LAFARGE TARMAC - Nottinghamshire

LAFARGE TARMAC

BESTHORPE QUARRY

PLANNING APPLICATION TO VARY

CONDITION 4 OF PLANNING CONSENT

3/02/02403CMA AND CONDITION 3

OF PLANNING CONSENT 3/02/02402CMA

TO FACILITATE AN EXTENSION OF TIME

AT BESTHORPE QUARRY

INCLUDING AMENDMENT OF THE APPROVED

WORKING AND RESTORATION SCHEMES

ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

PREPARED BY: DAVID L WALKER LIMITED

NOVEMBER 2014

Lafarge Tarmac Besthorpe Quarry Extension of Time

Environmental Statement

Prepared by David L Walker Limited November 2014

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CONTENTS Preface Section 1 Introduction 1.1 Aims of the Environmental Statement 1.2 Scoping Request 1.3 Methodology 1.4 The Applicant Company and the Project Team Section 2 Existing Situation 2.1 General 2.2 Landscape 2.3 Ecology 2.4 Hydrology and Hydrogeology 2.5 Soils 2.6 Transport 2.7 Amenity 2.8 Archaeology 2.9 Rights of Way and Utilities Section 3 Proposed Development and Working Scheme 3.1 General 3.2 Proposed Working Sequence 3.3 Soils Handling, Management and Replacement 3.4 Dust Suppression 3.5 Other Issues Section 4 Restoration Scheme 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Restoration Features 4.3 Aftercare and Ongoing Management Section 5 Environmental Considerations 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Ecology 5.3 Flood Risk 5.4 Archaeology 5.5 Rights of Way 5.6 Alternatives 5.7 Social and Cumulative Impacts Section 6 Summary




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LIST OF PLANS B302/PL14/01 Location Plan B302/PL14/02 Existing Situation Plan B302/PL14/03 Working Plan B302/PL14/04 Restoration Plan B302/PL14/05 Illustrative Section

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LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1 Scoping Request dated 22 April 2014 Appendix 2 Scoping Opinion dated 24 June 2014 Appendix 3 Copy of Approved Working Scheme (Drawing References BH B2/15D) Appendix 4 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey dated October 2014 Appendix 5 Flood Risk Assessment dated October 2014 Appendix 6 Copy of Planning Consents 3/02/02403/CMA and C/02/02402 CMA Appendix 7 Copy of Approved Restoration Scheme (Drawing Reference BH/B2/16E) Appendix 8 Phasing of Restoration Appendix 9 Private and Confidential – Badger Survey dated May 2014




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PREFACE (i) Lafarge Tarmac benefits from planning consent under reference

3/02/02403CMA for the extraction of sand and gravel at Besthorpe Quarry, Nottinghamshire (“the application site”). Lafarge Tarmac also benefit from planning consent under reference 3/02/02402CMA in relation to operation of the conveyor and wharf facility to the River Trent.

(ii) Under Condition 4 of planning consent 3/02/02403CMA (“the controlling

planning consent”), the extraction of sand and gravel is permitted until 31 December 2014, with plant, machinery and buildings to be removed by 1 July 2015 or within six months of the cessation of mineral extraction, whichever is the sooner.

(iii) Under Condition 3 of planning consent 3/02/02402CMA (“the conveyor

consent”), the conveyor and other associated machinery is required to be dismantled or removed from site by 1 July 2015 or within six months of the cessation of minerals, whichever is the sooner.

(iv) Due to market conditions and the previous economic downturn, sand and

gravel production at the site has been lower than anticipated, with approximately 800,000 tonnes of the non-constrained permitted sand and gravel reserves remaining to be extracted.

(v) Production is currently of the order of 120,000 tonnes per annum and

therefore the remaining mineral reserves will not be worked by the current permitted end date of 31 December 2014 for mineral extraction.

(vi) In order to prevent the sterilisation of the remaining mineral reserves, it is

proposed to vary Condition 4 of the controlling planning consent to facilitate an eight year extension of time to recovered the permitted mineral reserves. It is specifically proposed to vary this condition as follows:

“All sand and gravel operations shall be completed by 31 December 2022

unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Mineral Planning Authority (MPA). The processing plant shall not use sand and gravel other than that arising from the application site and any such plant, machinery and buildings shall be removed from the site within 12 months of the cessation of sand and gravel extraction operations on the site, or by 31 December 2023, whichever is the sooner”.

(vii) It is also proposed to vary Condition 3 of the conveyor consent as follows: “The conveyor and all supports and other attached machinery or structures

shall be dismantled and removed from the site on or before 31 December 2023 or within 12 months of the cessation of sand and gravel extraction in this area whichever is the sooner, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MPA”.

(viii) The proposals also include re-phasing of the working scheme to ensure

economical and efficient extraction of the remaining mineral, as well as




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enhancement of the approved restoration scheme in line with best practice and up to date planning policy.

(ix) Owing to the nature of the proposals, and size of the application area, the

proposals constitute EIA development as defined under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 (“the EIA Regulations), and this Environmental Statement sets out findings of the EIA process.

(x) Environmental Impact Assessment was first introduced into English Law in

1988, although the original procedure was referred to as “Environmental Assessment”. The EIA Regulations came into force in August 2011 and consolidated and replaced provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 and any amending legislation.

(xi) Copies of this Environmental Statement are available for inspection at the

offices of Nottinghamshire County Council as well as at the application site. Further copies may be purchased at a cost of £150 from:

David L Walker Limited Albion House 89 Station Road Eckington Sheffield S21 4FW

(xii) The Environmental Statement (ES) is additionally accompanied by a Non

Technical Summary (NTS) and a Supporting Planning Statement (SPS). (xiii) The purpose of the NTS is to ensure that the findings of the studies can be

more readily disseminated to the general public and that the conclusions are easily understood by non-experts as well as decision makers. It is therefore essential that the NTS reflects in an accurate and balanced way the key information contained in the ES and SPS, describing all conclusions and the facts and judgments on which they are based.

(xiv) The SPS provides a full review of Development Plan policies (both adopted

and emerging) and sets out a justified need argument for the proposed extension of time.




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SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Aims of the Environmental Statement 1.1.1 The EIA Regulations integrate the EIA procedures into the existing framework

of local authority control and the procedures provide a more systematic method of assessing the environmental implications of developments that are likely to have significant effects. Where the EIA procedure reveals that a project will have an adverse impact on the environment, it does not follow that planning permission must be refused. It remains the task of the local planning authority to judge each planning application on its merits within the context of the development plan, taking account of all material considerations, including potential environmental impacts.

1.1.2 For developers, EIA can help to identify the likely effects of a particular project

at an early stage. This can produce improvements in the planning and design of the development; in decision-making by both parties; and in consultation and responses thereto, particularly if combined with early consultations with the local planning authority and other interested bodies during the preparatory stages. In addition, developers may find EIA a useful tool for considering alternative approaches to a development. This can result in a final proposal that is more environmentally acceptable, and can form the basis of a more robust application for planning permission. The presentation of environmental information in a more systematic way may also simplify the local planning authority’s task of appraising the application and drawing up appropriate planning conditions, enabling swifter decisions to be reached.

1.1.3 The main objectives of this Statement are:

(a) to identify and describe the existing environmental status of the site and its surrounding environs;

(b) to describe the proposed development including the working method and restoration provisions, having full consideration of the size, scale and duration of various elements of the scheme;

(c) to identify any significant environmental effects of the development and, in the case of any effect which may be perceived to be harmful, the measures which are proposed in order to ameliorate it;

(d) in respect of enhancement, the long term benefits derived from the mineral extraction operations will be considered; and

(e) finally, a summary and conclusions are provided. 1.1.4 The application includes an Environmental Statement and a Supporting

Planning Statement (SPS). In accordance with the provisions of the EIA Regulations, a Non-Technical Summary is additionally provided.

1.1.5 This Environmental Statement details:

Background Details to the Proposals; Existing Conditions; Proposed Development;




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Potential Environmental Impacts; and Summary and Conclusions.

The document is concluded with a summary section. 1.1.6 Reviews of Development Plan policy and the need argument are provided in

the SPS. 1.2 Screening and Scoping 1.2.1 The application area at Besthorpe Quarry extends across approximately 108

hectares. The EIA Regulations set out in Schedule 1 descriptions of development for which an Environmental Impact Assessment is mandatory.

1.2.2 Paragraph 19 of Schedule 1 of the EIA Regulations identifies quarries and

opencast mining where the surface of the site exceeds 25 hectares, as being EIA development for which an Environmental Impact Assessment is mandatory. The operations at Besthorpe Quarry extend over a 108 hectare area and are therefore Schedule 1 EIA development.

1.2.3 Accordingly, a formal scoping request was submitted to Nottinghamshire

County Council as the Mineral Planning Authority in April 2014 in connection with this application.

1.2.4 The scoping request (a copy of which is reproduced at Appendix 1) included a

description of the proposal, a plan identifying the land to which the planning application was to relate and further information that enabled the Mineral Planning Authority to issue a formal scoping opinion.

