FORMAL REQUEST FOR A SCOPING OPINION TO FACILITATE THE UNDERTAKING OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT. For

Transcription

1 FORMAL REQUEST FOR A SCOPING OPINION TO FACILITATE THE UNDERTAKING OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT For THE CONSOLIDATION OF ACTIVITIES AT HILLHOUSE QUARRY AND HALLYARDS QUARRY, UNDER THE SINGLE OWNERSHIP OF HILLHOUSE QUARRY GROUP AT HILLHOUSE/HALLYARDS QUARRIES, TROON, AYRSHIRE HILLHOUSE QUARRY GROUP LIMITED JULY 2016 Prepared By: PLEYDELL SMITHYMAN LIMITED 20a The Wharfage, Ironbridge, Telford, Shropshire, TF8 7NH Tel: Fax: and 116 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 4EG Tel: psl@pleydellsmithyman.co.uk

2 CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Site and Surroundings 3.0 Description Of The Operations 4.0 Screening The Development For EIA and Topics to be Considered in Scoping Study 5.0 Conclusions 6.0 Invitation to Comment APPENDICES Appendix A Drawing 1 Drawing 2 Drawings Site Location Plan Current Situation Drawing 3 Permitted Extraction Boundary (1948) Drawing 4 Proposed Extraction Boundary 2

3 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Hillhouse Quarry Group (HQG) is intending to submit a planning application for development at Hillhouse Quarry and Hallyards Quarry (the Quarries). The location and extents of the Quarries are shown on the enclosed Location Plan. The planning application would be submitted to allow the consolidation of all operations at Quarries under a single, modern planning permission. The planning application will also include plans showing how the Quarries are to be worked and restored to their full extent and include the formation of a new access link between the Quarries. 1.2 The Quarries are located on the outskirts of Dundonald, approximately 4km north-east of Troon. The location of the two sites are shown on the enclosed Location Plan. 1.3 The Planning Application is to be accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES). HQG appointed Pleydell Smithyman Limited (PSL) to prepare this Scoping Report to be provided to SAC, to assist the council in adopting a Scoping Opinion as to the required form and content of the ES. Development History 1.4 Hillhouse Quarry has been operational since The first recorded planning permission relating to the Quarries was granted by the former County Council of the County of Ayr under reference 5431, dated 2 nd July 1948 (the 1948 Permission). Permission was granted To win whinstone at Hillhouse, Parkthorn, Auchans and Hallyards Quarries, Troon. The extents of the permission area are shown on the Location Plan. 1.5 Operations at Hillhouse, Parkthorn and Auchans Quarries have been undertaken by HQG but operations at Hallyards were subsequently separated and operated independently sometime after this date. HQC have recently acquired Hallyards Quarry and propose to work the Quarries together. Hillhouse Quarry 1.6 Planning permission reference 5431 was subject to an initial review of mineral planning permissions (ROMP) under Schedule 9 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, which imposed a revised set of conditions on the operations at Hillhouse. The revised set of conditions is set out in the notice of determination reference CE/5/2 dated 29th January 1999 (the 1999 Decision). 1.7 A further planning application was subsequently approved by SLC on18th August 2011 under reference 11/00460/FURM (the 2011 Decision for the Removal of Condition 6 of the 1999 Decision stating that the limit of excavations for the 15 year period from the date of conditions being approved shall be restricted to the area outlined blue and yellow on the submitted plans. The 2011 Decision secured a Mitigation & Management Plan for operations in and adjacent to Dundonald Wood SSSI. The progressive development of Hillhouse Quarry continues to be undertaken in accordance with the 2011 Decision. 3

