Beddington Lane Energy Recovery Facility

Transcription

1 Beddington Lane Energy Recovery Facility Report 31 October 2011 Produced for Prepared by Blackfriars Road London SE1 8NL UK T E Dave.kirby@mouchel.com

2 Document Control Sheet Project Title Beddington Lane Energy Recovery Facility Report Title Revision Status A Final Control Date 31 October 2011 Record of Issue Issue Status Author Date Check Date Authorised Date A Draft D. Kirby 07/10/11 E. Partridge 27/10/11 P. Joyce 31/10/11 Distribution Organisation Contact Copies Mouchel 2011 i

3 Contents Document Control Sheet... i Contents... i Executive summary... iii 1 Introduction Background Site location Proposed scheme Survey aims and objectives Legislative and Planning Context Overview Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations Environmental Protection Act Field Survey Method Results Discussion & Recommendations Overview Habitats and flora... 5 Mouchel 2011 i

4 4.3 Further surveys recommended References... 8 Appendix 1: Figures Mouchel 2011 ii

5 Executive summary Scheme description and location Previous studies and background Construction of an Energy Recovery Facility has been proposed at Viridor s waste management site located off Beddington Lane, Sutton in south London. In conjunction with the ecological surveys carried out to support the ERF development, Viridor requested that a wider ecological investigation of the Beddington Farmlands SMI be carried out. The current waste management facility is subject to a decommissioning plan whereby the landfill will be capped, landscaped and a mixture of parkland and wildlife habitat created. The ERF decommissioning is likely to be tied into these proposed plans. Mouchel have undertaken a suite of ecological surveys to support the ERF development including a Phase 1 habitat survey and protected species surveys. A Phase 1 Habitat survey was carried out across the wider Beddington Farmlands SMI in ownership of Viridor in June Current study Results Survey for invasive plants listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). The following Schedule 9 plants where recorded within the survey area: Himalayan balsam Floating pennywort Conclusions recommendations Receptors identified, based on their locality in relation to the proposed scheme, have the potential to present ecological constraints to the development of the scheme. As such, mitigation measures which may require implementation to ensure Schedule 9 plants are not spread during works and that the scheme is legally compliant are discussed. Mouchel 2011 iii

6 1 Introduction 1.1 Background The South London boroughs of Croydon, Kingston, Merton and Sutton form a partnership known as the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP). The SLWP has been formed to procure a contractor to manage the disposal of residual waste within the borough s area. An Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) has been proposed to the SLWP as a potential option, and the site of an aggregate treatment facility at Beddington Lane within the Beddington Farmlands site (Appendix 1, Figure 1a) has been proposed to house this. Mouchel was commissioned to provide ecological support to Viridor who plan to construct the new ERF. To support the development, ecological survey work was carried out to inform an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), with mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures proposed to offset significant negative impacts, and comply with nature conservation legislation and planning policy. The current waste management facility is subject to a decommissioning plan whereby the landfill will be capped, landscaped and a mixture of parkland and wildlife habitat created. The ERF decommissioning is likely to be tied into these proposed plans. As such, Viridor requested that further ecological investigation be carried out across the wider Beddington Farmlands Site of Metropolitan Importance (SMI) to identify further ecological receptors. This report presents the results of a survey for invasive plants listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). The survey conducted in July 2011 included all lands within the proposed development footprint and the wider Beddington Farmlands SMI including the landfill site under ownership of Viridor. The surveyors catalogued the range of species and extent of Schedule 9 plants within the survey area. This report also assesses the potential for Schedule 9 plants to constrain the proposed development. Where appropriate, mitigation measures have been presented to avoid or reduce potential impacts. 1.2 Site location The proposed ERF site is located at Viridor s Beddington Lane waste management facility in Sutton, Greater London which comprises a large area of landfill, waste processing/storage facilities and associated infrastructure. The waste management facility comprises a large area of landfill used for waste disposal and associated buildings/infrastructure, and is located within Beddington Farmlands SMI. The majority of the farmlands site is taken up by the waste management facility with the remainder of the site consisting of a mixture of scrub, grassland and ruderal habitats, sludge lagoons and lakes that have developed as the land uses on site have changed. Outside of the Viridor site to the north and east (adjacent to the proposed location of the ERF facility) are a number of lagoons which were part of a water treatment facility, and are owned by Thames Water and managed, in conjunction with the site Mouchel

