Volume I. Environmental Statement. and Figures

Transcription

1 Environmental Statement Volume I Environmental Statement and Figures February 2013

2 NEMO LINK UK ONSHORE COMPONENTS Prepared by: Sophie Clayton/Bobby Clayton TEP Genesis Centre Birchwood Science Park Warrington WA3 7BH Tel: Fax: for National Grid Nemo Link Limited Written: Checked: Approved: SC/BC IJG IJG

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4 Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3.0 OPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED 4.0 PLANNING POLICY REVIEW 5.0 LAND USE 6.0 GROUND CONDITIONS AND CONTAMINATION 7.0 HYDROLOGY AND FLOOD RISK 8.0 ECOLOGY 9.0 ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE 10.0 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL EFFECTS 11.0 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT 12.0 NOISE AND VIBRATION 13.0 AIR QUALITY 14.0 COASTAL TOURISM, RECREATION AND SOCIO-ECONOMICS 15.0 ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY 16.0 PROJECT-WIDE ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS 17.0 ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION SYSTEM CONNECTION 18.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Appendices (see ES Volumes 2 and 3) 1.1 ES Scoping and Pre-Application Consultation Table 1.2 Statement of Community Involvement 3.1 Review of Options 4.1 The Horlock Rules 6.1 Ground Conditions and Contamination Phase 1 Environmental Study (Main report only see Planning Application CD for full data version) 7.1 Flood Risk Assessment (Main report only see Planning Application CD for full data version) 8.1 Desktop Records 8.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 8.3 Saltmarsh NVC Survey 8.4 Reptile Survey 8.5 Water Vole Survey 8.6 Wintering Bird Survey 8.7 Breeding Bird and Nesting Redshank Survey 8.8 Sediment and Invertebrates Survey 8.9 Information for Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) 8.10 Information for HRA Signposting Document 9.1 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Baseline Report 10.1 Verified Photomontage Method 10.2 Visual Effects Assessment Tables 11.1 Abnormal Indivisible Load Investigations 11.2 Construction Traffic Air Quality Assessment 12.1 Substation and Converter Station Sound Power Levels and Assumptions 16.1 Belgian Onshore and Marine Environmental Assessment Non-Technical Summary Documents and Marine Scoping Responses 3

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6 1.0 INTRODUCTION Project Overview 1.1 The Nemo Link (the Project) is a proposed high voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical interconnector with an approximate capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW) which will allow the transfer of electrical power via subsea cables between the UK and Belgium. The power would be bi-directional, able to flow in either direction at different times, depending on the supply and demand in each country. The project will bring both short and long term local economic benefit, wider benefit to electricity consumers in the UK and Europe and enhanced opportunities for the integration of renewable energy to meet climate change targets. 1.2 The proposed subsea cables would run from Pegwell Bay at Richborough in Kent to Zeebrugge in Belgium (Figure 1.1) passing through English, French and Belgian waters. 1.3 The UK onshore elements of the Project for which planning permission is being sought comprise a converter station and substation at the site of the former Richborough Power Station, and HVDC and fibre optic cables installed below the ground between the converter station and mean low water at Pegwell Bay. These elements of the Project are referred to in this Environmental Statement (ES) as the Proposed Development. The cables will connect to the other parts of the interconnector which are the subsea cables from low water across the North Sea and onshore underground cables and a converter station in Belgium. 1.4 The Project is being developed by National Grid Nemo Link Ltd (NGNLL), part of the National Grid group, and Elia Asset S.A. (Elia) which is part of the national electricity transmission company in Belgium. The proposed substation at Richborough would be owned and operated by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). 1.5 The majority of the Proposed Development falls within the administrative boundary of Thanet District Council (TDC). Approximately 720m of the HVDC cable and a small area at the south east corner of the proposed converter station compound (outdoor hard landscape and security perimeter fencing) is within the administrative boundary of Dover District Council. This ES accompanies a single hybrid application for planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as follows: Outline Permission Proposed HVDC converter station and 400kV substation matters of landscaping and access are provided. Matters of appearance, layout and scale are reserved. Full Permission Proposed HVDC, HVAC and fibre optic cables - all matters are provided. 1.6 A full description of the Proposed Development is detailed at Chapter 2. The hybrid planning application has been submitted to both TDC and Dover District Council (DDC); through pre-application discussions with both Local Planning Authorities, it has been agreed that TDC is to adopt the lead with regards the coordination and 5

