Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non- Technical Summary For Wates Developments Ltd and Pellipar Investments Ltd December 2015
Contents 1 Introduction 3 2 The Proposals 8 3 Environmental Impact Assessment 10 4 Traffic and Transportation 15 5 Socio-Economic Issues 17 6 Air Quality 19 7 Noise and Vibration 21 8 Landscape and Visual Impact 23 9 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 26 10 Agriculture 28 11 Water Environment 30 12 Ecology 32 13 Availability of Environmental Statement 35 Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 1
1 Introduction What is this document? 1.1 This is a non-technical summary of the Environmental Statement (ES) prepared to support development proposed at Hounsome Fields, south west Basingstoke ( the Site ). 1.2 The proposals relate to the creation of a new residential area consisting of 750 new homes, a three form entry primary school and neighbourhood centre, including a community centre, local retail facilities, children s nursery, an indoor sports hall ( the Proposed Development ). The Proposed Development is described in greater detail below. 1.3 The non-technical summary (NTS) is a standalone document. It is required under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 (as amended). 1.4 The NTS is designed to be read on its own. It explains the environmental implications of the Proposed Development in ordinary language, informing them of key details and allowing them to decide whether they would like more detail on the proposals. 1.5 More information and greater technical detail is available in the ES which reports on the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out to assess the environmental effects of the Proposed Development. The ES is a separate document which has been submitted as part of the planning application. Please see Section 13, Availability of Environmental Statement, for details on how and where to view the ES. What is being proposed? 1.6 Wates Developments Ltd and Pellipar Investments Ltd. are applying for planning permission for the construction of a new residential area at Hounsome Fields. 1.7 The Proposed Development includes: Up to 750 homes; A local centre, which will include a principal community centre; A private children s nursery; Local retail facilities; An indoor sports hall; Outdoor sports pitches; Public open space; Allotments; and A three form entry primary school. 1.8 In addition to the primary uses listed above, works will be undertaken to provide the following supporting infrastructure: A new roundabout access from the A30 Winchester Road; A bus and emergency only access from the A30 Winchester Road; Multi-functional green space and landscaping within the Site; Sustainable urban drainage systems, to control run-off from the Site; and Associated parking. Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 3
1.9 The new roundabout access would be provided along the A30, and would be the main Site entrance. The roundabout has been designed to accommodate future development at the nearby Golf Course Site to the west, although no plans are currently proposed for this. 1.10 The secondary site access would be located south of the main roundabout access, to provide an entry point for bus and emergency vehicles. This will allow the extension of existing bus routes to run through the Site. 1.11 Highways upgrade works along the A30 are proposed, in order to accommodate traffic related to the Proposed Development and other nearby developments. Please see Section 4 for further detail on transport. 1.12 The Proposed Development is described in further detail in Section 2. Where is this happening? 1.13 The Site is located in south west Basingstoke, along the A30 Winchester Road and north of Junction 7 of the M3. 1.14 The Site sits within the following context: North of the Site is bordered by a strip of mature woodland, beyond which lies an agricultural field, and the settlement of Kempshott to the north east. To the east, the Site is bordered by Winchester Road (A30), beyond which lie Basingstoke Golf Club and the Beggarwood settlement. The south of the Site is bordered by Trenchard Lane, beyond which lies open woodland, agricultural fields, and the M3 motorway and Junction 7 roundabout. To the west, the Roman Road forms the western boundary of the Site. Beyond this lies open agricultural fields and woodland. On the southwestern edge of the Site lies an existing farm settlement, which includes the Grade II Listed Southwood Farmhouse. 1.15 The existing access point into the Site is from the A30, in the south east of the Site. 1.16 Figure 1 shows the Site s location.
Figure 1 Site Location Plan The Site What is located on the site at the moment? 1.17 The Site comprises approximately 45 hectares (ha) of agricultural land and woodland. 1.18 The land is roughly rectangular in shape, broadly slopes from north to south, and is located along the A30 to the south west of Basingstoke. 1.19 There are no existing buildings on the Site; however, the Grade II Listed Southwood Farm lies approximately 50m west of the Site boundary. 1.20 There are areas of mature woodland on the north-western and south-eastern perimeters of the Site, and two spines of mature woodland within the middle of the Site, aligned north east to south west, and connected by a hedgerow. 1.21 In the eastern part of the Site is a small area of woodland, and a hedgerow along the eastern perimeter. 1.22 Within the southern part of the Site lies an existing access route bordered by trees which connects the A30 in the east with Southwood farm to the west. 1.23 Figure 2 shows an aerial view of the Site. Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 5
Figure 2 Aerial View of the Site Why is this development being brought forward? 1.24 Basingstoke has forecasted that an annual target of 850 new homes is required to meet projected demand. The draft allocation (Policy SS3.12) within the emerging Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan responds to the need identified by the Council. 1.25 The Site is considered suitable for residential development, and is subject to a draft allocation under Policy SS3.12 within the emerging Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan. The draft Local Plan was considered recently by a planning inspector at an Examination in Public (EiP). The inspector s report is due in spring 2016, after which it is anticipated the Local Plan will be formally adopted. An allocation establishes that development of a site, in accordance with relevant policy, would be acceptable in principle. 1.26 The draft allocation under Policy SS3.12 includes a number of uses, including a primary school and community facilities, the majority of which are being provided. 1.27 The Site s development is expected to bring socio-economic benefits to Basingstoke, and contribute towards projected growth in housing demand. Basingstoke has forecasted that an annual target of 850 new homes would be required to meet projected demand.