7 Conservation Management Plan and bird group, to provide habitats for wildlife (particularly bird populations). The eastern boundary of the site is demarcated by Beddington Lane beyond which is an extensive industrial/commercial area that extends to Purley Way to the east and beyond. The whole Beddington Farmlands SMI sits in the middle of a large block of greenspace that is demarcated by Mitcham Common to the north and Beddington Park to the south. This c.370ha of open space is completely surrounded by the urban developments of Sutton, Mitcham, Croydon and Wallington. 1.3 Proposed scheme The proposed Energy Recovery Facility will occupy land currently forming the Cemex aggregate facility with access roads and other infrastructure crossing land to the east to meet Beddington Lane (Appendix 1, Figure 1b). The ERF will be operational for twenty years. Following this, the facility is to be decommissioned. The current waste management facility is subject to a decommissioning plan whereby the landfill will be capped, landscaped and a mixture of parkland and bird habitat created. The ERF decommissioning is likely to be tied into these proposed plans. 1.4 Survey aims and objectives The aim of the study was three-fold: Identify and record Schedule 9 plants within the survey area; Map the location and extent of these plants; and, Identify potential ecological constraints to development and provide recommendations for further ecological assessments. Mouchel

8 2 Legislative and Planning Context 2.1 Overview This section discusses legislation which is relevant to Schedule 9 plants and is focussed by the field survey results detailed in Section 4.1. Non-relevant legislation has not been discussed. 2.2 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Himalayan balsam Impatiens glandulifera and floating pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides are listed on Schedule 9 of the Act. Under this legislation it is an offence to cause these species to spread or grow in the wild. 2.3 Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) Stricter enforcement provisions for control of invasive species were introduced under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, Actions that might trigger an offence under the Act include moving contaminated soil from one place to another, or incorrectly handling and transporting contaminated material and plant cuttings. 2.4 Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 Himalayan balsam and soil containing parts of this plant is regarded as controlled waste and must be disposed of in accordance with an environmental permit issued. 2.5 Environmental Protection Act 1990 This Act defines the legal framework on collection, disposal or treatment of controlled waste, including Himalayan balsam. Section 33 lists offences for the treatment or disposal of controlled waste without an environmental permit. Section 34 provides a duty of care on waste. The duty applies to any person, who produces, imports, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste or as a broker has control of such waste. Mouchel

9 3 Field Survey 3.1 Method A walkover survey of the survey area for Schedule 9 plants was undertaken by suitably qualified Mouchel ecologists, Dave Kirby and Thomas Ryan during July The survey recorded the species, location and extent of Schedule 9 plants within the survey area. Access to a section of the survey area, to the west, was restricted by a boundary fence. Areas affected by these restrictions have been identified in the results. Despite this limitation the survey objectives have been effectively fulfilled. 3.2 Results The following Schedule 9 plants where recorded within the survey area: Himalayan balsam Floating pennywort Himalayan balsam was recorded along the banks of the stream running along the southern boarder of the survey area. The stand was not particularly dense, rather restricted to small individual stands dispersed along the streams bank. The pond located immediately adjacent to the reception car park within the Viridor waste management facility in north-eastern extent of the survey area supported a dense stand of floating pennywort; particularly around pond margins. Mouchel

