Non-technical summary. Canford. Extension of composting facility. Non-technical summary

Transcription

1 Canford Extension of composting facility

2 Introduction NTS1 NTS2 NTS3 NTS4 (NESG) and WH White Ltd submitted a planning application to the Borough of Poole Council (BPC) which was registered on 9 May 2008 to extend their existing fully enclosed composting facility at Canford, Poole (figure NTS 1). The proposed development will process up to 50,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of biodegradable waste. The proposal includes a bio-stabilisation composting hall, maturation and screening area, emissions treatment plant, internal circulation and lighting. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999, as amended, (hereafter referred to as the Regulations ). An EIA is needed for projects that are over a certain size or located in a sensitive area, where significant environmental effects may result. A screening request was submitted to the Borough of Poole Council (BPC), which returned an opinion that EIA was not required, however, at the Appeal of the subsequent planning application refusal a screening direction from the Secretary of State via the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) concluded that EIA was required. The findings of the EIA undertaken are reported in this environmental statement (ES). The ES provides the determining authority with detailed and objective information on the environmental effects of the proposed development. This non-technical document summarises the finding reported in the ES. Background NTS5 NTS6 The implementation of the European Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC in England through the Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003 and the Landfill Allowance and Trading Scheme (England) Regulations 2004 requires Waste Disposal Authorities to reduce the quantity of biodegradable municipal waste consigned to landfill. The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Waste Local Plan (2006) forecasts waste capacity requirements, which include the prediction that by 2015/16 recovery facilities, such as the existing Canford composting site, will need to have a capacity for 613,000 tonnes of waste. The current capacity given in the Waste Local Plan is 115,000 tpa, leaving a predicted additional capacity requirement of 489,000 tpa. The applicant NTS7 Based in Poole, Dorset, NESG designs, builds and operates fully enclosed composting facilities for the treatment of household, commercial and

3 industrial waste. The company has operated a purpose built facility at Canford, in Poole, since The application site NTS8 NTS9 The site (approximately 2.56 hectares) located 4 kilometres south of Wimborne Minster is bounded on three sides by mature woodland, and on the fourth by NESG s existing facility adjacent to the north eastern boundary (figure NTS 2). The site currently accommodates a balancing lagoon, embankments, a small area of woodland and an area of hardstanding. The proposed extension would be located within an area of the current balancing lagoon that was formally used as part of the original surface water management system for nearby Whites Pit landfill, and before this was a man-made fire water lagoon for Canford Heath. The proposals NTS10 The proposed extension will process biodegradable waste from both source segregated kerbside collections (card, paper, food and garden waste) and residual black bag waste (a mixture of biodegradable and nonbiodegradable material). The non-biodegradable element of the residual waste (plastic and metal) will be recovered for recycling as part of the process. NTS11 Incoming materials will be weighed in at the established weighbridge and compliance confirmed through checking of the waste transfer note and visual inspection of the load. The waste will be delivered to the reception building at the existing facility, where materials will be sorted to remove nonbiodegradable recyclables. The non-biodegradable element of the residual waste (plastics and metal) will be recovered for recycling as part of the process. The remaining waste will be shredded to a suitable size for composting using a selection of plant equipment in an enclosed indoor area. NTS12 The processed material will be fed into the composting hall via an enclosed conveyor, where a wheel loader will place it into long piles of compost, called windrows. Composting of the material occurs in a two-stage digestion process during which conditions are optimised through careful control of aeration, irrigation and ventilation. This is designed to manage the temperature within the windrows. The windrows will be turned regularly wheeled loading shovelers or specialist compost turning plant to ensure maximum aeration and uniform treatment of the waste. NTS13 The compost is then transferred to a maturation building where it cools to an ambient temperature. When the process is complete, the compost product will be screened to remove any oversize material, prior to end-use application. The final compost product will comply with the requirements of the Animal By-Products Regulations (ABPR) 2003.

