CHAPTER 11 LIGHTING NORTHAMPTON GATEWAY

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 11 LIGHTING NORTHAMPTON GATEWAY

2 11 EXTERNAL LIGHTING 11.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter sets out the approach to assessing any likely significant effects of the Proposed Development in terms of external lighting. The completed Environmental Statement chapter will describe the assessment methodology; the baseline conditions at the Site and surroundings; the likely significant environmental effects; the mitigation measures required to prevent, reduce or offset any significant adverse effects; and the likely residual effects after these measures have been employed RELEVANT POLICY National Policy Statement for National Networks (NPSNN), (Dept for Transport, Dec 2014) The NPSNN provides specific guidance regarding the assessment of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects including Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges. Section 5 of the NPSNN provides guidance regarding the methodological and other issues regarding the assessment of generic impacts, and includes a section regarding lighting (alongside issues relating to dust, odour, smoke and steam) The guidance underlines the importance of lighting impacts in the context of the amenity of nearby communities, and offers general advice regarding the importance of ensuring that any effects are minimised through design and mitigation measures. It is consistent with the guidance provided in the National Planning Policy Framework Paragraph 5.87 of NPSNN sets out the criteria by which the acceptability of the Proposed Development will be determined in relation to lighting effects: The Secretary of State should be satisfied that all reasonable steps have been taken, and will be taken, to minimise any detrimental impact on amenity from emissions of odour, dust, steam, smoke and artificial light. This includes the impact of light pollution from artificial light on local amenity, intrinsically dark landscapes and nature conservation Paragraph of NPSNN explains what the assessment should entail in relation to lighting effects: The assessment should include the visibility and conspicuousness of the project during construction and of the presence and operation of the project and potential impacts on views and visual amenity. This should include any noise and light pollution effects, including on local amenity, tranquillity and nature conservation The NPSNN encourages limitation of impacts, on both humans and ecology, by good design. Its premise is that the potential impacts caused by external lighting will not be a reason for refusal provided the assessment demonstrates that potential adverse effects will be minimised. This will be addressed fully in the environmental impact assessment of the Proposed Development. ILP Guidance Notes (2011) M1J15_NSIP Env Report Lighting.docx 1

3 Professional design guidance is given in Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light (Guidance Note 01, Institution of Lighting Professionals, 2011, hereafter referred to as the ILP Guidance Notes see Appendix 12.1). This guidance is intended to be used in the planning context and can be applied through planning conditions or requirements in a Development Consent Order. It sets out best practice for lighting design and control of obtrusive light (light pollution), defines environmental zone categories based on their capacity to absorb lighting effects, and gives guidance on the limitation of obtrusive light in terms of sky glow, glare and light trespass for each category. It therefore echoes the approach set out in the NPSNN that impacts can and should be controlled by appropriate design ILP Guidance Notes recommends that the immediate environment is classified systematically as shown in Table Table 12.1: ILP Guidance Notes environmental zones Zone Surrounding Lighting environment Examples E0 Protected Dark UNESCO Starlight Reserves, IDA Dark Sky Parks E1 Natural Intrinsically dark National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty etc E2 Rural Low district brightness Village or relatively dark outer suburban locations E3 Suburban Medium district Small town centres or suburban locations brightness E4 Urban High district brightness Town/city centres with high levels of night-time activity ILP Guidance Notes then make recommendations for limiting obtrusive light (light pollution) appropriately according to the environmental zone in which the lighting would be situated. The stringency depends on the capacity to absorb lighting effects, with E0 requiring the tightest level of control and E4 the lowest. Local Planning Policy SNC Supplementary Planning Guidance Light Pollution is the only extant document that sets out the Council s policy on lighting in any detail. It is very dated but it does give relevant principles. It states the following over-arching policy: Where planning permission is required for an external lighting scheme or where external lighting is required as part of a development proposal, planning applications will normally only be favourably considered where: (i) the lighting scheme should not exceed that which is required for the satisfactory undertaking of the task involved; and (ii) glare and spillage is minimised through good design, particularly in areas of open countryside, on the edge of settlements, adjacent to highways or in other environmentally sensitive settings; and and and (iii) illuminance is appropriate to the surroundings and character of the area as a whole; (iv) the lighting is positioned to minimise the impact on the surroundings; (iv) (sic) there is no significant adverse impact on the local community or environment. M1J15_NSIP Env Report Lighting.docx 2

