Seaham North Pier Environmental Impact Assessment Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary January 2014

Transcription

1 Seaham North Pier Environmental Impact Assessment Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary January 2014

2 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION SEAHAM NORTH PIER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

3 INTRODUCTION Seaham is located approximately 8 kilometres (km) south of Sunderland. The Pier is a masonry structure, approximately 435 meters (m) in length and houses a lighthouse at its seaward end (please refer to Figure 1). Figure 1: Seaham Pier Location Seaham North Pier is viewed as a key coast protection feature at Seaham and acts as the main outer harbour wall. Based on the inspections presented in Seaham North Pier Condition Assessment: Main Document (AECOM, 2011), the structure is in poor condition and is at risk of failure. Therefore Durham County Council are undertaking works to repair the pier. An Environmental Statement (ES) has been prepared by AECOM Ltd for Durham County Council in support of their application to repair and restore the North Pier, Seaham. This Volume of the ES is the Non-Technical Summary. The Environmental Statement is made up of three parts: 1. Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary This Volume provides a short, easy to read summary of the proposed scheme and key effects. 2. Volume 2: Main Text Presents the detailed assessments for the environmental topics covered by the assessment. The information in Volume 2 is supported by Volume Volume 3: Figures and Appendices Contains the maps, photographs, fi gures/other illustrations, and appendices (supporting technical reports and survey documents) referred to in Volume 2.

4 SEAHAM NORTH PIER Seaham s North Pier is situated on the northeast of England s coastline within the Northumbria Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar designation. The piers surroundings comprise rocky and vegetated outcrops which are also part of the nationally designated Durham Coast Site of Special Scientifi c Interest (SSSI). Photo 1: Arial View of Seaham Pier The North Dock, where Seaham North Pier is located is north of the South Dock which is still used as a commercial port. A marina and associated commercial / offi ce building has now been constructed, and the North Dock is now used for yachting and recreational sailing. Photo 1 provides an aerial view of Seaham harbour and key areas. Repair Works The following outlines the repair works to be undertaken on the Pier: - Repair toe of the structure; - Reinforce areas which have previously breached; - Undertake pointing of the masonry panels on the outer and inner walls; - Replace deck with new deck; and - Repair/replace missing coping stones. The repair work will use materials and construction techniques which are sympathetic to the existing structure therefore the architectural signifi cance and conservation value of the North Pier will be preserved.

5 Construction Information Environmental Management Plan The repair of the Pier will take approximately 8-10 months to complete depending on weather conditions. Works will be undertaken between 07:30 to 18:00 however, these hours will be occasionally expanded to fi t with low tide times and favourable weather conditions. The area to the western end of the pier will be used as a compound area (see Photo 2). The compound will house site offi ces, welfare facilities, vehicular and plant standing and storage areas, material storage and covered waste storage. A further temporary storage area adjacent to the gravelled car park will be used to store precast items and removed concrete. Materials for the repair will be sourced, where available from sustainable local sources. The scheme will produce waste including existing concrete and copings. These wastes can be sent locally for crushing for re-use, other waste will be sent to a local recycling centre. All construction traffi c to and from the site will use the A19/A182. Traffi c management will be employed to guide and control both public and construction traffi c during deliveries. Deliveries of plant and materials, where possible will be between 09:00 and 16:30. A Draft Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) has been prepared for the repair. The CEMP: - Identifi es relevant environmental legislation to be complied with; - Lists the various permissions that need to be obtained; - Summarises the environmental baseline; - Specifies construction methods and mitigation requirements; - Identifi es the roles and responsibilities for key personnel; and - Sets out a programme for surveys and monitoring as may be required. Photo 2: Construction Site Layout It is estimated that there will be a maximum of 30 workers on site during the project at any one time. All workers will be appropriately trained with emphasis on health and safety and the environmental responsibilities.