7 determination of the hybrid planning application. Decision notices are to be issued by both LPAs. Further details as to the approach to, and the provisions of the hybrid planning application are included in the planning application covering letters to TDC and DDC. 1.7 This ES covers the UK onshore elements of the Project and presents the results of surveys and assessments of potential environmental effects. 1.8 A separate UK Marine ES has been prepared for the installation of the subsea cables from the mean high water spring (MHWS) tide mark on the Kent coast out to the median line between England and France as these works require consent under the Marine and Coastal Access Act The potential environmental effects of the other elements of the Project (comprising the marine cables in French and Belgian waters, and the converter station in Belgium) have been assessed separately, and these assessments will be submitted to the relevant authorities in France and Belgium with the consent applications for each of these elements As these non-uk elements form part of the Project for EIA purposes, a description of these components is included within this ES as well as a summary of their effects on the environment. Project Justification 1.11 The UK has two key environmental targets relating to renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The first of these targets is part of the European Union s (EU) integrated energy/climate change proposal. This proposal sets a target of 20% of European Energy (including electricity, heat & transport) to come from renewable sources by 2020 (known as the EU 20/20/20 vision ( The Renewable Energy Strategy published in July 2009 ( able/res/res.aspx) identified that, for the UK to meet its share of the EU target (UK s share is 15% of energy sources including electricity, heat and transport), 30% of UK s electricity would have to come from renewable sources The second target is incorporated in the Climate Change Act This goes further than the EU 20/20/20 vision, and sets a target of 80% reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by This equates to a 34% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 as specified by the Climate Change Committee ( European strategy recognises the urgent need to upgrade Europe's energy infrastructure and to interconnect networks across borders to meet the EU s core energy policy objectives of competitiveness, sustainability and security of supply ( Europe 2020 EC Communication (2010) These objectives are supported by European policy which facilitates the urgent upgrading and extension of electricity networks, including interconnectors, to maintain existing levels of security of supply and, in particular, to transport and balance electricity from renewable sources, which is expected to more than double in the period 2007 to

8 1.15 Interconnectors enable power to flow between member state transmission networks and are vital for ensuring a competitive and well-functioning integrated market for energy. Despite the existence of common rules for the internal market in electricity, the European Commission recognises that the internal market remains fragmented due to insufficient interconnections between national energy networks In 2002 the EU Council set a target for all Member States to have electricity interconnection capacity equivalent to at least 10% of their installed production capacity by The UK is still failing to meet this target. Total UK interconnection capacity amounts to 3.5GW which represents just over 4% of the 85 GW of installed generation capacity In December 2009 the UK and Belgium both became signatories to the North Seas Countries Offshore Grid Initiative (NSCOGI) with the objective to coordinate offshore wind and infrastructure developments in the North Sea. Interconnection between countries is a prerequisite to achieving this ambition The UK Government s vision to ensure safe, secure and affordable supplies for the future involves the construction of a new fleet of nuclear generation, rapid expansion of renewable energy (mainly through offshore wind), and the development of interconnector projects. Specifically, the UK is committed to the European Commission s 3rd energy package which states that 15% of the UK s demand for energy needs to be generated from renewable sources by To meet this target, the UK will need an energy portfolio of 34% wind generating capacity by 2020, rapidly building on 4% wind capacity of today The vast majority of this wind capacity is expected to be obtained from the Crown Estate s licensed Round 3 Development Zones which has the aim to install 25GW of offshore wind capacity by This huge investment into the UK renewables sector is part of an aspiration to develop a large-scale green industry to boost the UK economy and create jobs By its nature, wind generation is intermittent. It is therefore necessary to have plant and equipment that can respond to rapid changes in generating output. Interconnectors, such as the one proposed between the UK and Belgium, provide an effective way to manage these fluctuations in supply and demand An industry consultation carried out by National Grid Interconnectors Ltd, Elia and RTE in 2008 concluded that there was significant demand for new interconnection between Great Britain and Continental Europe. Respondents considered interconnection to be an important means to: Respond to intermittency of wind generation, which varies according to the strength of the wind; Respond to periods of excess power, specifically when wind generation is greater than electricity demand; Help meet the challenge of retiring fossil fuel and nuclear plants in the UK; and Support neighbouring wholesale and supply markets and, in the case of DC interconnectors, the provision of balancing and ancillary services Currently the UK has three interconnectors providing a total of up to 3,500MW of power transfer capability: UK France: Known as IFA (Interconnexion France Angleterre). This is a 2000MW HVDC connection commissioned in It is jointly owned and 7