1.28 The Site forms a natural extension to the existing Basingstoke settlement, and has the potential to provide economic, housing, and employment benefits which will contribute to wider strategic aims of the region. It is located in close proximity to a range of key transport links, including the M3 motorway, and its selection for development is supported by policy. Further information is available within the Planning Statement submitted in support of the planning application. 1.29 The Site s urban fringe location, transport links, size, and ability to sustainably contribute to wider strategic development goals are key elements in its suitability for mixed-use residential and commercial development. 1.30 The Site will also complement the future Manydown proposals expected to come forward, which would be located to the north, and future development at the Golf Course Site to the east. The access road from the A30 has been designed to be able to accommodate these proposals. Who has been consulted? 1.31 The proposals have been formulated following consultation with the local public, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council ( BDBC ), statutory consultees, and key stakeholders, in the form of a public exhibition, preapplication meetings and through the EIA process. 1.32 A public exhibition was held at Beechdown Events Centre, Down Grange Lodge, Winchester Road, Basingstoke, on Friday 13th November (1200-2000) and Saturday 14th November (0930-1500). This was attended by around 70 members of the public and provided the public with the opportunity to discuss the proposals with the project team. 1.33 Further information on stakeholder and community engagement is provided within the Statement of Community Involvement submitted in support of the planning application. Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 7
2 The Proposals What will the redevelopment process involve? 2.1 Broadly, the Proposed Development will involve: Enabling works, including creation of temporary access points, Site preparation, including site set up and service diversions; Ground works, including topsoil strip and excavation for building foundations, New infrastructure, including utilities and roads, Building of structures; Internal fit out of buildings; and External works and landscaping. 2.2 Machinery used during redevelopment will consist of standard demolition and construction plant, and will include excavators, piling rigs, and mobile cranes. 2.3 The Site will be secured and surrounded with hoardings to ensure public safety and to mitigate potential effects from construction noise and dust. How long will it take? 2.4 The demolition and construction programme associated with the Proposed Development is anticipated to span an 11 year period, from spring 2017 to 2028. 2.5 The planning application is in outline form, and establishes the principle of development; however detailed permission is being sought for the access arrangements. Subject to the approval of this application, a further planning application will be required to finalise details relating to appearance, scale, landscaping, and layout. 2.6 Detailed construction phase planning will be conducted before work begins on-site, and will be the responsibility of the principal contractor once they are appointed. When will the redevelopment activity take place? 2.7 The proposed working hours are 08:00 18:00 hours Monday to Saturday, with no working on Sundays, Bank Holidays or Public Holidays. 2.8 Occasional abnormal deliveries or inspection of equipment could take place outside of these hours. What will it look like afterwards? 2.9 The Proposed Development will be a high quality mixed use development, providing up to 750 homes ranging from 1 to 5 bedrooms, a three form entry primary school, a neighbourhood centre which will include a community centre, a private children s nursery, local retail facilities and an indoor sports hall. 2.10 Figure 3 below gives an indication of what the scheme could look like. It should be noted that the planning application does not seek approval for this level of detail, and this masterplan is provided as an informative illustration of how the Proposed Development could look. The development is assessed through a series of parameter plans which establish the maximum extents of development, key areas for certain land uses, and the access points.
Figure 3 Indicative Masterplan Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 9
3 Environmental Impact Assessment What is an EIA? 3.1 The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is the mechanism by which development proposals are appraised in terms of environmental criteria, in addition to socio-economic, engineering and technical considerations. 3.2 The purpose of the EIA is to establish the nature of development proposals, and the environment in which they are likely to take place, in order to identify likely significant effects on the environment that may arise. 3.3 Both the short-term and long-term effects of development, including temporary and permanent impacts, are considered. This is done by comparing the existing situation at the start of the work (baseline) with the projected situation during and after the Proposed Development. 3.4 The Site area of the proposals (~45 ha) exceeds the applicable thresholds (1 ha of urban development and 150 homes) outlined in Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 (as amended). A formal Screening Opinion was received from BDBC on 5 th November 2015, which confirmed that an EIA would be required. 3.5 Given the nature of the proposals, and subsequent increases in traffic, emissions and noise, an EIA is considered appropriate to test the likely significant effects of the proposals. The Applicant has therefore prepared an Environmental Statement (ES) to accompany the planning application, which details the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development as identified during the assessment process. 3.6 This non-technical summary forms an important part of the EIA process. Please refer to Section 1 for more detail on the non-technical summary. What environmental effects does the EIA consider? 3.7 An EIA should consider all likely significant environmental effects resulting from the proposals. These are identified through the process of scoping, which identifies where effects may be likely to occur, and allows the assessment to focus on the most significant issues. 3.8 A scoping exercise was undertaken by the project team to identify the likely significant effects on the environment, and this informed the proposed scope. A formal Scoping Opinion was then requested from BDBC, who consulted a number of stakeholders to inform their response. The Scoping Opinion was received on 2 nd December 2015 and BDBC s comments have been considered and responded to in the ES. Chapter 2 of the ES contains further detail on scoping. 3.9 Table 1 illustrates the organisations consulted as part of the formal scoping process.