10 4 Discussion & Recommendations 4.1 Overview In line with the study objectives, the report has identified Schedule 9 plants present within the survey area. These receptors, based on their locality in relation to the proposed scheme, have the potential to present ecological constraints to the development of the scheme. The sections below present mitigation measures which may be required to ensure Schedule 9 plants are not spread during works and that the scheme is legally compliant. It must however be noted that, at the point of writing, the final scheme design and scope of works was not available. 4.2 Habitats and flora Himalayan balsam Himalayan balsam was found to be present within the survey area. The presence of this species may be of ecological and legal significance during construction and site clearance. When working in an area where Himalayan balsam is present: Areas of Himalayan balsam should be clearly marked out on site, with areas that do not need to be disturbed being fenced off with high visibility fencing, allowing a buffer for the likely extent of roots; In areas where tracked machinery is used, a strong geotextile material overlain with hardcore should be laid as a base for plant to track along; Affected areas should be cleared slowly and methodically before the plant flowers in June, with an ongoing assessment of the extent of the contaminated ground. Only essential vehicles should be present on site; On leaving affected areas, any machinery (including tracked vehicles), footwear and tools must be cleaned thoroughly within a designated area, which should be as close to the affected area as possible to avoid spreading the species; Care should be taken to ensure contaminated material is not dropped or transferred to other areas of the site, including stabilising any spoil heaps to prevent windblown transfer of Himalayan balsam seeds to other sites; Contaminated spoil should only be placed on top of a fabric/membrane in an approved, fenced area. Once removed, it should be monitored for regrowth, particularly during growing season and, if necessary, pulled out of the ground again prior to June; In addition, stockpiles of contaminated material should be protected from weather to prevent fragment Mouchel

11 All site operatives should be made aware of the requirements associated with the removal/disposal of this species in order to help limit accidental spread; and All haulage lorries or dumpers carrying Himalayan balsam contaminated material should be covered Floating pennywort Floating pennywort was identified within the pond immediately adjacent to the reception car park at the north east extent of the site. It is understood that this pond is to be lost as part of the development proposals and there is consequently a high degree of spreading the plant. Chemical control of Floating pennywort can be achieved with herbicides containing glyphosate. Use of the adjuvants Top Film and Codacide Oil can also improve the efficacy of glyphosate. The species can also be successfully eradicated by being extracted from the pond and prevented from re-entering any water body or watercourse. The cut or dredged material should be left on site at the top of the bank, well away from water. This may need to be undertaken more than once to ensure the species is completely eradicated. The following measures should also be implemented to ensure the plant is not spread to other locations: When working in an area where floating pennywort is present: Areas of floating pennywort should be clearly marked out on site; In areas where tracked machinery is used, a strong geotextile material overlain with hardcore should be laid as a base for plant to track along; On leaving affected areas, any machinery (including tracked vehicles), footwear and tools must be cleaned thoroughly within a designated area, which should be as close to the affected area as possible to avoid spreading the species; Care should be taken to ensure contaminated material is not dropped or transferred to other areas of the site; In addition, stockpiles of contaminated material should be protected from weather to prevent fragment site operatives should be made aware of the requirements associated with the removal/disposal of this species in order to help limit accidental spread; and Mouchel

12 All haulage lorries or dumpers carrying Floating pennywort contaminated material should be covered. 4.3 Further surveys recommended An update survey is recommended prior to construction to mark out those areas within the development footprint which support Schedule 9 plants. This will allow for the focussing of mitigation. Mouchel

13 5 References The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) (2006). Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment, IEEM. The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) (2007). Developing Best Practice in Survey and Reporting. Proceedings of IEEM s Spring Conference 18 April 2007, London. Joint Nature Conservancy Council (JNCC) (2003). Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey - A Technique for Environmental Audit, Peterborough, UK. Mouchel

14 We have used our reasonable endeavours to provide information that is correct and accurate and have discussed above the reasonable conclusions that can be reached on the basis of the information available. Mouchel

15 Appendix 1: Figures Mouchel

16 A B Legend Beddington Farmlands SMI owned by Viridor Study Area Area (ha) Beddington Farmland SMI owned by Viridor 98.8 EFR Development Footprint 5.4 This map is produced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. A First Issue 31/10/11 DK Version Amendment Drawing Date 31/10/11 EP Checked Date 31/10/11 PJ Approved Date Proposed ERF Footprint Client Viridor Scale (at A3 size) N/A South London Waste PFI Purpose of Issue Information Office Tel Drawing Number Figure 1: Study Area Map Blackfriars SA