9 operated by National Grid Interconnectors Limited and Reseau de Transport d Electricite. The UK landing point is at Baker s Gap near Folkestone and a connection made to the high voltage transmission system at Sellindge. UK Netherlands: Known as BritNed. This is a 1000MW HVDC connection commissioned in It is owned and operated by BritNed Development Limited which is a joint venture between NLink International BV, a subsidiary of Tennet Holding B.V and National Grid International Ltd. The UK landing point is at the Isle of Grain, Kent and a connection made to the high voltage transmission system at the Grain substation. Scotland Northern Ireland: Known as the Moyle interconnector. This is a 500MW connection between Auchencrosh, South Ayrshire, Scotland and Ballycronan More, Northern Ireland. It was commissioned in 2001 and is operated by SONI (System Operator Northern Ireland) on behalf of Northern Ireland Energy Holdings The proposed Nemo Link between the UK and Belgium is one of a small number of interconnector projects currently under development/construction. Other projects include: Republic of Ireland UK, 500MW interconnector, known as the East West Interconnector, linking the Republic of Ireland (RoI) with Deeside, North Wales. This project has been constructed by Eirgrid, the Transmission System Operator for the RoI and is anticipated to be in operation in early The UK landing point is at Barkby Beach, Prestatyn, North Wales and a connection made to the high voltage transmission system at Deeside. UK Norway: Approximately 1400MW interconnector linking the north east of England with Norway. This project is jointly being developed by National Grid International Ltd and Statnett, the Transmission System Operator for Norway Taking into account these other projects, the Nemo Link provides further diversity to the UK s interconnection portfolio and will contribute 15% of total interconnection capacity of 5.4GW which in turn represents 6.4% of installed generation capacity Belgium is particularly suitable for a new interconnector not only because of its geographical proximity to the UK, but also because its electricity transmission system is highly connected to Central Europe. The Nemo Link will therefore provide enhanced opportunities for the UK to trade with wider European power markets. There is no existing connection between the UK and Belgian transmission systems, so the construction of a new connection is required to achieve these objectives South East England is the most suitable location for an interconnector between the UK and Belgium. The South East offers the shortest route between the two countries and, therefore, reduces the environmental effects, costs and construction risks associated with the installation of subsea HVDC cables. In addition, the South East region (including London) represents the highest centre of electricity demand in the UK A need case document for the development of the interconnector between the UK and Belgium has been produced by NGNLL and Elia and this can be found on the Project website ( 8

10 Legislative and Regulatory Framework Electricity Act NGNLL has applied for an interconnector licence under the Electricity Act 1989 to operate the Nemo Link. The holder of such a licence will be under statutory obligations imposed by section 9 and Schedule 9 of the Electricity Act These include the following obligations which apply when the licence holder is developing any proposals: To have regard to the desirability of preserving natural beauty, of conserving flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest and of protecting sites, buildings and objects of architectural, historic or archaeological interest; and Do what he reasonably can to mitigate any effect which the proposal would have on the natural beauty of the countryside or on any such flora, fauna, features, sites, buildings or objects. Environmental Impact Assessment 1.29 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process by which information about the potential environmental effects of a proposed development is collected, evaluated and presented to facilitate consultation and to enable decision makers to take account of these effects (both beneficial and adverse) when determining whether or not a project should proceed. EIA seeks to identify the potential sources of environmental effects during the design of a project and to avoid or minimise adverse effects through appropriate mitigation. It also seeks to compensate unavoidable effects, for example by providing replacement for environmental features which are lost or changed due to development European Community Directive 85/337/EEC sets out formal requirements for member states to implement EIA for projects. Subsequent Directives (1997/11/EC and 2003/35/EC) have been issued with subsequent amendments. The United Kingdom Government has implemented these Directives through a series of regulations. The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 apply to projects regulated through the planning system in England The report of EIA submitted under the relevant Regulations is called an Environmental Statement (ES). The Regulations include specific requirements as to the content of an ES The Regulations include two Schedules of development which are derived from the Directives. Applications for projects described in Schedule 1 must be accompanied by an EIA. Applications for projects described in Schedule 2 may require EIA, depending on the scale of the development, its characteristics and the sensitivity of the environment in which the development will take place. The decision as to whether or not EIA applies to a development is called the Screening Opinion. The Local Planning Authority or the relevant Secretary of State can decide whether an application comprises EIA development under the Regulations. Alternatively, a developer can decide that its application will be accompanied by an ES, making it EIA development The Proposed Development set out in this planning application is not considered to fall under Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning 9

11 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 and therefore EIA is not required Taking into account Schedule 9 and Section 9 commitments under the Electricity Act and the relationship of the Proposed Development (subject to this planning application) to the proposed works in Belgium (which are subject to EIA under Belgian law), NGNLL and Elia have decided to prepare and submit a voluntary ES to accompany this application for planning permission. An EIA screening request was therefore not submitted to either TDC or DDC. A scoping report was prepared to determine the extent of the matters to be covered in the ES (see below for further details). Habitats Regulations 1.35 Development within or adjacent to an existing or candidate Special Protection Area (SPA) or Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is subject to the provisions of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations Under Regulation 21 of these Regulations, the competent authority is required to undertake an appropriate assessment of any proposed development which is likely to have a significant effect on a designated site to determine the impact of the proposal on the designated site s conservation objectives and determine whether the site s integrity would be adversely affected The proposed onshore underground HVDC cables pass through Thanet Coast and Sandwich Bay SPA/Ramsar Site, Sandwich Bay SAC. In determining the application for planning permission, Thanet District Council and Dover District Council, as the competent authorities, are required under the above Regulations to consider whether an Appropriate Assessment is required. To allow the Council to do this, a document entitled Information for Habitat Regulations Assessment which includes an Assessment of Likely Significant Effects (ALSE) has been produced and included as part of this application. The document details the development activities that could potentially directly and indirectly affect the internationally designated areas of the site and the methods that will be used to avoid impacts, or mitigate and compensate for those that cannot be avoided. Environment Statement Preparation 1.37 The main activities undertaken in the preparation of this ES have included: The evaluation of potential cable routes and converter station and substation sites and consultation with statutory and non-statutory consultees to gain an initial understanding of any issues associated with the Proposed Development; The preparation of a scoping document incorporating recommendations from the consultees. This document outlined the surveys and assessments to be undertaken and the potential impacts of the Proposed Development; Carrying out desk-based assessments and site surveys; Identifying and assessing the likely significant impacts of the Proposed Development; Devising appropriate mitigation measures; and Assessing the significance of residual and cumulative impacts. 10