4 NTS14 Malodorous air from within the delivery and composting halls will be extracted to a biological odour treatment system (wood chip biofilter with acid scrubber). NTS15 The facility will be fully sealed, with a concrete floor and underlying highdensity polyethylene membrane to prevent liquids seeping into soil and groundwater. Water from the composting process will be held in storage tanks for re-use, or testing and disposal off site in an appropriately licensed facility. Alternatives NTS16 An alternative site assessment was undertaken in 2007 looking at a range of sites, including existing waste management sites, industrial or employment sites, from which a long list of 66 sites was drawn up. The assessment did not ascertain if any of the included sites were available for development. A second assessment was undertaken in 2009 looking specifically at existing and allocated employment land. The report concluded that none of the existing or allocated sites were suitable or available for NESG s proposed development. NTS17 The assessment looked at a range of criteria, including operational requirements, planning issues and environmental considerations. A short list of 11 sites was taken forward to the final stage of the assessment, of which four were shown to perform better in relation to the criteria. A site at Blunts Farm and the land adjacent to the Canford Control Centre were considered to be the most appropriate for the proposed development, with the least environmental impacts. NTS18 However, Blunts Farm was deleted from the Waste Local Plan due to effect of sprawl and urbanisation in the greenbelt. The Canford Control Centre is also in the greenbelt, but due to the unique merits of the site it is considered that the development would not represent encroachment and that there would be no significant adverse impact from a landscape and visual perspective. Assessment methodology NTS19 NESG lodged an appeal with the PINS, which acts on behalf of the Secretary of State, against refusal of the original planning application for the proposed extension. Appeal proposals are automatically screened with regards to EIA when an appeal is lodged and in this case a screening direction from PINS indicated that EIA was required. NTS20 The initial stage of the EIA was the receipt of the screening direction from the PINS. PINS advised that EIA should be carried out and in subsequent correspondence confirmed that the issues raised in the screening direction should be adopted as the scope of the ES, as follows: i) The likely effect of the proposal, both on its own and cumulatively with the composting facility already permitted, on nearby nationally and

5 ii) iii) iv) internationally designated habitats (SSSI, SPA, SAC and Ramsar) with regard to emissions to water and the potential of pollution to the aquatic environment; The likely effect of the proposal, both singularly and cumulatively, on nearby nationally and internationally designated habitats with regard to emissions to air and the potential to adversely affect air quality; The potential effect of the proposal, both singularly and cumulatively, on nearby nationally and internationally designated habitats through the potential dispersal of plant diseases and insect infestations; and The availability of alternative sites for composting facilities: their suitability and likely impact. NTS21 The first three points consider the potential effects on the designated habitats nearby and as such the ES comprises a single issue, with a technical chapter on natural heritage. The final point regarding alternatives is considered in chapter 2. NTS22 PINS also advised that a formal scoping process would not be required for an ES at the Appeal stage. Notwithstanding this advice, NESG submitted to PINS a report setting out the methodology for the EIA, in the interests of transparency and due diligence. NTS23 Desk-based / modelling work and field studies methods were employed to establish the baseline and in the assessment of potential environmental issues. The potential effects of the proposed development were evaluated using a method that compares the sensitivity and importance of receptor (somebody or something with the potential to be effected) with the likely magnitude of change to establish the significance of the effects. Measures were proposed to avoid or reduce (mitigate) potential adverse effects. Environmental effects Natural heritage NTS24 An ecological appraisal of the site and surrounding area was undertaken in April An initial site visit was made to survey the vegetation and for protected species potential. Following this, specific surveys for reptiles, great crested newts, bats and breeding birds were undertaken. NTS25 A review of designated sites was also undertaken (figure NTS 3), which showed that the proposed compost site is just to the north of the Canford Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which forms part of the Dorset Heathland Special Protection Area (SPA)/Ramsar and the Dorset Heath Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The proposed development site is also 50 metres to the north west of a locally designated Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI).

