DATE ISSUED: REPORT NUMBER: 004 AAD (SOUTH WEST) LTD · Proposed AAD Plant at Lee Moor ST12102/004 July 2011 Page 8 A3 THE SITE AND ITS ENVIRONMENT The site A3.1 The proposed development

DATE ISSUED: July 2011

JOB NUMBER: ST12102

REPORT NUMBER: 004

AAD (SOUTH WEST) LTD

Proposed Advanced Anaerobic Digestion (AAD) Plant and Associated Facilities at Lee

Moor, Devon

Volume 3c – Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary

July 2011

PREPARED BY:

Wardell Armstrong LLP

This report has been prepared by Wardell Armstrong LLP with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, within the terms of the Contract with the Client. The report is confidential to the Client and Wardell Armstrong LLP accept no responsibility of whatever nature to third

parties to whom this report may be made known.

No part of this document may be reproduced without the prior written approval of Wardell Armstrong LLP.

AAD (South West) Ltd Proposed AAD Plant at Lee Moor

ST12102/004 July 2011

CONTENTS

VOLUME 3C - Non – Technical Summary

A INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1

A1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ........ 1

A2 THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT................................................................................. 5

A3 THE SITE AND ITS ENVIRONMENT.............................................................................. 8

A4 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT .................................................................................... 11

B ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ............................................................ 12

B1 LAND USE AND SOILS ............................................................................................... 12

B2 HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY ........................................................................ 13

B3 TRAFFIC AND ACCESS ............................................................................................... 14

B4 AIR QUALITY ............................................................................................................. 15

B5 NOISE ....................................................................................................................... 16

B6 ECOLOGY AND WILDLIFE .......................................................................................... 17

B7 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ..................................................... 19

B8 SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS ..................................................................................... 20

C CONCLUSIONS ......................................................................................................... 22

DRAWINGS

A1.1 Planning Application Boundary

A1.2 Site Location

IMERYS-SK8000-2-G1 - Proposed AAD Layout


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 1

A INTRODUCTION

A1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

Terms of reference

A1.1 This Non-Technical Summary has been prepared for AAD (South West) Ltd in

connection with a full planning application to construct and operate a facility for

advanced anaerobic digestion (AAD) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and

Commercial & Industrial Waste (C&I) at Lee Moor Refinery, Lee Moor, Devon. The

Non-Technical Summary summarises the findings of Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA) of the proposed development as detailed in the Environmental

Statement (Volume 3a – Main Text and Volume 3b - Drawings and Appendices).

A1.2 AAD (South West) Ltd has been established with the intention of providing low

carbon sources of renewable energy.

A1.3 The proposed Advanced Anaerobic Digestion (AAD) facility provides an opportunity

to re-use the previously developed Herreschoff No 2 calciner and refinery, part of

the Imerys Lee Moor China Clay complex. It is proposed that the AAD facility will

process up to 75,000 tonnes per annum of non hazardous MSW and C&I waste,

primarily from food processing factories, offices, food outlets and restaurants in

Plymouth and South Hams. Waste will be bulked up and transferred from the

Plympton Waste Transfer Station (WTS), which is located approximately 5.7km to the

south west.

A1.4 Once the waste has passed through rigorous acceptance procedures it will be it will

be transferred to one of two autoclaves. The waste will be treated using steam and

pressure to sterilise and clean the material. Following this process any recyclables

will be removed and transferred back to Plympton WTS for further processing. The

residual material will then be further processed through a series of AD tanks to

produce bio-gas and a solid digestate.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 2

A1.5 It is proposed that the digestate will be used in the Imerys restoration scheme for

the disused Lee Moor China Clay Pits located nearby. The biogas will be collected

and passed through three CHP units in order to generate 78MWhr per day of

renewable electricity and 150 MWhr of surplus heat. The electricity generated will

provide for the power needs of the Lee Moor facility with the surplus transferred to

the electricity grid. The heat will also be used within the Lee Moor Facility to

generate the required process steam and, where required for space heating.

A1.6 The proposed development will divert waste from landfill in accordance with the

Waste Hierarchy; provide a valuable source of renewable energy, create vital direct

and indirect local employment opportunities; and produce a suitable organic

restoration material (digestate) for use in the locality of the facility.