6 THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been carried out in accordance with European Directives and UK Legislation to determine the likely signifi cant effects of the scheme. The EIA has compiled, evaluated and presented all the signifi cant environmental effects and incorporated mitigation measures into the scheme design to reduce these effects. Standard good practice guidance has been referred to in carrying out the various environmental assessments. The Environmental Statement The Environmental Statement is a record of the EIA and has been presented in three volumes: Consultation As part of the EIA process consultation was undertaken with a range of interested parties including statutory and non-statutory consultees, and stakeholders. These consultations helped to develop the scope of the EIA and the methods used to undertake the repair work. The Scope of the EIA An Environmental Scoping Report was submitted for consultation in January It concluded that the topics that required further assessment were: Volume 1: Non-Technical Summary This Volume provides a short, easy to read summary of the proposed scheme and key effects. Volume 2: Main Text Presents the detailed assessments for the environmental topics covered by the assessment. The information in Volume 2 is supported by Volume 3. Volume 3: Figures and Appendices Contains the maps, photographs, fi gures/other illustrations, and appendices (supporting technical reports and survey documents) referred to in Volume 2. - Marine and Terrestrial Ecology (including Ornithology); - Surface Water Quality; - Archaeology and Cultural Heritage; - Townscape/Seascape and Visual; - Air Quality; - Noise and Vibration; - Ground Conditions; - Socioeconomic; and - Transport The remainder of this Non-Technical Summary provides a summary of each of the technical assessments that have been carried out. Due to the nature of the scheme, assessment of decommissioning was not included in the EIA.

7 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Coastal Processes and Flood Risk The repair works proposed will not signifi cantly change the footprint or the shape of the pier. Concrete blocks installed along the outside for the pier, will have an insignifi cant effect on the overall coastal dynamics during construction and post construction. Photo 3: Seal Pup on Seaham Pier The repairs proposed will also have minimal effect on fl ood risk during construction and will reduce fl ood and coastal erosion risk to the local population and businesses. Overall, the Pier is an essential asset that prevents coastal erosion and is a fl ood defence for the Port. As no signifi cant effects were predicted further assessment of this topic was scoped out of the EIA. This was supported by consultation responses. Ecology There are three international designated sites within 2 km of the site (Northumbria Coast Ramsar, Northumbria Coast Special Protection Area (SPA) and Durham Coast Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Birds including the purple sandpiper and turnstone (SPA designation species) use the pier. The eastern end of the North Pier falls within the boundary of the Durham Coast Site of Special Scientifi c Interest (SSSI) designated for its intertidal and subtidal fl ora which are typical of exposed rocky shores. The southwest of the pier, which includes an area of coastal grassland known as Red Acre Point, lies overhanging the pier. Survey highlighted that the pier itself did not support or offer suitable habitat for any terrestrial protected species. The majority of marine species living in the vicinity of Seaham Pier (and the wider coast in the case of marine mammals) have a low sensitivity to the potential effects and levels they are expected to encounter as a result of the Scheme works. In addition, the effects on marine species living in the vicinity of Seaham Pier (and the wider coast in the case of marine mammals) are expected to be very localised to the Pier structure, therefore, with mitigation in place will be of neutral signifi cance in the context of the coast of County Durham. With mitigation measures to avoid adverse effects to Durham Coast SSSI, fl ora and invertebrate species such as a wet haul routes, and the erection of suitable fencing and exclusion zones effects on terrestrial ecology will not be signifi cant.

8 Effects on the purple sandpiper and turnstone (SPA designation species) and the wider populations of wintering and breeding birds that use the pier will be short-term (during construction) and are not anticipated to be signifi cant. Photo 4: View of Seaham Pier As the scheme will ensure the survival of the pier, the long term effects will be to preserve the pier as a roosting site for SPA birds, as well as shielding the inner and outer harbour (and its bird populations) from the effects of severe weather and extreme swell. Roosting opportunities in the form of roosting ledges are to be incorporated into the restored pier structure, which will be a further long term benefi t of the scheme. Water Environment The Tyne and Wear coastal water body is designated under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and is currently at good ecological and chemical status. During the construction phase temporary, short-term minor negative effects were predicted including chemical effects on water quality, pollution from spillages / leaks and disturbance to the seabed. With mitigation in place such as implementing good construction practice to minimise the risk of spills and leaks, the use of concrete, grout and cement suitable for use within the marine environment, the use of ready mixed concrete, grout batching being carried out in a designated area and by minimising the footprint of working areas around the pier no signifi cant adverse effects will occur. Archaeology & Cultural Heritage A study area of 500 m from the pier was considered to assess the archaeology and cultural heritage of the area, and to identify potential effects resulting from the scheme. Within the area there are 25 recorded heritage assets, as well as 77 shipwrecks. The scheme will not disturb any archaeological or heritage features. The only predicted effect is on the pier itself and it is considered that the repair, will ensure the survival of the pier resulting in a slight positive effect.