6 Receptor Value Sensitivity SNCI Local / county Low to medium SSSI National High SAC International High SPA International High Ramsar International High Table NTS 1: Importance of receptor NTS26 On site habitats include a lagoon (partially drained), mature woodland stands, scrub and edge woodland along site boundaries. The on site habitats are of local interest with generally no rare species and are considered to be receptors of low to negligible importance. NTS27 Breeding bird surveys were undertaken. These included daylight and nocturnal surveys, with particular interest in the species of hobby, nightjar, Dartford warbler and woodlark, which are associated with the SSSI and SPA designations. During the survey period a number of common breeding birds were noted and two separate incidents of hobby and nightjar recorded. NTS28 Bat surveys indicated activity in the south of the site along the woodland edge and above the existing lagoon, mainly for an hour at dusk. Common pipistrelle and a Myotis species (likely to be Daubenton s bat) were recorded. NTS29 The site was found to support a reasonable population of breeding slow worm, in addition several grass snake were also recorded. No evidence of great crested newts was found and it is considered unlikely that this species will occur at the site. Breeding toads and a small number of common frogs were noted. NTS30 The construction phase was identified as resulting in a loss of some of the on site habitats and potentially adversely effecting breeding bird, bat foraging routes and reptile populations. Mitigation measures put forward include the timing of habitat clearance works to avoid disrupting breeding birds and to implement the translocation of reptiles and the use of reptile fencing around works to keep exclude reptiles from construction areas. As a result of this mitigation no significant impacts on birds or reptiles during the construction phase are predicted. NTS31 Ammonia and nitrogen are by-products of the composting process. There is considerable evidence that elevated aerial concentrations of both ammonia and nitrogen oxides can damage vegetation, and that the deposition (airborne pollutants coming into contact with habitats) of nitrogen can damage certain sensitive habitats. The designated habitats in the local area mentioned above are at risk from the potential effects of the nitrogen and ammonia. NTS32 During operation, modelling of air emission shows that the additional biofilter, covering of the existing biofilters and adding a biofilter stack will result in positive changes in emissions compared to the baseline. Currently, approximately 60% of the SAC is affected by airborne ammonia emissions;

7 this situation will be dramatically improved (reduced to 1% of the SAC area) as a result of the improved filtration system of the proposed extension. The proposal will also ensure that no part of the SAC would be exposed to unacceptable levels of airborne nitrogen oxides and reduce emissions such that no areas of the SAC will be subject to nitrogen deposition rates above the level considered to be acceptable. These changes are positive effects of moderate to substantial significance. NTS33 The nature of the proposed extension (enclosed processes in a sealed facility and following best practice operating techniques) means that there will be no release of contaminated water and no significant effects are predicted on the aquatic environments of designated sites. NTS34 NESG has agreed to undertake a programme of monitoring of lichen and bryophytes if planning permission is given, to identify the presence of nitrophytes, an indication of nitrogen deposition. A conservation management plan covering the nearby area of Stoat Hill wood will also be implemented following planning permission. The management plan is likely to improve the ecological conditions of this off site area, resulting in a beneficial effect of moderate significance. Further information NTS35 This non-technical summary has outlined the findings of the EIA for the proposed extension to the Canford composting facility. Further details are set out in the ES and accompanying technical appendices. NTS36 The environmental statement will be available for public viewing at Borough of Poole Council or for purchase at a cost of 50 from NESG. The details of both organisations are given below. Borough of Poole Council Civic Centre Poole Dorset BH12 2RU New Earth Solutions Group Key House 35 Black Moor Road Ebblake Industrial Estate Verwood Dorset BH31 6AT

8 NTS 1: Site location Legend Site location Site location Client / Project: New Earth Solutions Group Extension to Canford composting facility 1: Scale NTS Figure Drawn By JC Checked By: JG Revision No: Based upon the 2008 Ordnance Survey 1:50000 scale raster map with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown copyright. Terence O'Rourke Ltd. Licence No. AL Copyright Terence O'Rourke Ltd, 2009

9 NTS 2: Application boundary Legend Application boundary (digitised from Graham Garner & Partners Ltd, drawing /POIE as submitted with the planning application) Application boundary Client / Project: New Earth Solutions Group Extension to Canford composting facility 1:4000 Scale NTS Figure Drawn By JC Checked By: JG Revision No: Based upon the 2008 Ordnance Survey 1:10000 scale raster map with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown copyright. Terence O'Rourke Ltd. Licence No. AL Copyright Terence O'Rourke Ltd, 2009

10 NTS 3: Designated sites Legend Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Special Protection Area (SPA) Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) Site boundary Natural designations Client / Project: New Earth Solutions Group Extension to Canford composting facility Drawn By 1:4000 Scale Checked By: NTS Figure Revision No: JC JG Based upon the 2008 Ordnance Survey 1:10000 scale raster map with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown copyright. Terence O'Rourke Ltd. Licence No. AL Data provided by Natural England, SINC data taken from Poole Council Local Plan, Copyright Terence O'Rourke Ltd, 2009