5.7.2 Landscape Proposals For inspection purposes only. · the R630 to the proposed development is via the existing Jetty Access Road. 6.2.2 Local Road Network 6.2.2.1 N25 (Cork to

Bord Gáis Éireann Whitegate Independent Power PlantEnvironmental Impact Statement

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Page 35 Arup Consulting EngineersIssue 1 8 August 2006

• Where possible achieve integration of the development into the surrounding landscape, in particular to the roads, fences, car parks, services and administration buildings, minimising where possible landscape and visual impact.

• The building and chimney stacks will have a restricted range of materials and colours in order to create a degree of visual consistency throughout the development. The colour scheme is based upon the visibility of the structure. Where it will be viewed against the skyline it will be light grey, where it is to be viewed against a rural backdrop it will be light green.

• The use of strong structural landscape elements to define the boundaries, and the entrance road.

Retain and incorporate existing landscape features i.e. the trees and hedgerows on the boundaries and in the lands between the existing refinery and the proposed site.

5.7.2 Landscape Proposals

Landscape planting to further ameliorate visual impact and enhance the overall development is also incorporated within the layout. Its principal objectives are to:

• Screen and/or 'filter' views from nearby residential properties and roads.

• Assist a visual integration of the development into the surrounds with a scale of planting appropriate to the extent of buildings on the site.

• Define the boundaries of the site and visually separate the existing refinery from the proposed development in order to reduce the potential massing of the combined developments when viewed from a distance.

• To provide an internal site landscape structure, enhance internal road corridors and further reduce the impact of the built environment from outside the site.

• Car parking throughout the scheme will be screened by tree, hedge and shrub planting, while still allowing passive supervision of these areas.

• The planting scheme will be implemented with the appropriate tree and shrub species that will suit the site’s location and character.

• All landscape areas shall be formed using adequate depths of subsoil and good quality topsoil. Sub-bases/subsoil shall be adequately decompacted prior to topsoiling. Where areas are not free draining, land drains connected to appropriate drainage shall be used to alleviate possible ponding or waterlogging.

A detailed landscaping plan has been prepared for the site, which accompanies the planning application. The long-term effect of this process will be to provide an aesthetic screen for on-site activities such that the proposed development will not create a significant visual intrusion for sensitive receptors in the area.

5.7.3 Planting Specification

The planting will be in 7-8m wide woodland shelter belts around the perimeter of the site and an area of woodland to the north east corner of the site. In total there will be approximately 20,000m2 of woodland planting and in the order of 16,500 trees. The proposed planting as per drawing 4954-101 will generally be established in line with normal landscape planting techniques, i.e. ‘bare-root transplants’, ‘whips’ and ‘feathered trees’ (90 to 120cm tall), which adapt readily to disturbed ground conditions. These will be planted at an average of 1.2m centres. The percentages of evergreen trees and shrubs to be mixed through the planting to minimise impact during winter months are shown below.

Semi-mature trees (up to 6m tall) will be used at the entrance to the scheme and on the entrance road to give instant screening of the development from the surrounding landscape

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and to give the scheme an instant sense of enclosure. Larger ‘standard’ trees will also be used closer to the buildings to give a more immediate impact.

Trees and shrubs to be planted will be selected from the following list of species:

Tree Planting along the Entrance Road Holm Oak Quercus ilex (Semi Mature 5.0-6.0m height)

Tree Planting in Woodland Shelter Belts (Bare Root Whips 90-120cnm height @ 1.2m centres) Corsican Pine Pinus nigra (50%) Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris (15%) Holm Oak Quercus ilex (30%) Ash Fraxinus excelsior (5%) Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna

A boundary hedge of hawthorn will be planted to the inside of the boundary fence that will provide a windbreak to the young trees and visual barrier during the initial stages of the woodland as the trees mature.

5.8 Residual Impact Assessment Despite limited potential to screen the higher elements of the power plant, planting will assist the power plant to integrate into the surrounding landscape and break up potential massing of the existing and proposed developments. The planting will also screen the lower areas of the site including the roads, car parking, sight services, pipelines etc. In general on maturity of the landscape mitigation there will be slight impacts on views from the south of Cork Harbour, slight impacts on views from the west of Cork Harbour and moderate visual impacts from Whitegate town. The two residences which are located in close proximity to the proposed power plant will be entirely screened from the power plant and existing refinery. However, the chimney stacks will be visible above the planting giving rise to slight negative visual impact.

5.9 References Cork County Council (2003) Cork County Development Plan 2003 Cork County Council, Cork

Cork County Council (2005) Public Consultation Drafts of the Carrigaline and Midleton Electoral Area Local Area Plans – viewed online at www.corkcoco.ie

Department of Environment and Local Government (2000) Landscape and Landscape Assessment – Consultation Draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities The Stationery Office, Dublin

Environmental Protection Agency (2002) Guidelines on the Information to be Contained in Environmental Impact Statements EPA, Wexford

The Landscape Institute/ Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (2002) Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (2nd Edition) Spon Press

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6. ROADS AND TRAFFIC

6.1 Introduction This chapter firstly describes the existing situation in terms of vehicular access and reports on the findings from the traffic counts carried out in the area. Secondly, an estimate of the potential traffic generated associated with the development is made and a description of the potential impact of this development on traffic conditions in the area is made.

6.2 Existing Situation 6.2.1 Site Location

The development site is located at Whitegate, County Cork. The Whitegate/ Aghada area is a major industrial area with an electricity generating plant at Aghada and an oil refinery at Whitegate. Whitegate is located to the south of Midleton on the R630. The access point from the R630 to the proposed development is via the existing Jetty Access Road.

6.2.2 Local Road Network

6.2.2.1 N25 (Cork to Waterford Road)

The N25 (Cork to Waterford Road) is the primary route serving the east of Cork City. The roadway in the vicinity of Midleton is a dual carriageway and the intersection of the N25 and the R630 is via a roundabout to the south of Midleton Town.

