the possibility of providing a dedicated surface water sewer along the route of the proposed Vivid Approach Road could be explored. Conclusion The FRA found that the proposed uses as indicated in the masterplan are appropriate for the relevant parts of the site in which they would be located. The risk of flooding of the new development is low, other than for the warehouse buildings on the jetties in Area 5, which are considered capable of management and mitigation. No additional adverse effects are anticipated with regard to surface water runoff, given the existing state of the site, although a sustainable drainage system should be implemented where practical and reasonable.

20 Conclusions The redevelopment of approximately 5.88 hectares of the South Yard, Devonport, Plymouth as a Marine Industries and Production Campus has the potential to create over 1,200 jobs. An Environmental Impact Assessment has considered the effects of the Proposed Development during both its construction and its subsequent operation. Most of the effects of the Proposed Development have been assessed as not significant There are some exceptions in relation to ecology, where there are potentially significant effects on roosting bats and wintering birds during construction. They are classified as potentially significant as wintering bird and bat hibernation surveys have yet to be undertaken. Further surveys will take place over the winter of 2014/2015 and an Addendum to the Environmental Statement will be submitted in February 2015 to further assess impacts on bats and birds and, if necessary, specify mitigation measures. In conclusion the Proposed Development will deliver redevelopment and employment benefits for Plymouth, with minimal environmental effects.

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