9 Landscape and Visual The landscape and visual assessment, considered the potential effects that the repair activities may have on the existing townscape/seascape resource of the study area and the visual amenity of its receptors. Noise levels during construction (repair works) have been predicted at locations near to the pier. The day time construction noise levels were predicted to be below the construction noise Criteria of 65 db(a). These predictions were based on a worst case situation of all the construction equipment operating at the nearest point to a receptor. The site will be directly affected by the pier repair works, although these physical effects are not predicted to be signifi cant. There will also be no signifi cant effects on townscape/seascape character or on the identifi ed landscape designations within the study area due to the repair works. The repair works may intrude into existing views experienced by users of the study area, changing their direct experience and perception of the townscape/seascape. Seven viewpoints were considered in the assessment, of these only 1 viewpoint (view point 1- Red Acre Point) was assessed as having signifi cant effect for visitor receptors due to the repair activities causing changes to the existing view and the construction compound being viewed at close range. This predicted effect is temporary and will cease upon completion of the repair works. Negligible effects are predicted due to construction traffi c accessing the site along the A182. Deliveries to the site will be carefully managed and there will be time restrictions where by deliveries will be between 09:00 and 16:30, where possible to minimise effects. Photo 5: Noise Measurement Location 4 Air Quality Air quality effects during the repair works have been assessed. Existing air quality is good in the vicinity of the scheme. The assessment concluded that the works will have a negligible effect on sensitive human or ecological receptors due to dust with mitigation measures employed to lessen the effects. Construction vehicle exhaust emissions are also predicted to have a negligible effect as the total number of construction vehicles using the local road network will be small compared with the normal traffi c fl ows. Noise The existing noise levels at locations near to the pier were measured and noise limits to be kept to during the repair works were set based on these measurements.

10 Various mitigation measures will be adopted to help minimise the construction noise and vibration effects using Best Practicable Means. Ground Conditions The Durham Coast SSSI, immediately to the west and adjacent to the pier is a feature of geological importance, comprising the limestone exposures of Red Acre Point. Potential effects on this include accidental collision of construction machinery and chemical pollution from accidental spillages. With mitigation effects are expected to be Neutral. The bedrock underlying the site is designated as a Principal Aquifer. However, it is considered highly unlikely that the groundwater underlying the Pier will be used to support drinking water supplies. Potential effects on the Aquifer include pollution from chemicals used on site as well as accidental spillages. Following the implementation of mitigation measures effects on the Aquifer are considered to be Neutral. Socio-Economics The repair of the Pier will result in temporary minor positive effects due to the opportunities for employment and increased spending during the construction phase in the local economy. Temporary negative effects associated with the displacement of visitors to the beach and car park are predicted, however with appropriate signage, visitors can be directed to alternative locations, and therefore these effects will be neutral. Construction traffi c will have a temporary negative effect on the immediate vicinity, and along the construction route. However as the total number of construction vehicles using the local road network will be small and it is proposed that the construction vehicle routing and deliveries will be managed potential adverse effect are predicted to be negligible. There will be a temporary moderate/large effect on the existing marina associated business units and cafe due to construction activities. However, the repair of the pier will ultimately have a positive effect on these receptors. Traffic and Transport Potential traffi c effects including severance, driver delay, pedestrian delay, pedestrian amenity, accident and safety and hazardous loads have been considered for the construction phase and it is concluded that effects will be both temporary and adequately mitigated resulting in insignificant effects. Cumulative Assessment Cumulative effects have been assessed for the scheme. Due to the nature of the scheme it is considered that cumulative effects are only likely in the construction phase. There is the possibility that some cumulative effects could occur during the construction phase if demolition and construction works occur simultaneously. These effects will be due to dust, noise and transport if similar construction routes are utilised. With the implementation of common good practice mitigation these should not occur. Therefore overall, no signifi cant cumulative effects have been identifi ed. Anglers will not be able to use the pier during the repairs, therefore a temporary negative effect on the local angling community has been identifi ed, however the proposed mitigation of access for anglers to use the south pier during construction, would result in a neutral effect.

11 AECOM House, 179 Moss Lane, Altrincham, WA15 8FH T +44 (0) F +44 (0) Website Job No: Reference: Final Date Created: Jan 2014 This document is confi dential and the copyright of AECOM Limited. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person other than the addressee is strictly prohibited. Author Checked by Approved by JK OT KT