6.2.2.2 R630 (Midleton to Whitegate Road)

The R630 runs south from Midleton to Whitegate and connects the following towns to the road network, Ballinacurra, Saleen, Rostellan and Aghada. The R630 is generally of a good geometric layout and is ideally suited for carrying traffic with a significant percentage of heavy goods vehicles.

6.2.2.3 Jetty Access Road

The Jetty Access Road is a private road way which runs west from the R630 to the jetty and onwards to the rear of the existing oil refinery. The roadway is in good condition and is for the most part of a good geometric layout.

6.2.3 Existing Traffic Patterns

In order to assess the impact of the development traffic on the surrounding road network, an examination of existing traffic flows was necessary. Traffic counts were carried out on Monday 3 July 2006 at the junction of the R630 and the Jetty Access Road and the Oil Refinery Access Road.

All traffic counts were undertaken between 07:00 – 10:00 and 16:00 – 19:00, these time periods correspond to the traditional peak traffic periods in the Cork area. The AM peak was identified as being from 07:00 – 08:00 and the PM peak was identified as being from 16:00 – 17:00. The peak hour link counts on the surrounding road network can be seen in the following table. Figures in brackets relate to the volume of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

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Table 6.1 Existing Two-way Traffic Flows

Link AM Peak (07:00 – 08:00)

PM Peak (16:00 – 17:00)

R630 (north of Jetty Access Road) 189 vph (33 vph) 255 vph (27 vph)

Jetty Access Road (west of R630) 13 vph (1 vph) 17 vph (2 vph)

R630 (south of Jetty Access Road) 186 vph (32 vph) 254 vph (25 vph) vph – vehicles per hour

As the traffic counts were undertaken over the summer they have been grown to represent average traffic flows. The Expansion Factors for Short Period Traffic Counts (An Foras Forbartha 1978) document was used to obtain the expansion factors and the grown traffic flows can be seen in the table below.

Table 6.2 Factored Two Way Traffic Flows

Link AM Peak (07:00 – 08:00)

PM Peak (16:00 – 17:00)

R630 (north of Jetty Access Road) 213 vph (37 vph) 262 vph (28 vph)

Jetty Access Road (west of R630) 15 vph (1 vph) 17 vph (2 vph)

R630 (south of Jetty Access Road) 209 vph (36 vph) 261 vph (26 vph) vph – vehicles per hour

6.3 Proposed Development 6.3.1 Nature of Development

The proposed development consists of a gas-fired electricity generating station which will provide 440 megawatts of electricity.

Access to the site is via the Jetty Access Road which in turn connects with the R630.

6.3.2 Traffic Generation – Operational Phase

The traffic associated with the operation of the plant will arise from station personnel, maintenance personnel and servicing requirements. There will be very limited heavy goods vehicle movements associated with the power station, as it will be gas fired.

It is envisaged that 34 operators will work covering three shifts, 20 during the day and two different night shifts with 7 operators on each shift. Assuming, conservatively, that all the workers working the day shift drive to work and that they arrive during the morning peak period and leave during the evening peak period and that workers working the night shifts will generate 7 trips in the peak periods. This will result in an additional 27 vehicular trips in both the morning and evening peak period.

For the purpose of this assessment we have increased this to 30 trips during the peak periods to take into account other visitor traffic (i.e. deliveries, other servicing requirements).

6.3.3 Traffic Generation – Construction Phase

It is envisaged that the construction process will result in 4,000 HGV movements (source: Mott MacDonald Pettit) to the site over the course of the project. For a 28-month construction period and construction restricted to weekdays, the average number of daily HGV vehicle movements (trips in and out) will be 14.

The peak number of construction employees expected on site at any one stage will be 300. However, it should be noted this figure relates to the peak period of construction and for the most the numbers employed on site will be less.

Construction impacts will be short term and peaks in activity will be for short durations.

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6.4 Impact of the Proposed Development 6.4.1 Projected Traffic Flows

The impact on the local road network has been assessed by examining the projected traffic flows on the local road network both with and without the proposed development.

The peak AM period (07:00 – 08:00) and peak PM period (16:00 – 17:00) have been examined in order to assess the busiest case in terms of local traffic on the road network and traffic generated by the proposed development.

The local road network has been analysed for the year 2009 both ‘with’ and ‘without’ the development. Traffic on the existing road network has been increased by 1.8% per annum to account for growth in background traffic. This factor is derived from the NRA’s Future Year Growth Forecasts for Ireland 2002 and relate to the growth factor for non-national roads.

6.4.2 Operational Traffic

The operational traffic for the proposed development is estimated at the 20 trips, in both the morning and evening peak period, in the above section. The following tables illustrate the projected traffic flow on the road ways in the Whitegate area for both the ‘with development’ and ‘without development’ scenario. Please note figures in brackets relate to the percentage increase in traffic.

Table 6.3 Projected Traffic Flows – AM Peak Year 2009

Link Without Development

With Development

R630 (north of Jetty Access Road) 225 245 (8.8%)

Jetty Access Road (west of R630) 16 36 (125.0%)

R630 (south of Jetty Access Road) 220 220 (0.0%)

Table 6.4 Projected Traffic Flows – PM Peak Year 2009

Link Without Development

With Development

R630 (north of Jetty Access Road) 276 296 (7.2%)

Jetty Access Road (west of R630) 18 38 (111.10%)

R630 (south of Jetty Access Road) 275 275 (0.0%)

From the above assessment it can be seen that on the public road network the largest increase in traffic will be experienced on the section of the R630 to the north of the Jetty Access Road. This roadway is expected to experience an increase of between 7.2% - 8.8% during the peak periods. It is envisaged that increases of this nature will not affect current traffic conditions in the Whitegate area.

6.4.3 Construction Traffic

It is expected that construction traffic will have a more significant impact on local traffic volumes, however this impact will be temporary in nature and will cease following the completion of the plant.

As the increase in traffic associated with the construction phase is larger than the volume of operational traffic, a junction assessment of the junction of the R630/ Jetty Access Road has been carried out. The junction assessment assesses the effect of the construction traffic in the future year of 2009 on the local road network. The impact on the junction has been assessed utilising the PICADY 4.1 software application. This software was developed by the Transport

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Research Laboratory (TRL) in the UK and is used to determine the capacity of priority junctions. Details of the junction assessment are outlined in the table below.