4 Hallyards Quarry 1.8 On the 19 th December 2002, SAC issued a determination in relation to a ROMP review, imposing a new series of planning conditions over the Hallyards Quarry operations. The quarry has operated in accordance with the approved conditions. Purpose of the Scoping Report 1.9 A key purpose of the EIA process is to influence and inform the design of the site. This is done by allowing environmental concerns to be addressed during the planning and design of a project, by incorporating into the proposal, measures to minimise the potential for significant adverse environmental effects and maximise the contribution of potential beneficial effects Undertaking an EIA scoping study at the outset is regarded as good practice 1 and is considered to be an important step in EIA as it allows all parties involved in the process to agree on key environmental issues relevant to the proposed development and to agree on the methodology used for their assessment. The specific aims of this Scoping Report are: To identify the technical subject areas that may be subject to significant environmental effects as a result of the development proceeding and therefore require further study; To identify the technical subject areas that are unlikely to be subject to significant environmental effects and can be scoped out from further study; To provide a basis for a consultation process to agree the scope and content of the EIA with the LPA; and To provide a basis for agreeing methodologies for undertaking required studies with the LPA, based upon currently available baseline data, site characteristics and best practice in individual technical disciplines. Hillhouse Quarry Group 1.11 The Hillhouse Quarry Group Limited is South Ayrshire based and is one of Scotland s largest privately owned heavy building materials businesses. The company supplies drystone, coated stone and concrete products to markets throughout Central and Southern Scotland, particularly Ayrshire and Glasgow Hillhouse Quarry has been producing crushed aggregate since 1907 and continues to produce crushed rock aggregates, coated stone and concrete products. The operations at Hillhouse Quarry form the base of a complementary portfolio of operations comprising two hardstone quarries, three asphalt plants, a surfacing division, four ready-mixed concrete plants and a concrete blocks business, all in Ayrshire. The company also operates precast concrete businesses in Beith and in Inverness Further information on the company can be found on its corporate web site at 1 A Handbook on EIA, SNH revised

5 Pleydell Smithyman Limited 1.14 The EIA will be coordinated by Pleydell Smithyman Limited (PSL). PSL are members of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and have specialist capability in EIA, landscape planning and the preparation of mineral development schemes. The Project Team 1.15 PSL will undertake the project management of the scheme, including the formation of the relevant Planning Reports, Ecological Assessment and the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments as required as part of the ES, as well as the phased extraction drawings, the quarry designs and photomontages. Other assessments will be undertaken by specialist consultants, with each individual report forming a stand-alone chapter in the ES. The reports will be appended to the ES for completeness, with the main chapters providing a surmised version of the reports. The following specialists will form the overall Project Team: The assessment on Hydrology will be undertaken by Enviorcentre Limited, who are specialist consultants on water management and engineering analysis. The noise assessment, air quality assessment and blasting & vibration assessment will be prepared by Vibrock Limited, who are a leading environmental consultancy. The Transport Assessment will be prepared by Transport Planning Scotland, who are specialist consultants on transport and traffic surveys. The Cultural Heritage Assessment will be undertaken by Guard Archaeology Limited who specialises in the management of archaeology and cultural heritage projects. Report Structure 1.16 Section 2 Hillhouse Quarry Site: describes the location, setting and physical characteristics of the Quarry and describes the baseline features in and around the Site Section 3 Description of the Development: provides a summary of the operations that are currently undertaken at the quarry and planned to continue Section 4 Screening the Development: provides detail on the approach to screening the development, sets out a Screening Checklist and describes the specialist studies that will be undertaken as a result of the screening exercise irrespective of whether or not a formal ES is required Section 5 Planning Policy: provides details of the Development Plan Section 6 Environmental Topics Considered in Screening Study: provides the rationale for discounting, or screening out certain environmental topics from further detailed consideration as part of the planning application Section 7 Conclusions 1.22 Section 8 Invitation to Comment: provides the relevant SLR contact details where any queries or responses to this Screening/Scoping Report should be directed Drawings and appendices referred to in the main text are included at the end of Section 8. 5