Table 1 List of Statutory Consultees Consultees Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Various Departments Hampshire County Council Various Departments Historic England Natural England Highways England Environment Agency Thames Water South East Water 3.10 The following topics were identified as those with potential for significant effects to arise, and therefore were scoped into the assessment: Traffic and Transport; Socio-Economic Issues; Air Quality; Noise and Vibration; Landscape and Visual; Archaeology and Cultural Heritage; Water Environment; Agriculture; and Ecology and Nature Conservation. 3.11 The following topics were agreed to not be included in the assessment, as they were identified as not likely to have significant environmental effects: Ground Conditions (stability, pollution and contamination); Daylight, Sunlight, Overshadowing, Light Pollution and Solar Glare; Telecommunications and Electronic Interference; Arboriculture; Wind Microclimate; and Odour. 3.12 In addition to the effects resulting from the proposals, other developments within the wider area have been considered. This is to account for any cumulation between effects resulting from the construction of these surrounding developments, known as committed developments. The following schemes have been considered (BDBC application reference numbers are shown in brackets): Land at Kennel Farm (BDB/77382 and 15/00905/RES) Golf Course Site (Local Plan allocation) Area N (14/02752/FUL) Critical Treatment Hospital (15/01225/OUT) Kempshott Park (13/00155/FUL) Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 11
3.13 In addition to testing the Proposed Development, the EIA has assessed a higher number of homes in certain assessments. The Traffic and Transportation, Socio-Economic Issues, and Water Environment assessments have assessed a figure of up to 850 homes. 3.14 This approach has been discussed with BDBC and is considered to respond to the longer term opportunity the Site presents to accommodate a higher level of residential development when neighbouring site allocations are built out at Kennel Farm and Basingstoke Golf Course, and when planned infrastructure across these sites has been delivered in a comprehensive manner. All other assessments are based on 750 homes. 3.15 Notwithstanding the above, outline planning permission is only sought for up to 750 homes. Any future increase in residential development would be subject to a separate planning application and separately considered by BDBC. How will environmental effects be managed? 3.16 Environmental controls (or mitigation measures) will be introduced to eliminate, reduce or offset likely significant adverse environmental effects resulting from the proposals. Mitigation measures are described in greater detail in the individual technical ES chapters (6 to 14). 3.17 The environmental controls proposed include: Preparation of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) which clearly sets out the methods of managing environmental issues for all involved with the proposals, including supply chain management; Requirement to comply with the CEMP included as part of the contract conditions for each element of the work. All contractors tendering for work will be required to demonstrate that their proposals can comply with the content of the CEMP and any conditions or obligations secured through the planning permission; In respect of necessary departures from the above, procedures for prior notification to BDBC and affected parties would be established; Establishing a dedicated point of contact and assigning responsibility to deal with demolition and construction related issues if they arise. This would be a named representative from the contractors team; and Regular dialogue with BDBC and the local community. 3.18 The above controls are expected to be secured by appropriate planning conditions or obligations. Who has been involved in the EIA process? 3.19 The EIA process has involved communication and collaboration between the Applicant, Deloitte Real Estate, the project architects and technical team, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, statutory consultees (shown in Table 2) and the public. 3.20 Table 2 illustrates the project team and their roles.