Table 6.5 Junction Analysis – R630/ Jetty Access Road

Capacity Scenario

AM Peak PM Peak

Year 2009 (Construction Phase) 40% 41%

The above analysis indicates that the junction has sufficient capacity to accommodate the traffic associated with the construction phase of the development.

As part of the public consultation with local residents, BGE has committed to addressing any local sensitivities before finalising a comprehensive road traffic management plan, and will work with ConocoPhillips in observing best practice protocol for heavy goods traffic in the local area.

6.5 Conclusion Short-term effects will arise during the 28 month construction period, but the effects thereafter will be minimal. In general, the increase in traffic during the operational phase will be insignificant in comparison with the existing traffic in the general area.

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7. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

7.1 Introduction This chapter describes the construction operations and phasing for the proposed development, and outlines the measures to be taken to ensure that the impact of the construction activities on the environment is minimised.

It is anticipated that, with proper management, the construction phases of the development will have no significant or long-term impact.

7.2 Activities, Duration and Phasing The construction will be completed in phases, some of which will overlap. The predicted durations for each of these phases are as follows:

• civil and structural works 113 weeks

• mechanical installation 53 weeks

• electrical equipment installation 82 weeks

• commissioning, testing and reliability trial 35 weeks

Construction is expected to be complete within a period of 120 weeks (28 months). It is anticipated that a contract for the supply, delivery to site, erection testing and commissioning of the complete works will be awarded in September 2007 with completion in November 2009.

The main activities associated with the civil and structural works will be:

• site works to include excavations, levelling, drainage, fencing and access roads

• construction of foundations

• construction of building superstructures.

The mechanical activities will include the installation of:

• gas turbine

• steam turbine

• heat recovery steam generator

• bypass and exhaust stacks

• air cooled condenser

• feedwater/ condensate system

• fuel oil/ gas supply

• water supply/ treatment

• fire protection system

• above-ground gas installation.

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The main electrical activities will include the installation of the following:

• generators

• transformers

• distributed control systems

• switchgear

• medium voltage and control and instrument systems

• 220 kV substation.

7.3 Site Preparation The site requires clearing and levelling before construction work can begin. There is a significant amount of thick bushes and trees located on the site, which will have to be removed prior to construction. There is a maximum level difference of about 15 metres across the main site. This suggests that a significant volume of material will need to be relocated in order to level the site to an acceptable level of 38.5 metres above Ordnance Datum Malin Head. Excavated material will be reused where possible on site as fill, topsoil for landscaping and to create berms. Where onsite reuse is not an option, off-site reuse will be sought for suitable material. Should this not be possible, or the material is unsuitable, the excavated material will be removed to a licensed disposal facility.

The impact on traffic during the construction phase is assessed in chapter 6 of this EIS Roads and Traffic.

Construction of temporary access roadways as well as facilities such as site offices, changing rooms and canteens, which are required during the construction phase, will be included in the site preparation work.

The site works will also require the diversion of the section of Glenagow stream that passes through the site.

7.4 Construction Methods 7.4.1 Introduction

The proposed development will be constructed following best practice in safety and efficiency. The detailed design of the project has not been completed at the time of preparation of this EIS, but it is considered that the design has been developed sufficiently to discuss the potential environmental impacts of the proposed construction methods.

The construction methods will fall into the following categories:

• civil and structural works including foundations, building superstructures, access roads

• mechanical installation including gas and steam turbines, condenser units

• gas infrastructure

• connection to Eirgrid.

7.4.2 Civil and Structural Works

Foundation construction will include excavating to a depth of approximately 2 to 3 metres, installation of concrete forms, fixing of steel reinforcing and the pouring of concrete. The foundations will be designed to withstand the vibrations from turbine operations.

Buildings to house the power plant will mostly be steel framed buildings with infill construction and cladding chosen to maximise noise attenuation and minimise visual impact.

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Steel will be delivered by road and assembled onsite. The stacks will be of carbon steel construction.

7.4.3 Mechanical Installation

The principal components in the process can be purchased ‘off the shelf” and delivered to the site for installation. Pipework and ducting will be assembled on-site.

7.4.4 Gas Infrastructure

A pipeline is required to the site from the BGE gas transmission network. A branch pipeline will be constructed by BGE from the high pressure main to the site. This will terminate at the above-ground installation to be constructed on site.

7.4.5 Connection to Eirgrid

Electrical power generated at the station will be transformed to a 220 kV supply in the site switchyard. A 220 kV underground cable will be provided by Eirgrid to connect into the existing 220 kV system at a point to be determined by Eirgrid.

7.5 Material Sources and Transportation Transportation of building materials can significantly contribute to their environmental impact, particularly in relation to use of fossil fuels, and emissions of pollutants and carbon dioxide. Within the necessary constraints of performance, durability and cost, construction materials will be sourced from local suppliers and manufacturers where possible. Minerals (rock, stone and sand materials) will be procured from local quarries as required.

7.6 Employment Throughout the construction phase there will be some variation in numbers working on site. The construction manpower peak may be up to 300. Temporary office accommodation and other construction facilities will be provided within the site, local to the construction work. The construction site will be separated from the normal ongoing operations on the adjoining Conoco Phillips refinery by fencing.

The coordination of people and materials on site will be one of the key activities throughout the construction phases. In order to ensure that construction workers do not create any disruption of the normal ongoing operations in the adjoining refinery, there will be a requirement that the building contractor provide adequate site supervision to coordinate, monitor and enforce site regulations.

Where possible, normal construction working hours will be observed. It is envisaged that these will be 08.00 – 20.00 Monday to Friday, and 08.00 – 16.00 on Saturday. However, it will be necessary to work at night and weekends at certain stages. Working outside normal hours may be required because of safety, weather or sub-contractor availability issues. Noisy construction activities will be avoided outside normal hours, and the amount of work outside normal hours will be strictly controlled.

