Thornton Road, Pickering Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary January 2016
EIA Quality This Environmental Statement, and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out to identify the significant environmental effects of the proposed development, was undertaken in line with the EIA Quality Mark Commitments. The EIA Quality Mark is a voluntary scheme, operated by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), through which EIA activity is independently reviewed, on an annual basis, to ensure it delivers excellence in the following areas: EIA Management EIA Team Capabilities EIA Regulatory Compliance EIA Context & Influence EIA Content EIA Presentation Improving EIA practice To find out more about the EIA Quality Mark please visit: www.iema.net/qmark Contents 1.0 Introduction... 1 1.1 Background... 1 1.2 Environmental Assessment... 1 1.3 Site Description... 2 2.0 The Proposals... 5 2.1 Background and Need... 5 2.2 Alternative Sites... 5 2.3 Alternative Development Scenarios... 5 2.4 Description of the Development... 8 3.0 Consultation... 9 3.1 Approach to Consultation... 9 4.0 Environmental Impacts... 10 4.1 Ecology... 10 5.0 Summary... 11 5.1 Conclusions... 11 5.2 Management of Environmental Impacts... 11 5.3 What happens next?... 11 Sylatech
1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background 1.1.1 This document summarises the Environmental Statement (ES) which accompanies the planning application by Sylatech (trading as MicroMetalsmiths in Kirkbymoorside) (hereafter termed the Client) for a development on land to the South of Thornton Road Industrial Estate. The Proposed Development comprises Business (B1 Use) and Industrial (B2 Units) use. 1.1.2 This document is a summary of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in non-technical language. The main Environmental Statement (ES) (Volume 1) and the supporting Appendices (Volume 2) contain detailed information on the project and each of the environmental topics considered. 1.2 Environmental Assessment 1.2.1 EIA is a formal process by which the likely environmental effects of a project are assessed, and where there is potential for a significant negative effect that cannot be avoided, works are identified to lessen the effect (mitigation). The ES reports on the findings of the EIA and sets out those areas where likely significant environmental effects have been identified and the mitigation proposed to lessen predicted effects. It forms an important part of the planning application decision making process. 1.2.2 A screening opinion (to determine whether a particular development requires an EIA), was requested by the applicant from the local planning authority, Ryedale District Council (RDC) on 13th March 2015. A response was received on 21st April 2015 confirming that an Environmental Statement is required. 1.2.3 It was determined that the characteristics of the development fall under the following development types within the EIA Regulations: Section 10a of Schedule 2 of the EIA Regulations; Infrastructure Projects. 1.2.4 The threshold set out in the schedule that indicates whether a development is likely to require an EIA is where the area of the development exceeds 0.5 hectares. In this case, the development has an area of approximately 6.6 Hectares (Ha) and it has been determined that the development has the potential to give rise to potentially significant environmental effects, so therefore the project is defined as a Schedule 2 development. 1.2.5 No formal scoping process (to determine the extent of issues to be considered in an EIA) for this development was undertaken to determine the required scope of any EIA, however, the proposed technical information to be submitted within the application was outlined within the Screening request letter. 1.2.6 The screening opinion from RDC confirmed that an EIA would be required to support the application; specifically, they stated that because of the nature, size and location of the Proposed Development that the EIA should have regard to the likely impact on a known population of Great Crested Newts and their habitat both on and within the vicinity of the site. 1.2.7 WYG interpreted this response as meaning that a single topic Environmental Statement in respect to ecology would be sufficient to support that application and this approach has been agreed via informal discussion with RDC in December 2015. 1.2.8 The EIA project team has been led by EIA co-ordinators from WYG, with ecology input also provided by WYG. Sylatech 1