12 Scoping of the EIA 1.38 Scoping is the process of determining the extent of the matters which should be covered in the EIA. The purpose of the scoping stage is to identify any potential significant impacts arising from the proposed development and to scope out any impacts that can be considered insignificant, which do not warrant further consideration in the EIA. The scoping report brings together the results of early consultations, desk-based assessments and field surveys already undertaken and presents proposals for the EIA The scoping stage provides the opportunity for statutory bodies and other consultees to comment on the identified impacts, the proposed methodologies for assessment and the scope of the assessment considered necessary and appropriate. A number of discussions have been held with consultees, particularly regarding potential effects on the designated sites of Pegwell Bay. In July 2012, a Scoping Report was prepared and used to provide information to consultees about the Proposed Development and the proposed approach to the EIA. Thanet District Council and Dover District Council have issued scoping opinions and these have guided the contents of this ES. The scoping opinions together with consultation responses from statutory consultees and how they have been addressed in this planning application can be viewed at Appendix 1.1. Surveys and Fieldwork 1.40 Studies and surveys were carried out to gather environmental and engineering information for the ES. These included the following: Ecological surveys including a Phase 1 Habitat Survey, saltmarsh National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey and preliminary protected species surveys; A baseline noise monitoring study; A traffic assessment; An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey; and Landscape and visual assessment The results of the surveys conducted have resulted in changes being made to the cable route alignment and construction methods under consideration. Where changes have been made, these have been taken into consideration within the EIA process and necessary surveys conducted in order to assess the likely environmental impacts. Assessment of Impact Significance 1.42 Best practice guidance has been used for individual chapters where available and appropriate. In carrying out the assessment, a general method for the presentation of environmental impacts has been adopted to ensure consistency in the evaluation of significance across all specialist topic areas Significance is considered as a function of the two variables: sensitivity of receptor, and magnitude of effect, giving rise to a significance of impact scale ranging from minor, through moderate to major. Impacts can be beneficial (positive) or adverse (negative) as well as neutral (where there is either no impact, or where positive and negative impacts balance) or indeterminate. 11

13 1.44 In this ES, impacts assessed as moderate (adverse or beneficial) or above are considered to be significant. Minor (adverse or beneficial) and neutral impacts are not considered significant. However, they are included in the assessment as they should be considered throughout the decision-making process and may be important in terms of cumulative impacts Where the judgement of impact significance is not based on these criteria alone, a quantitative or qualitative assessment of the impact is given depending on the specialist discipline, the type of information that can be collected from the site and the professional s own judgement. Notwithstanding this, impact significance always takes into account the impact s deviation from the established baseline conditions (impact magnitude) and the sensitivity of the receptor. Identification of Mitigation Measures 1.46 Measures to reduce negative impacts (or enhance positive impacts) are termed mitigation. Best practice techniques to minimise the environmental impacts of installing the onshore underground cables and constructing and operating of the converter station and substation have been identified where appropriate. These include for example: Routeing the cables to avoid or reduce impact on sensitive features; Reducing the working width along the cable route where there are sensitive features such as hedges, to reduce impact; Controlling risk by following published best practice guidelines, such as for the storage of oil and fuels In addition, site and project specific mitigation measures have been identified where generic, best practice mitigation measures are not suitable. Assessment of Significance of Residual Impacts 1.48 Any impact remaining after mitigation is the residual impact. An assessment has been made of the significance of residual impacts, based on the characteristics of the impact and the receptors sensitivity, using professional judgement and relevant standards and criteria, where available. Cumulative Impact Assessment 1.49 Cumulative effects are those that may result from the combined or incremental effects of the past, present or future development activities. A single development or activity may itself result in an effect which in itself is not significant but when combined with other effects (significant or not) in the same geographical area and occurring at the same time, result in a cumulative impact which is significant The cumulative impact assessment has been designed to ensure that it covers all of the following: Wider cumulative impacts which are the combined impacts that may occur between the UK onshore components of the Nemo Link with other non-related developments that do not form part of the Nemo Link; Project wide cumulative impacts which arise from the combined impacts (additive or interactive) of the UK onshore elements of the Nemo Link project 12

