1.0. Introduction. Environmental Impact Assessment Prepared for Egnedol Wales Limited

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1 3 1.0 Introduction

2 4 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Overview 1.2 The Environmental Impact Assessment and the Environmental Statement 1.3 Environmental Permit 1.4 Availability of the Environmental Statement Overview This Environmental Statement (ES) is provided to support the proposal by Egnedol Wales Limited (the Applicant), to construct and operate a Biomass to Energy Facility and Eco-park at Blackbridge and Waterston, Milford Haven. The site incorporates land occupied by the former Royal Navy Armament Depot (RNAD) and the former Gulf Oil Refinery. The postal address for the site is: Egnedol Wales Limited The White House Newton Road Blackbridge Milford Haven SA73 1DR. The location of the proposed development site is shown in Figure 1.1a below. Figure 1.1a: Site location

3 5 The site was formerly in two ownerships, the south western parcel (RNAD Blackbridge) being formerly owned by Pembrokeshire County Council and the north eastern parcel (Waterston) being formerly owned by Welsh Government. The centre of the Blackbridge site is located at Grid Reference (GR): SM and the centre of the Waterston site is located at Grid Reference SM The site lies adjacent to the Milford Haven Waterway. The Milford Haven Waterway is a registered Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The site also lies within the registered historical landscape of the Milford Haven Waterway The proposed development includes the following Key Project Elements, namely: - Refurbishment and use of the existing jetty; Construction of a 49.9 MW Biomass to Energy facility (BtEf); Facility for the advanced conversion of carbon to liquid fuel and gas; Aquaculture facility to include Fish farm and Prawn farm; Algae production units; Cheese production unit; Greenhouses; Facility for the preparation and sales of farmed produce; Research and development facilities; New grid connection. The masterplan layout of the facility is provided on Figure 1.1b on the following page. The Biomass to Energy Facility has been categorised as a Development of National Significance by the Planning Inspectorate under the Developments of National Significance (DNS) (Specified Criteria and Prescribed Secondary Consents) (Wales) Regulations Permission for its development will therefore be determined by the Planning Inspectorate within Welsh Government. The Eco Park developments have been classified as Secondary Consents, which will also be determined by the Planning Inspectorate. The refurbishment of the jetty and connection to the national grid at Pembroke Power Station will require a Marine Works License. The environmental impact of the whole project has been assessed with respect to both its terrestrial and marine impact and where required, mitigation strategies have been developed to either off set the impacts or where possible to improve the environmental status of the area. The Planning Inspectorate require that the DNS application only considers the terrestrial elements of the project. This guidance was reiterated in the pre-application advice letter issued by Pembrokeshire County Council on 13th of May Consequently, the marine elements of the scheme are outlined within a separate application which requires a Marine Works Licence and which is regulated by National Resources Wales (NRW). The Marine works license application for the jetty and grid connection is to be submitted under separate cover to NRW. In order to provide a complete overview of the proposals, a summary of the marine elements of the project are included within this EIA.

4 6 Key Blackbridge and Biomass to Energy Facility 1 Pyrolyser Building Existing building extensively refurbished and increased in overall height (Approx 150m x 45m x 24m high) 2 Gas to liquid technology, methanation and residue storage area Approx 30m x 45m of Existing Building 3 Grinding Hall Existing building refurbished 62m x 45m x 7m to top of barrel roof 4 Storage Building Storage Building 180m x 50m x 24m high New Building 5 Engine House Engine House 80m x 33m x 15m high - New Building 6 Stack 4No. 3m Diameter, 60m Tall Stacks in Concrete Chimney. 7 Gas Storage Area Open storage with secure enclosure 8a Car Park Area Approx 3000m2 8b Car Park Area Approx 3000m2 9 Exhaust Gas and feedstock Conditioning and Algae Propogation 108m x 63m x 8m high New Building 10 Dryer Hall Dryer Hall 96m x 52m x 15m high New Building 11a Jetty Enclosed Conveyor 5m x 5m high 11b Jetty 2No. Pneumatic Towers 5m x 15m high 12 Control Building Control Room Existing Refurbished Building 13 Cold Ironing Building Old Ironing Building Cold ironing building 10m x 6m x 6m high 14 Offices Existing building refurbished 15 Algae Bioreactor Units 4 No 50m x 50m x 6m 16 Green Houses 2 Greenhouse units each comprising 50No. 24m x 8m structures 2.1m to Gutter, 2.9m to Ridge 17 MV Room 14m x 27m x 15m high 18 Transformer Yard Area 40m x 80m 19 Bio Fuel Storage Tank 5m Diameter, 5m Tall, Double Skinned and Bunded within lean-to structure from building Key Waterston Eco Park Layout 20 Heat Exchange and Storage Building This unit split to accommodate heat exchange units and feed store 76m x 20m x 6m high 21 Aquaculture Units 3No. new buildings 76m x 20m x 6m high 22 Aquaculture Units 2No. new buildings 142m x 41m x 6m high 23 Greenhouses Algae Water Treatment 12No. 48m x 24m 24 Packaging Facility 47m x 20m x 6m high New building 25 Cheese Factory 47m x 20m x 6m high New building 26 3No. Gate Houses 4m x 3m New buildings 27 New Construction and Operational Car Park For Blackbridge and Waterston sites 80m x 235m Figure 1.1b: Masterplan layout