1.3 Site Description 1.3.1 The site is located approximately 1.6km southeast of Pickering town centre, centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 481040E 482870N. 1.3.2 The Proposed Development Site is a brownfield site which is located outside the existing development limits of Pickering and currently consists of a cattle grazing field. The main access to the site is from Outgang Lane to the west. 1.3.3 The site is rectangular in shape and comprises an area of approximately 6.6 hectares (Ha) and is located approximately 1.6km to the south east of Pickering town centre as shown on Figure 1, the redline boundary for the Site is shown on Figure 2. 1.3.4 The site was previously used for the processing and desulphurisation of natural gas. 1.3.5 In terms of the surrounding area the predominant land use to the south, east and west of the site is agricultural with a small number of residential and commercial properties to the west on the opposite side of the Outgang Lane. A disused railway line runs to the south of the site. 1.3.6 To the immediate north is Thornton Road Industrial Estate which contains a variety of units including vehicle maintenance garages, a Skip hire business, a plastics injection moulding business and gas appliances and oil and gas exploration suppliers. Beyond the existing Thornton Road Business Park and the A170 to the north is agricultural land. 1.3.7 The Site comprises predominantly improved grassland immediately surrounded by areas of scrub vegetation and plantation woodland edges to the north, east and southern edges. 1.3.8 Outside of the Site to the east, south and west of the Site the land use is primarily agricultural with a small number of residential and commercial properties to the west on the opposite side of Outgang Lane. To the north of the Site is Thornton Road Business Park, the units closest to the site along the northern boundary contain vehicle maintenance garages and other small industrial units. 1.3.9 Beyond the agricultural land to the east is the village of Thornton-le- Dale and the North Riding Forest Park, and to the west and northwest of the site is Pickering town. Beyond the existing Thornton Road Business Park and the A170 to the north is agricultural land, beyond which is the North York Moors National Park. Sylatech 2
Figure 1 - Site Location Plan Sylatech 3
Figure 2 Redline Boundary Plan Sylatech 4
2.0 The Proposals 2.1 Background and Need 2.1.1 The EIA process started when Sylatech began investigating the development of an area of land to the south of the existing Thornton Road Industrial Estate to the south east of Pickering town centre. 2.1.2 Sylatech operations locally are currently split across two sites which include a building within the Thornton Road Industrial Estate and another site supporting several buildings located approximately 11.8km west of the proposed development site in Kirkbymoorside. 2.1.3 The existing premises are far from ideal for modern production practices and are severely constrained due to existing buildings which have been adapted and repaired over time and the enclosed nature of the sites which limits the potential for redevelopment. Given the constraints posed by the existing sites, Sylatech have sought to consolidate their activities on one site within the Ryedale District. 2.1.4 The Proposed Development site is located outside of the development limits of Pickering and is not an allocated site, however, the site is identified in the Ryedale Employment Land Review 2006 and the subsequent update produced in 2010 as a short to medium term priority site for potential employment development. 2.1.5 The Site was identified as having good potential to support the development and was progressed to a more detailed feasibility study that included a site visit, technical consultations, and a planning policy review. This feasibility study indicated that the site was potentially technically, environmentally and financially viable for the Proposed Development, but that further assessment and clarification was needed. 2.1.6 There is therefore a clear logic behind these proposals, the need to consolidate activities on a single site and clearly demonstrates significant investment in this rural location, retention and creation of jobs locally and positive development on brownfield land adjacent to a well established industrial estate. 2.2 Alternative Sites 2.2.1 Ryedale District is a largely rural District in North Yorkshire with a series of market towns which comprise the main areas of settlement within the region. A significant proportion of the district lies within the Howardian Hill Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or within the North York Moors National Park and these natural landscapes are a limiting factor in providing sustainable forms of development without impacting on the natural or historic environment. 2.2.2 In this particular circumstance Micro Metalsmiths have an existing workforce which is largely based in the settlements of Kirkbymoorside and Pickering and therefore any new site must be situated within a appropriate location which is accessible so as to retain this workforce. 2.2.3 As a result the number of potential sites which are suitable for such a development are limited and the remaining options were to redevelop one of the existing sites or to build on a new site. Given the constraints posed by the existing sites, Micro Metalsmiths have sought to consolidate their activities on one site within the Ryedale District. 2.2.4 The Proposed Development area is considered to be the most suitable option as it is situated on a brownfield site which lies to the south of the existing Thornton Road industrial estate. 2.3 Alternative Development Scenarios 2.3.1 The Development Site is identified by the clients as being the preferred location to accommodate development of this nature, during preparation of the proposal, a series of development scenarios have evolved for the Site that seek to accommodate both the aspirations of Sylatech 5