1.2.5 This opinion was issued on 24 June 2014 (a copy of which is reproduced at

Appendix 2) and took account of consultations with the following bodies:

Newark and Sherwood District Council;

The Environment Agency;

NCC Landscape Team;

NCC Mineral Policy;

NCC Ecology Team;

National Grid;

NCC (Reclamation);

Natural England;

NCC (Built Heritage);

Nottinghamshire Wildlife trust;

National Grid;

Network Rail;

NCC (Noise Engineer); and

Trent Valley Internal Drainage Board. 1.2.6 The Scoping Opinion confirmed the scope of environmental assessment to be

detailed in the ES. The opinion also confirmed that the Development Plan will need to be addressed in addition to a number of baseline elements such as landscape and soil management.




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1.3 Assessment Requirements

General

1.3.1 This ES identifies the existing baseline setting, the potential impacts of extending the duration of the mineral extraction operations, the proposed enhancements to the restoration scheme and any mitigation and/or management measures to overcome or reduce the potential impacts.

1.3.2 Lafarge Tarmac has developed a good understanding of the impacts

associated with operations at Besthorpe Quarry. Based on this, the advice offers in the Scoping Opinion and the Mineral Planning Authority’s planning application validation requirements, the following technical areas have been considered:

ecology; and

flood risk. Ecology 1.3.3 An independent consultant has undertaken an Extended Phase 1 Habitat

Survey in support of the proposals. The on-site elements were undertaken in accordance with JNCC and IEA guidance.

1.3.4 Whilst no statutory designated sites of ecological importance were identified

across the application site, further survey work has been undertaken in respect of badgers in accordance with current guidance.

1.3.5 Following analysis of the aforementioned survey results, the working and

restoration schemes have been adapted to minimise impact on those habitats of greatest value. The proposed restoration scheme will seek to enhance the existing habitats and improve upon species diversity wherever possible.

1.3.6 The ES sets out the impact of the proposals on ecological interests as

identified in the various ecological reports, including:

an assessment of likely impacts on various habitats identified in the ecological surveys directly/indirectly disturbed and discussion of the significance of such impacts;

description of the mitigation measures introduced in the site design to reduce ecological impact;

details of the ecological enhancement measures being introduced during the operation; and

description of how the restoration phases will result in longer term ecological enhancement through the creation of appropriate new habitats and the introduction of a more species-diverse environment to maximise biodiversity benefits.

Flood Risk




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1.3.7 The application site is situated within the floodplain of the River Trent. Consistent with the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework and standing advice published by the Environment Agency, a flood risk assessment has been undertaken.

Other Issues to be Included 1.3.8 The enhanced restoration scheme includes provision of additional footpaths

across the site and retention of other existing public rights of way within the vicinity of the application site. Public rights of way impacts are therefore addressed within the ES.

1.3.9 The ES provides definitive descriptions of the amendments which are

proposed to be made to the approved working and restoration schemes and sets out aftercare measures for the extension area.

1.3.10 The ES makes reference to the Development Plan with the provision of a

SPS, which will itself include details on the need for the development and the potential socio-economic impacts.

1.3.11 The ES examines the proposals in relation to current government advice

documents that deal with the relevant issues identified through the Environmental Assessment process. Finally, the Mineral Planning Authority’s planning application validation criteria has been reviewed in full in order to identify the requirement for supplementary assessments.

1.4 The Applicant Company and Project Team 1.4.1 Lafarge Tarmac is the UK’s leading sustainable building materials group. Its

innovative products, solutions and services not only deliver the infrastructure needed to grow the UK economy today but also enable a more sustainable built environment for the country’s long term future.

1.4.2 Founded in 2013 as a joint venture between industry leaders Lafarge UK and

Tarmac, the company benefits from over 150 years of experience and combined assets. Through its nationwide network of sites, it provides customers with aggregates & asphalt, cement & lime, readymix concrete, road contracting and recycling services, and employs approximately 5,500 people.

1.4.3 Lafarge Tarmac has contributed to some of the UK’s biggest construction

projects, including Wembley Stadium, Heathrow Terminal 5, The Shard and London 2012. It also provides environmental stewardship for thousands of acres of the UK’s countryside and has built up a wide ranging conservation portfolio based on award-winning restoration of quarry workings. Strong partnerships have been forged with wildlife trusts and other leading conservation bodies in the UK.

1.4.4 Safety is at the core its operations, beginning with a commitment to provide a safe environment for employees and extending to contractors and communities around its sites.




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1.4.5 Lafarge Tarmac operates independently, but is owned by Lafarge SA and

Anglo American, who are equal shareholders. Stakeholder Engagement 1.4.6 Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust was engaged as part of the process associated

with development of the proposals, specifically with regard to amendment and enhancement of the approved restoration scheme, with a meeting held with the Wildlife Trust in June 2014.

1.4.7 The purpose of this meeting was to put forward the initial proposed

amendments to the restoration scheme, with further amendments made after the meeting to incorporate suggestions made by the Wildlife Trust.

Key Facts 1.4.8 Application Area 108 ha Remaining Non-Constrained Reserves 800,000 tonnes Working Hours – Mineral Extraction: Mon-Fri 0700-1800 hours Sat 0700-1300 hours Period of Mineral Extraction 7-8 years (recent average output = 120,000 tpa) The Applicant Company and Project Team 1.4.9 This Environmental Statement (ES) has been prepared by David L Walker

Limited, with contributions from the in-house staff of the applicant. In addition, specialist input has been provided as follows:

Ecology – Whitcher Wildlife Limited and Crestwood Environmental Limited.

Environmental Management System 1.4.10 The applicant continually seeks to improve its Environmental Management

Systems (EMS) to ensure the effective control and management of the impacts of its operations to reduce negative impacts on the natural environment to a minimum. The primary aims of the Company’s EMS include:

continuous improvement in environmental performance by setting targets;

planning new quarries and restoration which minimise environmental effects through detailed assessment and design;

investigating and promptly dealing with complaints from local community and regulating authorities;

requiring all employees and contractors to work with due consideration for the environment by providing awareness training as required.




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1.4.11 As part of the applicant's environmental awareness, the site is operated to achieve ISO 14001 accreditation, and is subject to periodic audit to ensure high environmental standards are maintained. This auditing comprises two internal and one external audit.

1.4.12 The applicant prides itself not only on carrying out its operations in an efficient

way, but also in an environmentally acceptable manner, and in the latter regard particular emphasis is placed on onsite environmental controls. The applicant is fully aware of its role as both member of the local community and as a major supplier of important raw materials. In the latter regard the applicant achieves this only where it can be satisfied that any adverse effects to the environment and amenity of an area are kept to a minimum.

1.4.13 In order to achieve and maintain an acceptable balance between the

environment and the economic provision of minerals, the following fundamental principles have to be assured:

(i) a caring and participating attitude towards the local

community; (ii) technical ability to work to the highest standard; (iii) financial status of the applicant; and (iv) disciplined site management supported by professionally

trained and qualified technical staff.

1.4.14 These principles are not listed in any priority as they are considered to be of equal importance and inter-dependent on one another for overall achievement. The applicant company considers environmental protection is a key factor of long-term competitiveness.

Carbon Emissions and Climate Change

1.4.15 The Applicant Company is progressing a number of sustainable development

priorities in line with the Group’s sustainability ambitions, of which fighting climate change is one.

1.4.16 In the UK the Group has reduced its carbon emissions by 30% (based on

1990 levels), with the target of a 20% reduction by 2010. Lafarge Tarmac was also recently awarded the Carbon Trust Standard after measuring and reducing carbon emissions by more than 24%.

1.4.16 The Group has also progressed a number of other sustainability goals and

initiatives, which complement the move towards a reduction in carbon emissions and ultimately a reduction in the impact upon climate change. The Group sources sustainably constructed building solutions, e.g. waste-derived materials, optimisation of the thermal mass of concrete and renewable energy technologies. The Group, in accordance with overriding sustainable objectives, and all quarries will be screened accordingly to criteria validated by WWF International.




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SECTION 2 EXISTING SITUATION 2.1 General 2.1.1 Besthorpe Quarry lies approximately 1 km north-east of the village of

Collingham and 8 km north of Newark on Trent. The location of the application site is shown on Plan B302/PL14/01.

2.1.2 The application site is located in a primarily rural setting, with open fields to

the south, west and east, and Besthorpe Nature Reserve to the north. The River Trent, which flows in a north/south direction, is located approximately 200 m to the west (refer to plan B302/PL14/02).

2.1.3 The operations at the application site are well established and comprise the

extraction of in-situ high quality sand and gravel deposits. Current land uses on site comprise the following elements:

areas within which sand and gravel remains to be extracted;

areas undergoing mineral extraction;

restored mineral workings;

areas in the process of final restoration;

site access and haul road;

wharf and ancillary conveyor; and

ancillary and administrative facilities (ie mineral processing plant, lagoons, stocking area, wheel cleaning facilities, weighbridge and offices).

The location of these land uses across the existing site is illustrated on Plan

B302/PL14/02. 2.1.4 Access to the site is derived via a purpose-built access road located off the

A1133 (Besthorpe Road), which links in with the A57 and primary road network to the north.

