Stancombe Quarry, Flax Bourton, Bristol, BS48 3QD.

Transcription

1 , Flax Bourton, Bristol, BS48 3QD. Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations Request for a Regulation 13 Scoping Opinion for an Environmental Impact Assessment to accompany a planning application to extend Stancombe Quarry to the south into the Spinney. December 2011 Applicant: Tarmac Limited Stancombe Quarry Stancombe Lane Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 3QD Agent: Quarryplan (GB) Limited Redmays Cheddar Road Wedmore Somerset BS28 4EP

2 Contents page 1 Executive Summary 2 2 Need for an Environmental Impact Assessment 3 3 Site Description 4 4 Development Background 6 5 The Spinney General 8 6 The Spinney Development Detail 10 7 Defining the Scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment 13 8 Conclusion 19 Tables Table 1 Scoping Schedule for Environmental Statement 18 Plans Location Plan Site Summary Plan Aerial photograph Stancombe/Spinney Working Areas Stancombe/Spinney Final Quarry Face Development Concept Restoration 1

3 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Stancombe Quarry is operated by Tarmac Limited (Tarmac) and produces on average one million tonnes of limestone per year for use in the construction industry as aggregate, asphalt, concrete and concrete blocks. Over 270 people are employed at Stancombe which is the largest quarry operation in North Somerset and the western regional office for Tarmac. 1.2 A planning application is to be made by Tarmac during 2012 to extend Stancombe Quarry in a southerly direction into an area known as the Spinney. This area is identified for future quarrying as an extension to Stancombe in the adopted Avon Mineral Plan. 1.3 Access to the majority of the permitted limestone reserves at Stancombe is restricted and there is only four years of readily available stone remaining. 1.4 The Spinney would provide an additional nine million tonnes of limestone and by extending the quarry into the Spinney the restrictions affecting the existing reserves could be overcome and all the reserves would be recoverable. 1.5 The end date for operating the quarry would need to be extended from the current end date of 2023 to 2043, in order to allow sufficient time to extract the existing reserves and those within the Spinney. 1.6 There are no proposals to alter the method of working at the quarry, the depth of extraction, the operational hours, the site access or the permitted level of output from the site. 1.7 A formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required to accompany the planning application because the site is greater than 25 hectares in extent and an EIA is mandatory in such circumstances. 1.8 This document is a which sets out the background to the site, identifies the detail of the proposals and considers the extent of the EIA. 1.9 The formal opinion of North Somerset Council is sought on the scope of the assessment to be carried out within the EIA to accompany the planning application. 2

4 2 Need for an Environmental Impact Assessment 2.1 The assessment of potential environmental effects arising from certain development is to be carried out as required under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations The Regulations require that prior to the grant of development consent an Environmental Impact Assessment is to be undertaken on large scale developments or those located in sensitive areas. The responsibility for undertaking the assessment lies with the developer. 2.2 The proposed planning application to extend Stancombe Quarry is in excess of 25 hectares in extent and it is mandatory that an EIA is carried out for quarry proposals of such size. 2.3 Before preparing an EIA a developer is able to obtain a formal Scoping Opinion from the relevant planning authority on the environmental aspects to be assessed and the planning authority must state in writing its opinion on the requirements of the assessment. 2.4 This document seeks the formal Scoping Opinion of North Somerset Council on the aspects that need to be assessed within the EIA to accompany the planning application to extend Stancombe Quarry into the Spinney. Plans are included in order to identify the land and the proposed development. 2.5 A description of the quarry and extension area is provided in section 3, the reasoning behind the proposals is set out in section 4 and a description of the development is contained in sections 5 and 6. The potential impacts on the environment are identified in section 7 and in section 8 the Council is requested to confirm the scope of the EIA. 3

