Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary July 2014
, Battersea, London July 2014 Waterman Energy, Environment & Design Limited Pickfords Wharf, Clink Street, London SE1 9DG, www.watermangroup.com \\Nt_server\transfer\WEED - Reformatted Reports\EED Report - Preliminary Environmental Risk sment.dotm
, Battersea, London Client Name: Document Reference: Project Number: Taylor Wimpey Central London EED14045.R.2.2.1.ES EED14045 Quality Assurance Approval Status This document has been prepared and checked in accordance with Waterman Group s IMS (BS EN ISO 9001: 2008, BS EN ISO 14001: 2004 and BS OHSAS 18001:2007) Issue Date Prepared by Checked by Approved by First Issue 9 May 2014 Ellen Smith Graduate Consultant Second Issue 30 July 2014 Ellen Smith Graduate Consultant Suzanne Roberts Associate Director Suzanne Roberts Associate Director Suzanne Roberts Associate Director Suzanne Roberts Associate Director Comments Comments Our Markets Property & Buildings Transport & Infrastructure Energy & Utilities Environment
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Contents 1. Introduction... 1 2. The Existing Site and Its Surrounding Context... 2 3. What are the Proposals?... 3 4. Alternatives and Design Evolution... 5 5. Approach and Environmental Impact Assessment Methodology... 7 6. What Are the Likely Environmental Effects and How Would They Be Minimised?... 8 7. What Will Happen Next?... 17 Contents
1. Introduction 1.1. Taylor Wimpey Central London, St Mary s Roman Catholic School c/o The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Southwark, Addition (Battersea) Ltd, Addition (St. Mary s) Ltd and Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd. (the Applicant ) is seeking to obtain detailed planning permission for a residential-led mixed-use development on land near Battersea Park (the Site ). 1.2. The Site is located at the corner of Battersea Park Road and Queenstown Road in Battersea within the administrative boundary of Wandsworth Council. The Site occupies an area of 1.83 hectares (ha) and currently occupied by St Mary s Roman Catholic Primary School, a series of commercial, retail and industrial units, two raised railway viaducts and Queenstown Road Train Station. 1.3. The proposed development (the Development ) would provide 290 residential dwellings (including 44 affordable homes), a new 2-form entry primary school and nursery facility, commercial uses, new public realm, a small number of disabled / accessible car parking spaces and cycle parking facilities. 1.4. As part of the detailed planning application an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken. EIA is a formal procedure that must be followed for certain types and scales of development, where the likely significant environmental effects of the development are systematically assessed and reported. The purpose is to ensure that appropriate information about the likely environmental effects of the Development is available for consideration by the relevant Local Planning Authority (LPA), consultees and the public, and that the LPA have this information before they determine a planning application. The EIA process can also identify ways in which the development can be modified, or likely significant adverse effects mitigated, so as to reduce or avoid likely significant adverse effects and to create and enhance beneficial effects. The legislation relevant to EIA is the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations, 2011 (the EIA Regulations). 1.5. From an early stage the Applicant recognised that the planning application required an EIA and commissioned Waterman to undertake the EIA for the Development. The findings of the EIA are reported in an Environmental Statement (ES), which has been prepared to accompany the detailed planning application. The likely significant environmental effects of the Development, both during the demolition and construction stage, and once completed and operational, have been assessed. This document provides a summary of the findings of the EIA in non-technical language. Page 1
2. The Existing Site and Its Surrounding Context 2.1. The Site is largely occupied by: St. Mary s Roman Catholic Primary School and associated nursery and outdoor play space; a series of commercial, retail and industrial units along Patcham Terrace; Queenstown Toad Railway Station Ticket Hall; and two raised railway viaducts which traverse the Site. 2.2. The Site contains limited areas of vegetation and few trees. A plan showing the location of the Site is presented as Figure 1. The planning application boundary of the Site is shown in Figure 2. The Site is broadly bounded by the following: Battersea Park Road to the north; Lockington Road to the east; the London and South Western Railway line to the south; and Queenstown Road (A3216) to the west. 2.3. Land use surrounding the Site includes commercial and retail premises immediately north along Battersea Park Road. Newton Preparatory School and associated outdoor space is located immediately adjacent to the eastern boundary of the Site. Residential dwellings are located above commercial and retail units, along Battersea Park Road, but also immediately west on Queenstown Road (A3216). 