A1.7 The principal elements of the proposed development include:

• Conversion of existing buildings, tanks and site infrastructure;

• Autoclave pre-treatment and waste sorting screens;

• Anaerobic digestion tanks, including associated biogas management systems,

pipework and kiosks;

• Dewatering and cake ‘digestate’ storage tanks;

• Centrate water treatment compound;

• Surface water attenuation pond;

• Staff welfare facilities and visitor centre;

• Biofilters and associated 21m and 23m stacks;

• Weighbridge and gate house; and

• CHP units, steam boilers and associated 20m stack.

A1.8 The boundaries of the planning application site considered for the purposes of the

EIA are shown on drawing A1.1, while the location of the proposed development is

shown on drawing number A1.2.

Environmental Statement structure

A1.9 Taking into account the Scoping Response, the ES is divided in Part A (background

and introduction to the development) and Part B (technical assessment of the

environmental effects). Each part is structured as follows:


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 3

A Introduction

A1 Background to the Environmental Statement

A2 The proposed development

A3 The site and its environment

A4 Planning policy

B Assessment of environmental effects

B1 Land use and soils

B2 Hydrology and hydrogeology

B3 Traffic and access

B4 Air quality

B5 Noise

B6 Ecology and wildlife

B7 Landscape and Visual Impact

B8 Socio-economic effects

C Conclusions

• Summary of mitigation measures

• Summary of residual Impacts

A1.10 Waste matters are covered within Part A of the ES (Need for the Proposed

Development and Construction Management).

A1.11 The ES has been prepared and compiled by Wardell Armstrong LLP, with the

exception of Section B4 – Traffic and Access, which was prepared by URS Scott

Wilson.

A1.12 The ES forms part of the documentation which will be submitted along with the

Planning Application for the proposed development. The ES and Non – technical

Summary (NTS) are submitted as Volume 3 (Volume 3A Environmental Statement,

Volume 3B ES Drawings and Appendices (including the Flood Risk Assessment as an

Appendix), Volume 3C Non-Technical Summary) of the planning application

document and should be read in conjunction with:


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 4

Volume 1: Planning Supporting Statement detailing the site location, planning

history, proposed development, planning policy context, waste

hierarchy compatibility, justification and need, benefits and planning

gain.

Volume 2: Design and Access Statement explaining the design principles and

concepts that have been applied to the proposals, including the

layout, scale, landscaping and the appearance of the proposed

development.

Volume 4: Human Health Impact Assessment (HHIA) assessing the potential

effects of the proposed development on the health of a population,

and the distribution of those effects within the population.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 5

A2 THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

A2.1 The proposals will redevelop the former Herreschoff No 2 calciner and refinery, Lee

Moor China Clay Refinery, Plymouth, Devon. The site is centred on National Grid

Reference SX 570 625 and is located within the administrative boundaries of South

Hams District Council and Devon County Council.

A2.2 The proposed development will consist of an Advanced Anaerobic Digestion (AAD)

plant and associated facilities. The AAD facility will convert the organic material

separated from the incoming municipal waste stream into a biogas that can be used

to produce renewable energy and heat. The facility will process up to 75,000 tonnes

of commercial and industrial waste/municipal waste per annum and generate up to

78MW of electricity per day.

A2.3 Drawing A1.1 shows the planning application boundary, the site location is shown on

A1.2 and the proposed AAD layout is shown on SK8000-2/G1. The planning

application area covers approximately 44,516m2.

A2.4 There are five main elements to the AAD process:

• The mechanical treatment of waste to separate recyclable material (e.g. from

packaging) from the organic fraction;

• The biological treatment of the organic fraction using anaerobic digestion;

• The generation of electricity from the biogas produced during the digestion

process and harvesting of the waste heat for beneficial use both on and off

the site;

• The separation of the liquid and solid fractions of the digestate (the material

produced by the digestion process);

• Digestate drying.

A2.5 The development site comprises part of an existing but disused china clay refinery,

including buildings, storage tanks and road infrastructure. It is proposed to convert

existing structures and construct new assets to facilitate the AAD process at the site.

A2.6 A detailed description of the process and operational plant procedures is provided in

the Environmental Statement.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 6

A2.7 The AAD process will take place principally within the existing buildings and

structures at Lee Moor refinery. The majority of the existing structures can be

modified to accommodate the AAD process and few new buildings will be required.

