GARREG LWYD HILL WIND FARM ACCESS ROUTE

Transcription

1 GARREG LWYD HILL WIND FARM ACCESS ROUTE Environmental Statement July 2013 Volume I Non Technical Summary

2 PREFACE This Environmental Statement (ES) has been prepared in support of a planning application for works to facilitate access to a proposed wind farm at Garreg Lwyd Hill, between Felindre and Llanbadarn Fynydd in Radnorshire, Powys. The ES is contained within three separate volumes: Volume I - Non Technical Summary Volume II - Main Document Volume III - Supporting Appendices to Volume II The ES has been prepared by Arup, using existing reports to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment. The existing reports used are referenced within the ES. Copies of the full ES may be viewed during normal opening hours at the following locations: RES Cedar House Greenwood Close Cardiff Gate Business Park Cardiff CF23 8RD Powys County Council Severn Road Welshpool Powys SY21 7AS Powys County Council The Gwalia Llandrindod Wells Powys LD1 5LG Newtown Library Park Lane Newtown, Powys SY16 1EJ Knighton Library West Street Knighton Powys LD7 1DN Hard copies of the full Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm Access Environmental Statement 2013 (ES) are available from RES priced 150 each. Copies of the ES are available on CD-ROM for 25. Copies of the non-technical summary are available upon request free of charge. The non-technical summary can also be viewed on the RES web page Requests for documents should be made in writing, including payment if purchase of the full ES is required. RES has an environmental management system which actively encourages the reduction of paper consumption and recycling where possible. Non Technical Summary - i

3 VOLUME I NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE i TABLE OF CONTENTS ii LIST OF FIGURES ii INTRODUCTION 1 METHODOLOGY 2 WELSH AND LOCAL PLANNING POLICY 2 DESCRIPTION OF DEVELOPMENT 3 ALTERNATIVES AND CONSULTATION 4 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ASSESSMENT 4 ECOLOGY ASSESSMENT 5 CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT 6 HYDROLOGY, HYDROGEOLOGY AND GEOLOGY ASSESSMENT 7 SOCIOECONOMIC ASSESSMENT 8 FIGURES NTS 1 NTS 2 NTS 3 Delivery Access from Port to Site Heol Treowen Option Overall Layout Mochdre Industrial Estate Option Non Technical Summary - ii

4 INTRODUCTION The Application RES (Renewable Energy Systems) UK & Ireland Ltd, hereafter referred to as RES, is applying to Powys County Council for consent for highway modifications and upgrades/additions to an exisiting farm track. The proposed works (hereafter referred to as the Access Proposals ) are between Newtown and the proposed Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm to facilitate wind farm deliveries for large components such as wind turbine blades. The Garreg Lywd Hill Wind Farm proposal does not form part of this application, but includes the erection of 23 wind turbines and associated infrastructure. RES identified Garreg Lwyd Hill as a potential site for a wind farm in Initial studies confirmed good wind speeds and more detailed plans followed alongside consultation culminating in Public Exhibitions in In May 2008, a planning application was submitted to Powys County Council accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES) to construct the proposed Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm. The Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm site (centred on grid ref: , ) lies on agricultural land located between the villages of Felindre and Llanbadarn Fynydd in Radnorshire, Powys. In 2013 further supplementary enviornmental information for the Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm was provided as requested by Powys County Council. The Applicants RES is one of the world s leading wind energy companies and has constructed or developed medium to large-scale wind farms around the world, with a combined capacity of over 4,700MW to date and has a large portfolio under construction and development. From long term involvement in the wind industry, RES has gained a high level of expertise in the technical, environmental and financial disciplines essential for the development of a successful wind farm. The Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Statement This ES has been prepared by Arup, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 as amended, which implement Council Directive No. 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (the EIA Directive), as amended by Directive 97/11/EC and 2003/35/EC. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process follows guidelines to predict and evaluate a proposal s impact on the environment in a systematic and transparent manner. An impact or effect may be beneficial (i.e. positive) as well as adverse (negative). In April 2013, RES submitted an screening request to Powys County Council. The response from Powys County Council considered that the Access Proposals are a Schedule 2 development as defined by the EIA regulations. An EIA has therefore been undertaken. EIA is a process whereby information about the environmental effects of a project is collected, both by the applicant and independent consultants, and is submitted within an ES to accompany a planning application. This will inform decision makers and interested parties of the proposed development details and potential significant effects resulting from the project. The ES for the Garreg Lywd Hill Wind Farm Access Proposals has therefore been prepared in accordance with the Regulations. The ES describes the Access Proposals, the nature of Non Technical Summary - 1