4 Adherence to the recommendations given above under NPSNN and ILP Guidance Notes will ensure that the requirements of this Supplementary Planning Guidance are fully met ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY AND SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA Methodology general The assessment methodology is qualitative and desk based, looking at the likely effects of the Development during both construction and operation. The baseline conditions are determined by the existing provision of lighting on the Main Site, the Bypass Site and in the surrounding area The methodology is based on the principles set out in Guidance on undertaking environmental lighting impact assessments (Professional Lighting Guide 04, Institution of Lighting Professionals, 2013). This guidance is supplemented for this assessment by Controlling light pollution and reducing energy consumption (Guidance Note, Scottish Executive, March 2007) which introduces additional assessment parameters that are particularly relevant for rural settings. Reference is also made to ILP Guidance Notes. Study area Lighting effects can be experienced over a considerable distance and therefore the area for assessment will include receptors with more distant views as well as those closer to the Proposed Development (the SRFI Site and Bypass corridor) For the Main site, the study area extends out to the villages of Milton Malsor and Blisworth to the west, the Courteenhall Road ridge to the southwest, and northern end of the Courteenhall Estate to the south and east For the Bypass Corridor, the study area is focused on the western side of Roade, taking in residential properties lying within 500 metres of the Corridor. Baseline condition methodology The night time baseline condition will be assessed by a combination of desk study and night time surveys, taking in as many sensitive receptor viewpoints as possible. The location, type and intensity of existing sources of light will be identified in relation to each viewpoint and the sensitivity of each receptor to any future change in the lighting conditions is judged. As far as possible night time surveys are conducted in good weather. Effect assessment and significance Artificial lighting can have a number of different types of effect at night. These are described in Table 12.2, which shows the relevance of each type for three categories of receptor. M1J15_NSIP Env Report Lighting.docx 3

5 Table 12.2: Relevance of lighting effects for a rural setting Type of lighting effect Glare Light trespass Light presence Local sky glow Sky luminance Visual discomfort arising from a bright light source with a dark background. Light falling outside the target area. Visibility of lit elements (sources and illuminated surfaces), potentially affecting the character of the nightscape Localised glow over lit development, potentially affecting the character of the nightscape most noticeable on misty or hazy nights or with a low cloud base. General brightening of the night sky, impairing views of the stars. Receptors with at least partial views of the Proposed Development Other receptors within 500m of the Proposed Development Wider environment (beyond 500m) Relevant Not relevant Not relevant Relevant Not relevant Not relevant Relevant Not relevant Not relevant Relevant Relevant Relevant Not relevant Not relevant Relevant The magnitude of a lighting effect is assessed as a change from the baseline condition, taking into account the relative scale of the new effect. For example, if a view contains distant street lighting in the baseline condition, new street lighting at a similar distance represents a change in the view but not a change in its character. Table 12.3 sets out the criteria for assessing the magnitude of effects. Table 12.3: Methodology for determining effect magnitude for exterior lighting Magnitude of Effect Large Medium Small Negligible Criteria for Assessing Effect The light pollution associated with the Proposed Development is significantly greater than the baseline situation, thus fundamentally changing the character of the nightscape. The light pollution associated with the Proposed Development is of a similar magnitude to the baseline situation, thus significantly adding to it, but not fundamentally changing the character of the nightscape. The light pollution associated with the Proposed Development is discernible but the underlying baseline condition will be similar to the pre-development situation. The light pollution associated with the Proposed Development is barely distinguishable, approximating to a no change situation To assess the significance of lighting effects it is necessary to determine the sensitivity of the receptors using Table Table 12.4: Methodology for determining sensitivity to lighting Sensitivity of receptor Examples of receptor M1J15_NSIP Env Report Lighting.docx 4

6 High Medium Low Rural and dark landscapes. Views over significant water bodies and large unlit spaces. SSSIs and SINCs. Astronomical observatories. Views with existing lighting visible in the middle distance or beyond. Larger villages. Conservation areas. Railways, major roads, aerodromes and navigable waterways. Urban and suburban environments. Commercial and industrial property The significance of a lighting effect is determined by the interaction of magnitude and sensitivity. This will be presented in an effect significance matrix is set out in Table Table 12.5: Effect significance matrix for lighting Magnitude of Impact (Degree of Change) No Change Negligible Minor Moderate Major High Neutral Neutral Slight a or Moderate b Moderate a or Large b Large Sensitivity Medium Neutral Neutral Slight Slight a or Moderate b Low Neutral Neutral Neutral Slight Moderate a or Large b Slight a or Moderate b Negligible N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A a for Light Presence and Local Sky Glow effects b for Glare and Light Spill effects 11.4 BASELINE CONDITIONS Night time survey A survey was carried out in September 2014 and is due to be updated. Details of the new survey will be included in the final Environmental Statement (as an Appendix), and will include night-time photographs to demonstrate what kind and scale of lighting effects are currently visible from representative locations. Preliminary assessment of baseline conditions The surrounding rural area to the west and south of the Main Site is largely devoid of lighting, apart from settlements such as Milton Malsor, Blisworth and a few further afield. The Main Site itself is unlit. M1J15_NSIP Env Report Lighting.docx 5