5 3 Site Description 3.1 Tarmac has operated Stancombe Quarry since 1995 when the quarrying operations of Wimpey Limited were merged with those of Tarmac. The quarry has been operational since at least the 1940 s and has direct access to the A370 Bristol to Weston-super- Mare road. 3.2 The quarry lies approximately 1.0 kilometre (km) to the south of the village of Flax Bourton and 4.0 km to the south-east of Nailsea in the North Somerset Council area. The centre of Bristol is 12 km to the north east. The quarry location is shown on the accompanying Location Plan reference S109/529. The Ordnance Survey grid reference for the quarry is ST Stancombe Quarry contains a large aggregate processing plant, two asphalt plants, a ready mixed concrete batching plant and a concrete block factory which all depend on the quarry for the supply of raw materials. The quarry extends to 69 hectares in total and supplies approximately one million tonnes of crushed rock aggregate each year for local construction use including asphalt products for road surfacing, concrete blocks and ready mixed concrete for construction works. The quarry is the largest supplier of construction aggregates and materials within North Somerset. 3.4 The regional offices for Tarmac are also located at the quarry and over 270 people are directly or indirectly employed by Tarmac at Stancombe. 3.5 The quarry is shown outlined in red on the accompanying Site Summary Plan reference S109/ Tarmac intends to apply for planning permission during 2012 to extend Stancombe Quarry into an area to the south known as the Spinney. The Spinney lies immediately adjacent to the southern boundary of Stancombe Quarry and amounts to 12.4 hectares of land consisting of a relatively level area of 11 hectares of grassland, used for cattle grazing, and a 1.4 hectare belt of trees. 3.7 The Spinney is bounded to the north by Stancombe Quarry, to the west by Backwell Hill Road and a public bridleway, to the south by Long Lane and to the east by woodland known as the Spinney, being part of the Bourton Coombe woodland. The position of the Spinney relative to the existing quarry is shown on the Site Summary Plan. An aerial photograph of the existing quarry and the Spinney is also included within the plans section. 3.8 The extraction of stone within the Spinney would use the same techniques and equipment as currently employed at the quarry, this involves drilling and blasting limestone in benches 15 metres deep and transporting blasted stone by dump truck to the existing fixed processing plant where it is crushed and screened into a variety of aggregate sizes. 4

6 3.9 There are no proposals to alter the method of extraction or processing, the depth of extraction, the operational hours, the site access or the permitted level of output from the quarry. Instead the application would simply allow limestone extraction from within the Spinney area as a continuation of the existing quarry operations This explains the above proposals in more detail and provides information on the potential environmental impacts arising from the development to allow North Somerset Council to determine the extent of the Environmental Impact Assessment to accompany the planning application. 5

7 4 Development Background 4.1 At the end of December 2010 the consented reserves of limestone at Stancombe Quarry amounted to 23.6 million tonnes. However, access to the majority of these reserves is restricted and there is only four years of readily available stone remaining. 4.2 The Spinney would provide an additional 9.2 million tonnes of limestone and by extending into the Spinney the restrictions affecting the existing reserves could be overcome and all the reserves would be recoverable. 4.3 Of the 23.6 million tonnes of reserves a total of 19.6 million tonnes are constrained or are only accessible at considerable cost and disruption. Only 4.0 million tonnes of reserves are readily available, sufficient for four years output at average production rates. 4.4 The various constraints which restrict the working of the 19.6 million tonnes (mt) can be summarised as follows: 1.1 mt of conglomerate material. 5.4 mt of limestone is constrained by the conglomerate. 2.3 mt of limestone is constrained in geotechnical terms. 8.0 mt of limestone lies beneath the fixed processing plant and water table. 2.8 mt of limestone lies beneath the stockyard and water table. 4.5 These restrictions are explained in more detail below. 1.1 mt of conglomerate material 4.6 Although the conglomerate is notionally classified as mineral reserve it is only saleable as a low grade fill because of its high mudstone content which restricts its end use as a construction aggregate. It cannot be regarded as limestone reserve. Sales of conglomerate are unpredictable and historically material has been sold very gradually or to a few major construction projects which require large volumes of low cost material. 4.7 Sales of conglomerate at the present time amount to only 50,000 tonnes per year and there are no large contracts locally which would take greater volumes, however, it is expected that large fill contracts can be secured over a prolonged period of time. 4.8 The alternative to selling the conglomerate would be to extract it and tip it either within the quarry or outside the quarry. 4.9 Tipping material inside the quarry would either sterilise further limestone or incur enormous costs and tipping outside the quarry is cost prohibitive. 6