Table 2 Project Team and Roles Organisation Expertise Wates Developments Ltd and Pellipar Investments Ltd The Applicant Deloitte Real Estate Town Planning, Public Consultation, EIA Coordination, Socio-Economics Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners Masterplanning and Urban Design, Landscape and Visual Impact i-transport Traffic and Transport Peter Brett Associates Air Quality, Water Environment and Flood Risk, Ground Conditions, Utilities and Drainage 24 Acoustics Noise and Vibration Thomson Ecology Ecology and Nature Conservation Orion Heritage Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Reading Agricultural Consultants Agriculture Bluesky Limited Energy / Sustainability SJA Trees Arboriculture What were the results of the EIA? 3.21 The following sections summarise the methodology used in determining the likely significant effects of the proposals and a high-level overview of the outcomes of the EIA. 3.22 This section is organised into technical subjects. Greater detail can be found in the relevant chapters of the Environmental Statement (6 to 14) and their technical appendices. 3.23 The technical topics are those elements of the environment considered likely to experience significant effects and therefore assessed in the EIA. These are identified in paragraph 3.10. 3.24 With regard to the assessment for each topic, the subsequent sections discuss: Methodology and scope; Baseline conditions; Likely significant effects of the Proposed Development; Mitigation; and Likely residual effects following mitigation. Significance of Effects 3.25 The likely effects of the proposals have been classified according to their significance. 3.26 Significance is determined as a function of both the magnitude of change from the baseline environment and the sensitivity of the receptor. Chapter 2 of the ES describes this process in greater detail. Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 13
3.27 This serves as a useful guide for specialists to assess effect significance. Where discipline-specific methodology has been applied that differs from these generic criteria, this has been clearly explained within the relevant ES chapters (6 to 14). 3.28 Table 3 illustrates how most significance ratings were determined. Table 3 Effect Significance Ratings Magnitude Sensitivity High Moderate Low Major Moderate Minor Major Adverse / Beneficial Major - Moderate Adverse / Beneficial Moderate - Minor Adverse / Beneficial Major - Moderate Adverse / Beneficial Moderate - Minor Adverse / Beneficial Minor Adverse / Beneficial Moderate - Minor Adverse / Beneficial Minor Adverse / Beneficial Minor - Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible 3.29 For the purposes of the EIA, only moderate and major effects are deemed significant, and negligible and minor effects are not deemed significant. 3.30 For the ease of the reader, and to highlight the results of the assessment, significance ratings are shown in bold below in the topic-specific sections of this document.
4 Traffic and Transportation 4.1 An assessment of the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development on the Site and surrounding area in respect of traffic and transportation has been undertaken. New traffic and car trips generated by the Proposed Development have been assessed using standard approaches and in accordance with guidance, and these are contained within the Transport Assessment (TA) submitted as part of the planning application. The EIA assessment draws upon data within the TA to assess the environmental effects of traffic generation. 4.2 The assessment has considered the environmental implications of additional road traffic arising from the Proposed Development. The environmental assessment methodology used follows the Institute of Environmental Assessment (IEMA) Guidelines which set thresholds where an environmental effect could be noticeable to a sensitive receptor, such as pedestrians and drivers. In summary, the guidance sets this threshold at a 30% increase in traffic or 10% in sensitive locations. 4.3 The effects of the Proposed Development on highways and traffic movements have been assessed across the local road network. Where flows in traffic have increased above the IEMA thresholds, further assessment has been undertaken in relation to the effect on: Severance (the perceived division that can occur within a community when it becomes separated by a major traffic route); Driver Delay (delays experienced by car users); Pedestrian Delay and Amenity (delays experienced by pedestrians, and the pleasantness of their journey); Fear and Intimidation (increases in traffic can affect perceptions of danger); Accidents and Safety (additional traffic may lead to greater numbers of road accidents); Hazardous Loads (some materials can pose a hazard when in transit). 4.4 Potential impacts from traffic on noise and air quality have been considered separately within other parts of this report; however the same traffic assessment data was used for consistency. 4.5 The baseline conditions were identified by collecting traffic data for roads local to the Proposed Development, and between Junction 7 of the M3 and the Brighton Hill Roundabout. A strategic Transport Assessment (TA) has been produced by BDBC, which identifies future traffic flows in the context of planned improvements and developments. The strategic TA has been drawn upon within this assessment, along with other traffic survey data which has been collected. 4.6 During the busiest period of construction, it is predicted that there will be approximately 137 two-way vehicle movements per day, including 39 HGV movements; the remaining 98 movements would be expected to be staff cars and light vans. The majority of construction staff will commence work at 08:00, and therefore workers will be travelling to the Site outside the network morning peak hour when the greatest traffic flows occur on the local highway network. The predicted increase in traffic flow during construction is below the IEMA assessment thresholds, or is on junctions which are not considered to be sensitive. Therefore, most effects during construction will be temporary, short-term and negligible. It is likely that construction activity will continue to occur when some dwellings are occupied. New residents will take trips by car and create additional traffic movements on the local highway network. This gives rise to the potential for a combined minor adverse effect on delays to other drivers. Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 15