2.1.5 Under the terms of the Section 106 Agreement dated 24 April 1994, Heavy

Goods Vehicles (“HGVs”) with a gross laden weight of more than 7.5 tonnes are only permitted to journey to/from the application site via the A1133 to the north, and these obligations will continue to remain in place over the course of ongoing operations.

2.1.6 The area of consented mineral reserve remaining to be extracted is contained

within Phases 4, 5 and 7 and a small section of Phase 2 of the current approved working scheme (refer to Appendix 3), as well as beneath the plant site and stocking area.

2.1.7 Topographical levels across the application site are typically of the order of 6

m AOD.




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2.2 Landscape 2.2.1 The broad landscape context and character of the area within the vicinity of

the application site is described in the “Character Map of England” published by Natural England, which is broken down into 159 distinct natural areas. Specifically, landscape character within the vicinity of the application site is set out in “Trent and Belvoir Vales” National Character Area (No. 48).

2.2.2 Landscapes in this area are generally rural and low-lying, with relatively little

in the way of woodland. The landscapes tend to be dominated by arable farmland and are also strongly influenced by sand and gravel extraction in the Trent Floodplain.

2.2.3 Nottinghamshire County Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council

carried out a more detailed survey of Landscape Character across the county, with the site being situated in the Trent Washlands Regional Character Area.

2.2.4 Landscapes in this area are characterised by alluvial and river terrace drift

deposits and, away from urban areas, landscape character is defined by a nucleated pattern of villages, isolated farmsteads and arable cultivation of large areas along the river corridor.

2.2.5 Mineral extraction is also identified as having a considerable impact on the

landscape character of the region, with around 80% of the County’s sand and gravel production being derived from the river terrace sand and gravels of the Idle and Trent Valleys, and the application site is specifically referred to in this regard.

2.2.6 The application site itself lies within a disturbed landscape, with other existing

and restored mineral workings within close proximity. Mineral workings are interspersed with both arable and pastoral agriculture, with occasional woodland blocks and plantations.

2.2.7 Views of the application site are generally filtered through intervening

hedgerows, tree belts and river bank vegetation of the valley floor and there are no proposals to alter any of the natural and other visual screening measures and provisions in place at the application site.

2.2.8 A number of public rights of way are situated on and in the vicinity of the

application site from which screened views of the various operational activities are available.

2.3 Ecology 2.3.1 An Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey has been undertaken in support of the

proposals and is reproduced at Appendix 4. The survey used both desktop survey and field survey techniques to determine the nature and quality of habitats on site and make an assessment of ecological effects.

2.3.2 The desktop elements identified the presence of two statutory designated

sites within 2 km of the application site, these being the Fleet Girton SSSI and




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Besthorpe Meadows SSSI. Both sites are notable for the presence of certain floral species. There are no statutory designated sites of international importance within 2 km of the application site.

2.3.3 There are also a number of non-statutory designed sites within 2 km of the

application site, the details of which are appended to the survey. No statutory or non-statutory designated sites are located within the confines of the application site.

2.3.4 The survey identified the presence of 11 different habitat types across the

application site comprising the following:

bare ground/quarry;

dry ditch;

ephemeral/reed bed;

hedgerow;

improved grassland;

running water;

scattered scrub;

scattered trees;

semi-improved grassland;

standing water; and

tall ruderal. Full descriptions of the habitats are presented in Section 3.4 of the survey

reproduced at Appendix 4. 2.3.5 Throughout the survey, consideration was also given to the presence of

faunal species, particularly protected faunal species such as badger and great crested newt.

2.3.6 During the survey nineteen bird species were identified across the application

site, the majority of which have been assigned a green conservation status by the RSPB. The only red status species recorded on-site was yellow finch.

2.3.7 Evidence of badger and brown hare activity was recorded at the application

site and a badger survey has also been undertaken in support of the application.

2.4 Hydrology and Hydrogeology 2.4.1 The applicant has a long standing operational involvement at the site which

has led to a comprehensive understanding of the hydrological environment. Hydrology 2.4.2 The hydrology of the site and its environs has been derived from previous

studies, Ordnance Survey maps, and data from the Environment Agency. The site is situated within the floodplain of the River Trent.




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2.4.3 The river forms the western and southern perimeters of the site and has both a fluvial and tidal flow regime. Locally, the river is fed by a number of smaller tributaries, including the Black Mire Drain which forms the northern perimeter of the application site.

2.4.4 Other notable water features in the vicinity include the restored mineral

workings of the Besthorpe Nature Reserve situated north of the application site and the current freshwater and silt lagoons located within the site.

Flooding 2.4.5 The site location directly adjacent to the River Trent means that it is located in

Flood Zone 3 with a greater than 1:100 chance of flooding. Flood defence structures in the vicinity of the site protect at up to a 1:50 year return event. The site is situated at the furthest limit of tidal influences on the River Trent and there is therefore potential for fluvial, tidal and groundwater flooding at the site. A flood risk assessment has been prepared in support of the application (refer Appendix 5) which provides more information in this regard.

Abstractions and Discharges 2.4.6 The site has the benefit of an abstraction licence (ref 3/28/63/25GG) which

provides for the abstraction of circa 3,730 cu m/day of water from an open catch put for use in mineral working. The catch pit has both surface and groundwater inputs.

2.4.7 In addition, the site has the benefit of a discharge consent (ref T/63/40202/T)

under which the discharge points are regulated to the Black Mire Drain, with a cumulative upper limit of 12,500 m3/day. These discharges are key in the maintenance of water levels in the aforementioned Besthorpe Nature Reserve.

Hydrogeology Regional 2.4.8 The regional hydrogeology is also dominated by the sand and gravel reserves

that are in continuity with the River Trent. These are classified by the Environment Agency as a Secondary A Aquifer, and are therefore capable of supporting local water supplies. The strata has high permeability and porosity values and is constantly recharged by the flow from the River Trent.

2.4.9 The underlying Mercia Mudstone geology is classified as a Secondary B

Aquifer with lower permeability values, and only limited scope to support a local abstraction.

2.4.10 The site is not situated within a Groundwater Source Protection Zone.




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Groundwater Levels and Flow Direction 2.4.11 Groundwater levels on site on a long term average at generally around 3 m

AOD with a gradient of flow to the west towards the river. The groundwater is in continuity with the River Trent and therefore levels do react in accordance with high intensity rainfall events.

Conceptual Hydrogeology 2.4.12 The economic mineral within the site and its surroundings comprises a

shallow, perched aquifer, situated above Mercia Mudstone. The lateral aquifer boundaries are defined by the River Trent to the south-west and the extent of previous workings to the north. The aquifer is understood to extend to the south-west and north-east of the site, conforming to the base of the valley of the River Trent. The results of mineral evaluation drilling show that the mineral thins outside the site boundaries, thereby reducing the transmissivity of the aquifer and, by definition, the volumes of groundwater which can be conveyed within it.

2.4.13 Recharge to the perched aquifer is derived from both direct rainfall and, it can

be assumed, seepage from watercourses, two of which cross the site. The watercourses originate on higher ground situated to the north-east of the site. The open nature of the mineral workings also provides an element of direct recharge.

2.4.14 Groundwater within the sand and gravel aquifer flows predominantly

westwards, towards the River Trent, where it is assumed to discharge as baseflow.

2.5 Soils 2.5.1 The majority of the application site has been worked with soils committed to

store or used in final restoration. 2.5.2 The 1:50,000 BGS geological information shows that the area is underlain by

Mercia mudstone with an extensive cover of drift deposits, specifically Flandrian alluvium and the Holme Pierpint sand and gravel formation deposited in the Quaternary period.

2.5.3 The site is situated in an area usually associated with the floodplain

landscape of the River Trent and therefore comprises loamy and clayey floodplain soils that are naturally wet and therefore only moderately fertile. As such, the soils are more suitable for establishment of nutrient poor nature conservation habitats.

2.5.4 Extraction operations are currently taking place in Phase 7 (identified on the

approved Phasing plan reproduced at Appendix 3), which will become Phase A as part of the proposals set out in this ES (refer plan B302/PL14/03).

2.5.5 The mineral beneath the plant site, Phase 4, Phase 5 and the southern

section of Phase 2 also remains to be extracted. These phases will become




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Phases B, C and D as part of the re-phasing proposals set out in Section 3 of this ES.

2.5.6 With the exception of the plant site and parts of Phase 7/Phase A and Phase

4/Phase B, soil resources and overburden remain to be stripped. Published geological information, extraction and borehole information indicate that the soil resources remaining to be stripped are loamy and clay rich soils, typical within the floodplain.

2.6 Transport 2.6.1 The application site benefits from a purpose-built access on to the A1133

(Besthorpe Road), which links in with the A57 to the north. The A57 in turn links in with the A1, approximately 13 km north-west of the application site.

2.6.2 Under the requirements of the Section 106 Agreement dated 24 April 1994, all

HGVs with a gross laden weight of over 7.5 tonnes are prohibited from travelling through the village or Parish of Collingham and must access/exit the site via the A1133 from/in a north bound direction.