A2.8 The following buildings and plant are required for the proposals:

• Staff Welfare Facilities and Visitors Centre

• Main Processing Building

• Site Water Booster Kiosk

• Fine Screen and Pump & Sump Building

• CHP and Air Blast Coolers

• Steam Boiler House

• Biogas Booster

• Air Blast Boosters

• Centrate Treatment Compound

• ADs (No.1, No.2, No.3)

• Dewatering and Drying Building

• Dried Digestate Store

• Digestate Buffer Tank

• Emergency Storage Tanks

• Waste Gas Burner

• LCP Kiosk

• Water Booster Set Kiosk

Construction method and programme

Introduction

A2.9 The main components of the project will include:

• Extension of main building to receive waste conveyance systems, Autoclave,

Coarse Screening and main MCC;

• Installation of weigh bridge at adjacent main building;

• Amendments to adjacent storage building to receive fine screening

equipment and transfer pumps to AD plant;


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 7

• Conversion and roofing of four tanks to advanced digestion process units

with external recirculation pumps and insulated walls;

• Conversion of tank to house the packaged dewatering plant and drying

equipment;

• Conversion of tank to house centrate treatment packaged plant;

• Conversion of tank for centrate storage;

• Roofing and routing of pipework to two tanks for emergency storage facility;

• CHP package plant and steam generation equipment installation on existing

hardstanding areas;

• Provision of wash water booster system package plant;

• Routing of transfer pipework on existing bridges and cradles;

• Site wide cabling of power and control;

• Installation of works offices and facilities on existing hard standing;

• Creation of a surface water attenuation pond.

A2.10 It is estimated that construction works will last 15 months and will involve up to 40

staff members.

A2.11 The general site hours will be between 07:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday and

between 08:00 and 13:00 Saturdays.

A2.12 The proposals include a storage area adjacent to the proposed surface water

attenuation pond which will be utilised during construction for site offices and

contractors’ area.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 8

A3 THE SITE AND ITS ENVIRONMENT

The site

A3.1 The proposed development is located within the former Herreschoff No 2 calciner

and refinery at Lee Moor, Plymouth. The site is accessed off the B3417.

A3.2 The proposed site is approximately 4.45Ha, as shown on drawing number A1.1 and is

bordered to the south and east by the redundant China Clay Quarries; to the west by

agriculture land and the settlement of Wotter; and to the north by the village of Lee

Moor and further (unrelated) quarrying operations. The application site is centred

on National Grid Reference SX 570 625 in the administrative boundary of South

Hams District Council in the County of Devon. The site location is shown on Drawing

number A2.1.

A3.3 The wider area is characterised by an extensively quarried moorland landscape on

the south-facing flanks of Dartmoor but outside the Dartmoor National Park.

A3.4 The small villages of Wotter, Lutton, Yonderland and Sparkwell are located within

1Km of the site.

A3.5 The closest residential dwellings to the application boundary are Broadoak Cottages

and Wotter Farm which lie approximately 325m to the east and 300m to the north

west respectively. This gradually extends to a number of properties stretching from

Wotter in the north west to Lee Moor in the north-east.

A3.6 The majority of the site consists of buildings related to the former clay refinery

workings and associated hard standing. There are five buildings, 4 large open tanks

and 5 smaller tanks on-site surrounded by hard standing.

A3.7 The site topography varies significantly across the site. The site is located on a slope

which dips towards the south west and the Wotter Brook.

A3.8 The Wotter Brook originates as overflow from the Wotter Pond and flows to the

south of the site boundary before converging with the Tory Brook.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 9

Ecology

A3.9 The buildings and hard standing offer very limited habitat for wildlife. The Phase 1

Habitat survey conducted at the site confirmed the built nature of the site with no

notable vegetation.

A3.10 A broadleaved woodland is located outside the western boundary of the site.

A3.11 Dartmoor Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is 2.5km north east of the site. The

Wotter Brook eventually flows into the River Plym and reaches the sea at Plymouth

Sound and Estuaries SAC more than 10km to the east and south-east of the site.

A3.12 There is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) located approx 4 Km north west the

proposed site (Shaugh Prior Woods). There are 11 non statutory County Wildlife

Sites (CWS) located within 2km of the site boundaries.

Vehicular Access

A3.13 The site is accessed from the B3417. In order to protect the villages between the

A38 Trunk Road and the Lee Moor area, the Devon County Council has introduced a

weight limit traffic order to route all the HGV traffic to and from the A38 (east) via

the Deep Lane Interchange, Plympton and the B3416 and B3417.