5 the proposals and surroundings, the likely significant effects of the Access Proposals and measures proposed to mitigate any potentially significant adverse impacts. The ES comprises the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) (Volume I), the full text Environmental Statement (Volume II) and the Supporting Appendices (Volume III). METHODOLOGY Arup has based the assessment on desktop data collection and information contained on the following studies: Strategic Traffic Management Plan for Mid Wales Wind Farms Transport Route (Renewable UK, 2012); Technical Note: Strategic Traffic Management Plan Environmental Assessment for Mid Wales Wind Farms Transport Route (Amec, 2013); Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm Environmental Impact Assessment (RES, 2008); and Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm Environmental Assessment of Transport Route (RES, 2010). The study area comprises of land within 1km of the Access Proposals. The EIA considers those environmental topics which the Access Proposals may give rise to potential significant effects. These are landscape and visual, ecology, cultural heritage, hydrology, hydrogeology and geology and socioeconomic effects. Other topics have been scoped out as they are not considered to give rise to potential significant effects. WELSH AND LOCAL PLANNING POLICY The policy need for the proposed wind farm, in relation to UK and Welsh Energy Policy and targets for renewable energy production is set out in the Garreg Lywd Hill Wind Farm Environmental Statement (2008) and Supplementary Environmental Information (2013). The National policy considerations include: Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1); National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3); Water preferred policy guidelines for the movement of Abnormal Indivisible Loads (AIL); and Planning Policy Wales Chapter 12. Local Policy and gudiance considerations include: Powys Local Development Plan (LDP); Technical Advice Note (TAN) 8 (2005); and Dyfed-Powys Police Quick Guide to Abnormal Loads (2011) Legislative considerations include: Abnormal Indivisible Loads is Part II of the Road Traffic Act 1988; Road Vehicle (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986; and Road Vehicle (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003 (the latter commonly referred to as S.T.G.O.). Non Technical Summary - 2

6 DESCRIPTION OF DEVELOPMENT Outline of Access Proposals From Elsemere Port to Newtown, upgrades are required on the existing adopted highway i.e. on roadside verges within the highway boundary, but do not form part of this planning application. Figure NTS-1 provides an overview of the Access Proposals. From Netwown to Cwm Y Berllwyd, the Access Proposals include road widening along a road known as the Vastre. This is know as the the Strategic Route, as it utlises a route that has been developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders including Welsh Government, Powys County Council, Police Authorities and other wind farms developers as a shared access route to wind farm proposals in Strategic Search Area C. Renewable UK Cymru commissioned the preparation of a Strategic Transport Management Plan (stmp) that would address the cumulative impacts of wind farm developments in Mid Wales using the Strategic Route, and propose appropriate mitigation measures. The relevant sections of the stmp are enclosed in this ES. The option of using a route via Heol Treowen as a alternative to the Strategic Route between Newtown and Dolfor has also been considered, as shown in NTS-2. A further alternative has also been considered to access the A483 to the south of Newtown via the Mochdre Industrial Estate. The route is shown in NTS 3 where it follows the Strategic Route to Newtown on A483 before continuing on the A489 (Llandiloes Road) and turning left onto the Heol Ashley into Mochdre Industrial Estate. The final 3.4km of the access track required to connect the Strategic Route with the proposed Garreg Lywd Hill Wind Farm, leaves the Strategic Route at Cwm Y Berllwyd, and crosses the proposed Llanbadarn Fynydd Wind Farm to access the proposed Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm. This section of the Access Proposals is hereafter referred to as the Garreg Lywd Hill Access Route and uses an exisiting track, which would be upgraded, along with the construction of new sections of track across farm land. Commitment to maintain road conditions RES have produced a Traffic Management Plan, included in this Environmental Statement (Volume III). This sets out a commitment that any damage to public or private roads caused by RES or their staff and or subcontractors during construction works is repaired or reinstated. This involves working closely with the local council to undertake condition assessment surveys and inspections during construction of the wind farm. Traffic and noise management Traffic associated with the construction of the Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm Access Route has been included in the traffic calculations and assessment relating to the proposed wind farm. Potential for traffic arising from the physical construction of the Access Proposals on the Strategic Route would be managed by the Local Authority in line with usual arrangements for maintainance and upgrades of local highway, or via a construction management plan. The management of traffic associated with the use of the Strategic Route is detailed within the stmp. Any increase in traffic associated with the physical construction of the Access Proposals would be marginal in comparision with the exisiting baseline traffic flows, and therefore is unlikely to result in signficant effects requiring EIA. As set out in the Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm proposals, noise arising from construction of the Access Proposals would be managed in line with BS Noise control on Non Technical Summary - 3