8 5.4 mt of limestone constrained by conglomerate 4.10 The conglomerate lies above limestone which is only accessible when the conglomerate has been removed. 2.3 mt of limestone constrained in geotechnical terms 4.11 As a consequence of working the quarry in a north south direction it has been found necessary to provide increased bench widths in order to ensure a safe working environment and compliance with quarrying regulations due to the dipping strata in the southernmost quarry faces. By increasing bench widths limestone must be left unworked. 8.0 mt of limestone beneath the fixed processing plant and water table 4.12 The limestone beneath the fixed processing plant can only be extracted by developing four more quarry benches below the level of the plant. The plant was designed in its existing location to provide the maximum productivity in terms of processing stone and loading vehicles. The processing plant is in good condition and will be able to process stone effectively and efficiently for many more years. The two adjacent asphalt plants would also need to be moved These plants are not mobile and would need to be dismantled and relocated or replaced which would be unnecessary, costly and disruptive The existing plant site amounts to 4.0 hectares in extent and to replace the plant would require at least the same amount of space. Such an area is simply not available within the quarry Extraction of the lowest two quarry benches would be below the water table. The quarry would need to be dewatered to allow the final reserves of stone to be worked. The considerable volumes of water that would need to be discharged from site would need to be managed before being pumped off site. There is insufficient space within the quarry at the present time to develop a water management area. 2.8 mt of limestone beneath the stockyard and water table 4.16 The stockyard amounts to approximately 3.0 hectares in extent and similar issues exist with the stone lying beneath the stockyard as occur with the stone beneath the processing plant. There is limited space within the quarry to relocate the stockyard. Any relocation would interfere with the continued extraction of stone. 7

9 5 The Spinney Development - General 5.1 The Spinney is identified in the adopted Avon Minerals Plan as a Preferred Area for extraction and the logical extension area for the development of Stancombe Quarry. The Spinney forms the final part of the extension area at the quarry, the first part of the extension area having been granted planning permission in The Minerals Plan sets out a number of requirements for the development of the Stancombe extension area (page 46) which are identified and commented on below: (i) Phased southward extension of Stancombe Quarry to Long Lane with perimeter landscaping and the retention of important topographic features (eg the Spinney). The depth of extraction will depend on implications for water resources; Comment: perimeter landscaping is proposed and the Spinney woodland would be retained (the Spinney woodland is the woodland along the eastern side of the extension area outside the application boundary). All extraction in the Spinney is above the water table and water issues would be fully addressed in the EIA. (ii) Improvements to the A370 Stancombe Lane junction; Comment: the improvements to the A370 have been completed. (iii) Relocation of the existing plant complex in Stancombe Quarry further inside the quarry to maximise concealment; Comment: the existing plant has been relocated further inside the quarry and is fully concealed. (iv) Tree planting on the vacated plant base to complement woodland in Bourton Combe; Comment: the tree planting on the plant base has been completed. (v) Eventual removal of the plant complex followed by tree planting in the excavation to form a woodland, gorge-like feature. Comment: the removal of the plant complex and tree planting would be undertaken during final restoration. 5.3 The proposed development of the Spinney is in accord with the Minerals Plan. 5.4 By working the Spinney a number of the constraints affecting the existing quarry, which have been referred to above, can be reduced or overcome. 5.5 The Spinney contains 9.2 mt of limestone, sufficient for nine years production, and 1.35 mt of conglomerate. The quarry benches within the Spinney would be widely 8