14 with other components of the Nemo Link i.e. UK, French and Belgian subsea cables and Belgian onshore infrastructure; and Project related cumulative impacts which are the combined impacts that may occur between the UK onshore elements of the Project with development required to facilitate the connection of the Nemo Link. Within this ES, this relates specifically to the grid connection which will be required to the National Electricity Transmission System Chapter 2 provides details of the Nemo Link components that do not form part of this planning application as well as an explanation of the grid connection that will be required. Project wide and project related cumulative effects are discussed in Chapters 16 and 17 respectively To identify non-related projects that potentially needed to be considered within the cumulative impact assessment, all submitted planning applications for developments that have been consented within a 1km radius of the onshore infrastructure within the last two years and also any that are still pending determination, were identified through a planning search Following this, a scoping exercise was undertaken whereby developments with the potential to interact with the onshore elements of the Nemo Link were either scoped in or out of the detailed impact assessment Projects that were considered so minor in nature and scale that there could never realistically be the potential for them to contribute to significant cumulative effects, for example household applications, were scoped out from further assessment For those developments scoped in, an information gathering exercise was undertaken to collect relevant data that would allow a cumulative impact assessment be undertaken. Table 1.1 presents details of the unrelated developments considered. Figure 1.2 shows the locations of the planned unrelated developments. All of the developments are expected to be completed prior to commencement of the construction of the Nemo Link An assessment of the wider cumulative impacts that may occur between the UK onshore components of the Nemo Link with non-related developments are documented at the end of each technical chapter. An assessment of other parts of the Nemo Link (i.e. the subsea cables and Belgian onshore infrastructure), together with any cumulative impacts of those works and the Proposed Development, is set out in Chapter 16 below. Further, an assessment of the other related development (i.e. the connection to the UK transmission system), together with any cumulative impacts of those works and the Proposed Development, is set out in Chapter 17 below. 13

15 Table 1.1: Proposed Unrelated Development Application Number N/A N/A F/TH/12/0690 KCC/TH/0351/2010 or DO/10/954 N/A F/TH/12/0832 F/TH/12/0144 Application Status Submitted December 2012 Submitted December 2012 Approved November 2012 Approved by KCC July 2011 Future Application Submitted October 2012 Approved by TDC June 2012 Development Proposals Peaking plant facility at the former Richborough Power Station site (TR329623). Facility is designed to provide top-up supply to the local distribution network at short notice, for example during periods of high electricity demand or low energy generation. Anticipated the plant will operate for up to 720 hours a year (30 days equivalent spread throughout the year). Development will comprise of 53 diesel fired generators with approximately 40 megawatts (MW) output, along with associated fuel storage, parking and access. The site will occupy an area of approximately 3.37 hectares (ha) and is anticipated to be operational by A 2.60 ha internal road network and structural/estate landscaping around the perimeter of the former Richborough Power Station site. The internal road network is anticipated to be constructed by Pegwell Bay Flood Defence Scheme. Installation of new concrete wall 141 metres (m) long and up to 1.2m high to the north of Pegwell Bay Service Station and installation of an earth embankment, 257m long and up to 1m high to the south of the service station where the 256 and flood defences are at their lowest elevation. Construction Waste related development on land west of Ramsgate Road, Richborough. Construction of a materials recycling facility, soil washing plant, anaerobic digestion plant and inert materials processing facility plus a building to house the anaerobic digester. A 5MW Solar Farm on land to the west of the River Stour adjacent to the former Richborough Power Station site. Site area is ha. Proposals to include rows of photovoltaic panels, ancillary equipment, security fencing and associated landscaping. The Solar Farm is anticipated to be operational by Erection of glasshouses, three water storage tanks and pack house at Ebbsfleet Lane, Ebbsfleet, Ramsgate, CT12 5TJ (TR335626). Erection of an anaerobic digestion plant, silage clamp building, bund, two drainage ponds, and associated hardstanding and landscaping. The site area is approximately 1.5 hectares. 14

16 Consultation 1.57 A range of consultations have been undertaken in order to ascertain the interests and concerns of relevant organisations and authorities and to collect baseline environmental information for the development area The list of organisations contacted is given below: Thanet District Council; Dover District Council; Kent County Council; Natural England; Environment Agency; English Heritage; River Stour (Kent) Internal Drainage Board; Kent Wildlife Trust; Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group; Kent Bat Group; and Kent Ornithological Society Information received from consultees has been taken into consideration when assessing the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Development and when formulating avoidance and mitigation measures to be implemented to help reduce the impacts of greatest significance. A summary of consultee responses is provided in Appendix Public information events were held on the 15 th and 16 th June 2012 at Cliffs End Village Hall and the Bell Hotel, Sandwich, respectively. Information regarding the proposals for the Nemo Link was displayed and feedback was invited from local residents. Information on the Richborough Energy Park was also displayed at the events A publicity leaflet was delivered to 8,953 residents to publicise the event. The mailout area was the same as that used previously to inform the local community of proposals for the Energy Park. 106 residents who had previously engaged with the Energy Park developers either by attending their earlier consultation events or by contacting the developers directly to discuss the Energy Park proposals, received a personalised letter. Elected members received a separate letter notifying them of a stakeholder preview which was held at the public information event on the 15 th June. Elected members also received the letter via In addition a quarter page colour advert was placed in the following publications to increase the visibility of the public information events East Kent Mercury and Thanet Extra (Thursday 1 st May and Thursday 7 th June); and Kent Messenger (Friday 1 st June and Friday 8 th June) local residents, elected members and interested parties attended the public information events over the two dates. Twenty seven residents completed feedback forms at the information event. The project team has responded to enquires from residents who were unable to attend the public information events. 15