4.7 Once the Site is fully occupied, and prior to any mitigation, most effects resulting from changes in traffic flows have been assessed as negligible. Effects on driver delay and accidents and safety would be minor adverse; however the provision of funding for improvements to local transport infrastructure would result in moderate beneficial effects on delay to other drivers, and minor beneficial effects on accidents and safety. 4.8 Mitigation will reduce the effects of development, so that overall the Proposed Development has a negligible to moderate beneficial effect on local roads. Mitigation has been designed into the proposals to minimise effects on traffic, and includes optimised junction layouts and the A30 roundabout access. Additional mitigation would include off-site junction improvements, including improvements at the Wallop Drive roundabout, Kempshott roundabout and Southwood Corner, along with pedestrian and cycle improvements and a Travel Plan which will identify measures to encourage users of the Site to travel sustainably. 4.9 Due to the assessment method which has been used, cumulative traffic effects have been included within the assessment and are not considered separately. 4.10 In summary, traffic relating the Proposed Development, either during construction or once occupied, will not give rise to significant environmental effects. 4.11 Figure 4 below illustrates the locations where traffic survey monitoring was conducted. Figure 4 Traffic Monitoring Locations
5 Socio-Economic Issues 5.1 A socio-economic assessment has been conducted to identify the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development with respect to the following topics: Population; Housing; Employment; Local Expenditure; Healthcare Facilities; Education; and Open Space, Recreation and Amenity. 5.2 The assessment has considered the impacts of the Proposed Development during the construction and the operational phases, in order to identify potential effects and ascertain any requirements or opportunities for incorporating mitigation measures. 5.3 Where appropriate, the assessments have considered the worst case scenario of up to 850 homes to ensure that the assessment is robust. 5.4 Published statistics and information in the public domain have been collected to establish the baseline conditions. The assessment has been carried out using a combination of quantitative methods based on published formulae and qualitative approaches based on guidance, professional judgement and experience of other major mixed use development projects. 5.5 The assessment identified minor beneficial effects resulting from the creation of approximately 148 jobs during the 11 year construction phase. Construction workers spending money within the local area would create a moderate beneficial effect on local expenditure, and sufficient amenity space is available to construction workers for effects on open space, recreation and amenity to be negligible. As construction workers will be unlikely to permanently relocate, effects on the local population will be negligible. Effects on housing, healthcare facilities, and education were not assessed for the construction phase as they would not be expected to give rise to significant effects. 5.6 Once constructed and occupied, effects of the Proposed Development in terms of population are anticipated to be minor beneficial; this is on the basis of balancing the Proposed Development s features which benefit the future population, against potential effects of the additional population (eg. noise, overcrowding, etc.) causing disturbance to the wider existing community. The Proposed Development includes a range of open space and infrastructure for recreation and amenity, which will be a major beneficial effect. The new homes proposed will provide a significant contribution towards BDBC s housing target of 850/year, and 40% of the homes will be affordable (defined by government as 80% of market rent/value). Therefore effects on housing will be major beneficial. The additional population within the area would increase demand upon local health infrastructure by approximately one additional GP, and this will be mitigated through the negotiation of financial contributions with the local authority; following financial contributions, the effect would be minor adverse. The Proposed Development includes a 3 form entry primary school, which would create up to 630 new school places, and benefit the wider area where a lack of existing capacity has been Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 17
identified, and therefore effects on education will be major beneficial. 97 jobs would be created by the nonresidential uses of the Proposed Development, creating a minor beneficial effect on employment. 5.7 Cumulative effects of the Proposed Development with other schemes during the construction phase on employment and local expenditure would be moderate beneficial due to increases in construction jobs and spending in local shops. Effects on population, housing, healthcare facilities, education, and open space and amenity were not assessed cumulatively for the construction phase. 5.8 Cumulative effects during the operational phase on healthcare facilities would be minor adverse, and negligible for education, as developers should be expected to contribute to infrastructure improvements; cumulative effects on open space and amenity will be negligible. Effects on population were judged to be minor adverse due to increased population numbers, and effects on open space, recreation and amenity would be negligible as BDBC standards would be expected to be met by all developments. Operational construction phase effects on local expenditure are moderate beneficial; and effects on employment and housing are concluded as major beneficial. 5.9 Mitigation has been designed into the Proposed Development to meet the population s needs, including the primary school, local shops, nursery and sports facilities. Additional mitigation measures to address the effect of additional demand upon local healthcare infrastructure will comprise financial contributions to the local authority.