6 SITE AND SURROUNDINGS Site Location 2.1 Hillhouse Quarry and Hallyards Quarry are located on the outskirts of Dundonald in South Ayrshire, approximately 4km north-east of Troon, 9km north of Prestwick and 6km south of Irvine. 2.2 Hillhouse Quarry is accessed via a dedicated access from the A759 that is located to the north-west. Hallyards Quarry is accessed via a separate access from Old Loans Road to the south-east. 2.3 The Glasgow South Western Railway (Stranraer Branch) runs north-east to south-west approximately 200m from the north western boundary of Hillhouse Quarry. 2.4 Collenan Reservoir is located approximately 400m south of Hillhouse Quarry and approximately 450m south west of Hallyards Quarry. 2.5 The nearest residential properties are isolated dwellings located approximately 800m to the south and west of the Quarries. The nearest settlements are Dundonald to the east, and Barassie and Loans to the west. 2.6 Core footpath SA7 runs through Dundonald Woodland between Hillhouse and Hallyards Quarries and is locally referred to as Smugglers Trail. There are a series of other local footpaths within the vicinity of the site, some of which have been formed through the passage of time as a result of footpath uses transecting the land to reach other areas. Site Constraints 2.7 Within the vicinity of the site, there are a number of planning constraints, as detailed on the Local Constraints drawing to which due consideration will be paid throughout the design and EIA process, in consultation stakeholders. The constraints have been categorised under the following headings: Built and Cultural Heritage; Natural Heritage; Infrastructure; and Tourism and Recreation. 2.8 A total of 26 built/cultural heritage sites are located within the vicinity of the site. The proposed Hillhouse/Hallyards Quarry development area itself contains five sites of cultural heritage interest, consisting of one non-inventory designed landscape and four sites of lesser significance. Twelve further sites, comprising two Scheduled Monuments, one category A Listed Building, one category B Listed Buildings, one category C Listed Building, one Conservation Area, one non-inventory designed landscape and five sites of lesser significance were recorded within 200 m of the development area boundary. 2.9 Within 1 km of the Site boundary are three Scheduled Monuments, four category B Listed Buildings, one category C Listed Building and one un-designated site that is probably of national significance. Furthermore, there is the Core Path (SA7) between Hillhouse and Hallyards Quarries, with several local footpath networks within the woodland area Natural designations in the form of the Dundonald SSSI and the Ancient Woodland are other contributory facts which form part of the design consideration. The site and the full range of constraints are identified on the Local Constraints Plan. 6

7 Topography HILLHOUSE AND HALLYARDS QUARRY COMBINED DEVELOPMENT SCHEME 2.11 The extent of the Quarries can be seen on the site layout plan which provides details of the existing structures and land uses with the application site. Description Current Uses Future Uses Active Areas Quarry Benched areas of mineral extraction where rock is broken and dislodged from near vertical quarry faces by drilling and blasting. Blasted material is subsequently loaded into dump trucks for transportation to the plant and stocking area. As existing Plant and Stock Area Undeveloped Reserve Area Periphery Lands Soils removed and area occupied by plant, buildings and infrastructure including asphalt plant. Area also used for stocking of product prior to sale from site. The currently constrained area of the quarry partly occupied by Dundonald Wood SSSI. Undeveloped areas to the southwest and north of the current operations. As existing The working faces of the existing quarry will progress following vegetation and soil stripping. As existing 2.12 Approximately 6.5ha of the currently undeveloped areas into which consent has previously been granted comprises parts of the Dundonald Wood SSSI. Dundonald Wood is a mixed predominantly deciduous woodland extending to 31ha in total The majority of the other undeveloped areas comprise enclosed pasture which is currently utilised for the grazing of livestock (cattle and sheep). 7

8 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATIONS Method of Extraction, Processing and Despatch 3.1 The existing methods of extraction, processing and despatch have been established over a number of years and are summarised below for information. 3.2 Rock is dislodged from quarry faces by blasting whereby a series of holes are drilled in a development bench, filled with explosives and thereafter blasted to release rock. 3.3 The blasted rock is loaded by a face shovel into dump trucks and hauled from the blast location to the plant area for processing. The processing operation involves preparing the blasted rock into saleable products. This is achieved by feeding the blasted rock via a primary feed hopper through a series of crushers and screens that shape and sort the stone into the required range of products. 3.4 From the processing plant, the largest portion of the resultant aggregate products is stocked in their respective sizes before being hauled from the plant area to the stockyard for final stocking and subsequent sale. A smaller proportion of the aggregates are fed to the asphalt plant for use in the manufacture of a range of surfacing (coated stone) materials. 3.5 The asphalt plant blends the quarried aggregates with sand and a filler (such as stone dust) in the correct proportions and then heats the materials to a temperature suitable for coating with a bitumen binder. 3.6 The aggregates and asphalts are ultimately dispatched from the stockyard, or from the asphalt plant, by way of road going lorries that typically carry 20 tonnes per load. Unladen vehicles arriving at the quarry for loading are weighed in at the weighbridge upon arrival, before progressing to the stockyard where they are loaded by a wheel shovel loader before being weighed back out at the weighbridge, passing through a wheel wash and then being sheeted before leaving the quarry. 3.7 All vehicles enter and leave the quarry using the established access road running from the A759 road for Hillhouse Quarry. Hallyards quarry is not currently operational, however the permitted route upon egressing the quarry was northwards along Old Loans Road to the village of Dundonald and onto the A759. Operating Hours 3.8 Extractive operations are regulated by Condition 5 of 1999 Decision that restricts excavation working to between the hours of 6.45am to 6pm Monday to Friday, from 7am to 1pm on Saturdays and from 7am to 3pm on Sundays on the sites. 3.9 Works outwith the periods regulated by Condition 5 are restricted to servicing and repairs and the operation of the coating, crushing and concrete plants. Quarry Development 3.10 The extent of the consolidated extraction at the Quarries is shown as the Proposed Extraction Limit on the attached [NAME] Drawing. 8