7 The M1 motorway, which runs alongside the eastern edge of the Main Site, is lit to motorway standards, as is the M1/A45/A508 grade separated junction. The motorway is in slight cutting and, together with the mature planting in the verges, its lighting is largely screened from most views. However, the lighting associated with the slip roads and elevated junction dumb-bell are visible in many views Adjacent to the east of the junction lies the Grange Park logistics park and hotels. The lighting of this park is highly visible from some surrounding viewpoints, and local sky glow is discernible above it in many views. Adjacent to the north and east side of the motorway lies the Northampton conurbation, which is well lit and creates local sky glow that is clearly visible from all viewpoints in the surrounding area From the survey records, it is evident that residential receptors on the north- and east-facing perimeter of Milton Malsor and Blisworth currently see several lighting effects. There are significant patches of sky glow above the horizon in several directions, and from more elevated positions some lighting can be directly sighted. However, residential properties inside the perimeter of these settlements do not see these effects because they are screened by perimeter properties and, furthermore, any local street lighting in the field of view tends to dominate, making the more subtle night time effects much less noticeable The baseline conditions for the Bypass Corridor are similar to those of the Main Site. Nearby residential properties currently see some lighting effects, particularly in the direction of Roade, while the Corridor itself is unlit Based on the initial assessments undertaken, and referring to the environmental zone categorisation set out in ILP Guidance Notes, most sensitive receptors are likely to be considered as lying within Environmental Zone E2, defined as Rural, Low District brightness, e.g. Village or relatively dark outer suburban locations ASSESSMENT OF LIKELY SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Construction Details of the significance of effects on receptors during construction will be determined. Based on the initial assessments undertaken, it is possible that a few residential receptors with full or partial direct views of the Main Site will experience non-negligible effects, and these will be assessed and described Construction related effects are temporary by nature, and change over the course of the construction period. The construction lighting effect can be managed as part of the Construction Environmental Management Plan (also see below). Operation M1J15_NSIP Env Report Lighting.docx 6

8 Details of the significance of effects on receptors during operation will be determined. It is anticipated that there will be no major adverse effects, with the majority very likely to be negligible due to the distances involved between the Main Site and the nearest receptors, and as a result of the technological and design measures anticipated. However, it is possible that a few residential receptors with full or partial direct views of the Site will experience non-negligible effects, and these will be assessed and described The proposed Bypass is unlikely to be lit along its full length, but some lighting at junctions is expected. The residual effects of this lighting will be assessed once the alignment of the Bypass is finalised MITIGATION Construction Construction lighting will be controlled such that (a) when site operations cease the lighting is switched to the minimum required for security purposes and (b) the contractor is required to promptly readjust any lighting unit that is causing a nuisance. Experience has shown that this will mitigate any non-negligible effects. Operation The assessment will (a) be based on a lighting strategy that incorporates all necessary mitigation and design measures to limit off-site effects, and (b) assume the proposed bunding and landscaping is in place, which will play a direct role, alongside existing landscape and other features, in limiting the offsite effects RESIDUAL EFFECTS The residual effects will be assessed and described to provide an understanding of the likely effects once all mitigation measures are delivered Experience of other schemes and knowledge of current lighting technology, including highly directional lighting, makes it unlikely that the Proposed Development will result in significantly adverse residual off-site effects for nearby receptors. In addition, the emerging proposed landscaping strategy is likely to form an important part of the mitigation of lighting effects CUMULATIVE EFFECTS Any other approved development in the vicinity of the site will inevitably introduce a new element of night time lighting. This includes most notably the proposed Rail Central SRFI scheme to the west, the impact of which will be assessed. Also, cumulative effects of the Proposed Development and other nearby approved developments (commitments) will be assessed. M1J15_NSIP Env Report Lighting.docx 7

9 11.9 CONCLUSIONS This chapter has set out in general terms the approach being taken to the assessment of lighting effects from the Proposed Development. While some baseline work has been undertaken, the main assessment has not yet begun and will be progressed once more is known about the final position of the proposed Bypass The final assessment will assess the likely effects for the construction phase, as well as the operation phase, and will include consideration of the cumulative effects of the Proposed Development alongside other commitments and proposals nearby Full details of the Lighting Strategy, including specific details of the position and type of lighting units to be used for both the construction phase lighting and the built (operational) lighting will be required later in the Development Consent process. That detailed strategy will conform with the assumptions and approach set out in this chapter. M1J15_NSIP Env Report Lighting.docx 8