Inert Recycling (UK) Ltd Boxgrove Quarry Restoration Environmental Statement

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1 November 2013 Non-Technical Summary Empress House, 12 Empress Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7AE Tel:

2 Introduction Background EIA is a process by which the environmental impacts of a project are assessed, and where there is a significant impact that cannot be avoided, compensation or mitigation works are identified. The ES reports on the findings of the EIA and sets out those areas where potentially significant environmental effects have been identified. It forms an important part of the decision making process. This is a non-technical summary which gives an overview of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed Boxgrove Quarry restoration scheme. Environmental Assessment Following a site meeting on 1 February 2013 the proposed restoration of Boxgrove Quarry has been deemed by the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) to require an EIA. The following topics have been assessed as part of this EIA: The Water Environment Landscape and Visual Impact Ecology Archaeology Traffic and Transport Air Quality Noise

3 The EIA project team has been led by consultants WYG, with input from other specialists both internal and external to the company. The full project team comprises: Minerals & Waste Planning The Water Environment Landscape and Visual Impact Ecology Archaeology Traffic and Transport Air Quality Noise Site Description WYG WYG WYG WYG Archaeology South East David Mason Engineering Consultants WYG 24 Acoustics The development site at Boxgrove Quarry covers 18.9 hectares (Ha) and comprises the Boxgrove Quarry mineral void. To the north and west of the site are the A285 and the village of Halnaker. The northern boundary of the quarry is immediately adjacent to the Devil s Ditch archaeological site. To the south and east are Tinwood Lane and the village of Boxgrove. Boxgrove Quarry is a former gravel extraction site that operated from the late 1960s until The quarry void is un-restored with limited vegetation but the boundaries are well screened through a combination of earthworks and more established vegetation. The site location is shown on Figure 1 below:

4 The Proposals Background and Need Boxgrove Quarry was first worked in the late 1960 s for the extraction of hoggin ballast. In subsequent years a number of applications were submitted for the extension of time for mineral extraction and some restoration work was undertaken. An application to extend operations from 2004 until the end of 2006 was withdrawn and planning permission for the infilling of Boxgrove Quarry lapsed on 31 December 2004 without final restoration being achieved. A planning application was made in 2011 for the restoration of Boxgrove Quarry and the operation of recycling facility. However, this was refused planning permission by WSCC in November 2011 and this decision was upheld on appeal in December A revised restoration scheme has now been designed to take account of comments made by both the Planning Inspector ion his Appeal Decision and West Sussex County Council during the course of evidence presented at the Public Inquiry. There is an identified need within West Sussex to provide capacity for the management of inert waste, as set out in the West Sussex Waste Local Plan Submission Draft (updated November 2013).

5 Alternatives A number of potential alternatives to the proposed restoration scheme that is subject to assessment in this have been considered. These development alternatives include: No development A previously proposed restoration scheme Different restoration landforms No Development Under this option the site would be left in its current state and allowed to regenerate naturally over time. This was not considered to represent the best development option for three primary reasons: The site is currently derelict; leaving the site to regenerate naturally would perpetuate this lack of use and, as such, would not represent an effective use of land. A well designed and managed restoration to an appropriate afteruse is considered to be a more effective use of land. The site has been colonised by Japanese Knotweed. A managed restoration scheme would enable this invasive plant to be removed from the site in a controlled manner, thereby avoiding its possible spread to offsite locations. As a derelict site, the quarry attracts a variety of antisocial uses, including unauthorised off-road vehicle racing and other trespassing. A managed restoration scheme would return the site to active use and discourage antisocial activities. Previously Proposed Restoration Scheme A previous application was made in 2011 for the restoration of Boxgrove Quarry using inert materials and the operation of an ancillary recycling facility. This previous scheme was to result in the same restoration contours as are currently proposed, with the exception of retaining the bunds on the perimeter of the quarry and not leaving an area of existing habitat in the north of the quarry. This scheme was refused planning permission in November 2011 with the decision upheld on appeal in December The Inspector found that whilst... the proposal would meet an acknowledged need for inert waste management facilities... the scheme would... conflict with the development plan in terms of harm to the character and appearance of the area and the setting of the SDNP.