9 3.11 All of the land within the Proposed Extraction Limit is already consented by the previous planning permissions across the Quarries and most of it has already been stripped of soil. As the working faces progresses into areas of previously undeveloped land, the vegetation would be cleared in advance of soil stripping. The stripped soils would be used in restoring other exhausted areas of the quarry. The existing quarry faces will then progress over time until approaching their final face positions at the limit of the intended operations A notable difference between the currently consented development and the proposed Extraction Limit is the relinquishment of extraction within Dundonald SSSI. As a result there would be a larger buffer between the location of extraction and the nearest residential properties in Dundonald, than that previously permitted In order to achieve a consolidated working scheme across the two sites, it is proposed to provide an access route across the land between the quarries, as illustrated on the Proposed Extraction Boundary drawing. This would necessitate temporary works on the existing route of the Smugglers Trail to create the access link. The detailed design of that link would be worked up through the EIA process and with consultation stakeholders. The overall intention is to maintain the route as far as possible on its existing route and at suitable gradient. The precise location of the crossing will be determined with regard to: Kemp Law (fort) Scheduled Monument; Dundonald Wood SSSI (Biological); Beech Wood and Hillhouse Ancient Woodlands; Smugglers Trail (Core Path SA7) Footpath 55 (Woodland trail undisputed); Footpath 56 (Woodland trail undisputed). Restoration Concept 3.14 Condition 21 of planning permission CE/5/2 makes provision for the submission of a restoration scheme for approval by the local planning authority 12 months prior to completion of extractive operations at the Quarry A concept restoration plan will be provided with the application submission, although it is envisaged that a condition which replicates Condition 21 of the existing permissions would be replicated to allow a detailed restoration scheme to be provided prior to completion of extractive operations on the site. 9

10 4.0 SCREENING THE DEVELOPMENT FOR EIA AND TOPICS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE SCOPING STUDY 4.1 The Environmental Impact (Scotland) Regulations 2011 prescribe certain types of projects for which is it necessary to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to consider the potential for significant environmental effects to occur. An EIA is being prepared voluntarily by HQG and an Environmental Statement (ES) will accompany the Planning Application. 4.2 It is therefore requested that on behalf of the applicant, a formal scoping opinion under Section 14(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations This report describes the development proposals and sets out the scope of the Environmental Statement (ES) which would be submitted with the planning application for the site. 4.4 Scoping is a process of identifying the issues to be addressed by an EIA. It is a method of ensuring that an EIA focuses on the important issues and avoids those that are considered to be less significant. This scoping process will help to ensure that the ES that is submitted to South Ayrshire Council is of sufficient quality. This will have the benefit of minimising the need to gather additional information after the ES has been submitted, and should speed up the decision making process. Methodology 4.5 The ESwill follow established EIA procedures. In EU countries, procedures are based on the EU Directive 97/11/EC (updating 85/337/EC) which are implemented in Scotland by the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations Throughout the process of undertaking the EIA, the results obtained will be used in an iterative manner to influence the design of the development, in order that any significant, detrimental environmental impacts can be minimised or negated completely through the careful design of mitigation measures. Schedule 4 Part I of the EIA Regulations 2011 specifies that the ES should describe those: aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the development, including in particular population, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, including the architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and inter-relationship between the above factors. 4.7 The ES will be prepared in accordance with appropriate guidance and will accompany a planning application with a Supporting Planning Statement. The Supporting Planning Statement will provide an examination of the planning and policy background, and a detailed description of the proposed scheme. The guidance for preparation of the ES and Supporting Planning Statement include: PAN 1/2013: Environmental Impact Assessment; and Circular 3/2011: The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations

11 4.8 The approach to undertaking the EIA would fully comply with Schedule 4 to the EIA Regulations, with regards to the information that is to be included within the ES: A description of the development, comprising information on the site, the characteristics and processes of the construction and operational phases, and expected emissions from operation; An outline of the main alternatives; A description of the aspects of environment likely to be significantly affected by the development; A description of the likely significant effects of the development upon the environment and a description of the forecasting methods used to assess the effects; A description of the measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and offset any significant adverse effects; A non-technical summary; and An indication of any difficulties or technological deficiencies in compiling the required information. 4.9 The principle issues to be addressed in the ES would include: Ecology and Biodiversity 4.10 The currently undeveloped parts of Hillhouse Quarry largely comprise an area of pasture which is currently utilised for the grazing of livestock (cattle and sheep). This area is considered to be of limited ecological value The undeveloped part also comprises part of the Dundonald Wood SSSI. Mineral extraction throughout the SSSI is already consented by the extant planning permission at the quarry, albeit not before However the intended planning application would surrender the quarrying activities within the 6.5ha area of the site adjacent to Dundonald Wood SSSI, with an extension area of comparable size identified away from the SSSI designation An ecological appraisal including site visit by an experienced ecologist will be undertaken in order to prepare an update to the Mitigation and Management Plan for the Dundonald Wood SSSI. The Mitigation and Management Plan will be developed in consultation with SNH A Phase 1 Habitat Survey would be undertaken with a desk based study assessment to establish any mitigation measures required for any protected species habitats within the site. The results of the preliminary ecological appraisal and air quality assessments (relating to designated sites) will be used to inform the Ecological Impact Assessment. Landscape and Visual Amenity 4.14 The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment will involve a study of the existing landscape character, identification of viewpoints within the visual envelope and an assessment of the sensitivity of such views with and without mitigation. The results of the assessment will form the basis of the landscape mitigation proposals Quarrying at Hillhouse and at other localised operations is a long established feature in the local landscape. Hillhouse Quarry is in general terms relatively well screened from the local 11

12 area by virtue of retained topography and established woodland around the flanks of the quarry The intended planning application would not alter the planned lateral extent of quarrying. The intended planning application will amend the working operations within the combined site to provide a coherent operation. The extension and alterations proposed would be assessed on their individual and combined impacts A combination of the sensitivity of the area to the development, the extent to which the landscape is valued both by residents and visitors, and the magnitude of the effects on the landscape character would determine the significance of the impacts would be considered. The landscape character assessment would consider the potential impacts on the landscape character of the site and the surrounding landscape character areas, and the landscape designations within the study area. The effect of the proposed scheme on landscape policies and the landscape character of the area will be examined Visual impacts are concerned with the effects of the construction and operation of a site upon identified visual receptors, which may include: residents; visitors; people employed in the local area; users of local transport infrastructure; and users of recreational landscapes such as footpaths or communal areas. The site is located within gently undulating rural land with few residential properties within the area A detailed visual impact assessment will analyse the effects of the development from residential properties, the road network and public rights of way. This will analyse potential visual impacts over time The landscape and visual assessment will be carried out by means of a process of site and desk survey and analysis of the study area. A desk based analysis will be carried out making use of the zone of theoretical visibility (ZTV) map, OS data and aerial photography in order to identify potential sensitive receptors that could have views of the site The methodology laid down in the guidelines published by the Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (Third Edition 2013) will be followed. This places emphasis on impacts on the landscape resource requiring the existing local landscape character and its sensitivity to change to be established. All viewpoints and any photomontage will be produced in accordance with the Photography and Photomontage in Landscape and Visual Assessment, Landscape Institute Advice Note 01/2011 (2011). Hydrology and Hydrogeology 4.22 These Chapters of the ES will include a geo-environmental assessment which will consider the underlying geology of the site, the local hydrogeological conditions and review the more recent site history to highlight any issues of contamination. It will address the impact that the combined quarries and the extension area The assessment will describe the geological conditions beneath the site and the surrounding area. The assessment will consider the site s more recent mining history and determine its impact (if any) on the proposed development. In addition, the assessment will determine the impact of the proposed development on the local water resource and describe measures to mitigate those impacts. 12

