Project Wellesley. Environmental Statement Volume 1 Non-Technical Summary

Transcription

1 Project Wellesley Environmental Statement Volume 1 Non-Technical Summary November 2012

2 2 Prepared For Rob Sanderson Defence Infrastructure Organisation Sutton Coldfield Prepared By AMEC Environment & Infrastructure UK Ltd Gables House Kenilworth Road Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 6JX Doc Reg No. L29161 rr123 Main Contributors Louise French Katie Hill Gail Hitchins Chris Hooper Tessa Jenkins Stephen Townend Issued By... Rachel Dimmick Approved by... Karen Wilson Site location Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. Crown copyright and database right [2011]. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number

3 Application Bo 1 What is proposed and what is the purpose of the Environmental Statement? The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is applying for outline planning consent to redevelop an area of land and an existing military training camp at Worthy Down Camp to the north of Winchester in Hampshire. These areas are described in this report as the Site. The planning application for this proposed development is accompanied by an Environmental Statement, as required under The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 (SI 1824) (the EIA Regulations ). The preparation of this Environmental Statement, which has been undertaken by AMEC E&I UK Ltd., forms part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed development. This report is the Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement. It summarises the content and conclusions of the Environmental Statement, to which readers should refer for further information. The following sections of the Non-Technical Summary describe: the reasons why the proposed development is required; what land uses are at the Site at the moment; what the proposed development will comprise; the EIA process; and the likely significant effects of the proposed development. Application boundary Key Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. Crown copyright and database right [2011]. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number Application Boundary (51.7ha) Project Wellesle

4 2 Why is the proposed development required? Why the development is needed As part of a wider study by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) (known as the Defence Training Review) Worthy Down Camp was identified as a site which could receive other defence training units, allowing the MOD to reduce the number of sites it currently occupies in total (which is a key aim of another study - the Strategic Defence and Security Review). Following on from this, feasibility studies were undertaken at Worthy Down looking at the condition of the existing buildings at the Site to see if they were fit for purpose for the new training units moving into the Camp. As several of the buildings within the Camp are in a poor condition and the numbers of staff and students at the Camp will increase, there is a need to replace some of the buildings within the Camp. In addition, as the numbers of military personnel based at the Camp will increase there is also a need to increase the amount of military family housing (known as Service Family Accommodation) just outside the Camp off Connaught Road. Therefore, DIO is applying for outline planning consent to redevelop buildings within the Camp and build new Service Family Accommodation just outside the Camp. Alternative layouts considered Alternative sites were considered as part of the Defence Training Review programme and this identified that Worthy Down was the best option to accommodate service personnel moving from Deepcut Princess Royal Barracks in Surrey as well as other sites. Once this decision was made and it was decided how many service personnel were likely to move to the Site then different options were considered to redevelop the Camp. This involved looking at the existing condition of the buildings within the Camp to identify which buildings required complete replacement, which needed refurbishment and which needed no work at all. Decisions were then made about the different types of training facilities needed based on how many staff would be working at the Camp and how many students were likely to attend courses at the Camp. To minimise effects on the environment and those living around the Camp, an indicative layout has been prepared which shows that the proposed new buildings have been located within the existing footprint of the Camp at more or less the same location as the buildings to be demolished. Following this approach has minimised the need to remove open spaces (such as the playing fields), the woodland around the Camp or to bring the development any closer to the village of South Wonston. In following this approach, effects on people s views and wildlife have therefore been avoided. Furthermore the total number of buildings within the Camp will reduce. Although some buildings will be taller in height than those currently at the Camp (three storeys instead of two storeys) the new taller buildings have been located in the southern parts of the Camp, where the topography of the Site falls, and therefore effects on peoples views will be minimised. None of the buildings within the redeveloped Camp will be taller than Alexis Soyer House, which will remain once the Camp is redeveloped. The number of Service Family Accommodation required was identified from the numbers of personnel moving into the Site. Different locations just outside the Camp were then considered as potential locations for the new housing. The final location (adjacent to the north of the existing family housing) was selected as it maintained the open gap between the Camp and the housing and also avoided the loss of an area of semi-improved calcareous grassland. This location will also minimise effects on the local landscape character as the new housing will be adjacent to the existing housing. The ground levels at this site will be excavated to reduce the heights of the houses and therefore minimise effects on views from South Wonston. Planting will also be included to help screen the new houses. What is at the Site and in the surrounding area at the moment? Worthy Down Camp is located approximately 5 kilometres north of Winchester and to the south of South Wonston. The Camp is surrounded by a 2m high security fence and within the Camp there are several buildings used by the MOD for specialist training purposes, such as classrooms, workshops and kitchens as well as buildings which provide accommodation for those working at the Camp and students. There are also offices and welfare facilities such as a gym, shop and health centre, and sports facilities such as playing pitches.