6 The revised scheme, that is the subject of this, has been prepared in light of the Inspector s comments in order that the development proposals are in accordance with the development plan. Revised elements of the currently proposed scheme include: the removal of the perimeter bunds to create a more natural landform; the provision of an area of existing habitat in the north of the quarry; no recycling facility on land to the east; and alterations to the proposed site access. Different Restoration Landforms Variations of the proposed restoration design have been considered. Such variations have included differing restoration contours to produce both high and low level final restoration profiles. However, such designs have been rejected on the basis that the final landform would not be in keeping with the local landscape and visual context of the site. Description of the Development The quarrying activities at Boxgrove Quarry have created a void space of approximately 425,000 cubic metres and it is proposed to restore the site with imported inert material to create a landform in keeping with its surrounds and able to support a matrix of new habitats comprising broadleaved woodland, pasture, wetland, and rough grassland. To create the proposed restoration landform requires approximately 425,000m3 of fill material which equates to approximately 640,000 tonnes. Soils that were stripped during the previous extractive operations at the quarry are currently stockpiled in bunds on the perimeter of the void. In order to achieve a final landform that ties wholly into the surrounds, these bunds would be removed and the soils used in the restoration works. The removal of these bunds would occur in the final stages of restoration thereby allowing them to perform a screening function during the course of the majority of the restoration works. These bunds contain approximately 55,000m3 of soils, equivalent to approximately 82,500 tonnes. Therefore the restoration will require approximately 370,000m3 of imported inert material (approximately 555,000 tonnes) to generate the required inert fill and restoration soils. Additional restoration soils would be produced through the operation of recycling plant within the quarry void alongside the restoration works. Recycling plant would screen material imported onto the site to produce recycled restoration soils and residual fill material. Recycled soils would be stockpiled prior to their use in the final phases of the restoration and the residual non-recyclable material would be used as fill within the quarry void. The restoration will be undertaken progressively in accordance with a phasing plan and the site will be engineered with a geological barrier to meet the requirements of the Environment Agency regarding permeability and stability.

7 A new access to Boxgrove Quarry is proposed via the A285. A private haul road that provides access to Ounces Barn to the east of Boxgrove Quarry, which has an existing access onto the A285, will be extended to link into a new entrance into Boxgrove Quarry that will be created on the eastern boundary of the site. It is proposed to restore the quarry in 3 phases. Phase 1 will fill the northern section of the site progressing in a southerly direction. Phase 2 will fill the remaining void in the west progressing in an easterly direction. Phase 3 will fill the remaining void in the south east in a north-easterly direction finishing at the site entrance. The final contours have been designed to create a landform which is in keeping with the surrounding landscape and mirrors as much as possible the original fall of the land. Following completion of each phase the restoration area will be capped with subsoil and topsoil ahead of restoration planting. The Environment Agency will regulate the site under the Environmental Permitting regime. The restoration material to be imported by HGV will access Boxgrove Quarry via the A285. HGVs will arrive principally via the A27 except for a small percentage that will access the A285 from the A272 to the north. The restoration of Boxgrove Quarry will require the site to be open for restoration and recycling between 07:00 18:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 13:00 on Saturdays. Post-Restoration The Restoration Concept Drawing is shown on page 8. The overall strategy for the restoration of the site is to create a mix of wildlife habitats across the restoration area with broadleaved woodland in the north and wetland areas in the south. The remainder of the restoration area will be open pasture for use in association with the equine business managed from Ounces Barn. Waste Reception Area The waste reception area is to be located to the south east of the Ounces Barn complex adjacent to the main site haul road. The purpose of a waste reception area is so that incoming loads of inert material can be inspected prior to being directed to the restoration area. The waste reception area will include an office for the site operative responsible for inspecting the incoming loads and collecting the waste tickets from the drivers. The waste reception area will also contain a wheelwash facility. This will be utilised by HGVs before exiting the site to ensure no mud or dirt from the site is transported on to the public highway.

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9 Office Building The office building will be a portakabin style unit measuring 3.08m x 2.90m and 2.57m high. It is proposed to colour the office Van Dyke Brown, however this will be subject to agreement by the local planning authority. Wheelwash The operator will install a Rhino Compact wheelwash facility at the waste reception area. Environmental Impacts Water Environment The water environment encompasses both surface water and groundwater. Details of the water environment at Boxgrove Quarry have been established via site visits, desktop studies and information obtained from a groundwater monitoring programme which informed a Hydrogeological Risk Assessment. At Boxgrove Quarry there are no existing watercourses or permanent bodies of water. The closest surface water features are a man made pond approximately 1km to the east and a tributary of the Aldingbourne Rife that emerges approximately 1.5km to the south of the restoration area. Surface water from rainfall at Boxgrove Quarry either soaks into the ground or evaporates. Boxgrove Quarry does not lie within a flood plain and has a low annual probability of flooding. With regard to groundwater, the majority of Boxgrove Quarry overlies a principal aquifer that is, due to the rock formations, of intermediate permeability. The restoration scheme has been designed to incorporate and manage the existing water environment at Boxgrove Quarry. During the restoration process, drainage systems, consisting of ditches on the periphery of the restoration area, will be put in place to ensure that excess surface water is appropriately managed and is able to drain naturally. Following the completion of the works the restored landform will be similar to that which existed prior to gravel extraction and will incorporate wetland features in the south of the restoration area that will manage surface water drainage as well as being of ecological value. Landscape & Visual Impact An assessment of the landscape and visual effects of the proposed restoration of Boxgrove Quarry has been undertaken.