13 4.24 It is possible that the development would have an impact upon the groundwater. Baseline information will be collected with regards to groundwater and underlying geology The Hydrology and Geology Chapters will evaluate the significance of predicted effects and the magnitude of impacts before and after mitigation, and the sensitivity of the baseline environment affected A FRA report will be prepared as a standalone document to be submitted as part of the planning application. The scope of the desk based FRA will include a review of existing available reports, studies and documentation; and liaison with Scottish Water, SEPA, South Ayrshire Council and the Highways Authority to confirm drainage outfall positions, constraints and flooding information Appropriate mitigation measures will be designed to enable the safe development of the facility. Noise 4.28 The aspects of development which could potentially give rise to noise impacts are: Site preparation works, including soil stripping; Mineral extraction operations and transportation within the site; Mineral processing operations; and Transportation of minerals from the site by heavy goods vehicles All of the potential sources of noise impact listed above already take place at the quarries and are already accommodated within the environmental baseline for the local area In so far as the mineral processing operations and the transportation of minerals by HGV s are concerned, there is no proposal to alter the characteristics of those existing activities. The scope for any change to the environmental baseline from those operations is therefore limited and can reasonably be disregarded from further consideration Noise limits will continue to be regulated by relevant Conditions within the extant planning permissions. Blasting 4.32 Blasting is used at the quarries to break and dislodge rock from quarry faces The potential environmental impacts of blasting include ground vibration, air overpressure, noise and dust at adjacent premises. Conditions within the consented planning permission for the site regulate blast events at the quarries in order to manage any potential impact Routine monitoring of the quarries blasts demonstrates compliance with the limits set out in the Conditions within the existing permissions. The intended planning application will not present any variation to the nature of blasting undertaken at the quarries. Traffic and Transportation 13

14 4.35 Hillhouse Quarry is accessed via a well laid out and formed junction from the A759. Condition 19 of the extant permission requires that the visibility splays at the junction are suitably maintained The intended planning application will not contain any proposal for a new quarry access or any proposal to alter the volume or nature of distribution of traffic that has been established for some considerable period of time. However, it is proposed to review the access arrangements for Hallyards Quarry, with vehicles being routed via the Hillhouse entrance/egress. This would remove vehicular movements though Dundonald Village. A transport Assessment shall be undertaken to consider the impacts of this alteration The Transport Assessment will be carried out in accordance with appropriate guidance such as: Guidelines for Traffic Impact Assessment, Institution of Highways and Transportation (1994); The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 11 Environmental Assessment, Department of Transport, 1993 (as amended 2002); and Guidelines for the assessment of Road Traffic, The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) (2003) and Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG). South Ayrshire Council will also be consulted in preparation of the assessment The assessment will establish the current baseline in relation to traffic movements at the site, identify the historical peak and predict where the development proposals fit within these parameters. It will seek to identify the routes to be used by traffic associated with the site, and within the routes identify potential sections that may be constrained in terms of capacity, or that might be subject to potential adverse effects as a result of the development Preliminary proposed mitigation measures include: Maintenance of a Traffic Management Plan which details traffic routes for site, office and visitor traffic. Air Quality (Dust) 4.40 The primary potential impact on air quality from the continued working of Hillhouse Quarry and Hallyards Quarry is the risk of deterioration in local air quality as a result of wind-blown dust The main sources of dust within the quarries are from the haulage of materials and from the processing and subsequent stocking of aggregates. There is also a limited potential for dust to be generated during the drilling of blast holes and the subsequent detonation of blasts Each of the dust sources mentioned above are currently in operation at the Quarries and have not caused any significant levels of dust that have given rise to outstanding complaints Generation and control of dust are regulated by Conditions 2, 3, 4, and 18 of the existing planning consents which make provisions for reducing dust generated by the movement of vehicles, and Condition 8 which controls dust emissions from plant. 14