7 ALTERNATIVES LANDSCAPE construction and open sites guidance. It is proposed that a Construction Method Statement would be prepared prior to construction that would include mitigation measures to minimise noise. Any increase in noise associated with the physical construction of the Access Proposals would be marginal in comparision with the exisiting baseline, is unlikely to result in signficant effects and therefore has not been considered further in this assessment. Road transport has been chosen as the preferred mode of transport. Alternative modes were considered, but discarded for reasons as follows: Railway - Most wind turbine components have great dimensions than can be accomodated by the rail nework and use of railway would not entirely remove the need for road transport. Waterway - the nearest waterway is the Llangollen Canal, which can not accommodate the size of wind turbine components required. The following possible access routes were identified in a Preliminary Road Assessment involving a desktop study followed by a visual drive-over inspection: Route A: This would be from A483 via an unclassified road past Blaen-Nant Du to the C1057 to the site. This would be unviable due to extensive road realignment along the entire route impacting on residential properties and significant junction modifications at the junction with the A483. Route B: This would be from A483 via off the road haul road to the C1057 to the site. This would use an existing farm track and would be potentially shared with the proposed Llanbadarn Fynydd Wind Farm site to minimise cumulative effects. A detailed route assessment ascertained that Route B, would be viable and could be developed in accordance with the Strategic Transport Management Plan. Alternatives to specific sections of the Strategic Route via Heol Treowen and the Mochre Industrial Estate have also been considered within this ES. Potential landscape effects have been considered in the design of the Access Proposals, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders as part of the Strategic Transport Management Plan. Detailed desktop assessment was carried out of published material on the landscape of the site and its wider context as part of the studies outlined earlier. Assessment The assessment includes the consideration of the potential environmental effects upon landscape and visual receptors: Direct effects arising from loss of landscape elements; and The level of visual change to potentially sensitive receptors (residential properties, footpaths) resulting from the proposed works. Direct impacts are predicted on landscape features, mostly verges and hedgerows and a section of conifer tree plantation along the Access Proposals. This affects mainly small sections of extensive and abundant landscape features. Most of the Access Proposals Non Technical Summary - 4