2.6.3 It is proposed that the traffic routing requirements contained within the Section

106 Agreement will continue to remain in place over the course of ongoing operations.

2.6.4 Historically, sand and gravel was also transported from the site by barge.

However, barge operations were suspended in August 2013 due to it becoming economically unviable to supply sand and gravel into the depot at Whitwood, West Yorkshire. Opportunities will continue to be sought to reopen this facility.

2.6.5 All sand and gravel is therefore currently transported by road. In terms of

vehicle movements, production of 120,000 tonnes per annum of sand and gravel equates to approximately 50 daily vehicle movements (ie 25 in, 25 out).

2.7 Amenity 2.7.1 The current workings are relatively remote from residential properties with

current extraction operations being in excess of 500 m from the closest residential property. There are however a number of rights of way in the area that could be affected by operations on site.

2.7.2 Nevertheless, the relative remoteness of the area around the application site

means that the operator is obliged to take all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of noise and dust emissions.

2.7.3 Both of the planning consents include noise and dust abatement measures,

for example Condition 15 of the controlling planning consent states that “All plant, machinery and vehicles permanently used on the site shall incorporate such noise abatement measures as, from time to time, may be required by the MPA”, whilst Condition 18 requires the operator to take best practicable means to limit emissions of dust from the application site, for example by the




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use of water bowsers or sprinkler systems to dampen the extraction area and haul roads.

2.7.4 Section 3.5 of this ES provides further information on the dust suppression

methods employed at the application site. 2.7.5 All noise and dust management/suppression provisions will remain in place

over the course of ongoing operations. 2.8 Archaeology Cultural Heritage 2.8.1 There are no Listed Buildings within the immediate vicinity of the application

site, the closest being approximately 1km to the east in the village of Collingham. The setting of the Listed Buildings are considered to be adequately screened through advanced planting and intervening roads and land uses.

2.8.2 There is also a Scheduled Monument approximately 1km west of the

application site on the opposite side of the River Trent. It is considered that the River Trent constrains the setting of the Scheduled Monument.

Archaeological Investigations 2.8.3 The Section 106 Agreement also includes requirements on archaeological

investigations and reporting. Clause 9 of the agreement requires submission of a consolidated archaeological report within 36 months of the completion of archaeological investigations.

2.8.4 The archaeological investigations were completed in 2013 and at the time of

writing this Environmental Statement, the required archaeological report was being prepared. The report will be submitted to the Mineral Planning Authority within the timescales set out in the Section 106 Agreement.

2.9 Rights of Way and Utilities 2.9.1 A number of existing public rights of way are located within the vicinity of the

application site, including four footpaths which traverse the application site itself, which are as follows:

North Collingham FP36, which is located east of Silt Pond A (refer to Plan B302/PL14/02) and links North Collingham BOAT41, North Collingham BOAT 34 and North Collingham FP18;

North Collingham FP18 which runs east-west across the application site starting south of the plant site and links with North Collingham FP36 east of Silt Pond A (refer to Plan B302/PL14/02);

North Collingham FP17A and North Collingham FP21 were previously shown on the Definitive Rights of Way as crossing the site in an east-west direction from North Croft Lane linking with Carlton Ferry Lane at the opposite side of the application site (refer to Plan B302/PL14/02). These




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footpaths are still in place at the application site but are subject to a Diversion Order approved at Public Inquiry on 17 June 2003.

2.9.2 The current approved diversion route for North Collingham FP17A and North

Collingham FP21 is illustrated on Plan B302/PL14/04. 2.9.3 Should planning permission be granted for the proposals set out in this

Environmental Statement, the applicant will submit a new application under Section 257 and Section 261(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to divert North Collingham FP17A along an alternative diversion route as illustrated on B302/PL14/04 to enable extraction of the underlying mineral.

2.9.4 If the new diversion is approved, the existing Diversion Order approved at

Public Enquiry on 17 June 2003 will be extinguished. North Collingham FP21 will be maintained as existing.

2.9.5 All of the above-referenced public rights of way are well-integrated with the

current site operations, with the routes being clearly marked and signposted and surrounded by safety fencing. A vehicle warning system is also in place where the routes cross haulage routes and operational areas of the application site.

2.9.6 With regard to utilities, no statutory undertakings will be affected by the

ongoing operations.




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SECTION 3 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND WORKING SCHEME 3.1 General 3.1.1 The proposals are for an eight year extension of time to allow extraction of the

remaining non-constrained mineral reserves, which are estimated to be in the region of 800,000 tonnes, with the site restoration scheme proposed to be completed within one year thereafter.

3.1.2 In order to facilitate this extension of time, it is proposed to vary conditions

attached to both the controlling planning consent (consent reference 3/02/02403CMA) and the conveyor consent (consent reference 3/02/02402CMA). Copy of both planning consents is reproduced at Appendix 6.

3.1.3 It is specifically proposed to vary Condition 4 of the controlling planning

consent as follows:

“All sand and gravel extraction operations shall be completed by 31 December 2022 unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Mineral Planning Authority (MPA). The processing plant shall not use sand and gravel other than that arising from the application site and any such plant machinery and buildings shall be removed from the site within 12 months of the cessation of sand and gravel extraction operations on the site or by 31 December 2023, whichever is the sooner”.

3.1.4 It is also proposed to vary Condition 3 of the conveyor consent as follows: “The conveyor and all supports and other attached machinery or structures

shall be dismantled and removed from the site on or before 31 December 2023, or within 12 months of the cessation of sand and gravel extraction in this area, whichever is sooner, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MPA”.

3.1.5 In order to enable the efficient and logical extraction of the remaining mineral

reserves, which will terminate at the plant site, it is proposed to re-phase the approved working scheme (refer to Appendix 3).

3.1.6 It is also proposed to enhance the approved restoration scheme through the

creation of a series of individual lake areas as opposed to one main lake area complemented by a smaller lake as shown on the approved Restoration Plan reproduced at Appendix 7.

3.1.7 As a result, there will be additional woodland areas, new shallows and

opportunity for ecological enhancement. New footpaths are also proposed. Further details in this regard are set out in Section 4 of this ES.

3.2 Proposed Working Sequence 3.2.1 The original approved working scheme, copy of which is reproduced at

Appendix 3, envisaged the recovery of the mineral reserve over a 20 year




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period. Currently mineral extraction operations at the application site are permitted until 31 December 2014. However, approximately 800,000 tonnes of non-constrained sand and gravel reserves remain to be extracted.

3.2.2 In order to facilitate the logical and efficient extraction of the remaining

reserves over an additional period of eight years, re-phasing of the approved working scheme is additionally proposed as part of the planning application.

3.2.3 The continued use of the consented ancillary facilities will also be required

comprising:

processing plant and silt lagoons;

all internal haul routes;

the main site access; and

the weighbridge and site offices. 3.2.4 The conveyor and wharf will be maintained in operational condition for the duration of the scheme, and will be used when the market requires. 3.2.5 The approved working scheme (refer to Appendix 3) was based on extraction

from seven main phases of working, excluding the plant site area to be worked last. This scheme has been subject to amendment over time, the most recent amendment of which was granted in March 2013 to enable extraction of mineral from Phase 7 before Phase 4 as a result of flooding on site.

3.2.6 The proposed amended working scheme (reference B302/PL14/03)

envisages the extraction of sand and gravel from four main phases of working as follows:

Phase A (previously Phase 7);

Phase B (previously Phase 4 and a small section of Phase 5);

Phase C (previously Phase 5 and a small section of Phase 2); and

Phase D (previously the plant site phase and a small section of Phase 7). A summary of working in each phase is provided below. Phase A 3.2.7 Phase A is the current area of extraction and will continue to be worked in an

easterly direction, with soil and overburden progressively stripped ahead of the advancing face.

3.2.8 The soils and overburden stripped from this phase will be used to establish

the lake margins of the new northern lake proposed as part of a variation of the approved restoration scheme (refer Plan B302/PL14/04). Once extraction has been completed in this phase, the adjacent perimeter soil storage will also be directly placed into the void to establish the lake margins.

3.2.9 During the working of Phase A, silt disposal will continue in Silt Pond A

located in the north-western corner of the application site, to facilitate early




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restoration of the lagoon area. Silt disposal will then take place in Silt Pond B located south of the conveyor (refer to Plan B302/PL14/03).

Phase B 3.2.10 The majority of the soils and overburden from this phase have already been

stripped and committed to store or used in final restoration and some of the mineral was extracted before the Phase was affected by flooding in 2012/2013.

3.2.11 The remaining reserves in this phase will be progressively extracted in a

south-north direction down to the clay base, following which the eastern and southern phase boundaries will be re-graded to establish the restored lake margins. The existing haul road along the western perimeter of the phase will be used to haul the mineral to the plant site.

Phase C 3.2.12 The footpath present in Phase C (North Collingham FP17A) is currently

subject to a permanent diversion order, but is still in place at the application site. In order to enable extraction of the underlying mineral, diversion of this footpath along an alternative route will be sought and the alternative diversion route is illustrated on Plan B302/PL14/04.