6 Air Quality 6.1 An assessment has been undertaken to identify the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development with respect to air quality. Effects resulting from the construction and operation of the Proposed Development have been assessed in accordance with relevant guidance and best practice. In line with guidance on air quality assessments, the assessment classed effects as either significant or not significant. 6.2 The main air pollutants considered in the assessment are dust and fine particulate matter (PM 10 ) for the construction phase effects, and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), PM 10 and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) for the operational phase effects. Baseline data indicate that the existing air quality conditions at the Site and in the surrounding areas are good. 6.3 For the road traffic effects assessment, ten existing properties were chosen as receptor locations due to their proximity to the road network and junctions. In addition, six locations within the Site were chosen to represent locations where air quality would likely be most affected by traffic emissions. 6.4 During construction, mitigation measures will be required to prevent dust emissions affecting existing residential properties in the vicinity of the Site and for future residents of the Proposed Development as it is built out. Mitigation would be a condition of the planning permission, and is standard practice on construction sites. As there may be several developments in the local area being constructed at the same time, cooperation between developers with regard to the mitigation measures being employed is recommended. A Construction Environmental Management Plan will be prepared for agreement with the council. With mitigation measures in place during construction, no significant environmental effects are predicted and the effect is not significant. 6.5 With the Proposed Development fully occupied in 2028, predicted pollutant concentrations at the ten existing receptor locations are not predicted to exceed national air quality objectives. This is because the existing baseline conditions are relatively good, and air quality effects arising from road traffic emissions are thus judged to be not significant. In addition, air quality in the Site is considered to be suitable for future residents as concentrations at the six proposed receptor locations are not predicted to exceed air quality objectives. 6.6 Cumulative effects of the Proposed Development and other schemes during construction will be not significant, as it is expected that best practice construction measures would be implemented and secured through planning conditions. In terms of traffic effects on air quality, as the assessment uses the same traffic data as the transport assessment (see Section 4). 6.7 Figure 5 overleaf illustrates the location of air quality monitoring locations, and receptors which were assessed. Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 19
Figure 5 Air Quality Receptors and Monitoring Locations
7 Noise and Vibration 7.1 An assessment of the likely significant effects of noise and vibration relating to the Proposed Development has been undertaken. The assessment indicates the significance of the impacts from construction activities and operation once the Proposed Development is occupied. 7.2 Construction noise and vibration have been assessed, and recommendations made for appropriate management of noise and vibration during the construction period. The operational assessment considered the effects of existing noise sources around the Site impacting upon future residents, and the impacts of increased levels of traffic noise once the Proposed Development is occupied. The potential for noise generation to arise from the Proposed Development has also been reviewed, and mitigation measures have been recommended where necessary. 7.3 The nearest existing residential receptors to the Site are at Southwood Farm including Southwood Farm House and New Cottages, Kynance and Keepers Cottage to the south-west of the Site and Cottages near the Golf Club to the north-east of the Site. 7.4 Baseline conditions at the Site were determined by undertaking noise measurement surveys. Traffic data consistent with the traffic and air quality assessments was used to simulate the existing baseline traffic noise characteristics across the Site. 7.5 The noise assessment identified potential adverse effects during construction, and therefore mitigation will include a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) to control and minimise construction noise and vibration. This would be a condition of planning permission, and would contain provisions to control and monitor construction noise, and which ensure that significant effects do not occur. Proper management of construction noise and vibration and the proposed mitigation measures will result in a negligible residual effect. 7.6 The noise assessment identified potential adverse effects once the Proposed Development is occupied, which could be experienced by future residents located near to Southwood Farm and the Critical Treatment Hospital. Therefore, for the benefit of future residents, a range of mitigation measures and options will be considered to minimise potential noise effects at properties. The most appropriate measures would be determined during the more detailed design stage, and could include orienting houses to minimise road noise, using specialised windows for sound insulation, providing alternative forms of ventilation, and locating gardens in areas of lower noise. A woodland buffer is proposed along the eastern perimeter bordering the A30, which would provide a barrier to noise from the A30 entering the Site. Noise limits will be set for the primary school area, and for detailed design of the Proposed Development any future planning application would need to demonstrate that these can be met. 7.7 For properties more distant from the road, the level of noise mitigation measures required would reduce. Noise limits are proposed to control the noise from non-residential uses, and specific noise limits will need to be achieved within residential properties. The control of noise to acceptable levels will be enforced through a condition of planning permission. Following the implementation of mitigation measures, a limited number of properties nearest to the Hospital site will experience a minor adverse residual effect (due to sirens, engines, deliveries etc.), while all other effects will be negligible. Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 21