10 The assessment considers that the main features of the development that may affect the landscape or visual amenity include: the movement of HGVs within the local area; activity and change within the quarry and on the site perimeter; and landscape alterations following completion of the restoration works. The potential for the development to result in adverse landscape or visual amenity effects was recognised at the design stage of the development. As such, a number of mitigation measures were included within the scheme design to reduce this potential. These include: phasing of the restoration works so that areas closest to residential properties are completed first to limit the duration of any potential intrusion; locating screening plant within the base of the quarry void; phasing of the removal of the perimeter bunds in line with the filling operations; and advance tree planting to the south and east of Ounces Barn to reduce the visibility of HGV movements. Following the completion of the restoration works there would be a long term benefit to the landscape of the site and its immediate setting. In relation to visual amenity, the assessment found that the visual effects of the development upon available views of the site would not be significant and that the changes in the quarry landscape would not be visible from the wider landscape. Following completion of the restoration works there would be long term beneficial effects as the restored land and vegetation become established and reintegrate the site into its landscape context.

11 Ecology The ecology of the Boxgrove Quarry area has been assessed in accordance with the guidelines of The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. The baseline ecological data was established via desktop study and a number of site surveys. There are no statutory designated sites within the proposed restoration area. A number of statutory sites lie within 2km of the site including the South Downs National Park and the Halnaker Chalk Pit SSSI. Only the Halnaker Chalk Pit SSSI is considered potentially sensitive to ecological change and the assessment concluded that with appropriate mitigation measures, including dust suppression, no significant impact would result from the proposed development. The assessment of ecological impact has focussed upon two identified distinct habitat areas within the development site: the quarry void and areas of broadleaved semi-natural woodland. A number of different species were identified within the habitats forming the area of assessment. These included species of breeding birds, invertebrates, badgers, bats and dormice. Following the adoption of mitigation measures, no significant impacts are anticipated upon the identified species during the restoration works with the exception of impacts to invertebrates and breeding birds due to the loss of the quarry void habitat. Impacts upon these species will be mitigated against by the provision of replacement habitat as part of the scheme design. Following the completion of the restoration works there are anticipated to be significant beneficial impacts to the species identified within the development area due to the creation of suitable natural habitats. Through the avoidance and protection of ecological receptors, the implementation of mitigation measures and the creation/management of new habitats, the restoration proposals will have no overall negative significant impact on the majority of ecological receptors. Post-restoration, the proposals have the potential to have an overall positive impact on broadleaved woodland through the creation of new woodland habitat. This will provide enhanced connectivity on and off site and promote dispersal of wildlife. In addition, the creation of new habitats, including wetland areas and equine/farmland has the potential to enhance the site for wildlife not currently present on site. Archaeology An Archaeological Assessment was undertaken to inform the consideration of the potential impacts of the proposed restoration scheme. Details of the archaeology at, and surrounding, Boxgrove Quarry were established via desktop study and site visits.