10 spaced due to the relatively shallow depth of the limestone and this allows the full extent of the working to be developed relatively quickly. This in turn would provide worked out areas of the quarry to tip conglomerate which would not sterilise any underlying limestone. 5.6 The benefits of developing the Spinney include the following: Improved geotechnical stability of all the quarry faces by working from the south to north which is a safer way of working the quarry. Allows the 2.3 mt of limestone with geotechnical constraints in the existing quarry to be extracted. All extraction in the Spinney is above the water table so no water management area or off site dewatering is required. Provides an extra nine years of limestone production during which time additional conglomerate can be sold. If substantial sales of conglomerate do not arise over the next 9 years the Spinney provides sufficient space to tip the conglomerate without sterilising any stone or requiring multiple movements of material. Avoids any impacts of moving conglomerate into Hyatts Wood Quarry. Delays the disruption and costs of relocating the fixed plant and stockyard areas. Provides additional area to address the water balancing/compensation pond issues. 5.7 The end date for quarrying at the site would need to be extended from the current date of This date was determined assuming an annual output of 1.5 million tonnes per year however output has averaged only 1.0 million tonnes and therefore additional time is required to extract the remaining reserves along with the Spinney material. An end date of 2043 would be sufficient to extract all the stone at a rate of 1.0 million tonnes per year. 9

11 6 The Spinney Development - Detail 6.1 The proposed development would include the following main elements: Extending the quarry into the Spinney. Revised direction of quarry working from south to north. Revised ramping proposals for the quarry. Development into the Spinney whilst continuing to quarry within the main area. Extraction of 9 million tonnes of limestone from the Spinney. Extended end date for the quarry operations to 2042 (currently 2023). Accommodating all surplus conglomerate material within the site. Potential inclusion of on-site balancing / groundwater compensation lake for managing water. Bridleway diversion and the provision of an alternative route. Landscaping proposals relating to views from Tyntesfield Estate. Restoration proposals with more emphasis on biodiversity habitats and less emphasis on tree planting. 6.2 The development of the Spinney is shown on the accompanying Stancombe/Spinney Working Areas plan reference S109/ The extraction of stone within the Spinney would use the same techniques and equipment as currently employed at the quarry, this involves drilling and blasting limestone in benches 15 metres deep and transporting blasted stone by dump truck to the existing fixed processing plant where it is crushed and screened into a variety of aggregate sizes. 6.4 It is proposed to develop the Spinney generally from the south in a northerly direction. The existing quarry is developed from north to south however as the limestone strata dip to the north there are geotechnical stability issues when working the quarry faces in this direction. 6.5 The Spinney would be developed in three broad areas as shown on the plan. The first area would involve extracting one bench of stone along the eastern boundary of the Spinney, initially in a southerly direction, until the southern extremity of the Spinney was reached. From the southern boundary extraction would then progress in a northerly direction from Area 1 into Areas 2 and 3 as shown on the plan and link into 10

12 the existing quarry. Lower quarry benches would be developed in each area as the depth of limestone increased. 6.6 The depth of limestone in the Spinney is relatively shallow and increases from south to north. A maximum of four benches would be extracted in Area 3. The limestone within the existing quarry is much deeper and would require at least 11 benches to reach the base of the quarry. The shallower limestone allows the base of extraction to be reached quickly and once an area has been worked out it can then be used for infilling with conglomerate. 6.7 The increased overall quarry area would also allow greater flexibility when addressing the potential future requirement for water balancing and solutions for dewatering the final quarry benches. 6.8 Extraction from the Spinney would constitute 50% of the overall production from the site (approximately 500,000 tonnes per year) with the remainder coming from the existing quarry area (Area 4). By splitting production a number of working faces can be maintained and would represent best quarry practice. 6.9 By undertaking half the extraction in the Spinney the access ramps within the existing quarry could be reconfigured into final positions to allow improved access around the quarry The existing bridleway which crosses the southern boundary of the existing quarry (northern boundary of the Spinney) would be diverted around the eastern boundary of the Spinney The details of the diversion are shown on the Stancombe/Spinney Working Areas plan with the bridleway between points A and D being replaced with a route via A, B, C and D, although a new bridleway would only need to be constructed between C and D (the route between A and B is an existing bridleway and the route between B and C would be along Long Lane) Soils and overburden materials removed from above the limestone would be used to create a landscaped bank alongside Backwell Hill Road, as an extension of the existing boundary bank, approximately 6 metres in height, to provide screening to adjacent residential properties and users of the road and bridleway. The bank would be sown with grass and planted with trees. A smaller bank, approximately 3 metre high, would be constructed along the southern boundary adjacent to Long Lane and sown with grass The full extent of the quarry workings is shown on the accompanying Stancombe/Spinney Final Quarry Face Development plan reference S109/