2.4. Queenstown Road Railway Station (a Grade II listed structure) is located within the south-west corner of the Site. The north-west and south-west corners of the Site are located partially within the Park Town Estate Conservation Area. Adjacent to the Site is Battersea Park Conservation Area, this area extends north-west towards the River Thames. 2.5. The Site lies within the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea Opportunity Area which has been identified as a suitable area for regeneration through the provision of new housing, new employment and retail uses and significant transport improvements. The western part of the Site is identified as one of the development sites within the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea Opportunity Area for mixed-use development. Wandsworth Council has recently proposed to extend this to include the remainder of the Site. Page 2
Energy, Environment & Design SITE LOCATION N Project Details EED14045-100: Figure Title Figure 1: Site Location Figure Ref Date File Location EED14045-100_GR_NTS_1A May 2014 \\nt-lncs\weedl\projects\eed14045\100\graphics\nts\issued figures WATERMAN ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & DESIGN Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey maps with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty s Stationery Office, Crown copyright, Waterman Energy, Environment & Design, Pickfords Wharf, Clink Street, London SE1 9DG. Licence number 100048868. www.watermangroup.com
308 298 288 171f 4.2m 151 4.2m Station Battersea Park 155 153 149 Newton Prep School 1 PAGDEN STREET HAVELOCK TERRACE Energy, Environment & Design 361 4.3m Gladstone Ct 38 Planning Application Boundary 167 Viaduct ST JOSEPH'S 3 1 STREET Business Centre 351 171a 171 PH LOCKINGTON ROAD 343 278 Bank 16 14 341a 59 PO Bank 20 341 BATTERSEA PARK ROAD 179 S Gantry PATCHAM TERRACE 1 to 3 177 173 6 274 to 276 7 276 St Mary's RC Primary School GLADSTONE TERRACE 268 8 258 61-63 45 to 65 1 to 86 44 Turpin House Games Court 315 Garage 313 3.0m 246 SL SL 40 41 Post S Gantry 21a 14 19 SOUTHOLM STREET 20 305 SOUTHOLM STREET 35 297 QUEENSTOWN ROAD 40 295 234 (Battersea) Queenstown Road Station S Gantry Viaduct SL 1 to 15 16 17 20 37 21 to 36 Abbey Business Centre Posts El Sub Sta N Posts Project Details Figure Title Figure Ref Date File Location EED14045-100: Figure 2: Planning Application Boundary EED14045-100_GR_NTS_2A May 2014 \\nt-lncs\weedl\projects\eed14045\100\graphics\nts\issued figures Ordnance WATERMAN Survey Crown ENERGY, Copyright ENVIRONMENT 2013. All rights reserved. & DESIGN Licence number 100022432. Plotted Scale - 1:1132 Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey maps with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty s Stationery Office, Crown copyright, Waterman Energy, Environment & Design, Pickfords Wharf, Clink Street, London SE1 9DG. Licence number 100048868. www.watermangroup.com
3. What are the Proposals? 3.1. The planning application includes proposals drawn in detail, forming a set of planning application drawings, which have been submitted to Wandsworth Council for approval as part of the detailed planning application. 3.2. The Development includes the demolition of all buildings and structures on the Site with the exception of the following: both railway viaducts bisecting the western part of the Site; 177 Battersea Park Road in the north west of the Site; two single storey building which forms an extension to the western railway viaduct at 276 Queenstown Road in the west of the Site; and Queenstown Road Train Station Ticket Hall in the south of the Site. 3.3. The Development would provide: 290 residential dwellings (including 44 affordable homes) made up of studios, 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom dwellings and a mix of houses, maisonettes and apartments (including duplex apartments); a new 2-form entry primary school and nursery facility (to replace the existing St. Mary s Roman Catholic Primary School); approximately 4,013m 2 Gross External Area (GEA) commercial and community floorspace; a new public square and improved pedestrian routes through the Site; 5 disabled / accessible car parking spaces; and 428 cycle parking spaces. 