17 1.64 Main concerns gained from the public information events included the following: The visual impact of the onshore infrastructure, in particular the converter station; Impact on local residents, notably how disruption on local traffic can be avoided or reduced and how to ensure residents are kept informed of progress; The effects of the proposals on wildlife; and Whether the connection between the proposed converter station and the existing transmission system will require overhead lines NGNLL has also held meetings to discuss the proposals with Local MPs and Councillors from Thanet, South Thanet Liberal Democrats in the Guildhall in Sandwich, Sandwich Town Council, Minster Parish Council Further consultation has included presentations to elected members of Thanet and Dover District Councils and a newsletter. Feedback from the public and elected members is summarised within a Statement of Community Involvement which is included in Appendix 1.2. Structure of the ES 1.67 This Environmental Statement comprises the following volumes: Volume 1 - A document drawing together relevant information about the scheme and containing figures relating to the detailed technical information for each of the environmental topics assessed; Volume 2 - Appendices Part 1; Volume 2 Appendices Part 2; and Volume 3 Non-Technical Summary Volume 1 of the ES is divided into the following chapters: Chapter 1 Introduction. Chapter 2 - Project Description. Chapter 3 Options and Alternatives Considered. Chapter 4 - Planning Policy Review. Chapter 5 - Land Use. Chapter 6 - Ground Conditions and Contamination. Chapter 7 - Hydrology and Flood Risk. Chapter 8 Ecology. Chapter 9 - Archaeology and Cultural Heritage. Chapter 10 - Landscape and Visual Effects. Chapter 11 - Traffic and Transport. Chapter 12 - Noise and Vibration. Chapter 13 - Air Quality. Chapter 14 Coastal Tourism, Recreation and Socio-Economics. Chapter 15 Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). Chapter 16 Project Wide Assessment of Effects. 16

18 Chapter 17 Assessment of Effects of the National Electricity Transmission System Connection. Chapter 18 Summary and Conclusions. Availability of the Environmental Statement 1.69 This ES along with other supporting documents are available on the project website at: The ES is also available for viewing at the following locations: Table 1.2: ES Viewing Public Locations Thanet District Council Planning Offices Cecil Street, Margate, Kent, CT9 1XZ Dover District Council Planning Offices White Cliffs Business Park, Dover, CT16 3PJ Thanet Gateway Plus Cecil Street, Margate, Kent, CT9 1RE Dover Gateway 71 Castle Street, Dover, CT16 1PD Aylesham Area Office Aylesham Health Centre, Queens Road, Aylesham, CT3 3BB Sandwich Area Office Sandwich Area Office, The Guildhall, Sandiwch, CT13 9AH Deal Library (and area office) Broad Street, Deal, Kent, CT14 6ER Minster-in-Thanet Library 4A Monkton Road, Minster, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 4EA Sandwich Library 13 Market Street, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9DA Dover Library Dover Discovery Centre, Market Square, Dover, Kent, CT16 1PH St. Margarets at Cliffe St. Margarets Library Community Centre, Kingsdown, St. Margarets at Cliffe, CT15 6BB Ramsgate Library Guildford Lawn, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 9AY Newington Library Marlowe Academy, Marlowe Way, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6NB Ash Library Ash Village Hall, Queens Road, Ash, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 2BG Westgate Library Minster Road, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, CT8 8BP 1.71 Further information about the Proposed Development including hard copies of the ES can be requested by , Freephone or post at the details below for a cost of per report. Copies of the Non-Technical Summary are available free of charge. Copies of the ES and other project documents are also available to download from the project website. nemointerconnector@communitycomms.co.uk Telephone: between 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (answerphone service available outside of these hours) In writing from Freepost RSLG-YXEU-BJUC, Nemo Link, PO BOX 68215, London, SW1P 9UJ 17