7.7 Dust, Debris, Noise and Traffic 7.7.1 Dust minimisation

Construction activities have the potential to generate some dust emissions. The potential for dust to be emitted depends on the type of construction activity being carried out, in parallel with ambient conditions including rainfall, wind speed and wind direction.

The potential for impact from dust depends on the distance to potentially sensitive locations, and whether the wind can carry the dust to these locations. Most of the dust would be deposited close to the potential source, and any impacts from dust deposition would typically be within several hundred metres or so of the construction area. In order to minimise dust nuisance, a series of mitigation measures will be implemented as follows:

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Roads

• site roads and access onto the public road will be regularly cleaned and maintained as appropriate, and

• the site will be regularly dampened, if required, during dry and/ or windy conditions. The contractor will be required to supply a water cart on-site at all times during construction.

Vehicles

• vehicles delivering materials to site will have the materials enclosed, or covered with tarpaulins, if necessary, and

• a wheel-wash will be provided.

Materials

• Material handling systems and stockpiling of materials on site will be arranged to minimise exposure to wind

• Water misting sprays will be used as required if particularly dusty activities are being undertaken during dry or windy periods, and

• During movement of soil/ fill material both on and off-site, truck trailers will be covered with tarpaulins, if required.

These measures will be a requirement of the contract documents, and will be monitored by the construction manager. The effectiveness of the measures will be reviewed at regular intervals, maintaining the goal of minimising dust nuisance at all times.

7.7.2 Debris

The following measures will be taken to maintain a high standard of cleanliness in the site and its surroundings, and that the risk of windborne debris will be minimised:

• A regular programme of site cleaning will be established to ensure a safe and orderly site.

• Scaffolding will have debris netting attached to prevent materials and equipment being scattered by the wind.

• Food waste will be strictly controlled on all parts of the site.

• Mud on the roads and footpaths outside the site will be cleaned regularly as required, and will not be allowed to accumulate.

7.7.3 Noise and Vibration

It is generally accepted that the community response to construction noise is limited by the duration of the activities and that higher levels of construction noise are tolerable in comparison to those acceptable for operational noise, which may be generated continuously throughout the year. However, BS 5228 Noise and Vibration Control on Construction and Open Sites (BSI 1992, 1997) will be followed, to ensure that construction noise is minimised.

Construction will normally take place during daylight hours. Liaison will be maintained between the developer and the local authority to ensure that potential disturbance to residents is minimised. Noise and vibration sources during construction and proposed mitigation measures are assessed in chapter 8 of this EIS Noise and Vibration.

7.7.4 Construction Access and Traffic

Construction traffic will access the site by the Conoco Phillips road from Whitegate village. Construction traffic is assessed in chapter 6 of this EIS Roads and Traffic.

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7.8 Surface and Groundwater Issues The control of run-off during the construction phase of the project is discussed in detail in chapter 11 of this EIS.

7.9 Construction Safety As required by the Health and Safety Regulations, a Health and Safety Plan will be formulated which will address health and safety issues from the design stage through to completion of the construction and maintenance phases. This plan will be reviewed as the development progresses. The contents of the Health and Safety Plan will follow the recommendations of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2001 and 2003.

7.10 Construction Waste Management 7.10.1 General

National Waste Reduction Targets have been set to reduce construction and demolition waste by 85% between 1998 and 2013. Waste arising during the construction phase will therefore be carefully managed according to the following hierarchy:

This hierarchy would be implemented by identifying opportunities to firstly prevent waste from being produced, and secondly minimise the amount of waste produced. At present, it is intended to use all spoil on site which is the most sustainable option as it eliminates the need to transport it off-site and the associated traffic nuisance, noise and air pollution impacts as well as eliminating the need to landfill it thus avoiding using valuable landfill space. In addition, the practice of excessive purchase of materials and equipment to allow for anticipated wastage should be avoided. Where prevention and minimisation are not feasible, ways to reuse or recycle waste would be sought, preferably on-site to avoid the impacts caused by transporting it. If this is not feasible, opportunities to reuse or recycle the waste off-site would be investigated. If this is not feasible, then waste would be sent to an energy recovery facility, and only where there is no alternative, would waste be disposed of to landfill. To achieve this, existing waste management programmes and networks would be used such as the National Waste Prevention Programme (implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency) and material exchange networks, for example Freecycle.

A senior manager would be responsible for waste management. He would be competent in waste management, and would receive training, where necessary, such as the CIF/FAS Construction and Demolition Waste Management module.

All waste removed from the site would be collected only by organisations with valid Waste Collection Permits (under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2001). All sites to which waste is taken would be checked in advance to ensure that they have waste licences or permits allowing them to take the type of waste that is to be sent there (under the Waste Management Act 1996 as amended by the Protection of the Environment Act 2003). Hazardous waste will be minimised, prevented and recovered where feasible and only

Prevent Minimise Reuse Recycle Energy recovery Disposal

Most favoured

Least favoured

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disposed of if this is not feasible, and this would be carried out in accordance with the Waste Management (Hazardous Waste) Regulations 1998.

Material that is likely to be surplus to requirements and disposed-of off-site may include general construction debris, scrap timber and steel, machinery oils and chemical cleaning solutions.

7.10.2 Waste Management Plan for the Construction Phase

The Contractor will be required to develop, implement and maintain a Waste Management Plan during the construction works.

The key principles underlying the Plan will be to minimise waste generation, and to segregate waste at source. The measures to achieve these aims include:

• ordering of appropriate quantities of materials, with a just-in-time philosophy

• immediate and careful storage of materials delivered to the site

• storing materials which are vulnerable to damage by rain under cover and raised from the ground

• careful handling of materials, using appropriate equipment, to avoid undue damage

• designation of separate storage areas for different types of waste, in order to maximise the reuse and recycling potential of the waste.

The Waste Management Plan will outline how residual waste will be handled, as follows:

• the identification of disposal sites

• the identification of quantities to be excavated and disposed of and classification of this material

• the identification of measures to prevent nuisance, etc.