7.8 Cumulative effects have been considered, and the proposed construction mitigation measures will minimise noise effects at both the Proposed Development (if houses are occupied before all construction is complete) and properties at Kennel Farm. The impact of construction noise on noise sensitive receptors at Kennel Farm is considered to be negligible. 7.9 Traffic noise cumulative effects, when all committed developments are considered together, are considered minor adverse in the short term and negligible in the long term. 7.10 Figure 6 shows noise receiver locations which were assessed. Figure 6 Noise Receiver Locations
8 Landscape and Visual Effects 8.1 An assessment of the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development has been undertaken which considers effects on landscape character, views, and visual amenity within the Site and the surrounding area. The assessment scope was discussed with officers at BDBC, and has followed current best practice. 8.2 Baseline studies were undertaken to establish the current landscape character of the Site and surrounding area, and were based on National, County and District Assessments. Elements within the Site that are important to landscape character include areas of mature woodland and trees, the arable land use and the line of the Roman Road. 8.3 Digital terrain mapping was used to identify locations where the Site is theoretically visible. Additional fieldwork was undertaken to determine where screening is also provided by buildings, other vegetation and localised variations in the landform, because the terrain mapping only shows the screening provided by topography and significant blocks of woodland. 8.4 The baseline work identified the people in the surrounding area who may experience changes to views (e.g. residents and users of footpaths/ bridleways including the bridleway to the west of the Site and Wayfarer s Walk to the south). The potential for changes to views out from the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and on people travelling into Basingstoke on the A30 have also been considered. 8.5 A selection of views has been agreed with the Council which were used to assess the visual effects. Landscape Effects 8.6 The Site is located within the Oakley and Steventon Landscape Character Area, as defined within the Basingstoke Landscape Character Assessment. The Site itself has been assessed as having medium sensitivity to change, due to the presence of the A30 whereas the wider character area has high sensitivity to change. 8.7 Localised landscape effects during construction would arise due to the removal of trees and the change from agricultural land to a construction site. This would have a moderate adverse effect on the Site itself and a minor adverse effect on the Oakley and Steventon Landscape Character area. There would be a minor adverse effect on the Dummer and Popham Down character area and a negligible effect on the Basingstoke Down character area. 8.8 The Proposed Development would result in a permanent moderate adverse effect locally, as a result of urbanisation of the Site and its change from an open, agricultural use. However, due to the strong sense of enclosure and visual containment provided by blocks of woodland this would only result in a minor adverse effect on the wider Oakley and Steventon Landscape Character Area. There would be a minor adverse effect on the Dummer and Popham Down character area and a negligible effect on the Basingstoke Down character area. Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 23
Visual Effects 8.9 The effect of the Proposed Development on people in the surrounding area has been considered. No protected or designated views would be affected. 8.10 Visualisations have been prepared to assess the visual effects from five of the representative views around the Site. They show the maximum height parameters of the Proposed Development and therefore represent the worst case scenario for potential effects. 8.11 People in the surrounding area will generally experience some temporary effects during the construction phase of the Proposed Development but these will not be significant. However, people using the nearby Roman Road bridleway to the west of the Site, will experience a localised significant visual effect passing the Site. Occupiers of Southwood Farm would also experience a significant visual effect in winter. Visual effects are generally more pronounced in winter, due to a lack of tree leaf cover which reduces the screening effects of trees. 8.12 In the first year following the completion of development, the following significant visual effects on receptors in the surrounding area have been identified: Occupiers of Southwood Farm (moderate adverse winter effect). Users of bridleway 738 for a distance of 170m crossing the Site (major adverse effects) [viewpoints 1, 2, 3 and 10 on Figure 7 below]. Users of bridleway 738 for a distance of 390m (moderate to major adverse effects depending on seasonal screening) [viewpoints 1, 2, 3 and 10 on Figure 7 below]. Users of footpath 725 for a distance of 2-300m approaching Southwood Farm (moderate to major adverse effects depending on seasonal screening) [viewpoint 6 on Figure 7 below]. People travelling along the A30 passing the proposed access into Site (moderate adverse) [viewpoints 5 and 7 on Figure 7 below]. 8.13 Mitigation has been incorporated into the Proposed Development s design, including the provision of planting on the western edge of the Site, landscape corridors, setting development away from Southwood Farm, New Cottages and Keepers Cottage and during construction by the protection of important trees and mature woodland by providing adequate buffers and protection, which will be secured by planning condition. 8.14 The following is suggested to mitigate the significant effects summarised above. Planting within the buffer on the western part of the Site to provide screening of winter views along the bridleway and from Southwood Farm; Early phasing of planting on the western side of the Site to help it become established before adjoining parts of the Site are developed; Structural planting along the new frontage to the A30 in the vicinity of the roundabout; The use of roof and walling materials of suitable colour and type that the visual effects are minimised; and The design of the landscape and public realm within the Site.