A3.14 It is proposed to construct a new link road to bypass the southern section of the

B3417 where it joins onto Newnham Road. Once completed, the new link road will

be the new route to Lee Moor area.

Public Rights of Way

A3.15 Part of the footpath (Shaugh Prior Footpath 47) crosses part of the additional shared

vehicular access to the north east of the proposed AAD site to the B3417. The

additional access will be used periodically during construction for crane access and it

will not be fenced. Therefore, the public footpath will not be subjected to

obstruction.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 10

Landscape Character

A3.16 The site forms the southern part of the wider overall former china clay works site.

The site area is defined to the east by the B3417. A deciduous woodland block

contains the site to the west, with a belt of more recently planted vegetation to the

south.

A3.17 Further afield, a series of mica dams lie beyond the woodland strip to the south; the

northern and largest one being broadly similar in size to the former Lee Moor clay

works site.

A3.18 The landscape becomes more intensively developed immediately north of the site,

supporting the small settlements of Wotter and Lee Moor to the north west and

north east of the site respectively. This industrial landscape borders Dartmoor

National Park, which lies within approximately 800m of the site’s north western

boundary.

Water Resources

A3.19 The nearest named watercourse is the Wotter Brook which runs adjacent to the sites

western and southern boundary. A number of small tributaries to the Wotter Brook

(mostly dry) are contained within the site boundary.

A3.20 The Wotter Brook is a tributary of the Tory Brook, which runs approximately 200m

west of the site and has been heavily modified in this area. The Tory Brook

eventually flows into the River Plym and reaches the sea to the south of Plymouth.

Other local water features include the mica dams associated with the china clay

refinery which are primarily located to the south of the site.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 11

A4 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT

A4.1 This section has summarised the Development Plan for the area and considered

those policies that may have a material bearing on the determination of the planning

application.

A4.2 The prevailing policies at a European, national, regional and local level all promote

the reduction of waste being directed towards landfill, and the increase in recycling /

waste treatment / recovery levels. The Applicant fully supports these policies, and

has incorporated these issues into the ES as part of the EIA process.

A4.3 The principle of sustainability is uppermost in the proposed implementation of this

scheme, and complies with Development Plan policies. In the light of these

circumstances, it is concluded that there are no overriding planning constraints

specific to the site, and the proposal is in accordance with development plan

policies.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 12

B ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

B1 LAND USE AND SOILS

B1.1 The whole of the application area falls within an existing but disused Herreschoff No

2 calciner and refinery, part of Imerys Lee Moor China Clay complex.

B1.2 The ground within the application area has been subject to significant disturbance in

the past associated with the refinery operations. There are no areas of undisturbed,

natural soils within the site.

B1.3 No significant sources of ground contamination which would affect the proposed

new use are expected with the use of the site previously as a china clay refinery or

from the proposed operations.

B1.4 No residual impacts are expected as a result of the proposed development in terms

of land use.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 13

B2 HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY

B2.1 This chapter of the ES presents an assessment of the potential hydrological and

hydrogeological impacts of the proposed Advanced Anaerobic Digestion (AAD)

Facility at the former Lee Moor China Clay Refinery, Devon.

B2.2 A review of baseline data has been carried out and the potential impacts on the

water environment have been assessed.

B2.3 The proposed development of the site is not expected to have significant impacts on

the groundwater. Additionally, no impact to groundwater abstractions, surface

water abstractions have been identified as existing licences will be utilised and there

will be no additional demand placed on these resources from this development.

B2.4 Potential impacts to the surface water quality of the Wotter Brook and SAC from

discharges of treated process water have a significance of low. Monitoring measures

have been proposed to ensure effluent discharges comply with their remedial

targets. As long as these targets are not exceeded then there should not be an

unacceptable impact on either receptor from activities on site.

B2.5 A limited number of activities, spillage of oils, fuels and dirty water-run off, have

been identified as requiring mitigation. Mitigation measures have therefore been

devised to reduce the impacts to surface water quality to an acceptable level as far

as practicable during the operation phase.

B2.6 The residual impact of the development on local surface water quality is considered

to be of very low significance if good site working practices and the recommended

mitigation measures are implemented.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 14

B3 TRAFFIC AND ACCESS

B3.1 The impact of the traffic generated by the proposed development has been assessed

in accordance with the Guidelines for the Environmental Assessment of Road Traffic

provided by the Institute of Environmental Assessment.