• the identification of the amounts intended to be stored temporarily on site and the location of such storage

• the organisation of the Contractor’s approach to waste management

• the names, roles, responsibilities, and authority of the key personnel involved in the waste management.

The Waste Management Plan will include documented procedures for dealing with waste management including liaison with third parties, statutory undertakers and other companies.

The Waste Management Plan will meet the requirements of the voluntary initiative by the construction industry. The National Construction and Demolition Waste Council (NCDWC) prepared these requirements. The NCDWC has been established by the Forum for the Construction Industry on the recommendation of the Task Force B4 (Recycling of Construction and Demolition Waste), as approved by the Minister for Environment and Local Government in his letter dated the 11th December 2001.

7.11 Other Construction Phase Impacts Other impacts relating to the construction phase of the project are dealt with in specific chapters. For example, the impacts on noise levels and air quality are evaluated in chapters 8 and 9 respectively. There is also an evaluation of the impacts on flora and fauna in chapter 10, and surface and groundwater in chapter 11. The impact on the archaeological, architectural and cultural heritage is addressed in chapter 13.

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7.12 Mitigation Measures Every practicable effort will be made to ensure that negative environmental impacts will be minimised during the construction phase of this project.

The construction planning will endeavour to minimise disruption and nuisance. Dust, litter and waste management activities will be implemented.

Mitigation measures relating to construction traffic are described in chapter 6, and measures relating to construction generated noise are described in chapter 8.

7.13 Residual Impacts It is anticipated that with effective construction management, there will be no long-term significant residual impact arising from the construction of the development.

7.14 References British Standards Institute (1992, 1997) BS5228 Noise and Vibration Control on Open and Construction Sites

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (2001 et. seq.) Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations The Stationery Office, Dublin

Masters-Williams H et al (2001) Control of Water Pollution from Construction Sites, guidance for consultants and contractors CIRIA, London

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8. NOISE AND VIBRATION

8.1 Introduction The environmental noise impact of the proposed gas fired power station was assessed by ANV Technology on behalf of Arup Consulting Engineers.

The potential noise impacts during the construction phase and during the operational phase were considered.

The power plant will be located on a site to the southwest of the existing ConocoPhillips refinery. During the operational phase, the main potential for noise impact is due to continuous plant noise emissions at nighttime.

8.2 Noise Sensitive Locations The nearest house to the site is located at Fort Davis, 170 metres to the west of the proposed power plant site boundary, and in excess of 400 metres from the main power plant noise sources, as shown in Figure 8.1.

There are no noise sensitive locations immediately to the south of the site. The houses on the Roches’s Point road, in excess of 700m to the south, are also considered to be potentially noise sensitive locations. The houses to the east, at the entrance to the refinery, are 750m from the proposed power plant site boundary.

The ConocoPhillips refinery is to the north of the site boundary, and is not a noise sensitive location.

8.3 Methodology and Assessment Criteria The existing noise environment was determined by means of baseline noise surveys at the site in July 2006, in accordance with ISO 1996 Description and measurement of environmental noise. Annual noise survey data provided by ConocoPhillips for the period 2000 to 2005 was also reviewed.

The noise impact was assessed with reference to absolute noise level criteria, and also by considering the change in noise environment brought about by the development. The absolute criteria referred to are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline noise limits. The assessment of the change in noise environment was made according to British Standard BS 4142 Rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas.

This assessment was undertaken during the preliminary design stage of the project. Full details on the noise emission specifications for the external noise sources, which would enable the plant noise level to be predicted at the nearby houses, were not available. Consequently, the approach taken in this assessment was to set an environmental design criterion at the nearest noise sensitive locations, at such a level as to ensure negligible noise impact. This criterion was then used in determining a global noise emission limit for the proposed development site. To enable easy verification of the noise emission limits during commissioning, the design noise limits were expressed at a reference distance of 50 metres from the power plant site boundary, and at the boundary of the associated electrical switchyard, and gas conditioning plant.

The validity of this noise impact assessment procedure relies on the noise emission design limits being reasonably achievable using current technologies, and on the limits being incorporated into the design process.

Noise propagation calculations in this assessment were made according to ISO 9613 Attenuation of sound during propagation outdoors. Calculation of noise due to construction plant and

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Fort Davis

Refinery Entrance

Roche’s Pt Road

1 2

South-west site boundary

Noise sensitive locations, and south-west boundary measurement location.

Figure 8.1August 2006C1662.40

Whitegate IPP

NOTE: Drawing is for diagrammatic purposes only. No measurements to be taken.

Ordnance Survey Ireland Licence No EN 0002806 © Government of IrelandOrdnance Survey Ireland Licence No EN 0002806 © Government of Ireland

There were two measurement locations on Roche’s Point Road, denoted 1 & 2.

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equipment was in accordance with BS 5228 Noise and vibration control on open and construction sites, using typical noise emission data for construction sites.

All noise levels presented in the assessment are LAeq parameters, unless otherwise indicated. An explanation of acoustics terminology is provided in Appendix 8.1.

8.4 Existing Noise Environment 8.4.1 Baseline Noise Surveys 2006

8.4.1.1 Description of Measurement Locations

Southwest Site Boundary

A meter was set up inside the southwest boundary of the proposed power plant site, to provide a baseline reference noise level, against which the noise emission specifications of the completed power plant can be assessed. This position was in a small valley, and was acoustically screened from the refinery.

Houses at Fort Davis

To monitor the existing industrial noise along the Fort Davis road a meter was set up in the side garden of the Murray residence approximately 6 metres from the house, with line of sight to the refinery. A 24 hour unattended noise survey was carried out.

Attended measurements were also carried out at the Coleman residence, approximately 20 metres from the front of the house and adjacent to the rear of the Calor loading station.

The industrial noise components at nighttime at both these residences were similar.

Roche’s Point Road

Measurements were made at two positions, denoted 1 and 2 on Roche’s Point Road. Position 1 was near the beach car park, opposite the entrance to a house. It was at an elevated position approximately 15 metres from front of house and over 700 metres from the southern boundary of the refinery.