8.15 The effects remaining after the above mitigation would comprise a moderate adverse landscape effect at a site-wide level as a result of the urbanisation of the current agricultural land. This is an inevitable consequence of any development on a currently undeveloped site and is not considered to be significant in the context of the draft local plan allocation, known or emerging policy position, and the fact that there would be no significant residual effect on the wider landscape character of the area. All of the significant visual effects would be mitigated by the end of year 15 following the completion of the Proposed Development, as the landscaping will have matured. All other landscape and visual effects at year 15 would therefore be negligible to minor adverse, and not significant. 8.16 The potential for cumulative effects with other developments has been considered. There would be a change to the landscape character at the southern end of Basingstoke that would have significant effects on the landscape character of sites as a result of urbanisation. The proximity of development to the urban area and the extent of screening, would limit the effect on the wider landscape. Overall, the Proposed Development, in combination with other committed developments would not lead to any significant visual effects that have not already been considered within the assessment, and for which mitigation is proposed. 8.17 Figure 7 shows the local landscape and visual receptors which were assessed. Figure 7 Visual and Landscape Receptors (Local) Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 25
9 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 9.1 An assessment of the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development on archaeology and cultural heritage has been undertaken. The assessment considered the effect on below ground archaeological remains and on the settings of designated heritage assets, such as listed buildings. 9.2 A heritage desk-based assessment has been produced that considers all recorded archaeological remains and listed buildings within and in the vicinity of the Site. This was followed by a geophysical survey of a large swathe of the Site that was suitable for surveying, in order to gain an understanding of what lay beneath the Site. 9.3 The Site is located on the eastern side of the Roman Road, which stretched from the Roman town of Silchester to Winchester. This survives as an earthwork in places immediately to the west of the Site. There are prehistoric and Roman settlement remains recorded to the north and north east of the Site. The geophysical survey has established the presence of remains thought to be associated with an Iron Age/Roman settlement that has recently been excavated immediately to the north of the Site. Southwood Farm is a grade II listed building located outside of the south western part of the Site. The south western part of the Site lies within the setting of the farm. 9.4 Construction of the Proposed Development will impact upon archaeological remains that are located within the Site. A programme of archaeological evaluation trenching will be undertaken as a condition of planning permission. Should the evaluation reveal archaeological remains that will be impacted by the construction of the Proposed Development, then this will be followed by further archaeological investigation. Following the implementation of the proposed archaeological evaluation and any follow on investigations, there will be a minor beneficial effect on non-designated archaeological heritage assets due to the research undertaken on the archaeology of the Site and the contribution to the understanding of the heritage of the area. 9.5 Direct effects on designated heritage assets during construction and operation would be negligible. There will be no direct physical impacts on the listed Southwood Farm; however, the Proposed Development will affect the setting of the farmhouse. The Proposed Development has been designed to retain the tree lined approach to the farm from the east and also has a minimum 100m wide buffer of open space. There will be a long-term minor adverse impact on the setting and heritage significance of Southwood Farm. This will reduce as the planting within the Proposed Development grows and matures to provide visual screening. 9.6 Figure 8 overleaf illustrates the location of archaeological assets which have previously been identified around the Site.
Figure 8 Location of Archaeological Assets Surrounding the Site Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 27
10 Agriculture 10.1 An assessment of the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development on agricultural circumstances has been undertaken. The assessment considered the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development on agricultural land, soil resources and farm holdings, in light of national policies that seek to direct development to areas of poorer quality agricultural land rather than higher quality land; and to protect and enhance the functioning of soils. 10.2 Under the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) system, agricultural land in England and Wales is graded between 1 and 5, depending on the extent to which physical or chemical characteristics impose long-term limitations on agricultural use. Grade 1 land is excellent quality agricultural land with very minor or no limitations to agricultural use, and Grade 5 is very poor quality land, with severe limitations due to adverse soil, relief, climate or a combination of these. Grade 3 land is subdivided into Subgrade 3a (good quality land) and Subgrade 3b (moderate quality land). As indicated above, land which is classified as Grades 1, 2 and 3a in the ALC system is defined as best and most versatile agricultural land. 10.3 A detailed soil and ALC survey of the Site was carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) in 1994, under the classification system still used today. Copies were obtained of the original maps and reports and the results were re-analysed in line with the MAFF revised guidelines, and have been found to be robust. As the ALC system is concerned with the long-term physical characteristics of soils, the quality of land will not have changed in the interim. 10.4 Information on the existing land use and farming circumstances of the Site was obtained directly from the farmer, using a standard farm impact questionnaire. 10.5 The soil resources at the Site comprise mostly shallow medium and heavy clay loams or medium and heavy silty clay loams over chalk, which are mostly downgraded to Subgrade 3a on soil droughtiness (ie. lower amount of water within it). The northern part of the Site contains heavier textured topsoils with deeper subsoils over chalk, which are downgraded to Subgrade 3a on soil wetness and workability. The Site is therefore considered to be good quality agricultural land. 10.6 Construction of the Proposed Development will result in the loss of the agricultural productivity of the Site. The loss of approximately 45 hectares of land classified as Subgrade 3a is assessed as an impact of moderate adverse significance, for which no mitigation is available. 10.7 During the construction period, the damage to or loss of the soil resources on the Site, which are relatively sensitive to handling and movement because of their textures, can be mitigated by implementing a Soil Management Plan which would reduce the residual impact on the soil resource to minor adverse. 10.8 The Site is in arable cultivation and is occupied by one farming interest, which is a large-scale arable enterprise based nearby at Dummer. The Site has been farmed by the current interest for the last 25 years in the knowledge and on the basis that it may not be available to the farm year to year which, together with the very small proportion of the farm affected, results in a negligible effect on the farm holding for which no mitigation is required.
10.9 As the Proposed Development is contained within well-defined boundaries and designed with substantial areas of linear green space and woodland buffers, the impacts from the Proposed Development on adjoining or nearby agricultural land will be negligible. 10.10 Suitable ongoing management of the soil resources underpinning the green infrastructure during the operational phase will ensure that they can continue to fulfil their various ecosystems functions, which will be a minor beneficial effect. 10.11 Figure 9 below shows an extract from the MAFF ALC maps used in the assessment. Figure 9 MAFF ALC Map Extract Hounsome Fields, Basingstoke Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary 29