the client and the various environmental constraints which have been informed by the technical studies on the site. 2.3.2 There have not been any specific concerns raised by the Local Planning Authority or other stakeholders in respect to the design proposals as such these have not had any bearing on the layout. Utilities 2.3.3 The design layout has been constrained by the location of a gas main which crosses the south western most corner of the site, as such there is a 25m no build zone. This no build zone is indicated on the Masterplan on Figure 3. Ecology 2.3.4 The design layout has been constrained by the presence of a large sized population of great crested newts which utilise the terrestrial habitats on the site in addition to off site ponds to the north and east. As such the layout has been specifically designed to incorporate green buffer along the northern and eastern boundaries of the site to provide a suitable habitat corridor. Sylatech 6
Figure 3 Illustrative Masterplan Sylatech 7
2.4 Description of the Development 2.4.1 The planning application is to be treated as a hybrid application with part of the details dealt with in full and others in outline. Full Application: 2.4.2 The erection of a 5,127 sq m purpose built production unit (B2 Use) for Sylatech on the eastern area of land to the South of Thornton Road Industrial Estate with associated infrastructure comprising construction of access road from Thornton Road Industrial Estate, car parking, servicing, drainage works and landscaping (see Figure 3). 2.4.3 The design of the proposed Sylatech Building is addressed in detail in the accompanying Design and Access Statement. 2.4.4 The highest part of the building will be 15m which relates to the foundary/fetting department and the lowest part of the building will be the wax department area which will be 10.5m in height. 2.4.5 The building will contain a mixture of windows including vertical ribbon windows in dark grey aluminium with double glazed units on the western and northern elevations and ribbon windows in dark grey aluminium with double glazed units with blank panels in the same material as the wall divisions on the western, western and southern elevations. 2.4.6 The proposed building will therefore be complimentary to the adjacent Industrial Estate which contains buildings of a similar design and appearance. 2.4.7 A new access from the existing spur off Enterprise Way is proposed and this will incorporate an underpass to allow a continuous wildlife and green buffer zone across the north of the site in line with the Great Crested Newt Mitigation Strategy. An emergency access will be provided from Outgang Lane to the west of the site as shown on the illustrative masterplan (Figure 3). 2.4.8 The schedule of development is provided in Table 1 below: Table 1 Development Type Schedule of Development (full application) Total Floor Area (sq m) Storey Heights Industrial (B2 Use) 5,127 sq m 3 Storey (15m maximum to the foundry and fettling department and 10.5m maximum to the rest of the building) Outline Application: Car Parking 2.4.9 The outline application relates solely to the western portion of the site and concerns the proposed development of the site for Business (B1 Use) and Industrial (B2 Units) use. 2.4.10 The indicative site layout shown on the masterplan provides an indication of how the site will be laid out (Figure 3). All other matters regarding detailed design, such as appearance and scale are reserved for consideration at a later date. 2.4.11 The schedule of development for the full application element is provided in Table below. Table 2 Development Type Schedule of Development (outline application) Total Floor Area (sq m) Storey Heights 124 Car Parking Business (B1 Use) 5,900 sq m Two Storey 204 Industrial (B2 Use) 5,900 sq m One Storey 119 Sylatech 8
3.0 Consultation 3.1 Approach to Consultation 3.1.1 Sylatech and their consultants have undertaken extensive discussions with statutory and non-statutory consultees, the local community and landowners, with the accumulated findings all having an influence over the evolution of the design and the scope of the EIA. Consultation began at the earliest stage of the development to establish feasibility and has progressed through to the submission of the planning application. 3.1.2 The first stage included a per-application enquiry which was submitted to Ryedale District Council on 26 th February 2015. A response was received back from the Senior Development Management Officer on 27 th April 2015 which confirmed that Ryedale District Council are supportive in principle of the proposed site being brought forward through a planning application subject to meeting the criteria being set out within Policy SP6 of the Local Plan Strategy and the design comments detailed on page two of the preapplication response. 3.1.3 Following consideration of the Council s Statement of Community Involvement and discussion with RDC as part of this process it was agreed that consultation with Pickering Town Council, Ward Members and also the occupiers of the existing Thornton Road Industrial Estate would be appropriate given the proposals and the location of the site. 3.1.4 Subsequently a letter was sent to Pickering Town Council to provide them with further details in relation to the proposed development of land to the south of Thornton Road Industrial Estate. The clients planning consultant, Carter Jonas, also attended a Town Council meeting on the 21 st December 2015 to present the proposals to members and also answer any questions. 