5 3 Overall there are about 30 buildings which vary in height from one to three storeys. The total area of the Camp within the security fence is approximately 46 hectares (about 460,000 square metres [m 2 ]) just under half of the Camp (about 20 hectares) comprises buildings and the remainder of the Camp comprises open space and woodland. To the west of the main Camp along Connaught Road and to the east of Christmas Hill is an area of existing Service Family Accommodation. The site of the proposed Service Family Accommodation is adjacent to the north and east of the existing Service Family Accommodation and currently comprises an arable field. The Camp and proposed Service Family Accommodation site (collectively referred to as the Site ) are largely surrounded by agricultural land. The nearest residential areas (other than the existing Service Family Accommodation) and the village of South Wonston (approximately 450 metres to the north of the nearest part of the Camp) is Springvale (part of the village of Kings Worthy) approximately 900 metres south-east of the Camp. What development is proposed The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is applying for outline planning consent for: the demolition of the majority of buildings within Worthy Down Training Camp; refurbishment of those buildings kept at the Camp; construction (within the Camp) of new buildings, comprising Single Living Accommodation, messes, offices, classrooms and training facilities, welfare facilities, storage and technical areas and workshops, resulting in an increase of floorspace of approximately 32,000m 2. construction of up to 90 houses (known as Service Family Accommodation) adjacent to an existing area of Service Family Accommodation just outside the Camp plus the new road access into this new area of housing. The drawing below shows an indicative plan of how the final development could be laid out. Illustrative masterplan Footpath to South Wonston Outdoor Training Area HQ and Lodger Unit Offices Indicative Layout of Proposed Service Family Accommodation Indicative Layout of Proposed Redevelopment of Main College Area Buffer Planting Retained Sports Pitches Retained Food Services Wing Training College Retained Central Cricket Pitch and Sports Pavilion Parade Square Military Training Delivery Potential Division Expansion Area Medical P&RTC and Dental Central Square JR Dining/ SNCO Club Mess JR SLA Retained Strategic Green Gap to SFA Museum and Reception Centre SNCO Accommodation Retained Access Point Retained Officers Accommodation JR SLA New Officers Accommodation Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. Crown copyright and database right [2011]. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number

6 4 DIO is applying for outline planning permission and will select a developer to undertake the redevelopment of the Camp and construction of the Service Family Accommodation. This developer will then be responsible for applying for a second, more detailed level of planning permission. It is possible that the proposed development could differ from the indicative layout shown above. However, the parameter plans have been developed to ensure that the building heights and extent of built development are limited, i.e. development will not exceed the limits set by the parameter plans. This will avoid certain environmental effects such as effects on people s views. Building heights parameter plan Up to the roofline of Alexis Soyer House (equivalent of 2 storey) Up to 3-4 storeys, but not above the roofline of Alexis Soyer House 2 Storey Service Family Accommodation Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. Crown copyright and database right [2011]. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number Land use parameter plan College Administration and Welfare Museum and Site Reception Living Accommodation Indicative Land Use Zones Within Proposed Development Area Proposed Sports and External Training Proposed Area for Development of New Training and Support Buildings Proposed Area for Development of Service Family Accommodation Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. Crown copyright and database right [2011]. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number