12 Within the boundaries of Boxgrove Quarry there are limited archaeological remains. However, adjacent to the northern boundary is the Devil s Ditch Scheduled Ancient Monument. The restoration scheme has been designed so as not to impact physically upon the Devil s Ditch Scheduled Monument by ensuring there is a standoff distance between the restoration workings and the archaeological site. Any surface or subsurface archaeological remains within the restoration area itself will not be impacted upon as no further extractive works are to take place. Following the completion of the restoration scheme there is likely to be a beneficial impact upon the setting of the Devil s Ditch scheduled monument. Traffic and Transport An assessment of the impact of the proposed restoration of Boxgrove Quarry upon the existing and predicted future transport conditions at, and around, the site has been undertaken. The assessment considers the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and employee traffic that would be generated by the proposals. The assessment was undertaken on the basis that there could be a daily average of 40 HGV movements associated with the proposed restoration works at Boxgrove Quarry. Employee traffic will generate an additional maximum of 8 car movements per day. The HGV and employee route to and from the site will use the A285. Approximately 8 of the total number of HGVs will travel to and from the north on the A285 and approximately 32 HGVs will travel south on the A285 to reach the A27. It is anticipated that employee movements will display a similar mix of northbound and southbound travel. No significant impacts arising as a result of the proposed development were identified through the assessment. There are considered to be negligible impacts upon pedestrians and others from the proposed increase in HGV and employee traffic on the A285. Similarly, the impact of the proposals upon accidents, driver stress, driver delay, and community severance is considered to be negligible. Air Quality A series of desk-based assessments were undertaken to establish the baseline air quality of the Boxgrove Quarry area. These studies determined that there are no sources of odour in the vicinity of the site and that the Boxgrove Quarry development was the only current source of dust likely to have a significant impact on the area. The potential receptors to changes in the air quality of the Boxgrove Quarry area have been considered through the EIA process. A number of receptors sensitive to either dust or vehicle exhaust emissions have been identified,

13 including residential properties and schools. The potential impact upon these receptors has been assessed. During the restoration works the potential impacts arising from changes to air quality at the identified receptors will result from the generation of dust onsite due to windblown material during restoration operations, exhaust emissions from on-site plant and vehicles and, exhaust emissions from restoration phase road traffic that will include HGVs and staff transport vehicles. Once the restoration work is completed there will be no impact arising from exhaust emissions associated with the site. A number of mitigation measures are proposed to reduce and remove the negative impacts associated with the restoration works at Boxgrove Quarry. The operator will adhere to dust mitigation measures including the use of a water bowser and sprays to dampen down restoration material and the cessation of work during adverse weather conditions. Other operational techniques will be employed to reduce the potential for dust impacts. These will include the minimisation of drop heights, the sheeting of vehicles and use of a wheelwash. The adoption of mitigation measures will ensure that no significant adverse impacts upon air quality arise as a result of the proposed restoration of Boxgrove Quarry.

14 Noise The noise impact assessment of the proposed restoration scheme identified a number of receptors in the vicinity of the restoration and recycling areas. The assessment has considered the noise impact from plant and machinery associated with the restoration works and the noise impact associated with both on-site and off-site HGV movements. The noise impact associated with the restoration of the quarry will vary between the identified receptors dependent on their location. The greatest impact is predicted to be at Ounces Barn during final restoration works undertaken at the weekend. The potential impact will be lower during the week due to higher background noise levels. However, at no time are the anticipated noise levels expected to exceed the level of 55 decibels that is suggested by national planning policy. The levels of road traffic noise associated with the restoration scheme are not expected to have a significant impact due to there being a negligible expected change from existing noise levels. A number of mitigation measures are proposed to reduce the impacts of the proposed restoration scheme. As the greatest impact is predicted to occur on Saturdays it is recommended that final restoration works are not undertaken within 150m of residential receptors on Saturdays. Best practicable means will be agreed with the Local Planning Authority to reduce noise levels to a minimum, these will include the regular maintenance of plant and appropriate working practices. Conclusions The purpose of the ES is to describe and assess predicted impacts objectively, so that any decision on the merits of the proposed restoration of Boxgrove Quarry can take into account the environmental information, including that arising in consultation under the EIA regulations, and respond to the question of whether, on balance, negative implications of development are outweighed by significant benefits. Following the completion of the restoration proposals Boxgrove Quarry will have been returned to a landscape more in keeping with the surrounding area and will benefit ecological diversity and the appearance of the natural landscape. The development will not generate any major long term negative effects and there will be no major significant off-site impacts. Overall the assessment demonstrates a long-term balance of impacts.

15 Subject to full implementation of the mitigation measures identified by the ES, negative impacts of the proposed restoration of Boxgrove Quarry are capable of being overcome or satisfactorily ameliorated. The overall judgement of the ES is that the impacts of the proposed development are outweighed by the benefits that will be generated by delivery of the proposed restoration. Further Information & The Next Steps Prior to making a decision on this planning application, West Sussex County Council will seek advice from Natural England, the Environment Agency, English Heritage and other consultees and will make the full Environmental Statement available for the general public to view and comment on. Copies of the full are available from: WYG Empress House 12 Empress Road Lyndhurst Hampshire SO43 7AE County Development West Sussex County Council County Hall CHICHESTER West Sussex PO19 1RG Printed copies are available from WYG at a cost of 100, or 25 for a CD containing Adobe Acrobat files.