8 including all of the Strategic Route, and the Heol Treowen option are likely to be experienced in context of the adjoining highway and its associated infrastructure. Within the context of the local area and road and track network these changes are likely to be minor and not significant for most sections of the route. Generally, where residents views would not be screened by retained vegetation the construction works themselves will be brief and of a scale and similar to the sort of occasional road maintenance works that can reasonably be expected to take place. There are no locations where the proposed hedgerow removal would be likely to provide any of the limited number of local residents with a clear view of the road where they did not previously have any such views. The Mochre Industrial Estate Option has the potential to cause direct landscape effects of a signficant nature, due to the potential loss of landscape features such as hedgerows, shelterbelts, and woodland. Mitigation would involve minimising loss of these features where possible during the detailed design stage. Visual amenity is likely to be affected at the dwelling at Hafod-fach due to the close proximity and scale of the Access Proposals at a very local scale. Recreational receptors along Pen-I-Thon Baptist Chapel to Garn Cottage bridleway and at various public rights of way within Banc Gorddwr Common Land, are likely to be affected with changes to their visual amenity. This effect is considered to be moderately significant locally. However as it affects a single property and a short length of public right of way, within the context of the extent of the Access Proposals, the scale of the local landscape impact is considered not significant. Residents at Garth Owen on the outskirts of Newtown could experience moderately signficant effects from the construction of the Mochre Industrial Estate Option, subject to minimisation of effects during detailed design. During the construction phase, vehicles, machines, material stockpiles and supporting elements such as fencing and facilities may be visible in some views from properties. However, the construction phase at each location is considered likely to be short and of the type of activity that could reasonably be expected to take place occasionally along any adopted road: as such these would be not significant. Wind turbine deliveries and use of the passing places is likely to be short in duration and therefore visual impacts associated deliveries are considered to be minimal at not significant. Mitigation Measures The replacement of grass verges with cellular grassed reinforced paving is likely to enable the hardened verges to re-vegetate, and re-planting of hedgerows would reduce impacts in the medium to long term. ECOLOGY ASSESSMENT Ecology has been considered in the design of the Strategic Route, as set out in the Strategic Transport Management Plan. An assessment of this route was undertaken by Amec. Information from this report has been reviewed and updated where appropriate to inform this EIA. An ecological assessment of the Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm Access from the Strategic Route to the proposed wind farm was undertaken by Ecology Matters as part of an EIA for the Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm ES (2008). Assessment Along the Strategic Route, Heol Treowen Option and Mochdre Industrial Estate option, there is potential for adverse effects on hedgerow habitats and species, habitat for breeding birds, loss of foraging habitat and/or displacement of species, and loss of reptiles or reptile habitat due to removal of vegetation to facilitate transportation. These effects would be at a local level and as such are not considered to be significant effects from vegetation disturbance. Non Technical Summary - 5

9 Along the Garreg Lwyd Hill Access Route, there is potential for adverse effects on BAP habitat and wet, marshy grassland at a district level, due to removal of vegetation to facilitate transportation. These effects are not considered significant as they would be at a district level. Mitigation Measures A number of mitigation measures have been identified during construction, including the following: Preparation and use of a Construction Environmental Management Plan following consent and prior to construction, setting out detailed mitigation plans. These would be developed in consultation with Powys County Council and Natural Resources Wales; In light of the transient nature of certain species, e.g. badgers, otters and reptiles, pre-start checks/surveys will be undertaken of areas of appropriate habitat. This is not due to a lack of existing information, but is designed to mitigate any uncertainty that species present may have changed before start of construction; Procedures for the compliance with protected species (European and National) regulations, including the requirement for licences, if required; Programming of site clearance, particularly hedgerow removal, to avoid interference with bird nesting habitat between March and August. If avoidance is not possible, potential nesting areas would be inspected by a suitably experienced ornithologist. If nests are found, works in that area will be postponed until the young have fledged; Fencing of the construction working areas to prevent inadvertent encroachment into neighbouring areas. This is likely to include Herras type fencing of sensitive habitats; and Standard best practice construction methods for the control of noise, dust suppression, and the handling and storage of hazardous materials. In summary, effects on ecology are considered not signficant, but standard best practice measures will be employed as set out above. CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT Cultural Heritage has been considered in the design of the Strategic Route, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. An assessment of this route was undertaken by Amec. A cultural heritage assessment of the Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm Access from the Strategic Route to the proposed wind farm was undertaken by Cambria Archaeology for RES UK & Ireland Ltd. as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the Garreg Lwyd Wind Farm ES (2008) and the Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm Environmental Assessment of of Transport Route (2010) submitted to Powys County Council. The Heol Treowen access and Mochdre Industrial Estate options have been considered by Arup, based on desk based information, and incorporated into the assessment. Field visits along the Strategic Route were undertaken in 2013 by Amec. Field visits were also undertaken in June 2006 by Cambria Archaeology along the Garreg Lwyd Access Route. Assessment Direct physical effects are those that will have a direct physical effect upon heritage Non Technical Summary - 6