Position 2 was opposite residences on Roche’s Point road near the Trabolgan crossroads, approximately 15 metres from the front of two houses and approximately a kilometre from the refinery. There was line of sight to the tops of buildings and plant at the refinery.

Houses at Refinery Entrance

Measurements were made outside the closest residence to the main entrance facing the plant (Approximately 7 metres from the front of the house and 50 metres from the main entrance to the plant).

8.4.1.2 Weather Conditions

17/07/06

Day survey: dry, very warm, sunny, light SW breeze.

Night survey: dry, very calm, cool, clear night. Possible temperature inversion.

18/07/06

Day survey: warm, dry, sunny, light SW breeze.

Night survey: dry, overcast, light SW breeze , very calm.

19/07/06

Day survey: Dry, warm, overcast, drizzle, rain in afternoon.

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8.4.1.3 Instrumentation

Table 8.1 Noise measurement instrumentation used during the surveys

Calibration checks were carried out before and after each survey period

8.4.2 Description of the Existing Noise Environment

The results of the noise surveys are presented in Tables 8.2 and 8.3, for the daytime and nighttime survey periods respectively.

Time plots of the noise levels at Fort Davis, and at the south-western boundary are shown in Figures 8.2 and 8.3.

Fort Davis Road

The existing daytime noise environment in this area is determined by noise from the ConocoPhillips oil refinery and Calor loading terminal. The daytime noise levels were relatively low, with a mean LAeq value of 46 to 47 dB(A). The mean steady industrial noise component was 43 to 44 dB(A) LA90.

At nighttime, noise from the refinery was the main feature of the noise environment. The mean nighttime noise level from the attended measurements was 46 dB(A) LAeq, with a steady industrial noise component of 44 dB(A) LA90. The unattended measurements at this location gave a mean value of 50 dB(A) LAeq for the nights of 17th /18th and 18th /19th. This elevated value was most likely due to temperature inversion conditions on the night of 17th /18th July. On the night of 18th /19th July, which was overcast, the noise levels reduced to a mean value of 48 dB(A) LAeq. The steady underlying industrial component on the night of 18th /19th was 45 dB(A) LA90 which was similar to the attended noise survey measurement results.

Houses at Refinery Main Entrance

The existing daytime noise environment at the houses near the main entrance is determined by the traffic moving in and out of the plant (which includes a high proportion of oil trucks) and also low level plant noise. The mean daytime noise level was 62 dB(A) LAeq , due entirely to traffic. The mean steady industrial noise component was 44 dB(A) LA90.The noise from the refinery was barely audible.

At nighttime, noise from the refinery was the main feature of the noise environment. The mean nighttime noise level was 46 dB(A) LAeq, with a mean steady industrial noise component of 40 dB(A) LA90. Noise levels along the refinery road decreased steadily moving East towards Whitegate National School and Whitegate village where the refinery was not audible.

Manufacturer Instrument Calibrated by Calibration reference

Last calibration

Brüel & Kjær SLM 2260 (Type 1) serial no.1875380

Pennine Instruments

07062-1 20/01/06

Svantek SLM 947 (Type 1) serial no. 5283

Svantek No. 5283 29/11/04

Svantek SLM 949 (Type 1) Svantek No. 8183 27/09/05

Brüel & Kjær Calibrator 4231 serial no. 1859044

Pennine Instruments

06091-3 15/07/05

Castle Calibrator GA 607 serial no. 040520

Castle Group 40520/ 45338

27/10/05

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17th - 19th July -Fort Davis

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The elevated levels on the night of 17th /18th July were most likely due to a temperature inversion (cold night following a very warm day)


Whitegate IPP

Plot of measured noise levels at the Murray house to the west of the site at Fort Davis.

Note: This graphic is for diagrammatic purposes. No measurements to be taken.

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18th - 19th July -South West Boundary

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Whitegate IPP

Plot of measured noise levels at south-west boundary of proposed site, 18th /19th July 2006.


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Houses along Roche’s Point Road

The main daytime noise source here was local traffic with a high percentage of tourist traffic.. The mean daytime noise level was 55 to 56 dB(A) LAeq, due entirely to traffic. The mean steady industrial noise component was 33 to 34 dB(A) LA90.The noise from the refinery was not audible.

At nighttime, noise from the refinery was audible at a low level. The mean nighttime noise level was 39 and 46 dB(A) LAeq, at locations 1 and 2 respectively. There were occasional car movements which contributed to this noise. The steady industrial noise component of the noise was 33 and 38 dB(A) LA90 at locations 1 and 2 respectively.

South-West Boundary (refer to Figure 8.3)

This location is screened by the terrain from the main refinery noise sources. The measured noise levels were consequently relatively low for an industrial site boundary. The mean daytime noise level was 45 dB(A) LAeq, with a steady underlying component of 41 dB(A) LA90. At nighttime, the mean noise level was 46 dB(A) LAeq, with a steady underlying component of 44 dB(A) LA90.

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Table 8.2 Measured daytime noise levels, July 2006

Measured Noise Level dB(A)

Location Time LAeq

15mins LA90 LA10 Comments

17th July 17:11 54 30 58

18th July 15:32 58 33 59

18th July 17:25 58 35 58

Roche’s Point Road Location 1 19th July 11:02 51 33 49

Frequent local traffic to/from nearby beach, birdsong, refinery not audible except for the odd, short, siren.

Mean Value 55 33 56

18th July 15:06 58 35 56

18th July 17:05 59 35 58

18th July 11:23 51 33 43

Roche’s Point Road Location 2 19th July 12:35 56 32 52

Mean Value 56 34 52

Local traffic, distant pole-driver, birdsong, rustling trees, plant not audible.

18th July 14:43 61 42 58

18th July 16:40 62 44 63

19th July 11:48 63 43 61

Closest house to refinery main entrance 19th July 13:43 63 47 59

Mean Value 62 44 60

Local traffic, trucks, low level plant noise barely audible, distant construction noise, rustling of leaves, birds.