3.2.13 If approved the new diversion route will subsequently be instated using

overburden and soil, and this has been incorporated into the restoration proposals (the Diversion Order approved on 17 June 2003 will then be extinguished).

3.2.14 The mineral in this Phase will be worked in a general south to north direction using the haul road adjacent to the western perimeter of the phase to transport the as raised mineral to the plant site.

3.2.15 The overburden and soils stripped from this phase will be used as part of lake

margin restoration, specifically within the eastern lake margins shown on the proposed restoration plan.

Phase D 3.2.16 Phase D is the last phase and largely comprises the plant site area, but also

includes a small section of what was formerly Phase 7. 3.2.17 Any remaining overburden in this phase will be progressively stripped and

utilised in lake margin restoration in the northern lake waterbody. 3.2.18 Extraction will take place in an easterly direction across the phase with

material from the western section of the phase to be processed at the plant site.

3.2.19 The processing plant will subsequently be removed to enable extraction of the

underlying mineral. This mineral will either be processed on site using mobile




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plant, transported to another site operated by the applicant for processing, or will be distributed “as raised” for use in certain construction applications.

3.2.20 The final restoration of the application site will then be completed within

twelve months of the completion of mineral extraction or by 31 December 2023, whichever is the sooner.

3.2.21 With regard to the extraction itself, this will take place in a single face or series

of faces from the base of overburden to the basal clay, dependent on the thickness of sand and gravel in any given phase.

3.2.22 Silent running diesel and/or electric powered pumps will be used to maintain a

dry working environment, with the water being pumped to the clean water pond in the north-eastern corner of the application site for use in the processing plant.

3.2.23 There are no changes proposed to any of the licensed discharge and

abstraction rates or provisions. 3.2.24 Once extracted, the “as raised” material will be transported to the processing

plant along the identified haul routes using dump trucks. 3.2.25 The stockpiled material will then be fed into the processing plant using a

loading shovel and will be stored in product stockpiles accordingly to grade/size before being loaded on to HGVs for distribution.

3.3 Soils Handling, Management and Replacement 3.3.1 The central government advice document “Guidance on Good Practice for the

Reclamation of Mineral Workings to Agriculture” recommends the applicant provide detailed information on soil characteristics, such that the proposed after use of the worked site can be achieved with the identified soil resources.

3.3.2 The characteristics of the soils represent the most important factors in the

potential for successful land restoration at this site. The highest quality soil resources identified within the site will continue to be sequentially stripped and conserved (or stripped and placed directly on the restored landform) to reinstate the soil horizon to an acceptable profile. All handling of soils will take place when soils are in a dry and friable condition consistent with current good practice guidance.

3.3.3 When stripping and replacing soils, care will be taken to ensure that

machinery does not travel across unstripped and reinstated materials. The physical layout of the site, and the haulage roads within the site will be designed to facilitate the removal and replacement of soils and overburden with the minimum of traffic on unstripped soils. Plant or vehicles will only run on the lowest available soil horizon. In each phase of extraction, topsoils will be stripped and moved direct to the nearest storage location, unless there is an opportunity for direct placement on the restored surface.




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3.3.4 Subsoils will be stripped in successive operations and moved direct to the nearest storage location, unless there is an opportunity for direct placement into the lake margin landforms. No plant or vehicles shall cross any area of unstripped topsoil or subsoil except where such movement is essential and unavoidable for purposes of undertaking permitted operations.

3.3.5 Soil stripping shall not commence on any phase until any standing crop or

excess vegetation is removed. The soil stripping method as set out in Sheet 1 of the MAFF Good Practice Guide issued in April 2000 will be followed. The MPA will receive written notification at least 3 working days before soil stripping is due to commence. Topsoils and subsoils will be stripped by a hydraulic backactor using a flat-plate bucket (ie without teeth) and articulated dump trucks.

3.3.6 A low ground bearing pressure (LGP) dozer with wide tracks may additionally

be used as necessary to recover the maximum volume of soil material. All topsoil and subsoil mounds will be seeded with grass to minimise loss by erosion, and infestation by weeds. The grass sward will be subject to an annual maintenance regime and any excess weed growth will be controlled by a combination of herbicides and mechanical means.

3.3.7 Prior to re-spreading subsoil or topsoil, the upper layers of the prepared

surface will be ripped and any material brought to the surface that is injurious to plant growth or likely to impede subsequent operations will be removed.

3.3.8 Topsoil, upper subsoil and lower subsoil will be replaced sequentially to an

agreed specified thickness using backactors, LGP dozers and articulated dump trucks over the designated area within the reinstated landform, using the method set out in Sheet 4 of the MAFF "Good Practice Guide for Handling Soils" (April 2000).

3.4 Dust Suppression 3.4.1 In accordance with procedures set out in Technical Guidance appended to

the National Planning Policy Framework and the content of the Minerals Planning Practice Guidance, dust suppression and management methods will be continued to be implemented as part of the ongoing operations to minimise any potential adverse amenity impact.

3.4.2 In addition to the dust mitigation measures set out within the extant planning

consents, the following measures and best available techniques will be employed in order to minimise and control dust during mineral extraction and restoration operations, unless otherwise stated.

(i) Site Preparation Standard good practice for the stripping, haulage, loading and tipping

of soils, minerals and restoration material will be adopted to minimise dust emissions during site preparation works.




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The effects of windblow across areas of bare ground will be managed when required by deployment of water bowsers or similar equipment.

(ii) Loading and Tipping During loading operations, drop heights will be minimised to avoid the

entrainment of dust into the atmosphere. Tipping operations will be carried out where possible in the lee of the

stockpiles and the landscape bunds. (iii) Haul Roads (Excavation and Restoration Areas) Haulage of material to and from the processing area and the reception

area will take place on designated haul routes. All active haul roads and excavation areas will be kept damp by

motorised spraying units (water bowsers or fixed sprinklers) during site operations.

A site speed limit of 10 mph will be enforced for all vehicles so as to

minimise the entrainment of dust into the atmosphere. The haul roads, which will be inspected daily by the Quarry Manager,

will be maintained as necessary to provide a smooth, well-drained running surface.

(iv) Access Road The site access road will be maintained and regularly swept as

required. All mineral haulage lorries leaving the site will be sheeted. (v) Vehicle Exhaust The direction of exhausts on site vehicles will be such that exhaust

gases cannot be emitted in a downward direction. (vi) Water Supply A supply of water will be maintained at all times on site. (vii) Weather Conditions Observations will be made of the wind direction, at the discretion of the

Quarry Manager during extraction operations, or at the request of the Mineral Planning Authority when it appears from visual inspection that the wind direction is towards dust-sensitive properties.

3.4.3 A register of complaints will be maintained on site. All complaints will be

reported direct to the Quarry Manager who will investigate every complaint




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ensuring that any necessary corrective measures are taken, details of which will be recorded.

3.5 Other Issues Hours of Operation 3.5.1 It is proposed to continue to operate the site between 0700 hours to 1800

hours, Monday to Friday and 0700 hours to 1300 hours on Saturday with no working on Sundays or Public/Bank Holidays. Operations outside of these hours will be restricted to pumping and emergency repairs in accordance with the extant planning consent.

3.5.2 The additional hour of operation related to the lading of barges (0600 hours to

2100 hours Monday to Friday and 0700 hours to 1400 hours on Saturdays) will apply only if the barge operations are reactivated.

Lighting 3.5.3 The main plant site area benefits from artificial lighting arrangements, which

will remain in place over the course of ongoing operations. No further installation is proposed.

Fuel Storage 3.5.4 Oil and lubricants shall only be stored within the site in accordance with the

Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England and Wales) Regulations 2001. Any bulk fuel/chemical storage facilities should be bunded to contain spillages and leaks (ie bund volume should be at least 110% of the capacity of the largest storage tank). Regular inspection and maintenance procedures will continue to be implemented to ensure that the integrity of the storage facilities is maintained.

Community Liaison 3.5.5 A Community Site Liaison Group has already been established in accordance

with the permitted operations. Meetings are held on a bi-annual basis to provide an opportunity for any queries to be brought forward and for information about future activities on the site to be given to those concerned. Such an approach is intended to promote good community relations, and is of particular benefit when implementing the wider restoration strategy for the site.




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SECTION 4 RESTORATION SCHEME 4.1 Introduction 4.1.1 The original approved restoration scheme, copy of which is reproduced a

Appendix 7, is characterised by restoration to open water for nature conservation purposes, with one large lake area, a smaller lake to the north and a series of reedbed and wetland areas.

4.1.2 The approved scheme includes the heronry to the north of the application site,

which was once part of the quarry. The heronry now forms part of the Besthorpe Nature Reserve notable for its wildflowers meadows and the presence of notable breeding bird species.