10 assets. These effects primarily occur during construction. No direct effects on known heritage assets have been identified. The Access Proposals may have indirect effects on heritage assets and historical buildings, known as effects on setting. Given the nature and location of the Access Proposals, the existing setting and landscape context of the adjoining highway, it is considered that there will not be significant impacts. Works outside the existing highway and in areas which have not previously been disturbed have a generally low potential to encounter archaeological remains. There is some potential, in a number of proposed passing place locations, for the structural remains of Roman roads, underlying the current road surface and/or roadside, to be encountered. Along the Garreg Lwyd Access Route, it is considered that the access track would be similar in form and appearance to existing roads and agricultural tracks that are already present in the landscape. Therefore the effect of the proposed access route and site entrance on the setting of heritage assets is considered to be neutral and not significant. Mitigation Measures Although significant effects are not anticipated, a watching brief on initial ground disturbance during construction will be maintained as best practice. HYDROLOGY, HYDROGEOLOGY AND GEOLOGY ASSESSMENT Potential hydrological effects from this type of project are more likely to arise in the construction phase, rather than during operation. The Strategic Route does cross a number of water courses but the Access Proposals do not directly affect any watercourses and are not within any areas considered to be at risk of flood as identified on the Environment Agency flood risk map. The highway upgrades required to facilitate the Strategic Route, are unlikely to give rise to significant environmental impacts. Along the Heol Treowen access route detail C will involve the extension of the existing culvert and re-profiling will be required at this location, but hydrological flow will be maintained. This, and the Mochdre Industrial Estate Option is adjacent to, but not within an area known to have been flooded in the past (Zone B, TAN15 flood map). The remainder of the Access Proposals along this section of the route are not within areas considered to be at risk of flooding. The assessment identified areas of activity during construction of the Garreg Lwyd Access Route that have the potential to impact upon hydrological/hydrogeological resources. Particular attention was paid to the risk of affecting private water supplies and potential impacts on the River Ithon and Gweunydd Esgairdraenllwyn or Esgairdraenllwyn Pastures SSSIs. Assessment The magnitude and significance of potential impacts from construction of the Garreg Lwyd Access Route was assessed, considering sedimentation/erosion, pollution and alteration to natural drainage patterns. Best practice measures will be implemented and adhered to the Environment Agency s Pollution and Prevention guidelines to manage erosion, sedimentation and pollution during construction. Accordingly, potential impacts are considered to be minor adverse and not significant. Non Technical Summary - 7

11 Mitigation Measures Following the grant of any planning permission, detailed site investigations for construction drainage plans will be developed as part of the Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm Construction Management Plan, in consultation with Natural Resources Wales. In addition, the design of all new or upgraded water crossings will be subject to appropriate consents or licences obtained before construction. SOCIOECONOMIC ASSESSMENT A desk based study was carried out to gather baseline data and to assess the socioeconomic effects of the Access Proposals. This assessment is based on the report provided by Sparks Fly Up in the Garreg Lywd Hill Wind Farm Environmental Assessment of Transport Route (2010). Assessment The Access Proposals have been assessed for their impacts on the local economy, amenity, traffic delays and character of the area. It is anticipated that there would be no significant negative effects on buisnesses using the road owing to traffic delays during the construction and delivery phase of the wind farm. This is because the route has a low usage of road users and delivery of loads would occur outside of peak times. The construction and operation of the Access Proposals are for a limited duration. There would also be positive impacts from the work, such as local employment opportunites during construction and, in the longer term, improved traffic flow. The Access Proposals will equate to capital investment in infrastructure as local businesses such as farm businesses will benefit from wider roads to pass oncoming traffic more easily, which may result in increased productivity for local businesses. Overall, it is anticipated that the socio-economic impact of the Access Proposals would be not significant. Mitigation Measures Widening work would only be carried out on one side of the road at a time, allowing traffic to pass. Some traffic management may be required and would be designed in agreement with Powys Highways. Non Technical Summary - 8