3.4. The Development would comprise the construction of 11 buildings or Blocks and the refurbishment of the arches within both railway viaducts, 177 Battersea Park Road and 276 Queenstown Road. Queenstown Road Train Station Ticket Hall would undergo minor works to provide an access suitable for wheelchair users into the Station building from the rear of the building. Drawing 1723/P/MP/120/B (Masterplan Roof Level) shows the layout of the buildings within the Site. 3.5. The proposed buildings are provided within 11 Blocks referred to as Blocks 01 to 11. These Blocks are typically 4 storeys in height with four taller buildings of 9, 12, 16 and 18 storeys. Basements would be provided within Blocks 03 and 05. 3.6. A total of 25 commercial and community use units would be provided across the Development. 15 of these would be provided within the existing railway viaduct arches which would be retained and refurbished. Ten units would be provided at ground floor level within new buildings within Blocks 01, 02, 03, 07, 09 and 10. The new residential dwellings would be provided above commercial and community uses within these Blocks as well as within Blocks 04, 05, 06 and 08. 3.7. The existing one form entry St Mary s Roman Catholic Primary School would be demolished and a new larger two form entry Primary School (including early years nursery) provided within Block 11. Amenity space would be provided for the Primary School, comprising ground floor playground space and a multi-use games area, garden and terrace space at roof-top level. The multi-use games area would be used during daytime hours on weekdays only. Page 3
3.74 3.25 3.70 BATTERSEA PARK ROAD ST JOSEPH STREET LOCKINGTON ROAD PAR +16.300m BLOCK 08 PAR +14.190m ST JOSEPH STREET SOLA- SOLA- BOOST SOLA- BOOST BOOST PAR +17.575m VIADUCT 02 BLOCK 07 PAR +14.890m MECH RISER KITCHEN KITCHEN EXTRACT FAN KITCHEN SUPPLY FAN PAR +7.950m BLOCK 01 PAR +16.300m PAR 17.995 PAR +16.915m PAR +17.950m BLOCK 10 BLOCK 11 PAR +49.550m PAR??.?? PAR +43.325m PAR +17.695m BLOCK 06 BLOCK 09 PAR +18.490m PATCHAM TERRACE PAR +14.615m BLOCK 02 PAR +10.880m PAR +14.370m GLADSTONE TERRACE PAR +25.600m PAR +7.950m PAR +9.900m PAR +6.790m PAR +25.600m PAR +14.370m VIADUCT 01 PAR +7.665m PAR +7.665m PATCHAM TERRACE BLOCK 02 VIADUCT 02 BLOCK 03 FFL +16.915m PAR +31.915m PAR +60.350m BLOCK 05 GLADSTONE TERRACE PAR +10.880m PAR +7.090m PAR +31.915m PAR 16.915m FFL +4.0m QUEENSTOW N ROAD WALL +5.800m PAR +3.50m PAR +8.090m BLOCK 04 Games Court VIADUCT 02 QTR STN Abbey Business Centre SITE BOUNDARY FOR PLANNING B A - B01 Revised Issued for Planning First Issue Amendment 18.07.2014 02.05.2014 28.02.14 Date LLP Twenty Tottenham Street London W1T 4RF BATTERSEA PARK EAST MASTERPLAN ROOF LEVEL Job/Drawing No 1723/ Scale Date Amendment P/MP/120B 1:500 (1:1000 @ A3) 26.02.14 5 0m 1 10 t f e 020 73235737 020 73235720 london@fcbstudios.com Do not scale Drawn STUDIO 2 All dimensions to be checked on site Original printed at A1
3.8. A new public square referred to as Battersea Park Yard would be provided to the east of Block 01 and extending through an existing railway viaduct arch to the northwest of the Primary School (Block 11) and south of Block 07. Gladstone Terrace would provide the main pedestrianised route through the Development. Other key areas of public realm would include Patcham Terrace, St Joseph's Street and the area in the north west of the Development referred to as the Old Mews. These areas would also provide landscaping including street trees and feature trees. 3.9. Private amenity space is provided in the form of private balconies, winter gardens and ground floor garden spaces as well as semi-private communal courtyard spaces and residents gym. A large communal amenity space would be provided between Blocks 05 and 06. A number of small communal amenity spaces would also be provided, including children s play spaces within Battersea Park Yard and on Gladstone Terrace. 3.10. Green and brown biodiverse roofs would be provided on buildings. New habitats would also be provided as part of the landscape proposals comprising native fruiting shrubs and allotment beds. Grassed areas, ornamental shrubs and herbaceous planting would also be provided. Bat and bird boxes would be provided within the Development in suitable locations. 3.11. The main vehicular access for the Development would be from Gladstone Terrace to the south of the Site accessed via Lockington Road to the east from Battersea Park Road to the north. One way access for servicing and delivery vehicles to the Primary School is provided from St Joseph s Street to the north of the Site accessed from Battersea Park Road. Drop off and pick up from the Primary School would continue to operate on Lockington Road as it does currently. 3.12. The Development would be car free with the exception of the provision of 5 disabled car parking spaces. A total of 4 servicing / loading bays would be provided within the Development. The Development is expected to generate a total of 55 servicing trips per day. Cycle storage facilities would be provided for the residential units, commercial units and the Primary School. A total of 428 cycle spaces would be provided as part of the Development. In addition, a scooter parking area would be provided as part of the Primary School. 