B3.2 An analysis of the highway accident record in the area that will experience higher

traffic flows has not raised any concerns or identified any need to undertake

remedial measures to improve road safety. Therefore no measures of mitigation are

proposed to cater for the development traffic.

B3.3 It is anticipated that an improvement to the southern end of the B3417 Lee Moor

Road, on the approach to Newnham Road, will have been undertaken in association

with the Hemerdon Mine scheme prior to the AAD plant being operational.

B3.4 Comparing the anticipated 12hour weekday traffic flow on the B3417 Lee Moor Road

in the vicinity of Newnham Road with the background flow (taking into account

increases due to the Lee Moor ROMP and the Hemerdon Mine proposal) it is

estimated that the proposed development will produce an increase of around 5%.

B3.5 Taking all of the above factors into account during the impact assessment, it is

concluded that the environmental impact of the increase in traffic flow will not be

significant.

B3.6 The use of the AAD plant output within the local Lee Moor area in association with

restoration works will have a positive impact in reducing the flow of traffic through

Plympton.

B3.7 On this basis, no measures of mitigation are required to reduce the impact of the

proposed development.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 15

B4 AIR QUALITY

B4.1 The assessment of air quality impacts arising from the proposed Advanced Anaerobic

Digestion (AAD) facility has considered the potential impacts of the construction

phase and operational phase of the development. This assessment considered the

potential effects on air quality from dust and particulates during the construction

phase and from residual sources of odour, particulates and dust, bioaerosols and gas

engine emissions during the operational phase.

B4.2 The assessment concluded that control measures, to be employed during the

construction phase of the proposed development, would ensure that there will be

no significant impacts, on existing receptor locations, in the vicinity of the proposed

development.

B4.3 Control measures will also be implemented at the site during the operational phase

to ensure that there will be no significant impact from the release of bioaerosols,

fugitive dust and particulate matter and odour.

B4.4 The stack heights determined for the gas engine stack and odour control stacks are

considered sufficient to aid the dispersion of pollutants and no further mitigation will

therefore be required.

B4.5 The assessment therefore concluded that the likely effectiveness of the mitigation

measures incorporated into the proposals at the site to control emissions will

provide a high level of protection for local residents and the local environment.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 16

B5 NOISE

B5.1 The potential noise impacts of the construction and operational phases of the

proposed AAD Facility have been assessed for existing residential locations in the

vicinity of the site.

B5.2 The activities associated with the earthworks and construction phase of the

development will have the potential to generate short term increases in the levels of

noise and vibration at the existing residential locations. The assessment concluded

that the potential noise and vibration impacts associated with the construction

phase of the development will be negligible.

B5.3 Noise modelling using computer software has been carried out to determine the

noise levels likely to be generated by the operation of the AAD Facility, together with

on-site vehicle movements, at the nearest residential locations. These calculations

have taken into consideration the mitigation measures proposed as part of the site

design.

B5.4 The assessment concluded that with the implementation of the mitigation measures

proposed as part of the site design the noise levels likely to be generated by the

proposed development will not have an adverse impact at the existing residential

locations in the vicinity of the site.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 17

B6 ECOLOGY AND WILDLIFE

B6.1 This section comprises an ecological impact assessment of the proposed advanced

anaerobic digestion facility (proposed AAD).

B6.2 Information received form enquiries revealed the presence of Dartmoor Special Area

of Conservation (SAC) is situated approximately 2.5km north-east of the site, South

Dartmoor Wood SAC and Shaugh Prior Woods SSSI, located 4km north-west of the

site, and Plymouth Sound and Estuaries SAC and Tamar Estuaries Complex SPA

located approximately 10km from the site.

B6.3 11 County Wildlife Sites (CWS) and one proposed CWS are located within 2km of the

site in addition to three sites designated as Other Sites of Wildlife Interest and 11

further sites which are unconfirmed wildlife sites (UWS). Higher Lee Woods CWS is

located adjacent to the site’s western boundary.

B6.4 There are records of protected and notable flora and fauna within 2km of the site.

These include badger, bats, birds, otter and common reptiles.

B6.5 The majority of the site consists of buildings related to the former clay refinery

workings and associated hard standing. Areas between the buildings have become

sparsely vegetated and in some places become scrub-like in appearance. In the

north west corner of the site is an area that was a former refuse tip and is

characterised by short grassland, short ephemeral vegetation and scattered scrub

and bracken.