13 6.14 The proposed restoration of the Spinney would continue the theme of nature conservation established in the Stancombe restoration proposals. There would be an increased emphasis on creating biodiversity habitats with a reduction in the extent of tree planting. By tipping conglomerate in the shallow areas of extraction in the south a large part of the Spinney could be restored to calcareous grassland. The proposed restoration is shown on the accompanying Restoration Concept plan reference S109/ A variety of habitats would be created including calcareous grassland, mixed broadleaved woodland and scree slopes The restoration would be designed to provide a number of local and national biodiversity action plan target habitats. The restoration would complement the adjacent wooded slopes of Bourton Combe. 12

14 7 Defining the Scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment 7.1 Defining the scope of an EIA is a fundamental part of the development process. A range of environmental issues have been identified for detailed assessment based upon a thorough knowledge and understanding of the site and of the development proposals. The environmental issues are set out below and are also summarised in Table As well as considering environmental issues the ES will also describe the proposed development, consider alternatives and examine the proposals in the context of the development plan. Geology 7.3 Stancombe quarry extracts Clifton Down Limestone and Goblin Coombe Oolite (limestone). Both these limestones are used for high quality construction aggregates and are present in the Spinney extension. Overlying part of the quarry and part of the Spinney is low grade Dolomitic Conglomerate material which is sold as a fill material or tipped within the site. 7.4 The limestone strata dip to the north and there are stability issues when extracting in a southerly direction. 7.5 Stancombe Quarry is designated as a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS). Proposal 7.6 The quarry design would need to address the removal of conglomerate to avoid sterilisation and ensure the most efficient extraction of limestone. In addition there would need to be a geotechnical assessment to ensure that the working faces were stable and fully complied with the requirements of current health and safety legislation. 7.7 The impact of the development on the RIGS would also need to be considered. Soils and Agriculture 7.8 The Spinney contains 11 hectares of agricultural land and is used primarily for grazing cattle. The land forms part of the farm holding of Hyatts Wood Farm. 7.9 The land would be taken out of agricultural use whilst quarrying was carried out. Some of the land would be restored as calcareous grassland with a greater level of nature conservation interest. Grazing would be possible following restoration The soils would be removed to allow extraction to be carried out. The soils and any overburden material lying above the limestone would be used to create landscaped screen banks along the western and southern boundaries and for subsequent restoration of the site. There is potential to damage or lose soils. 13

15 Proposal 7.11 An assessment would be carried out to determine the land quality together with the quality and quantity of soils present. The impact on the farm business of losing the grazing land would also be considered The quarry design and restoration proposals would need to address the removal, storage and reuse of soils to ensure there was no unnecessary impact on the soil resources. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 7.13 There is the potential for archaeological remains to exist within the undisturbed agricultural land in the Spinney. Any archaeological features would be destroyed during the quarrying process There are conservation areas within 1 km of the site at Farleigh to the north and Backwell (Church Town) to the west. In addition Barrow Court is a registered historic park and garden site 1 km to the west and Backwell House is an unregistered site 0.5 km to the north There is a Scheduled Ancient Monument within 1 km of the site, namely a churchyard cross in St Andrews Churchyard in Backwell There are distant views of the existing quarry and of the Spinney from the National Trust s Tyntesfield Estate to the north. Proposal 7.17 An assessment would be carried out to determine the presence and potential direct impact on archaeological features within the site and the indirect impact on the setting of recognised features beyond the site. Landscape and Visual Impact 7.18 The quarry and extension area lies within the Bristol and Bath Green Belt which covers an extensive area of amounting to the eastern most third of North Somerset The Community Forest of Avon designation which covers the majority of North Somerset also covers the site There are no other landscape designations which affect the site There are several residential properties to the immediate west of the Spinney as well as isolated properties some 0.5 km distant at Hyatts Wood Farm and Water Catch Farm to the south and east respectively The C class public highway from Backwell to Lulsgate Bottom (Backwell Hill Road) is located along the western boundary of the Spinney together with a bridleway. A 14