7 5 What does the Environmental Impact Assessment process involve? Environmental Impact Assessment is the process of identifying and assessing the likely significant effects, both positive and negative, from a proposed development. This involves identifying how people and the environment could be affected by the proposed development and incorporating measures within the development (often referred to as mitigation) to avoid, minimise or offset any significant negative effects. Nearly all development has some kind of effect, but the EIA process is about identifying whether these effects are likely to be significant or not. The Environmental Statement is the report that sets out the findings of the EIA. This Non-Technical Summary summarises the assessment and the conclusions as to whether the environmental effects of the proposed development are likely to be significant. Readers should refer to chapters 6 to 11 of the Environmental Statement (Volume 2 Main Report) and Volume 3 Appendices for more detailed technical information on the assessment, baseline information and methodologies which were used to assess the environmental effects of the proposed development. Separate reports (for example a Transport Assessment, Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy) have also been completed in support of the planning application. Readers may also wish to refer to these documents for technical queries relating to these issues. What are the likely predicted significant effects of the proposed development? Noise Sources of noise within and around the Site at present include road traffic on the local road network, including the A34, Christmas Hill and possibly distant traffic noise from the M3 as well as noise from a motor sport premises at Down Farm south of the Site. Sensitive receptors around the Site include local residents living in South Wonston and along local roads which could be affected by changes in road traffic flows as well as those living in the existing Service Family Accommodation and on the Camp. During construction, local people could be affected by noise from construction activities. There are no residential properties within 200m of the Camp however there is existing Service Family Accommodation in close proximity to the areas of proposed Service Family Accommodation development from which construction activity noise may be audible. During construction, contractors would be restricted in the hours that they can work and the noise assessment has defined a noise limit within which contractors would be required to operate. With these and other measures in place, noise from construction activities within the Site would be unlikely to result in significant disturbance to people living nearby. Noise from road traffic created by the development could have effects on those living in the Service Family Accommodation overlooking Connaught Road as the number of people working and training at the Camp will increase and therefore road traffic flows (and associated noise) will also increase. Traffic will travel to and from the Camp from the south (via Christmas Hill) but as there are no residential properties along this stretch of road, traffic noise effects on any residential receptors (other than Connaught Road) are unlikely to occur. The predicted increases in noise from additional road traffic along Connaught Road would be more than the three decibels that is needed to create a widely perceptible increase in road traffic noise external to all receptors. Therefore a more detailed assessment looking at the noise levels inside living areas within properties along Connaught Road has been undertaken. British Standards set out noise levels for living rooms to provide reasonable conditions for resting and sleeping during the day.

8 6 The assessment has shown that for those currently living along Connaught Road, internal noise levels would comply with, at minimum, the reasonable criteria of the British Standard which would not be significant. Internal noise levels may be substantially increased when these residents have their windows open and, that these internal noise levels would likely exceed the relevant criteria. However, it is likely (based on current traffic volumes) that noise levels already exceed these criteria within south facing living rooms. Therefore, there would be no change with respect to the British Standard criteria as a result of the operation of the proposed development for the existing occupants of Service Family Accommodation. There may be equipment (for example extractor fans) within some of the new buildings within the Camp. During the detailed design stage the contractor taking forward the design of individual buildings will be required to comply with guidance set out in British Standards to ensure that noise from such equipment does not exceed the existing quietest background noise levels. With these, and other measures in place, noise effects on people living close to these buildings are unlikely to be significant. Taking into account the baseline noise sources in the local area and the fact that the new Service Family Accommodation will be located further from road traffic noise along Connaught Road and Christmas Hill than the existing Service Family Accommodation, the proposed site is suitable for residential use. Appropriate double glazing specifications will ensure that the internal noise environment within the new properties will meet government standards. Historic environment The historic environment could be affected by the proposed development as a result of the loss of, or damage to, historic and archaeological features at the Site or in the surrounding area; collectively these are known as heritage assets. Baseline studies on the historic environment indicate that the areas proposed for development have the potential to contain archaeological remains of considerable heritage significance beneath the surface. Geophysical surveys have been undertaken on the Site to confirm the extent and character of any sub-surface archaeological remains as far as possible. Studies have also shown that a number of buildings within the main Camp have a degree of heritage significance and a range of historical associations have been identified that contribute to the heritage significance of the Site overall. In addition, to the north of the proposed new Service Family Accommodation there is a grade II listed feature: a Pickett-Hamilton Fort. This defensive feature was installed during World War II, when the wider site was an active airfield, to defend the airfield in the event of an attack. The proposed Service Family Accommodation has the potential to affect the setting of this feature. As part of the assessment, several measures have been identified to mitigate the effects on these heritage assets. In relation to the archaeology which may present beneath the surface of the Camp and Service Family Accommodation site, it is recommended that archaeological evaluation is undertaken before any construction work takes place. This will involve stripping earth away and mapping and recording any archaeological features or items found. In relation to those buildings within the Camp which have some heritage significance and will be demolished as part of the proposals (e.g. Junior Ranks Accommodation and Regimental Admin Office Building) a record will be made and kept prior to their removal. With these measures in place, effects on these features are unlikely to be significant. Due to its low height above ground level, the fort is obscured for much of the year by the crop planted around it and is not visible from Public Rights of Way at any time. In addition, existing Service Family Accommodation already forms part of the setting of this feature. The construction of the new Service Family Accommodation will bring housing development approximately 70m closer to the fort than is currently the case (the existing housing is approximately 205m from the fort). The new housing will include screening in the form of a new hedge/trees. Therefore for these reasons effects on the setting of the Grade II listed Pickett-Hamilton Fort are also unlikely to be significant. Landscape effects Landscape character and quality The proposed development will not have significant effects on the landscape and landscape character will largely remain unchanged. Within the Camp, some buildings will be demolished and rebuilt primarily within the footprint of the existing buildings and trees of value will be retained. The Service Family Accommodation will be constructed along the boundary of the existing Service Family Accommodation and will be small in scale. Visual effects The assessment of effects on people s views of the proposed development has considered the extent to which the development can be viewed and the degree to which views would change. This includes views of residents and users of roads, public open spaces and Public Rights of Way. There are a limited number of people who will have views of the proposed development during either its construction or operation due to the presence of higher land surrounding the Site and the extensive presence of trees and woodland within the edges of the Camp, to the south of the existing Service Family Accommodation and within the surrounding area. People whose views are likely to be affected by the proposed development are located within 1km distance of the Site.