18th July 14:19 46 45 48

Construction noise from Calor plant, distant excavators, bulldozers etc in refinery, steady low level plant noise audible, birdsong.

18th July 16:15 47 44 48 Steady low level plant noise audible, rustling of leaves, birdsong.

19th July 12:10 44 42 45

Construction noise from Calor plant, distant excavators, bulldozers etc in refinery, steady low level plant noise audible, plant siren (~1minute) birdsong.

Fort Davis, closest house to site 19th July 14:07 47 41 48

Construction noise from Calor plant, distant excavators, bulldozers etc in refinery, clanging of steel being loaded, steady low level plant noise audible, birdsong.

Mean Value 46 43 47

Fort Davis closest house to site

16:30 on 17th to 14:30 on 19th 47 44 49

Mean daytime values, unattended measurements, see Figure 8.2

South west boundary

13.15 on 18th to 15.15 on 19th 45 41 46

Mean daytime values, unattended measurements, see Figure 8.3

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Table 8.3 Measured nighttime noise levels, July 2006

Measured Noise Level dB(A)

Location Time LAeq

15mins LA90 LA10 Comments

17th July 23:30 43 32 41 Steady low level plant noise. 3 cars

19th July 02:44 37 33 38

Roche’s Point Road location 1 19th July 04:15 37 34 38 Distant low level plant noise audible

Mean Value 39 33 39

17th July 23:55 47 40 44 Clearly audible steady low level plant noise

19th July 02:25 40 38 42 Steady low level plant noise audible. Roche’s Point Road location 2 19th July 03:54 50 35 38

Steady low level plant noise, rustling of trees/leaves in breeze, 2 cars

Mean Value 46 38 41

18th July 00:25 42 41 43 Steady low level plant noise.

19th July 02:02 41 39 41 Steady low level plant noise audible, rustling of trees/leaves in breeze.

Closest house to refinery main entrance 19th July 03:30 55 40 42 Steady low level plant noise audible, calm, 1 truck

Mean Value 46 40 42

18th July 00:55 49 47 51 Clearly audible steady plant noise.

19th July 01:40 46 43 48 Steady low level plant noise audible, trees/leaves rustling in breeze.

Fort Davis, closest house to site 19th July 03:09 44 42 46 Steady low level plant noise audible, calm.

Mean Value 46 44 48

Fort Davis closest house to site 17th/19th 50 47 52

Mean nighttime values, unattended measurements, see Figure 8.1

South west boundary 18th /19th 46 44 47

Mean nighttime values, unattended measurements, see Figure 8.2

8.4.3 Review of ConocoPhillips Data

Environmental noise surveys are carried out annually in the vicinity of the refinery by ConocoPhillips, who have made copies of the annual reports from 2000 to 2005 available for the preparation of this noise impact assessment. The plant is subject to noise limits of 55 dB(A) during daytime, and 45 dB(A) during nighttime. The 2005 annual survey confirmed that the plant is operating within the IPC limits.

Table 8.4 presents a summary of the noise data from these surveys. The surveys are carried out annually at five designated locations, including four noise sensitive locations and one plant boundary. Figure 8.4 shows the steady nightttime industrial noise component detected during these surveys. The variations in noise level from survey to survey are typical for industrial sites, can be explained by variations in propagation conditions, interfering noise, and variations in noise source emissions.

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The 2005 annual survey determined that the steady industrial noise component at the houses ranged from 37 to 45 dB(A) LA90. The noise levels measured for this assessment in July 2006 are broadly consistent with the ConocoPhillips data.

Table 8.4 Summary of ConocoPhillips annual noise survey data (data extracted from AWN Consulting reports for 2000 to 2005, provided by ConocoPhillips)

Steady Component of Industrial Noise 2000 – 2005 dB(A) LA90 Location

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

mean range

Daytime

1. Entrance 49 54 43 44 50 47 48 43 – 54

2. School 42 49 48 47 48 45 47 42 -49

3. Fort Davis 47 40 40 39 33 45 41 33-47

4. SW plant 40 42 35 47 41 42 41 35-47

5. Whitegate Village 39 48 40 39 49 46 44 39-49

Nighttime

1. Entrance 47 52 43 40 47 45 46 40-52

2. School 42 43 31 37 43 38 39 31-43

3. Fort Davis 39 42 33 38 40 42 39 33-42

4. SW plant 39 45 48 45 41 41 43 39-48

5. Whitegate Village 35 46 34 32 46 37 38 32-46

8.4.4 Do-minimum Noise Levels

In the absence of any further industrial developments, it could reasonably be expected that the noise environment as described, would remain unchanged.

8.5 Noise Impact Criteria 8.5.1 Proposed Design Noise Criteria for Negligible Noise Impact

The proposed noise emission design criteria are devised as described below to ensure negligible noise impact at noise sensitive locations.

These design noise criteria are devised with reference to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline noise limits and British Standard BS 4142.

In order to provide a robust assessment of the impact of the proposed development, the measured noise levels at the Fort Davis property as recorded in the 2006 survey have been used. The impact is assessed against these results, which is a conservative approach.

EPA Guideline Noise Limits

EPA guideline noise limits at noise sensitive locations are 55 dB(A) by day and 45 dB(A) by night.

As the proposed plant will operate continuously, it must be designed to comply with nighttime limits.

Based on the baseline noise survey in 2006, and the historical ConocoPhillips data, the EPA nighttime noise limit is already fully consumed by noise emissions from the existing refinery. The implication for the proposed development is that its noise emissions must be limited to sufficiently low levels such that it does not cause an exceedence of the nighttime noise limit at

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Plant Noise Levels Nighttimesteady noise component LA90

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1. Entrance2. School3. Fort Davis4. SW plant5. Whitegate VillageNighttime Limit


Whitegate IPP

Plot of nighttime industrial noise levels at designated plant noise measurement locations from 2000 to 2005


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the nearest house at Fort Davis. This would require that the additional noise contribution from the proposed power plant should not exceed 35 dB(A) at the nearest house to the west.