4.1.3 The approved scheme includes a number of habitats as follows:

wetland with reedbeds and wading areas in the current silt lagoon area located at the north-western corner of the application site;

water meadow areas around the lake and open water comprising low maintenance grassland with wildflower seed additions;

formation of shallows and marshland around the lake area to encourage the establishment of emergent and marginal vegetation or for the provisions of loafing and wading areas;

tree and shrub planting in clusters around the application site boundary and lake, complemented by willow and alder (carr) planting;

retention of established trees/woodland and hedgerows around the site boundary; and

retention of public rights of way. 4.1.4 The main lake area shown on the approved restoration scheme reproduced at

Appendix 7 also includes two island features comprising a loafing beach with marshland, willow and alder, and tree and shrub planting to encourage the establishment of breeding bird populations.

4.1.5 A car park area is also included, along with bird hides along the southern and

eastern lake margins for access by wildlife observers. 4.1.6 The proposals for the re-phasing of the working scheme to enable efficient

and logical extraction of the remaining mineral reserves set out in the previous section also present an opportunity to revisit the approved restoration scheme, originally designed in 1994, to modify and provide enhancement in accordance with best practice; up to date planning policy and targets set out in various Habitat Action Plans of the Nottinghamshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan, for example eutrophic and mesotrophic standing water, neutral grassland and hedgerows.




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4.2 Restoration Features Overview 4.2.1 The restoration proposals set out in this section are not intended to deviate

significantly from the basis and design of the original approved restoration scheme.

4.2.2 The proposals incorporate the habitats set out under the original scheme,

combined with subtle enhancement of those habitats and increases in their extent and change in orientation. An overview of the main habitat types is as follows:

very shallow water (0 m - 0.5 m depth) 13 ha;

shallow water (0.5 m – <2 m depth) 10.5 ha;

deep water (>2 m depth) 38 ha;

meadows and lake margins 28 ha;

existing and proposed tree planting 6 ha;

woodland carr 5 ha; and

wetland hollows (or scrapes) 2 ha. 4.2.3 The main change proposed to the restoration scheme (refer to Plan

B302/PL14/04) relates to the open water area. 4.2.4 Instead of one central lake area complemented by a smaller lake to the north

and a wetland area to the north-west, the proposals envisage the establishment of a series of individual lake areas characterised by woodland and meadow island features with extensive shallows and re-graded lake margins.

4.2.5 The lake areas proposed are identified on Plan B302/PL14/04 as follows:

main southern lake;

eastern lake;

western lake;’

northern lake;

north-eastern lake

north-western lake and shallows. A description of each of these restoration areas is provided below. Main Southern Lake 4.2.6 The southern lake illustrated on Plan B302/PL14/04 is the largest of the lakes

proposed as part of the restoration scheme. 4.2.7 As with the original approved plan, the lake includes an island feature

comprising neutral grassland habitat with margins above lake level to facilitate access by wading birds.




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4.2.8 A spit will also be established centrally along the northern edge of the lake, extending southwards towards the island feature referred to above.

4.2.9 The spit will comprise meadow grassland with woodland surrounded by areas

of very shallow water (between 0 and 0.5 m deep) and shallow water (between 0.5 and 2 m deep). A typical section of this arrangement is shown on plan B302/PL14/05.

4.2.10 The proposed features of the lake margins themselves are broadly consistent

with the approved restoration scheme and include water meadow grassland, areas of proposed and retained woodland planting, and shallows.

4.2.11 Additional shallow lake margins are proposed around the lake established

with soils placed into the void from existing soil storage mounds. The existing south-eastern lake margins will also be re-graded as part of the restoration proposals.

4.2.12 The restored meadow areas along the western side of the lake will also

include low profile swales cut into the final profile in order to establish shallow seasonal pools which provide important habitat for aquatic invertebrates and can be important feeding areas to bats.

4.2.13 The importance of open water and lake and pond margins is cited within the

Nottinghamshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) as providing significant water bird habitats all year round for feeding, breeding and roosting. The LBAP includes a target of 150 new areas of eutrophic and mesotrophic standing waters by 2015.

4.2.14 The “On Trent Partnership” project, which is now managed by the Trent

Rivers Trust, focuses on the creation and management of wetlands within the floodplain, and again cites the importance of scrapes as areas rich in insect life and worms, and also as feeding areas for breeding and migrating birds and ducks. The provision of scrapes or wetland hollows features in the western extent of the restoration plan (refer to Plan B302/PL14/04).

4.2.15 Two lake viewing areas/bird hides are also included, with access to be made

available from existing public rights of way. 4.2.16 The footpaths that currently cross the site north of the proposed main

southern lake will also be reinstated to provide access east-west using overburden, materials derived from the base of the workings and soils from site.

4.2.17 In terms of water levels, the lake level is in continuity with the groundwater

table at approximately 3.9 m AOD, but levels will change based on natural, seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and groundwater, as well as flooding from the River Trent. These seasonal fluctuations will assist in the development of a range of emergent plant communities.




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Eastern Lake 4.2.18 As with the main southern lake shown on Plan B302/PL14/04, the eastern

lake includes restored meadows and areas of woodland planting around the lake perimeter.

4.2.19 The lake margins will include areas of very shallow water (ie between 0 and

0.5 metres deep) and shallow water (ie between 0.5 and 2 metres deep). 4.2.20 The existing woodland along the eastern boundary will also be retained as

part of the restoration proposals. 4.2.21 A permissive footpath is also proposed to run north-south between the

eastern and western lake to provide a link between the two existing footpaths (FP18 and FP21) that run east to west across the application site. This complements aims and aspirations of the “On Trent Partnership” project which seeks to improve and increase the extent of footpaths within the Trent Valley.

4.2.22 This footpath will cross an area of meadow grassland and will be bounded by

trees and woodland on either side. Western Lake 4.2.23 The western lake will comprise one of the two restored silt lagoons and will be

sectioned into two distinct areas, as illustrated on Plan B302/PL14/04. 4.2.24 The northern section of this lake will comprise a combination of very shallow

water and shallow water, established from silt and also soil material placed directly into the void.

4.2.25 As with the eastern and main southern lakes, the lake margins will be

undulated with scallops and bays to appear as a naturally established feature of the landscape.

4.2.26 The southern section of the lake will be deeper, with water depth generally in

excess of 2 metres. 4.2.27 The northern and eastern boundaries of the proposed western lake will

comprise a combination of restored meadow grassland with blocks of proposed and retained tree planting.

4.2.28 The southern and western boundaries of this lake will be characterised by

restored meadow grassland with low profile swales and scalloping cut into the final profile to create shallow seasonal pools, which will provide breeding areas for amphibian and other areas for colonisation by emergent plant communities.

4.2.29 Lowland Meadows are a priority habitat within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan,

which highlights that seasonally flooded grassland in floodplain areas are an important habitat but have a low coverage across the UK. The LBAP Habitat




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Action Plan for neutral grassland has a generic target of encouraging the re-establishment and increase in the extent of neutral grassland.

4.2.30 The grassland meadows along the western boundary of the lake have already

been restored to profile and will be extended outwards to incorporate the footprint of the soil mounds in this location, that will ultimately be removed and re-graded.

4.2.31 A further permissive footpath is also proposed west of this lake, running north-

south, and again will provide a link with other footpaths (FP18 and FP21) across the application site.

4.2.32 The existing drainage ditch diversion will be maintained as part of the

restoration to provide a wildlife corridor post-restoration which is in accordance with targets set out within the ditches Habitat Action Plan in the LBAP.

Northern Lake 4.2.33 The northern lake and north-eastern lake will be established as a grouping of

lakes in the north-eastern corner of the application site. 4.2.34 Through the creation of differing water depths and establishment of two island

features, the northern lake is split into two distinct lake entities (refer to Plan B302/PL14/04).

4.2.35 Along with the two island features proposed, shallows will be established in

the northern lake area using overburden stripped as part of the remaining mineral extraction operations. The two islands will self colonise with a wet grassland mix, with some localised tree planting. All hedgerows along the perimeter of the application site will also be retained, which is consistent with the hedgerow Habitat Action Plan in the LBAP, which seek to maintain and increase the extent of hedgerow within the County and improve its condition through active management and maintenance.

4.2.36 As with the other lakes proposed across the application site, the lake margins

will be undulated with very shallow and shallow water around the edges. 4.2.37 It is proposed that the northern lake will be surrounded by meadow grassland

with blocks of tree/woodland planting. 4.2.38 The footpath situated south of the lake (FP18), running east-west across the

application, will be retained as part of the restoration proposals. North-Eastern Lake 4.2.39 The current clean water pond in the north-eastern corner of the application

site will be restored to form the north-eastern lake. 4.2.40 The north-eastern lake (refer to Plan B302/PL14/04) comprises mature lake

margins and, as with the northern lake, includes an island feature to be




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established using overburden stripped as part of the remaining mineral extraction operations.

4.2.41 This lake will be connected to the northern lake via a balancing pipe to ensure

appropriate maintenance of water levels. 4.2.42 A car park is proposed south-east of the lake at the western end of the access

road for use by wildlife observers and for maintenance/management during the aftercare period. The car park is situated in a different location from that shown on the current approved restoration scheme (refer to Appendix 7) and is considered to be more easily accessible by road vehicles.

North-Western Lake and Shallows 4.2.43 The current silt lagoon in the north-western corner of the application site will

be restored to establish the north-western lake and shallows, broadly in accordance with the current approved restoration scheme.