9 7 Effects during construction of the development The demolition and construction work will not have significant effects on the views and visual amenity of people within the area. During construction of the Service Family Accommodation a number of people will see moving construction equipment and storage of materials, typical of many construction sites. These activities will be more noticeable for residents within the existing Service Family Accommodation, to the south, and for users of the Public Right of Way, to the east. Both are located at closer distance to the Site than residents of South Wonston. Whilst views will be adversely affected, the views of residents within the existing Service Family Accommodation will be filtered through existing retained trees. Footpath users will experience close distance views along a short section of their route only. Views of construction activities associated with the Camp will be limited by the presence of mature vegetation around its boundaries. The upper parts of construction activities associated with the demolition and construction of buildings i.e. scaffolding and cranes, will be visible above the boundary vegetation for a number of people, although these activities will form small scale elements within wider views across the agricultural landscape. Lower level construction activities may be viewed by people located at closer proximity to the Site, such as by users of local Public Rights of Way. However these views will be heavily filtered through boundary vegetation. Effects on completion of the development Once the development is complete there will be a number of changes in people s views associated with the new buildings and buffer planting within the Service Family Accommodation and new buildings within the Camp. The new Service Family Accommodation will be visible to a small number of residents and users of a short section of Public Rights of Way located on the southern edge of South Wonston. The houses would initially form new elements within long distance views and would increase the scale of built form within the existing view across the wider landscape although from South Wonston only the tops of the new houses will be viewed adjacent to the existing Service Family Accommodation. New tree and shrub buffer planting located on the northern and eastern edges of the Service Family Accommodation will grow and mature to screen and filter views of the buildings. At closer proximity to the Service Family Accommodation, a small number of residents within the northern part of the existing Service Family Accommodation and users of short sections of local roads and Public Rights of Ways will see the new buildings. From the south, views of the Service Family Accommodation will be filtered through existing retained vegetation and from the west only a small part of the new development would be visible. The new housing will be viewed in the context of the existing Service Family Accommodation housing. From the east, new buildings will initially form new elements in views from a short section of Public Right of Way. However, new buffer planting on the eastern part of the Service Family Accommodation will grow and mature to screen and filter views of buildings. There will be no significant visual effects when the houses are completed and any effects will be further reduced when the buffer planting has matured. The proposed buffer planting will serve to screen the new housing and existing views of the Service Family Accommodation. Thus in general, views will be enhanced as the planting matures. The redevelopment of the Camp will result in the replacement of existing buildings with new buildings. The new buildings will be restricted in height so as to not rise above the roof line of the existing food school which is to be retained. Thus there will not be in any meaningful change to existing views of the Camp from the surrounding area and there will be no significant visual effects resulting from the new buildings within the Camp. Summary Overall it is considered that the building of the new Service Family Accommodation and the redevelopment of the Camp, will result in very few detrimental landscape and visual effects. Any effects are reduced in significance by the retention of large areas of woodland and trees, the strengthening of existing vegetation within the Camp boundary and the introduction of new buffer planting on the northern and eastern parts of the the Service Family Accommodation. The majority of existing buildings within the Camp are regarded as being old and unattractive and these will be replaced with new attractive and fit for purpose buildings much akin to a modern classroom-based training establishment. Additional tree planting will also enhance the environment within and outside the Camp. Biodiversity A desk study and surveys undertaken in 2010, 2011 and 2012 identified the following sites, habitats and species of nature conservation importance occurring within the Site or close enough to it that they could be significantly affected by the proposed development: the River Itchen, which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (an internationally important nature conservation designation) and also as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (a nationally important nature conservation designation), the River Test, which is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, The Gallops, Worthy Copse and Worthy Grove all of which are Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (locally important nature conservation sites), broad-leaved woodland and semi-improved grassland and legally protected and priority species including bats (common