15 4.44 There will be no additional dust sources from the haulage, processing or stocking of aggregates as all of those activities will continue on site in the same manner and employing the same mitigation measures as the existing operations. Cultural Heritage 4.45 The EIA study will be conducted with reference to the relevant legislative and planning frameworks for cultural heritage. Relevant legislation includes the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, the Planning (Listed buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Order 1992 and the Scottish Historic Environment Policy Planning Policy comprises SPP and PAN 2/2011 Planning and Archaeology (July 2011); at national level and the South Ayrshire Local Development Plan (2014) at a local level The cultural heritage assessment will: Identify the cultural heritage baseline within the proposed development area and key receptors within the vicinity of the site; Assess the proposed development in terms of its archaeological and historic environmental potential, within the context of relevant legislation, planning policy guidelines and consented development; Consider the potential and predicted effects of the operations on the baseline cultural heritage resources; and Proposed measures, where appropriate, to mitigate any predicted significant adverse effects The assessment will be completed using information collected from the investigation, the register of Schedule Monuments, Listed Buildings Conservation Areas, Gardens and Designated Landscapes and other relevant listings and local plans. Public Access 4.48 Core Path SA7 runs to the south and west of the Quarry boundary within the Dundonald Wood. A number of other footpaths have been created by Hillhouse in partnership with South Ayrshire Council that run through the wooded area The Mitigation and Management Plan proposed for Dundonald Wood SSSI will contain measures for the ongoing maintenance of footpaths and access to the woodland. It is not considered that there will be any significant impact to public access as a result of the intended application. Regulation of Development 4.50 Full details of the means of regulating the development will be provided through a series of mechanisms, including a section 75 agreement with an associated restoration guarantee Furthermore, as part of the requirements of the Mining Waste Directive, a Waste Management Plan will be provided with the application submission. 15

16 Alternatives 4.52 Schedule 4 Part 2(4) to the Regulations requires an outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant. The alternative options for site design that have been considered during the preparation of the technical assessments will be detailed in the application submission. Technical Assessments 4.53 For each topic that is identified as requiring further study, a detailed technical assessment will be carried out in accordance with the scope and methodology agreed with relevant consultees. Each technical assessment will be carried out by an appropriately qualified consultant to prevailing technical standards and reported in a dedicated ES chapter The technical assessments for each of the issues listed above will include: an introduction to the issue; an outline of the existing conditions; the method of assessment to be undertaken; the predicted effects as a result of the development; and the proposed mitigation for the issue. Consultation Pre-scoping Consultation 4.55 During the process of undertaking the scoping study a meeting was held in January 2016 with South Ayrshire Council to discuss the proposed development. Scoping Consultation 4.56 A copy of this Scoping Report will be issued to key consultees and stakeholders as part of the Planning Authorities statutory consultation process. Bodies to be consulted include statutory agencies and selected other bodies. The purpose of the consultation is to identify: Key local issues and concerns; Issues of environmental importance that may affect the proposed development; Existing information that will be of assistance in the assessment of the environmental effects; and The need for further consultation. 16

17 5.0 CONCLUSIONS HILLHOUSE AND HALLYARDS QUARRY COMBINED DEVELOPMENT SCHEME 5.1 Hillhouse Quarry Group will be seeking planning permission for the consolidation of operations between the existing Hillhouse Quarry and adjacent Hallyards Quarry. As part of the development scheme, an extension of mining activity is proposed within the Hillhouse Quarry area, to compensate the surrendering of mining opportunities in the approved area of the site adjacent to the Dundonald SSSI. 5.2 The planning application for the site will be accompanied by a Supporting Statement, Environmental Statement, supporting technical reports and Non-Technical Summary and a Pre-Application Consultation. 5.3 The Environmental Statement will draw upon the interactions identified in this report in order to provide an assessment of the scale and significance of the potential impacts which may occur as a result of the proposed development. The statement will propose mitigation measures as appropriate to minimise any potential adverse impacts. 5.4 The scope of the assessment and final drafted planning application will be refined following consultations with a wide range of authorities, statutory agencies, interested parties and public consultations, this being seen as an iterative process. 5.5 During the design process, account will be taken of studies on the following subjects: Air Quality and Odour; Noise; Traffic and Transport; Ecology and Nature Conservation; Landscape and Visual Impact; Archaeology and Cultural Heritage; Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Geology and Land Quality; Drainage and Flood Risk; and Socio-economic. 5.6 The results of the studies and recommendations will be included and incorporated into the development proposal for the combined site. Full regard will be given to the current national, regional and local planning guidance and policies in the preparation of the design and the Environmental Statement. 5.7 We hereby request on behalf of the Applicant a formal Scoping opinion under section 14(1) respectively of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland)

18 6.0 INVITATION TO COMMENT 6.1 If you wish to discuss matters contained in this report in greater detail prior to responding to the screening/scoping exercise, please contact Graham Cann at: Pleydell Smithyman Limited, 2nd Floor, 116 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 4EG