16 public footpath between Backwell Hill Road and Bourton Combe is located along the southern boundary of the Spinney between the existing quarry and the Spinney The existing quarry is well screened from close viewpoints by the existing landform, screen banks and adjacent woodland. The Spinney is partly screened by landform and woodland. A continuation of the existing screen bank along Backwell Hill Road would further reduce views into the Spinney There are more distant views of the existing quarry and of the Spinney from the north at Wraxall and Tyntesfield including views from the National Trust s Tyntesfield Estate The extension proposals have the potential to impact upon the landscape of the area and cause visual intrusion at particular viewpoints. Proposal 7.26 A detailed landscape and visual impact assessment would be carried out to determine the level of impact from the development on the landscape and on viewpoints from properties and rights of way. Ecology 7.27 The quarry and extension area are not located within any ecological designations nor do any statutory ecological designations lie within 1km of the site There are a number of woodland sites in the immediate area which have nonstatutory designations (Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI)) such as Bourton Combe to the east, Cheston Combe and Backwell Hill to the west and Hyatts Wood to the south. These woodlands are also identified in the National Inventory of Woodland and Trees and some parts are ancient or semi natural woodland The quarry lies within an extensive area identified as suitable habitat for Greater Horseshoe Bats as part of the North Somerset and Mendip bat habitat area Quarry development would destroy any habitat within the agricultural land and part of the woodland along the southern Spinney boundary (not part of the SNCI or National Inventory). It could also disturb adjacent habitat The restoration proposals for the site would provide new habitats and would create a benefit in nature conservation terms. Proposal 7.32 An extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey would be carried out to provide initial baseline data. Further species surveys would be undertaken as appropriate and these are likely to include assessments of bats and badgers. 15

17 Water Regime 7.33 The quarry and extension area are not located within the floodplain or within areas at risk of flooding. Both areas however are within a major aquifer which is classed by the Environment Agency as highly vulnerable and they also lie within a groundwater protection zone (outer zone) As a consequence of disturbing the land surface and extracting limestone the development has the potential to impact on both surface and groundwater flows in terms of quantity and quality. Local water abstractions could be affected and pollution from the operations is also possible Extraction of the lowest two benches within the existing quarry would require dewatering by lowering the water table and discharging water off site. Proposal 7.36 A detailed assessment of the existing water regime in and around the site would be undertaken to determine the level of impact from the development. The implications of dewatering including the requirements for water storage and discharge would be fully examined. Blasting Vibration 7.37 The extraction of stone involves blasting with explosives to break stone from the quarry face. Blasting creates vibration which can cause disturbance and damage to property if not controlled The closest vibration sensitive properties to the proposed extraction within the Spinney are the houses to the west of Backwell Hill Road. Proposal 7.39 An assessment of vibration levels would be carried out at adjacent properties to determine the potential for disturbance or damage. Noise 7.40 The extension area would be developed using the same conventional working methods as are currently employed within the existing quarry. Noise would be generated from soil and overburden removal, drilling and blasting and the transport of stone to the processing plant There are a number of residential properties to the immediate west of the extension area as well as more distant properties to the south and east. Rights of way in the vicinity of the extension include bridleways and footpaths. There are also a number of ecological habitats in the area Noise from the development could potentially affect all of these receptors. 16