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20 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Introduction 2.1 This chapter provides a description of the UK onshore elements of the Nemo Link (The Proposed Development) (see Figure 2.1). A description of the other components of the Nemo Link (i.e. the project-wide components, which include the subsea cables in UK, French and Belgian waters, and the Belgian onshore infrastructure) is also included. 2.2 Although it is separate to the Nemo Link Project and does not form part of this application, a brief overview of the National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) infrastructure, required to connect the Nemo Link is provided at the end of the chapter. Proposed Development 2.3 The Nemo Link components in the UK which require planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 90) comprise: Two high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables between the landfall and the mean low water mark; Two HVDC onshore underground cables from the converter station to the landfall on the coast at Pegwell Bay where they will be joined to the subsea HVDC cables; Fibre optic cables installed with the HVDC cables for the purposes of operational telemetry and communications; An HVDC converter station on part of the site of the former Richborough Power Station which would convert the HVDC power used in the link to high voltage alternating current (HVAC) for use in the national transmission system and vice-versa; A 400 kilovolts (kv) electricity substation on part of the site of the former Richborough Power Station; and Three 400kV HVAC underground electricity land cables to connect the above substation to the HVDC converter station and up to two telecommunications cables for telemetry, control and protection purposes only. 2.4 The Nemo Link will operate at a nominal voltage of +/ kv. Converter Station and Substation Site 2.5 The converter station and substation will be constructed on part of the site of the former Richborough Power Station off Ramsgate Road, Sandwich (A256) (Figure 2.2). The Power Station was decommissioned in The site is approximately 4 kilometres (km) southwest of Ramsgate, 3.5km north of Sandwich and 1.6km inland from the east Kent coastline. 19

21 2.6 Thanet District Council (TDC) and Dover District Council (DDC) granted planning permission for the demolition of the chimney and cooling towers at the site in January Demolition took place in March Planning applications were submitted in December 2012 by Richborough A Ltd for the parts of the former power station site adjacent this application site. One application is for a peaking power generation plant. Another application is for roads and landscape works around the perimeter of part of the former power station site. 2.8 Access to the converter station and substation would be via the existing former power station entrance from the roundabout on Ramsgate Road (A256). This access has been improved to contemporary highway standards by work undertaken in There will be permanent roads around the perimeter of the converter station and internal roads to provide access to the different building units. The perimeter road will be constructed ahead of construction of the converter station and substation and it is being developed under a separate application submitted by Richborough A Limited (see Table 1.2, Chapter 1). The roads will be used to provide access for regular and ad hoc maintenance activities and for the delivery of materials to site Landscaping will be implemented around the perimeter of the converter station and substation to help integrate the proposed development site into the landscape setting. Landscaping will largely consist of tree planting at the eastern boundary with existing shrub and poplar trees at the northern boundary being retained and enhanced. Species rich grassland, areas for a mixture of native and fruit tree planting and ecological corridors are also proposed as part of the wider landscaping works. The landscaping will be implemented at the same time as the perimeter road and is being developed under a separate planning application (see Table 1.2, Chapter 1). Converter Station Design 2.11 The converter station will occupy a site of 4.85 hectares (ha) contained within a secure fenced compound. The majority of electrical equipment will be indoors to prevent exposure to saline pollution which can lead to damage and the need to replace equipment The converter station will comprise the following components: Main Building: This will contain specialist HVDC electrical equipment including the power electronics equipment that converts electricity from AC to DC (and vice-versa). The main building will be constructed in part around the steel frame of the former Richborough Power Station s turbine hall which was left in situ following demolition works. The main building will comprise three main parts. The tallest part to a maximum height of approximately 30.8m will be based around the former turbine hall frame and will be approximately 38.3m long and 20

22 93m wide. The remaining two parts will be approximately 25m high, 65.1m long and 93m wide (main extension) and 18m high, 45.7m long and 65.5m wide (transformer extension). The total length of the main building will be approximately 149m. Lightning conductors will be installed approximately 5m higher than the roof of the main building. Service Building: There will be a service building attached to the eastern extent of the northern face of the main building which will house the control room, workshop, auxiliary power supply and cooling system. This building will be approximately 27.4m long, 13.6m wide and 14.5m high. Storage Building: This will be attached to the western extent of the northern face of the main building and will be used for the storage of equipment spares and tools. The dimensions are the same as the Service Building. Single Phase Converter Transformers: Each transformer is approximately 10.2m long, 8.2m wide and 9.8m high. These transform the voltage from the national transmission system voltage level to the DC converter station voltage level. The transformers will be outdoors north of the main buildings. There will be four transformers on site. Three will be in use at any one time and one will be a spare in case of a fault arising on one of the operational transformers. Each of the transformer bays will be separated from the adjoining one by concrete fire walls and acoustic enclosures. The transformer bays may have a system of rails constructed in the footings to allow quick removal and replacement of a transformer in the event of failure in service. The transformer bays will be provided with bunding, drainage and an underground oil containment system to prevent any transformer oil escaping into the environment. Mechanically Switched Capacitor (MSC): This compound will be used to regulate and stabilise transmission voltages. This will be approximately 30.2m long by 25m wide with a height of approximately 11.8m. Shunt reactor: This has similar dimensions to a Single Phase Transformer and will also be used to regulate voltages. Outdoor High Voltage Electrical Equipment: This connects the transformers, MSC compound, shunt reactor to the electrical plant in the Main Building and also to the underground cables that connect the converter station to the substation. The equipment includes busbars, circuit breakers, switches, insulators and other connecting equipment. The tallest equipment will be overhead gantries at approximately 15m high. Distribution Network Operator Substation: This will provide low voltage (11kV) supplies to the converter station from the local electricity network. Diesel Generator: This will be approximately 8m long, 3m wide and 3.5m high and will be used to provide back-up electricity supply in the event of a failure of the low voltage electricity supply from the Distribution Network Operator Figure 2.3 shows a layout of the component parts of the converter station. The converter station building will be constructed of brick to a height of approximately 21