B6.6 The buildings and short tunnels beneath the existing tanks were identified as having

negligible potential for roosting and foraging bats due to their metal roofs which

allow large fluctuations in temperature and their high light levels and lack of feeding

evidence. Common pipistrelles and soprano pipistrelles were recorded along the

north-west boundary adjacent to the woodland, alongside the five smaller tanks,

near the mature trees by the track and road and one soprano pipistrelle was foraging

in front of building 1. One single recording of a greater horseshoe was also made by

the north-west boundary near the woodland.

B6.7 The site could potentially support breeding birds, invertebrates and reptiles and has

limited potential for badgers and hedgehog.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 18

B6.8 Indirect impacts on the statutory and non-statutory sites as a result of changes in air

and water quality during the operational phase of the development are not

considered to be significant.

B6.9 Minor impacts on Higher Lee Woods CWS are considered to be probable from a

temporary increase in noise during construction and increase in lighting during the

operational phase. Negligible impacts on other non-statutory sites are anticipated.

B6.10 Minor impacts are predicted on breeding birds, bats, reptiles, badger, hedgehog and

small mammals in the absence of mitigation. In the unlikely event of a pollution

event, there is potential for adverse impacts on freshwater invertebrates.

B6.11 Mitigation measures proposed include protecting the watercourses from pollution

events, monitoring the treated waste water being discharged into the Wotter Brook,

sympathetic lighting on-site with lights directed away from the edge of Higher Lee

Woods CWS, no scrub removal in bird breeding season, no earth-works during

reptile hibernation season and removal of debris and cutting of long vegetation in

summer months in order to discourage reptiles from affected areas.

B6.12 There are also opportunities to enhance the site and surrounding area for

biodiversity. This includes allowing scrub to regenerate within the site, providing

bird and bat boxes on or close to the site, provision of refuges and hibernacula for

reptiles and providing features of value for amphibians as part of the proposed

surface water attenuation pond.

B6.13 Residual impacts on nature conservation and wildlife from the development

following mitigation are anticipated to be negligible. There is a probable beneficial

impact on wildlife from the creation of a surface water attenuation pond and if the

suggested biodiversity enhancements are undertaken this would further give rise to

beneficial impacts for wildlife in the local area.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 19

B7 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

B7.1 The landscape and visual assessment has evaluated the potential impacts which the

proposed development will have upon the surrounding landscape and visual

receptors.

B7.2 The visual envelope of the site is defined principally by the Blackalder Tor to the

north. It is further constrained by the localised topography and significant woodland

and hedge vegetation.

B7.3 The development is neither removing nor altering important or significant landscape

features, and the introduction of replacement built elements, cannot be considered

to be uncharacteristic when set within the attributes of the receiving landscape.

Long term proposals include the restoration of parts of the wider despoiled

landscape.

B7.4 The site is located outside a landscape designation and forms part of a wider area of

similar character. The baseline landscape value of the current working area is very

poor and it is currently a detractor within the wider landscape.

B7.5 Because of the nature of the proposals, impacts will change as the development

advances and the site and surrounding land is restored.

B7.6 The landscape impact significance of the proposals on the current working site will

be temporary imperceptible adverse.

B7.7 Visual impacts vary depending on the proximity of the viewpoint. The scale of the

proposals will remain local because topography and screening vegetation allow a

limited number of clear viewpoints. Views from the wider landscape are also

relatively few, again constrained by topography and vegetation. Overall, the

operational proposals will result in a temporary slight adverse visual impact.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 20

B8 SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS

B8.1 The likely effects of the proposed development on the population and the economic

impact that the proposal will have upon the local community and the wider economy

are discussed in Chapter B8 of the ES which provides an overview of the local,

regional and national policy context as background of the proposed AAD project and

the effects of the proposal are assessed to establish the overall net socio-economic

impacts of the development.

B8.2 The effects of the proposal on waste management are discussed in Part A of the ES

while transportation and traffic movements are discussed in section B3. This section

assessed the direct effects of the proposal on employment.