10 8 pipistrelle bat, soprano pipistrelle bat, Nathusius pipistrelle bat, noctule bat, brown long eared-bat and serotine bat), reptiles (slow worm and common lizard), birds (22 species of priority birds) and invertebrates (119 species) as well as other priority species such as hedgehog. In relation to these receptors, it was identified that a more detailed assessment of the potential effects of the proposed development on roosting bats and reptiles was needed as the effects on these receptors could be significant. The assessment identified that the proposed development may result in the removal of a building within the Camp which contains a bat roost used occasionally by a single brown long-eared bat. Further survey work in relation to this roost will be undertaken closer to the time of construction and if necessary all demolition works relating to the building containing the roost will be subject to a Natural England (the statutory body for nature conservation in England) bat mitigation licence detailing appropriate mitigation and enhancement measures. Furthermore, additional roosting sites for bats will be provided within the proposed redevelopment of the Camp. Bat tiles and bat bricks will be incorporated within new buildings to allow access to the roof spaces of new buildings. 30 bat boxes will also be installed in the areas of existing broad-leaved woodland and on mature standard trees where appropriate. Without preventative measures in place, the proposed development will also result in increased levels of disturbance to, and risk of killing/injury of the exceptional population of slow worm and good population of common lizard which have been found next to and around the edge of the Site. In order to avoid these effects, temporary reptile exclusion fencing will be installed around the edge of the construction working area and any construction compounds once work starts at the Site. Although this work will not require a licence from Natural England, a method statement covering the installation of the fencing will be written by a suitably qualified ecologist and agreed in advance with Natural England prior to construction work starting. Furthermore to reduce the risk of predation by cats (originating from the new Service Family Accommodation), enhancement measures (for example log piles) will put in place around the boundary of the Camp. These will provide ample cover for reptiles. Potential measures have been included in the design of the proposed development to mitigate effects on biodiversity. These include the additional planting of 0.67ha of new area of broad-leaved trees as well as the enhancement of 2.4ha of species-rich grassland (including the retention or relocation of the orchids within the amenity grassland), and the installation of bat tiles and bricks within the new buildings and 30 bat boxes on the mature standard trees located on-site and within the surrounding mature woodland. Bird boxes will also be erected on buildings and mature standard trees. In addition enhancent measures for reptiles will be implemented comprising the creation of 2.7ha of additional scrub planting and provision of features which will act as refuges for reptiles. A habitat creation plan detailing the environmental measures to be incorporated within the scheme design will be written by a suitably qualified ecologist at the detailed design stage of the proposed development. This will provide a detailed specification of the habitats to be created, together with a programme of works. Light, noise and pollution abatement strategies will also be included within the proposed scheme design and the Construction Environmental Management Plan. Where appropriate i.e. with respect to reptiles, a method statement will be prepared to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation. As a result of the environmental measures to be included within the proposed development design, it is concluded that the proposed development will not have any significant effects on the ecological receptors that the Site supports. The creation of additional areas of broad-leaved trees, species-rich grassland and provision of additional artificial habitat for bats, birds and reptiles will result in gains to the biodiversity on-site. Water resources The Site is located in the headwaters of the catchment for the River Itchen. Due to the Site s elevation and its location within a dry valley there are no watercourses within the Site. The geology underlying the Site comprises chalk and the soils underlying the Site also have high permeability and therefore any rain falling at the Site generally drains straight into the ground. The Site is at minimal risk of flooding from surface waters and lies within flood zone 1 (the lowest risk flood zone). There is a principal aquifer underlying the Site which supports water supply to the area and provides baseflow to rivers. There is one on site abstraction from this aquifer which supplies the camp, and the underlying aquifer also supplies another abstraction near Kingsworthy. The highly permeable characteristics at the Site and the proximity of it to the dry valley indicate that most surface water will drain into the ground and effects from the proposed development on surface watercourses are very unlikely. However in periods of high rainfall, surface runoff may be created which may then result in sediments or pollutant spillages from the Site reaching the surface waters downstream of the Site (River Itchen). To avoid significant effects on the water quality of the River Itchen as a result of construction activities at the Site, standard best practice measures, such as the incorporation of Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidance (PPG) notes and CIRIA guidance in the Construction Environmental Management Plan will be implemented to prevent pollution reaching this watercourse. Once operational, the proposed development