4.2.44 The water levels in the lake will be very shallow (ie less than 0.5 metres in

depth) and will be allowed to fall to the natural water table, which will expose extensive shallows and seasonally wet scrapes.

4.2.45 An extensive area of this lake will be allowed to naturally regenerate to

woodland carr as willow. Wet woodland itself is a UKBAP priority habitat due to the range of wildlife it supports, including cover and breeding areas for water voles, otters and breeding birds.

4.2.46 The lake will be bounded by restored meadow grassland with blocks of tree

planting, one of which will extend into the lake itself. 4.2.47 The footpath located east of this lake (FP36) will be retained as part of the

restoration scheme, whilst the barge-loading facilities (including the conveyor) will be removed before final restoration is completed.

Restoration Phasing 4.2.48 The application site will be progressively restored as the mineral extraction

operations are completed in each phase. The restoration operations themselves are split into four Phases A-D, as illustrated on the drawing reproduced at Appendix 8. These restoration phases are addressed in turn below.

Phase A 4.2.49 As part of the Phase A restoration works, soil storage bunds will be removed

with some of the material being used to establish the margins of the western, northern and southern lakes. Some regrading works will occur to establish the low profile seasonal ponds and shallows contained in the lake margins.

4.2.50 Other material from the soil storage bunds will be placed direct into the void

left behind by mineral extraction.




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4.2.51 During this phase of the restoration, silt disposal will be discontinued in the

lagoon in the north-western corner of the application site, to allow the silt to dry out as the water table returns to its natural seasonal level.

4.2.52 This, combined with soil placement, will enable the creation of more extensive

shallows in the north-western lake area. Phase B 4.2.53 During the Phase B restoration operations, the southern lake area will be

dewatered to enable extraction of the remaining sand and gravel in the quarry floor following which the eastern and south-eastern lake margins will also be regraded.

4.2.54 Two lake viewing areas will additionally be established around the southern

lake during this phase of the restoration. Phase C 4.2.55 During the Phase C restoration works, regrading and placement of

overburden will be used to re-establish the footpath corridor that runs east-west across the application site.

4.2.56 The eastern lake will also be established during this phase of the restoration,

with tree and shrub planting to follow in the next available planting season. Phase D 4.2.57 Phase D is the final restoration phase, during which the current clean water

pond will be extended to establish the northern lake margins and shallows. 4.2.58 Following the cessation of silt disposal, final lake regrading works will take

place, along with any additional tree and shrub planting. Water Management 4.2.59 All of the restored lake areas across the application site will be interconnected

by pipes for the management of water levels, which will be in continuity with the natural water table.

4.2.60 The existing outfall at the northern end of the application site will be

maintained.




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Planting Specification 4.2.61 The existing hedgerow and tree planting along the application site boundary

will be retained, along with any established planting on restored areas of the application site.

4.2.62 With regard to species mixes and specifications of the various habitats, these

will be provided on a phase by phase basis in accordance with Conditions 26 and 30 of the planning consent.

4.3 Aftercare and Ongoing Management 4.3.1 The permitted operations at the application site are already subject to an

approved scheme of aftercare which will continue to remain in place during the course of ongoing operations and five years after the completion of final restoration.

4.3.2 The aftercare scheme contains information on seeding rates and species

mixtures, planting maintenance and management, substrate analysis and record keeping, with meetings held on an annual basis with the Mineral Planning Authority to discuss the aftercare provisions.

4.3.3 A scheme is also in place by way of Condition 8 of the main planning consent,

with regard to the protection and management of trees and hedgerows on the site boundary, which will also continue to remain in place over the course of ongoing operations.

4.3.4 With regard to long term management, the Section 106 Agreement includes

provision for the applicant to grant Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust a 99-year lease to manage the application site once final restoration has been completed.




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SECTION 5 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS 5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 Impact prediction for the scheme involves the analysis of potential impacts

from the proposals on the environment and the determination of likely effects. The magnitude of physical extent of predicted impacts should be presented in quantifiable terms wherever possible.

5.1.2 It is considered that the basic stages of impact prediction are:

identifying the activities in the development process likely to generate impacts, both positive and negative;

identifying resources and receptors likely to be affected by those impacts;

establishing the chain of events or pathways linking cause with effect;

predicting the likely nature, extent and magnitude of any anticipated changes or effects;

evaluating the consequences of any impacts identified; and,

establishing which potential impacts (positive or negative) should be regarded as significant.

5.1.3 An integral part of the design process is to ensure that potentially adverse

effects are avoided or minimised to an acceptable level by working to high environmental standards. The Applicant Company seeks to additionally ensure that, as far as practicable, the development entails a beneficial element by way of long term environmental improvements created through the restoration. The site design and restoration provisions are aimed at balancing protection of the local environment with the need to extract the consented sand and gravel reserves.

5.1.4 The ‘receptors’ of environmental impacts arising from the ongoing mineral

extraction are those elements of the environment that will be affected in some way by the development.

5.1.5 The proposals are principally for an extension of time to enable extraction of

the remaining mineral reserves at the application site, but include re-phasing of the working scheme to enable the logical and efficient extraction of the reserves; subsequent restoration; and also enhancement of the approved restoration scheme to provide further biodiversity and landscape benefits.

5.1.6 As all environmental protection measures, such as visual screening, noise

mitigation and groundwater monitoring and management, will be unaffected by the proposals and will remain in place over the course of going operations, only those environmental elements which have the potential to be significantly affected by the proposals are considered. In accordance with the Scoping Opinion (refer to Appendix 2), these environmental elements are as follows:

ecology;

flood risk; and

rights of way.




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5.2 Ecology Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 5.2.1 A copy of the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey undertaken in support of the

proposals is reproduced at Appendix 4 and a summary of the habitats and fauna identified is provided in Section 2.3 of this ES.

5.2.2 The survey identified 11 individual habitat sites across the application site,

including habitats on restored parts of the site, with an assessment made against Local Biodiversity Action plan (“LBAP”) targets and UK Biodiversity Action Plan (“UKBAP”) targets to determine the habitat’s value at a site level, local level, and national level if necessary.

5.2.3 The majority of the habitats identified have a habitat value at site level only,

with hedgerow and running water being the only identified habitats to provide habitat value at a local level.

5.2.4 Each habitat was also assigned an overall value level (incorporating floral

diversity of the habitat and suitability to provide habitat for protected species), and an extract from the survey of those habitats assigned a medium or higher value is reproduced below.

Habitat LBAP

Habitat Type

UKBAP Habitat Type

Overall Value (incorporating floral diversity of habitat and suitable habitat for protected

species)

Overall Value Level

Bare Ground/Quarry

N N

MEDIUM – The bare sandy cliffs of the extracted quarry lagoons offer suitable habitat

for nesting Sand Martin

Site only

Dry ditch

N N

LOW-MED - although dense in parts this may provide a

suitable wildlife corridor for mammals and reptiles

Site Only

Ephemeral/Reed bed

Y Y

MEDIUM – this habitat type is considered to be suitable for breeding birds (particularly

sedge and Reed Warbler) and wintering birds, it would also

provide cover for larger mammal such as Otter that may be passing through.

Site only

Hedgerow

Y Y

MEDIUM- this is considered to be intact and species rich, and

offers suitable habitat for breeding birds and a potential

flight line for foraging bats.

Local




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Habitat LBAP

Habitat Type

UKBAP Habitat Type

Overall Value (incorporating floral diversity of habitat and suitable habitat for protected

species)

Overall Value Level

Semi-improved (species rich)

Grassland Y Y

MEDIUM- the species diversity is rich, but structure is

moderate and there are only small areas of this habitat.

Local

5.2.5 The survey highlights that the floral species diversity of the site is low-moderate across the application site, with a medium value being assigned based on its suitability for or presence of protected species.

5.2.6 Other than breeding birds, badger and brown hare, no evidence of protected

species was recorded during the survey, with only limited suitability of habitat identified for otter, water vole, bats and great crested newt.

5.2.7 Wiht regard to the protected species identified, specifically breeding birds,

sand martin nesting habitat was identified in the exposed sandy faces of the silt lagoons. Other habitat, including woodland and scrub across the application site, was identified to provide potentially suitable habitat for some species of breeding bird.

5.2.8 Evidence of badger activity was recorded and is discussed in more detail in

the report reproduced at Appendix 9. 5.2.9 With regard to ecological impacts of the proposals, the survey highlights that

the proposed works will have negligible/no important impacts upon habitats present at the site and also no impacts on any designated wildlife sites within 2 km.

5.2.10 With regard to faunal impacts, the survey highlights that as the majority of

trees and hedgerow, particularly along the site boundaries, are being retained, there is no important effect on bats, whilst lack of suitable habitat means there will be no or negligible effect upon reptiles, great crested newts, otters and water voles.

5.2.11 With regard to badger, the survey (refer to Appendix 9) indicates that the

proposals are not considered to cause loss of the active sett, whilst the restored areas of the site provide foraging and sett building opportunities. As a result, there will be minor negative effect of negligible importance upon this species.