5 7 Low grade heat from the BtEf will be used to promote the development of and reduce costs of operation of downstream industries. The refurbishment of the jetty will enable delivery of biomass and feedstock into the site and the removal of residues from it. Electricity from the BtEf will be connected to the National Grid via a new cable to the existing facility at Pembroke Power Station. The BtEf will also produce produce liquid fuels and gas for export. The project has been designed to meet the energy, sustainability and job creation criteria established in both national and government policy. 1.2 The Environmental Impact Assessment and the Environmental Statement This document has been prepared on behalf of Egnedol, and details the findings of a comprehensive study into the potential environmental impacts of the proposed development. Where predicted impacts have been identified, appropriate mitigation measures have been developed and are detailed within this document. The Environmental Impact Assessment for the project has been compiled in accordance with the EIA (Wales) Regulations This Environmental Statement is a result of a thorough investigation of the baseline environmental conditions in and around the site of the proposed development. The assessment includes the predicted impacts, together with the mitigation measures necessary to protect the environment from the impacts of the development. Where possible environmental enhancement has also been incorporated into the project design. The developers recognise the importance of dialogue with stakeholders and the involvement of the local community. They have actively encouraged and sought their participation in the planning proposal to ensure all relevant concerns are considered and addressed in the assessment process Scoping Exercise A detailed scoping and consultation exercise has been undertaken, under the provisions of both the Development of National Significance (DNS) regulations and the EIA Regulations, in order to identify the potential environmental issues associated with the construction and operation of the facility and to guide the environmental assessment process. Consultation with interested parties has continued throughout assessment of the EIA process for the proposed development via meetings and exchanges of correspondence Structure of the Environmental Statement This ES comprises the following documents: - A Non Technical Summary;

6 8 Volume 1: The full text of the ES covering all relevant topic areas. Each topic is covered in a separate chapter, as set out in the contents list. Chapters 1 to 4 provide a general overview. Chapters 5 to 17 discuss each of the EIA assessment topics in line with the EIA Regulations. Chapter 18 of the ES discusses the consultation undertaken and Chapter 19 of the ES discusses cumulative impact assessment and the interrelationships, in terms of likely significant effects, between multiple assessment topics on individual sensitive receptors and outlines appropriate mitigation measures that will implemented; Volume 2: Drawings, photographs and photomontages to support the ES; Volume 3: Appendices Habitats Regulations Assessment The Applicant is required to undertake a Habitat Risk Assessment to assess the potential effects of the project upon the conservation status of the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Pembrokeshire Bat Sites and Bosherston Lake SAC, the Limestone Coast of South and West Wales SAC, the Castlemartin and Coast and Skokholm and Skomer SPAs and the Cleddau Rivers SAC that are either adjacent or close to the Application Site. The HRA has been prepared in parallel with the EIA. 1.3 Environmental Permit Following pre-applicaiton discussions, an Environmental Permit application will be required from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for the facility. Additional permissions required for the operation of the site will be dealt with outside the scope of the application. 1.4 Availability of the Environmental Statement The ES is available for inspection during opening hours at Egnedol Limited, The White House, Newton Road, Blackbridge, Milford Haven, SA73 1DR. The full ES and associated application documentation are viewable at Paper copies of the Non Technical Summary (in English and Welsh) are available by contacting info@egnedol.com. Paper copies of Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the ES are available on request to the address above or at the White House, but please note that a charge of 400 per paper copy will be made to cover the costs of production and dispatch. Copies can also be provided electronically on compact disc at a nominal charge of 10 per copy.