23 3m. The remaining sections of the buildings will be formed by a steel frame clad with metal panels and insulated. Panels will graduate from dark green to light green to the roofline The converter station will be designed for a 40 year lifespan, with only control equipment expected to require replacement during that time Lighting will only operate when access to the site is required during maintenance activities or emergencies; infra-red CCTV will trigger lights to be switched on by intruder detection. Lighting will be controlled to avoid the unnecessary illumination of areas beyond the development. Glare and the spread of upward light will be kept to a minimum to reduce sky glow and minimise visual intrusion within the open landscape. The need to illuminate the whole perimeter is not necessary. The entrance and walkways for access/egress and emergency exits will however need illuminating for safety reasons. Consultation with Manston Airport has confirmed that beacons are not required on the converter station The perimeter and internal roads will be used to provide access for regular and ad hoc maintenance activities and for the delivery of materials to site. The main access into the converter station and substation from the site access off the A256 will be constructed so that it can accommodate the delivery of transformers by large vehicles which comprise Abnormal Indivisible Loads (AILs). Access off the A256 roundabout at the entrance of the former power station site will have areas of overrun in excess of a standard junction design to allow the wide track required for the transformer delivery vehicles. The proposed road layout is shown on Figure Transformers for the converter station and substation will be delivered during construction under a Transport Order. The route to each part of the site will remain able to accommodate these loads. Reliability data on transformers of this nature indicates that failures would not be anticipated at intervals of less than 10 years. In the event of transformer failure at the converter station, the spare transformer held on site would be installed and the failed transformer removed to the spare storage area. Transportation of the failed transformer to a contractor s factory for repair would then be arranged including the appropriate Transport Order from the Highways Agency for the abnormal movement Sixteen car parking spaces plus two disabled spaces will be provided. These are divided into two areas of parking to the east and west of the converter station building. These will be for operations staff who will be required to monitor and maintain electrical equipment and plant at the converter station. The spaces are in excess of normal daily requirements to accommodate visitors and contractors visiting the converter station and substation site during periods of maintenance The converter station will be surrounded by a 2.4m high palisade security fence. Electrified security fencing will be installed immediately inside the fence increasing the overall height of fencing to 4m (Figure 2.4). The completed site will be surfaced with stone chippings. Substation Design 2.20 A new 400kV substation is required to connect the converter station to the national grid electricity transmission system. The 400kV substation forms part of this 22

24 planning application, however, the connection between the substation and the national grid is still in early development and does not form part of this planning application. The connection project is being promoted separately by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) The 400kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation will be built in a separately fenced compound immediately west of the proposed converter station. The substation will be connected to the converter station by underground high voltage alternating current (HVAC) cables The proposed substation will occupy a footprint of approximately 2.65 ha, and will contain indoor and outdoor electrical equipment. It includes a GIS Hall containing the switchgear, outdoor Gas Insulated Busbars (GIB), overhead line gantries, two Supergrid Transformers (SGTs), along the southern extent of the site, a Mechanically Switched Capacitor (MSC) and a Static Var Compensator (SVC) compound in the northern part of the substation compound. The MSC and SVC are specific types of equipment used to regulate and stabilise transmission voltages and will be located on the north west corner of the substation site. The SVC compound will contain a transformer and outdoor electrical equipment with a building for control and operation of the equipment (Figure 2.3) The GIS Hall will be approximately 52.2m long, 21.5m wide and 15m high, central to the substation site and will take the form of a structural steelwork frame, clad with profiled metal panels, similar to the external appearance of the converter station The Supergrid transformers are approximately 22.5m long by 13.3m wide with a height of 10.6m. The MSC enclosure is approximately 30.2m long, 25m wide and approximately 11.8m for the tallest equipment. The SVC equipment would be approximately 52.6m long, 39m wide and 6.3m high for the tallest equipment. There are 3 buildings connected to the SVC equipment these would be approximately 12m long, 10.2m wide and 4.4m high The substation compound will also contain an amenity building 16m long, 12m wide and 4.2m high, a diesel generator building comprised of a single storey prefabricated modular unit 8m long, 3m wide and 3.5m high and a fire water tank, 6m high The layout of the substation includes two overhead line gantries in the south west corner of the site approximately 12.7m in height. NGET is currently assessing options for the connection between the substation and the national grid electricity transmission system. The connection would be the subject of a separate consenting process. The layout of the substation has included two overhead line gantries, on the basis that of the technology types that could be utilised for the connection, the use of overhead line gantries to provide the terminal connection to the substation, would be the tallest equipment that could be proposed within the substation to perform this function The maximum height of the remaining outdoor electrical equipment required to connect the above equipment together, will be approximately 8m All outdoor areas where plant is installed will be surfaced in stone chippings. The substation will be enclosed by a 2.4m high palisade fence with a 4m high electrified 23