18 Proposal 7.43 A full assessment of the existing noise climate would be carried out to determine the baseline conditions. Sophisticated modelling of the noise levels to be created during all aspects of the development would be undertaken to identify potential impacts. Air Quality 7.44 Similar comments can be made for air quality as have been made for noise above. The same conventional working methods would be used as are currently employed within the existing quarry. Dust would be generated from soil and overburden removal, drilling and blasting and the transport of stone to the processing plant. Air emissions from vehicle engines would also occur There are a number of sensitive receptors in the area, primarily residential properties but also rights of way and ecological habitats Dust and air emissions created from the development could potentially affect all of these receptors. Proposal 7.47 A full assessment of the existing air quality would be carried out to determine baseline conditions. Modelling of dust generation and air emissions during all aspects of the development would be carried out to identify the potential impacts. Highways and Public Rights of Way 7.48 Stone extracted from the Spinney would be processed within the existing processing plant in the quarry and despatched via the existing access onto the A370. There are no proposals to alter the access or increase output above approved levels Bridleways and footpaths exist in the immediate vicinity of the extension area. The footpath between Backwell Hill Road and Bourton Combe would need to be diverted around the extension area to allow the quarry to progress in a southerly direction. The development would impact on some of the existing rights of way. Proposal 7.50 It is not proposed to assess the highway impact of vehicles using the A370 as this has previously been considered and improvements carried out at the A370 junction. An assessment would be undertaken of the impacts on the rights of way in the vicinity of the extension area. 17

19 Table 1 Scoping Schedule for Environmental Statement Topic Potential Impact Comments Geology Soils and Agriculture Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Landscape and Visual Impact Ecology Water Regime Blasting Vibration Noise Stability of quarry workings and restoration. Maximising stone extraction. Loss of agricultural land. Loss or damage to soil resource. Effect on farming unit. Loss or damage to buried archaeology. Impact on historic buildings and settings. Disturbance to landscape character and quality. Disturbance to visual amenity. Loss or damage to habitat. Loss or damage to species. Benefits of restoration. Disturbance to surface and groundwater quality and quantity. Change to flood regime. Benefits of restoration. Disturbance to local amenity. Damage to property. Disturbance to local residents. Effect on amenity. Effect on ecology. A geotechnical assessment would advise on the safest method of working and the overall quarry development. The quarry design would seek to recover the optimum amount of limestone. The land quality and soil resources would be determined. Proposals for removal, storage and reuse of soils would be assessed. Farm business would be considered. A full desk study would be carried out to determine the archaeological value of the extension area. Historic and listed buildings would be considered. Further phases of assessment would be carried out as appropriate. A landscape study would assess the significance of impacts on the landscape. Viewpoint analysis would determine the level of impacts from individual locations. An extended phase 1 survey of the site and adjacent area would be undertaken to identify habitats and species that required further study. The existing water regime would be assessed together with potential impacts arising from the development. Assessment of blasting vibration levels at adjacent properties would be undertaken. Consideration would be given to the impact on amenity. Survey would determine existing noise levels and predicted noise levels from the development at the closest noise sensitive receptors. Air Quality Highways and Public Rights of Way Disturbance to local residents. Effect on amenity. Effect on ecology. Impact on local road network. Impact on public rights of way. Assessment would establish existing air quality and predicted emission levels at the closest sensitive receptors. The highways implications of vehicles using the A370 have previously been determined. Impacts on footpaths and bridleways would be assessed. 18

20 8 Conclusion 8.1 This document is a relating to the proposed extension of Stancombe Quarry into the Spinney. The document sets out the background to the site, identifies the detail of the proposals and considers the extent of the EIA required to accompany the planning application. 8.2 The formal opinion of North Somerset Council is sought on the scope of the assessment to be carried out within the EIA to accompany the planning application. 8.3 In accordance with Regulation 13 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 North Somerset Council are requested to provide a Scoping Opinion on the contents of an Environmental Statement to accompany the planning application to extend Stancombe Quarry into the Spinney. 19

21 Plans Location Plan Site Summary Plan Aerial photograph Stancombe/Spinney Working Areas Stancombe/Spinney Final Quarry Face Development Concept Restoration 20

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