B8.3 There are therefore three long term aspects generated by the proposed

development:

1. The diversion of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Commercial and Industrial

(C&I) waste from landfill;

2. The production of electricity from a renewable source;

3. The manufacturing of soils to be used in land restoration schemes.

B8.4 The proposed development will have direct effects on the local community and

wider indirect impact within the surrounding areas. During construction phase there

will be a direct effect on employment labour within regionally boundaries,

depending on the building contractor. Thus direct employment will generate

expenditure on local service (e.g. for petrol, food and drink) for the duration of

construction phase.

B8.5 Once the development is completed there will be a direct effect on employment,

regional waste management and traffic generation.

B8.6 It is estimated that construction will requires 15 months (5 quarters). Construction

phase will have a beneficial (even though limited) impact on direct employment in

the construction sector in Devon.

B8.7 This will have a beneficial effect in terms of local expenditure (food, fuel, etc.) within

the Lee Moor area.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 21

B8.8 The following effects were identified as direct effects of the development once

completed:

• Employment

• Effects in regional waste management

• Change in traffic due to waste collection and transportation of the digestate

to land restoration sites

B8.9 It is proposed to operate the AAD plant on a 24 hours basis, divided into 3 shifts. Up

to 26 staff members will be required overall (including drivers and administrative

personnel.

B8.10 This will have a beneficial but limited effect on local employment.

B8.11 Overall, it is anticipated that the economic impact of the proposed development in

terms of job creation will be limited but beneficial on a local scale. No mitigation is

therefore required and there are no residual adverse impacts.


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 22

C CONCLUSIONS

INTRODUCTION

C1.1 The assessment of potential environmental effects of the proposed development in

part B of the Environmental Statement identifies a range of both adverse and

beneficial effects, as required by the 1999 Regulations. The potential effects after

the implementation of the mitigation measures which have been identified are

summarised in Table C1:

Table C1 – Environmental Impacts Summary

Topic Area Description of

impact

Geographical level

of

Importance of

Issue

Impact Duration Significance of

residual effects

I N R D L

B1 Land use,

and soils

Potential ground

contamination

L Adverse St/Rv Negligible

B2 Hydrology

and

Hydrogeology

Construction

impact on surface

water


Construction

impact on ground

water


Operational impact

on surface water

L Adverse Lt/Rv Minor

Operational impact

on ground water

L Adverse Lt/Rv Negligible

Decommissioning

impact on surface

and ground water


B3 Traffic and

Access

Increase in traffic

flow on B3417 Lee

Moor Road



ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 23

B4 Air Quality Construction dust

and particulate

impacts


Potential

operational odour

emissions


Potential

operational

bioaerosol impacts


Potential

operational dust

impacts


Emissions from gas

engine and boiler

during operational

phase on

residential

receptors


Emissions from gas

engine and boiler

during operational

phase on statutory

sites of nature

conservation

I N Adverse Lt/Rv Negligible

Emissions from gas

engine and boiler

during operational

phase on non-

statutory sites of

nature

conservation

R D Adverse Lt/Rv Minor

B5 Noise

Construction noise

and vibration

impacts

L Adverse St/ Rv Minor

Operational noise

and vibration

impacts

L Adverse Lt/ Rv Negligible

B6 Ecology and

wildlife

Impact on Special

Areas of

Conservation/SSSIs

I N Adverse Lt / Rv Negligible


ST12102/004 July 2011

Page 24

Impact on County

Wildlife Sites

R Adverse Lt / Rv Negligible

Impact on water

quality of Wotter

Brook

L Adverse Lt / Rv Negligible

Potential impact on

Mica Dam

L Adverse Lt / Rv Negligible

Loss of short

grassland,

scattered scrub and

gorse

L Adverse Lt / IR Negligible

Creation of surface

water attenuation

pond

L Beneficial Lt / Rv Minor

Disturbance of bats L Adverse Lt / Rv Negligible

Disturbance of

other protected

fauna

L Adverse Lt / Rv Negligible /

minor

B7 Landscape

and Visual

Impacts

View of 3 stacks

and limited views

of extended shed

and tank covers


B8 Socio

Economic

Construction and

Operational phase

job creation

L Beneficial Lt /Rv Minor

KEY

I = International St = Short term N = National Lt = Long term R = Regional Rv = Reversible D = District IR = Irreversible L = Local

DRAWINGS

Documents

DATE ISSUED: REPORT NUMBER: 004 AAD (SOUTH WEST) LTD · Proposed AAD Plant at Lee Moor ST12102/004 July 2011 Page 8 A3 THE SITE AND ITS ENVIRONMENT The site A3.1 The proposed development