BS 4142 Criteria

In BS 4142 Rating Industrial Noise affecting mixed Residential and Industrial Areas, the predicted noise levels (LAeq) associated with the industrial source are compared with the underlying background noise (LA90) at the assessment location. The underlying background noise level is the steady component of the ambient noise.

According to BS 4142, if the specific noise from the industrial source exceeds the underlying background noise, then the industrial noise is likely to be noticeable, and the potential for annoyance needs to be assessed. The probability of complaints depends on the degree of exceedence of the background noise. An exceedence of 10dB above background is taken as a positive indication of the likelihood of complaints. An increase of 5 dB above background is taken as a marginal situation. For negligible impact, the additional noise from the proposed plant should be less than the existing background noise. Nighttime is the critical period with respect to noise emissions. The plant should therefore be specified to generate less than the existing nighttime background noise levels at the nearest houses.

The locations where there is a potential for noise impact are at the nearest houses at Fort Davis, and at the houses to the south, along Roche’s Point Road. For the houses at the refinery entrance, there will be substantial noise screening provided by the terrain, and taking account of the distance to these houses, the potential noise impact would be significantly lower than for the houses at Fort Davis, and along Roche’s Point Road.

To comply with EPA nighttime noise limit, the proposed design specification is for a noise level of less than 35 dB(A) at the nearest house at Fort Davis. This would be substantially below the existing background noise level of 44 dB(A), and would be inaudible.

For the houses on Roche's point road, the mean background noise LA90 was:

• Roche’s Point Road (loc 1): 33 dB(A) LA90

• Roche’s Point Road (loc 2): 38 dB(A) LA90

Provided the plant noise is less than these values, there would be negligible noise impact in accordance with BS 4142 criteria.

8.5.2 Proposed Noise Emission Limits for Power Plant

An ISO 9613 noise propagation model was used to calculate noise emission limits for the proposed development, which would meet the criteria for negligible noise impact described above.

To meet the proposed criteria, the total noise emissions from the power plant should be limited to less than 50 dB(A) at a reference distance of 50 metres from the southern boundary of the power plant, measured at a height of four metres off the ground.

The noise emissions from the associated electrical switchyard and gas conditioning plant, which are the closest facilities to the nearest houses, should be limited to less than 45 dB(A) at the western site boundary, measured at a height of four metres off the ground.

These global noise emission values are considered to be readily technically achievable, through suitable emission specifications for the individual noise sources, and location of noise sources to take advantage of screening provided by buildings and the terrain. Specification of these individual equipment emissions limits is outside of the scope of this assessment and is the responsibility of the design team, who should undertake the necessary detailed noise modelling.

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The proposed limit of 50 dB(A) at 50 metres would be readily measurable, as the existing steady component of industrial noise at this boundary is in the range 41 to 44 dB(A) LA90.

These constraints will be adopted for the detailed design and specification of the development.

8.6 Noise Impact Assessment 8.6.1 Noise Propagation Model (ISO 9613)

Noise propagation calculations for the proposed development were made using a computer model (IMMI 5.2) in accordance with ISO 9613. The noise emissions from the proposed power plant were set at the emission limits values required to achieve the desired criterion of less than 50 dB(A) at 50 metres from the southern plant boundary, and less than 45 dB(A) at the western boundary.

The noise model allows for attenuation due to: distance, ground absorption, and atmospheric absorption. The effects of terrain screening were omitted from the model, and the predicted noise levels are consequently considered to be a maximum estimate.

8.6.2 Noise Impact Assessment during the Operational Phase

The projected plant noise levels, and noise impact assessment for the nighttime period, are presented in Table 8.5.

The projected additional noise levels are in the range 29 to 35 dB(A). These additional noise levels would not result in an exceedence of the EPA nighttime noise limit of 45 dB(A), and would not compromise any future noise control plans at the refinery.

The additional power plant noise at the noise sensitive locations would in all cases be below the existing steady background noise at nighttime. Under these conditions it will be inaudible at all locations. The noise impact relative to background noise during the daytime period would be lower, and consequently negligible.

The calculated noise levels from the proposed power plant are illustrated as a noise map in Figure 8.5.

Table 8.5. Projected plant noise levels, and noise impact assessment, for nighttime period. The noise projections are based on a noise emission design criterion of <50 dB(A) at 50m from the southern site boundary, and <45 dB(A) at the western site boundary.

House Locations

Projected Plant Noise Level LAeq dB(A)

Existing Background Noise LA90 dB(A)

Projected Total Future Industrial Noise LAeq dB(A)

Projected Change, dB

Compliance with EPA 45 dB(A) Nighttime Limit

BS 4142 assessment

Overall Adverse Noise Impact

Fort Davis

<35 44-47 45-47 <+1 yes 9 dB below background

Negligible

Refinery Entrance

<31 40 41 <+1 yes 9 dB below background

Negligible

Roche's Pt Rd 1

<31 33 35 <+2 Yes 4 dB below background

Negligible

Roche’s Pt. Rd 2

<29 38 39 <+1 Yes 9 dB below background

Negligible

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Calculated environmental noise levels (day and night) due to the operational power plant, based on assumed noise emission design limits of <50 dB(A) at 50m from the southern site boundary, and <45 dB(A) at the western site boundary. The noise model allows for noise attenuation due to distance, ground absorption (0.5), and atmospheric absorption. Screening by the terrain has been excluded from the model.

Calculated environmental noise levels (day and night)


Whitegate IPP


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Calculated construction noise levels during the early site clearance and preparation phase, when construction noise levels will be a maximum. Calculated based on an assumed total sound power emission of 118 dB(A) LWA for earth moving and excavation equipment , trucks operating on the site. Noise levels during the actual construction phase of the buildings are likely to be 10 dB lower.

Calculated environmental noise levels (day and night)


Whitegate IPP


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Documents

5.7.2 Landscape Proposals For inspection purposes only. · the R630 to the proposed development is via the existing Jetty Access Road. 6.2.2 Local Road Network 6.2.2.1 N25 (Cork to