3.1.5 During this meeting the general response received were; That Councillors are supportive of the scheme and need to retain local employment of this calibre; That they were aware of the Local Planning Authority site allocations consultation and were also supportive of this; Some concerns were raised regarding the hours or operation of access arrangements; They considered that the distance to Kirbymoorside was not significant and that the travel plan sought to offset the new location for staff; and, They also raised no concerns regarding the potential development of the existing Micro Metalsmith site. 3.1.6 Following the Town Council meeting in December, letters were sent to occupants of the existing Thornton Road Industrial Estate on 12 th January 2016 to provide them with details in relation to the proposed development; a copy of this letter was also sent to Pickering Town Council to inform them of the consultation that has taken place. 3.1.7 A Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) has been submitted in support of the Planning Application for the Proposed Development, which includes full details of consultation undertaken and issues raised by respondents, those issues pertinent to the EIA process are set out in the sections below. Sylatech 9
4.0 Environmental Impacts 4.1 Ecology 4.1.1 A suite of field-based and desktop ecological surveys have been undertaken by MAB Ecology during 2015 to identify the habitats and key species within the Site. The scope of this investigation has also considered sites of importance for nature conservation and important habitats and species within the local area. 4.1.2 The potential effects of the Proposed Development on these features has then been assessed within the Ecology ES Chapter produced by WYG. This assessment process has considered the ecological value of the features and whether the Proposed Development would have an effect on them, and if so, what the nature and level of the effect would be. 4.1.3 A range of measures have been considered and incorporated into the design of the Proposed Development to minimise any potential adverse (e.g. negative) effects and to maximise any potential beneficial (e.g. positive) effects. Examples of these measures are; the design of a wildlife corridor to ensure connectivity between existing breeding ponds used by great crested newts, the creation of a new wildlife pond, the provision of a wildlife under pass underneath the new access road and sympathetic management of retained and new hedgerows, An Environmental Management Plan will guide the creation and management of these features to ensure that the benefits for wildlife are maximised. 4.1.4 Through the provision of these mitigation measures it has been possible to ensure that adverse effects on the identified important habitats and species can be avoided and that the Proposed Development will not result in any long term negative effects. Sylatech 10
5.0 Summary 5.1 Conclusions 5.1.1 The ES has considered how the environment and the local community would be affected by the development. 5.1.2 A range of potential ecological effects have been predicted to occur as a result of the development, both positive and negative. However, mitigation and compensation measures have been identified to appropriately reduce, minimise or offset any potential negative environmental effects. 5.1.3 Once these measures have been implemented there are considered to be no significant residual effects from the proposed development associated with either the construction or operational phases. 5.2 Management of Environmental Impacts 5.2.1 The impacts of the construction activities will be managed through a Construction Environmental Management Plan. This will ensure that working hours, traffic management, control of pollution, waste management, noise, dust and vibration are all managed and controlled. Other mitigation includes an Ecological Mitigation Plan and a Habitat Landscape Management Plan to manage the site in long term. 5.3 What happens next? 5.3.1 Prior to making a decision on the planning application, RDC will seek advice from statutory and non-statutory consultees as part of the determination process for the submitted planning application. 5.3.2 RDC will make the full Environmental Statement available for examination by members of the public at the Council s offices. Sylatech 11
Printed copies of the Non-technical Summary and ES (including figures and appendices) may be obtained from: Executive Park, Avalon Way, Anstey, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE7 7GR Tel: +44 116 234 8000 The Non-technical Summary is available free of charge, and a limited number of hard copies of the Environmental Statement are available for 350* per copy (plus p&p). Alternatively, these documents are available as adobe acrobat files on CD from the same address at 25 (plus p&p) per copy. Copies of the ES may also be viewed on Ryedale District Council s online services (http:// http://www.ryedale.gov.uk/) * Includes VAT @20% Sylatech 12