11 9 will include a sustainable drainage system which will also include measures to prevent pollution reaching the River. To avoid significant effects on groundwater features (for example the underlying Principal aquifer, Source Protection Zones and associated abstractions, and surface water baseflows) during construction, operation and demolition processes (e.g. sediment from ground disturbance) several standard best practice mitigation measures, such as the incorporation of Environment Agency PPG notes and CIRIA guidance into the Construction Environmental Management Plan and drainage strategy measures will be implemented. The Site itself is not a risk of flooding from surface watercourses (none are present within the Site) but redeveloping the Site and changing the extent of developed areas could have effects on the risk of flooding. Measures identified as part of the drainage strategy will be incorporated into the development design to control flows running off site thereby minimising off-site flood risk. Standard measures will be implemented to adhere to National Planning Policy Framework guidance such that any changes to drainage systems on site (attenuation ponds etc) will be designed so that run-off from the Site does not exceed the existing runoff rates. The foul drainage associated with the new Service Family Accommodation will be connected into the existing sewage infrastructure for the existing Service Family Accommodation. This will ultimately discharge to Harestock Wastewater Treatment Works which then discharge water to the River Itchen. It will be the responsibility of Southern Water, which operates the wastewater treatment works, to ensure that there are no significant effects on the River Itchen as a result of the need to treat an increased amount of sewage. Water efficiency measures will be implemented to minimise water demand and maximise water re-use where feasible, for example through rainwater harvesting and/or greywater technology. These approaches will be considered during the detailed design process taking account of MOD policy on Sustainable Development. Other environmental issues There are a number of other environmental issues that have not been the subject of detailed assessment in the Environmental Statement as it is considered that the proposed development will not have a significant effect in relation to these issues (i.e. these effects have been scopedout of the assessment). An explanation as to why these issues have not been assessed in further detail is provided below. Traffic and transport Early on in the EIA process a review of the potential percentage changes in traffic flows resulting from the proposed development along the road network was undertaken. These changes were compared against the standard methodology used to determine whether traffic effects on people (pedestrians, cyclists and drivers and those living close to the road) required detailed assessment. The results of this initial analysis showed that either the increases in traffic flows were below the level at which further assessment would be required or there were no homes in close proximity or levels of pedestrian or cyclist activity were likely to be low. The majority of the traffic travelling to and from the Site will travel via the A34, Christmas Hill (from the south) and roads to the south of the A34/Christmas Hill. Few or no people live along this route and levels of pedestrian and cyclist activity are likely to be low. In discussion with Hampshire County Council (the Highway Authority) and local bus service providers, measures will be developed to improve cyclist access along Christmas Hill south of the Site, pedestrian access between the Site and South Wonston and improved bus services between the Site, Winchester and Basingstoke. During construction, traffic flows are likely to be lower than operational traffic flows. Traffic will be restricted to travelling to the Site from the south (i.e. via the A34 and Christmas Hill) to avoid travelling past sensitive receptors such as houses adjacent to Christmas Hill in South Wonston. HGV flows will be managed where possible to avoid deliveries during peak traffic hours. Therefore for these reasons construction traffic effects are unlikely to be significant. A separate Transport Assessment has assessed how traffic from the proposed development will affect the functioning of the transport network. Air quality Reports produced by Winchester City Council show that there are no air quality problems existing in the area around the Site and levels of air quality pollutants, including those associated with road traffic exhaust emissions, are likely to be well below the air quality standards set by the Government in relation to the protection of human health. There are also no sources of dust within or around the Site. An analysis of the changes in traffic flows (both during construction and once the proposed development is operational) has shown that either the increase in traffic will not be great enough to trigger the need for more detailed assessment, or the existing and future daily traffic flows in total will not be great enough to result in air pollutant levels which would exceed the government standards.