5.2.12 With regard to breeding birds, the most significant impact was determined to

be the loss of sand martin nesting habitat when final restoration is carried out. The report reproduced at Appendix 4 recommends that any habitat removal should be undertaken outside of the bird breeding season.

5.2.13 The report concludes that there is not considered to be any significant

adverse ecological impact associated with the proposals provided the above




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recommendations are adhered to. No specific survey requirements or additional mitigation were considered necessary and the restoration scheme was identified as having a positive ecological impact in the long term.

Badger Survey

5.2.14 As badger is known to be an active faunal species in the vicinity of the application site, a badger survey has been undertaken in support of the proposals and a copy of the survey is reproduced at Appendix 9.

5.2.15 In terms of further survey work, an annual or bi-annual survey is

recommended during the winter months to check for any new badger activity, particularly with regard to the two non-active setts that are located in close proximity to one of the mineral extraction areas. It is considered that this can be addressed through imposition of a suitably worded planning condition.

5.3 Flood Risk 5.3.1 Details of the information provided on the Environment Agency’s website

confirm that the application site is located largely in Flood Zone 3, with the site access situated in Flood Zones 1 and 2.

5.3.2 The Environment Agency’s website indicates that the entire quarry is located in a flood alert area. There is, however, no risk of flooding from reservoirs.

5.3.3 A Flood Risk Assessment (“FRA”) has been carried out in accordance with

the National Planning Policy Framework and other central government guidance and standing advice provided by the Environment Agency. The existing quarry development cannot be moved to an area of lower flood risk due to the location of the mineral reserves, but sand and gravel workings are classified as, ‘water compatible’, and as such an exception test is not required in Flood Zones 1, 2 or 3.

5.3.4 The FRA reproduced at Appendix 5 highlights that both during the operation

and post-restoration phases, the site will provide flood attenuation/storage capacity in the event that local flood defence structures are overtopped.

5.3.5 The FRA also states that an appropriate evacuation regime is in place at the

site to ensure that mobile plant and personnel on site can be evacuated to a safe area.

5.3.6 To summarise, the proposed continuation of operations will not increase the

risk of flooding on site or elsewhere, and is therefore in accordance with central government guidance.

5.4 Archaeology 5.4.1 The Section 106 Agreement require submission of a consolidated

archaeological report within 36 months of the completion of archaeological investigations.




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5.4.2 The archaeological investigations were completed in 2013 and the consolidated report is currently being prepared.

5.5 Rights of Way 5.5.1 As set out in Section 2.9 of this Environmental Statement, four public

footpaths currently cross the application site, these being North Collingham FP36, North Collingham FP18, North Collingham FP17A and North Collingham FP21.

5.5.2 North Collingham FP36 and North Collingham FP18 are well integrated with

current site operations, with safety and warning provisions in place to protect footpath users, and will be retained as part of ongoing operations. The footpaths also form part of the restoration proposals.

5.5.3 Footpaths 17A and 21 are subject to a permanent Diversion Order but are

currently still in place at the application site. 5.5.4 Prior to the extraction of the mineral beneath FP17A, an application for

diversion of this footpath along an alternative route illustrated on Plan B302/PL14/04 will be submitted. If approved, the Diversion Order approved at Public Inquiry on 17 June 2003 will be extinguished. Footpath 21 will be maintained as existing.

5.5.5 Two permissive routes, which are illustrated on Plan B302/PL14/04, are also

proposed and these will run north-south to provide a comprehensive link to the other footpaths in the vicinity of the application site. These routes will provide long term benefit to users of the existing public rights of way network.

5.6 Alternatives 5.6.1 Schedule 4 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact

Assessment) Regulations 2011 sets out details that should be included in an ES. These provisions are reinforced via Circular 02/99 which states that it is important that they should be prepared on a realistic basis and without unnecessary elaboration. Other guidance in the Circular confirms that the EIA directive and the Regulations do not expressly require the developer to address alternatives but if alternatives or alternative sites have been considered, then these should be discussed within the Environmental Statement.

5.6.2 In this particular instance no alternative sites for mineral extraction have been

considered as the application is to work a consented mineral reserve; minerals can only be worked where they are found; therefore there are no alternative sites where the mineral can be worked.

5.6.3 The workings of a particular mineral deposit are different from built

development where, for example, it is proposed to add to a town’s existing development, a major area of new housing, industry, a hospital site or other developments requiring large acreage, it is very likely the case that “alternatives” might be found at various locations around the town.




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5.7 Social and Cumulative Impacts 5.7.1 The local area has been subject to significant quarrying over the years and

there are also other active quarries near to the application site, and Nottinghamshire County Council has, in their Scoping Opinion, requested that the Social Impacts of the development are considered.

5.7.2 Nottinghamshire County Council make reference to paragraphs 3.105-3.107

of the Minerals Local Plan, which indicate that the cumulative impact of quarrying can have an impact on the quality of life of the local community.

5.7.3 Whilst is is recognised that there are a number of other active and non-active

mineral workings within a 10 mile radius of the application site which cumulatively have the potential to impact upon local communities, it is important to consider that each mineral working is subject to stringent environmental controls which, amongst other matters, include protection measures aimed at protecting public and residential amenity.

5.7.4 Such protection measures exist in the form of visual screening, acoustic

barriers, noise limits, dust management, groundwater monitoring, archaeological and ecological evaluation and lorry routing. For example, to ensure all impacts of mineral working remain within acceptable environmental limits, both individually and cumulatively.

5.7.5 It is also important to consider the positive social and cumulative impacts of

mineral working and the proposals themselves, from both a restoration point of view and also a socio-economic point of view.

5.7.6 The restoration scheme seeks to provide a beneficial nature conservation

focussed after use with some recreational improvements through the instatement of new footpaths. Other active quarries will also be required to be restored to beneficial after use, whether it be nature conservation, agriculture or amenity, which cumulatively will provide benefit to local communities in the long term.

5.7.7 As mineral workings are by their very nature temporary, it is the proposed

after use which needs to be considered in detail. 5.7.8 The permitted operations also provide direct employment for 8 members of

staff as well as indirect employment for contractors, HGV drivers, plant fitters etc, and the proposed extension of time will ensure that this level of employment is maintained for at least a further eight years.




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SECTION 6 SUMMARY 6.1 The proposals detailed in this planning application envisage an eight year

extension of time to the current permitted mineral extraction operations at Besthorpe Quarry to enable extraction of the remaining non-constrained mineral reserves, with restoration and removal of plant machinery and buildings to be completed within one year thereafter.

6.2 In this regard it is proposed to vary Condition 4 of planning consent

3/02/02403CMA, which is the controlling planning consent as follows: “All sand and gravel operations shall be completed by 31 December 2022

unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Mineral Planning Authority (MPA). The processing plant shall not use sand and gravel other than that arising from the application site and any such plant, machinery and buildings shall be removed from the site within 12 months of the cessation of sand and gravel extraction operations on the site, or by 31 December 2023, whichever is the sooner”.

6.3 It is also proposed to vary Condition 3 of planning consent 3/02/02402CMA

which relates to the conveyor and wharf facilities as follows: “The conveyor and all supports and other attached machinery or structures

shall be dismantled and removed from the site on or before 31 December 2023 or within 12 months of the cessation of sand and gravel extraction in this area whichever is the sooner, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the MPA”.

6.4 The proposals also include re-phasing of the working scheme to ensure

economical and efficient extraction of the remaining mineral, as well as enhancement of the approved restoration scheme in line with best practice and up to date planning policy.

6.5 This document comprises an Environmental Statement which has been

submitted in support of the proposals detailed above. In accordance with the adopted Scoping Opinion relevant technical studies have been commissioned and an assessment of environmental impacts has been undertaken in support of the proposals which are summarised below.

6.6 With regard to ecology, an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Assessment has been

undertaken which identified the habitats and species on site. A badger survey has also been undertaken. It is recognised the badgers are active in the vicinity of the application site which is the result of site operations creating a suitable habitat. This habitat will be retained as part of the restoration. No other significant impacts were identified.

6.7 A Flood Risk Assessment has been undertaken in support of the proposals

which highlights that there will be no increase in flood risk on or off site. 6.8 In respect of public rights of way, potential impacts have been assessed and it

has been demonstrated that there are no significant adverse impacts. The




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restoration scheme itself includes the establishment of new additional footpaths across the application site, which will create a net benefit.

6.9 With regard to archaeology, all fieldwork has been completed and the final

consolidated report required under the Section 106 Agreement is being prepared, with an overview of results provided within the Environmental Statement.

6.10 All other existing environmental control provisions, such as noise mitigation

and groundwater monitoring will remain in place over the course of ongoing operations.

6.11 Furthermore, the operator has developed a systematic means of working and

restoring the site, and the restoration proposals provide sustainable contributions to local biodiversity and landscape initiatives. These will create long term enhancements and a net benefit consistent with local and national policy requirements.

6.12 It is therefore concluded that planning permission should be granted for the

continued operations at the application site and revised working and restoration proposals.

Documents

LAFARGE TARMAC - Nottinghamshire