12 10 Therefore significant air quality effects associated with road traffic from the proposed development are unlikely to be significant. There are people living in the existing Service Family Accommodation in close proximity to the areas where construction works would take place for the new Service Family Accommodation. During construction (and demolition within the Camp), measures would be put in place to minimise and control the spread of dust. These measures would include covering or damping down material stockpiles, locating such stockpiles away from residential properties and installing wheel-washing facilities so that vehicles leaving the Site do not spread dust and mud onto local roads. If required, screening such as fencing would be placed around the construction site. With these measures in place local residents are unlikely to experience significant effects from dust. Socio-economics A review of the spare capacity in the existing local schools (South Wonston Primary and Henry Beaufort School) has shown that both schools can accommodate additional pupils and therefore the children living in the new Service Family Accommodation are unlikely to affect services at these schools. Heath care facilities for military personnel living in the Camp and the new Service Family Accommodation will be provided in the Camp. Families of military personnel living in the new Service Family Accommodation will need to use existing health care services in the local area. Discussions will take place with the local planning authorities and primary health care services and, if services have limited capacity and are likely to be constrained by an increase in the numbers of people in the local area, then developer funding will be provided to improve local services. The proposed development is unlikely to have significant effects on the local community and economy in terms of job opportunities. During construction, whilst some local opportunities may be made available, it is likely that the developer or construction contractor will make extensive use of existing employees. Once construction is complete the number of civilian employees based at the Camp is likely to reduce slightly (by 10). Although this is a negative effect, given the low number of jobs lost this is unlikely to be significant for the local community or economy. Whilst this may increase the local spend on services and goods (including local shops and facilities) this is likely to be small-scale. There will be increased numbers of staff and students based at the Camp. These personnel may increase local spending in the wider local area (for example in Winchester). However, as many services are provided within the Camp (such as messes, gym, canteen and convenience shop) it is unlikely that any increase in spending, whilst positive, will be of a scale to have significant effects for the local economy. Land quality The construction works will be designed to ensure that soils are removed, stored and protected so that the risk of contamination from construction activities is minimised, the physical characteristics of the soils, such as drainage properties, are maintained and soil erosion is avoided. A desk study has been completed looking at potential sources of contamination across the Site. This has identified that the impact of identified contamination sources is likely to be limited and localised; hence contamination is considered unlikely to be widespread across the entire Camp area. Before construction work starts, a detailed intrusive ground investigation in the area of the Camp followed by a range of standard remediation measures will be put in place, where required, to bring the Site up to a standard suitable for the proposed uses at the Camp. In general, the Site of the proposed Service Family Accommodation comprises agricultural land, and is likely to be suitable for redevelopment in its existing state. A limited site investigation in the agricultural fields will be undertaken to confirm that the soil is uncontaminated and that it is suitable for a residential use prior to construction work taking place. The results of the soil chemical analysis will identify whether the soil can be reused in the development or if it will need to be removed from site. No agricultural land will be lost as a result of redevelopment within the Camp. The construction of the new Service Family Accommodation will result in the loss of 4 hectares of Grade 3 agricultural land. Agricultural land identified as Grade 3a to Grade 1 comprises Best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land. The proposed development of the Service Family Accommodation will result in the loss of less than 0.001% of Grade 3 agricultural land within Hampshire and therefore is unlikely to be a significant effect. Effects on the local economy in terms of spending for example are unlikely to be significant. During demolition and construction there may be increased demand for services and goods from contractors and workers involved with the project. However, whilst beneficial to the local economy, these effects are likely to be small-scale and temporary. Once complete the proposed development will result in a small increase in the local population (about 214 people living in the new Service Family Accommodation).

13 11 What happens next? Prior to determining the planning application, the Council will seek advice from the Environment Agency, Natural England and other organisations. Members of the public will also be able to comment on the planning application. The normal period for determining a planning application such as this is 16 weeks. Where can more information be found? The ES is available to view at Winchester City Council s offices at the following address. Winchester City Council City Offices Colebrook Street Winchester SO23 9LJ Or online at planning-applications/

14