3.13. A pedestrian link between Battersea Park Train Station to the north of the Site and Queenstown Road Train Station within the south of the Site would be provided along Patcham Terrace within the Development. Pedestrian access to the Site would also be provided from a number of locations on Battersea Park Road, Lockington Road, Gladstone Terrace and Queenstown Road. 3.14. A detailed surface water drainage strategy has been developed which includes measures to store rainfall and control the rate of discharge of this water to the local sewer network. 3.15. Construction is expected to commence in early 2015 and be completed in early 2019. It is intended to complete the majority of the demolition works as one phase of works at the start of the project. Construction of the Blocks and refurbishment works would then be carried out in phases. 3.16. A Draft Construction Management Plan (CMP) has been developed by the Applicant. The Draft CMP sets out how the construction works would be carried out and the Applicant s intentions for managing environmental effects during construction. Page 4
4. Alternatives and Design Evolution 4.1. In line with the EIA Regulations, the ES provides a description of the main alternatives to the Development, considered by the Applicant. These include: the No Development alternative; and alternative design and land uses. 4.2. The No Development scenario is based on leaving the Site in its current state. No Development at the Site was not considered to be a preferable option by the Applicant. Without redevelopment, the Site would be likely to remain under-used and result in a number of missed opportunities for the Site and the Battersea area, including: no creation of a new vibrant mixed use neighbourhood on the Site; no provision of new homes at the Site, including affordable housing; no new Primary School providing better facilities and greater capacity; no job creation as a result of the provision of additional commercial floorspace; no new public square or other environmental and landscaping improvements in the Site; no new pedestrian route linking Battersea Park Rail Station and Queenstown Road Station. 4.3. The Applicant did not consider fundamentally different alternative uses, or mix of uses, for the Site, given that the Site is already identified in approved planning documents for residential-led mixeduse redevelopment. The key principles of the Development in terms of its key objectives and the principles of its layout remained the same from the outset. 4.4. However, during the process of refining the design of the Development, a degree of design evolution has occurred in response to environmental constraints and opportunities and these changes are reflected in the final design for the Development which has been applied for. The changes made as part of the design evolution of the Development include: reductions in the height and massing of buildings in certain areas of the Development and the orientation and spacing of the buildings in order to maximise the daylight and sunlight amenity to the surrounding residential properties; altering the massing of Block 03 from a building of 7 storeys to a building with stepped storey heights to improve design character; altering the façade design on the top floors of Blocks 05 and 06 to provide a stronger design in response to comments from Wandsworth Council planning officers; altering the height and massing of Block 01 to improve a key local view in response to comments from Wandsworth Council s planning officers; changing the mix of residential units to reduce the proportion of one bed homes provided within the Development in response to comments from Wandsworth Council planning officers; incorporating a residents gym and lounge space to provide adequate private amenity space; designing the Development to ensure the safety of occupiers and users of the buildings in the unlikely event of a breach of the Thames flood defences. This has included providing less vulnerable uses in basement and ground floor levels and ensuring that residential uses provided at ground floor are duplex in nature to allow safe refuge at first floor level; incorporating brown biodiverse roofs as well as green roofs to provide foraging habitat for a greater range of bird species; and Page 5
revision to energy strategy to provide a single combined heat and power unit and priority given to connection to VNEB Opportunity Area District Heating Network to respond to comments from the Greater London Authority. Page 6
5. Approach and Environmental Impact Assessment Methodology 5.1. The EIA was undertaken in accordance with the EIA Regulations and best practice guidance using established methods such as site surveys, reviews of available reports and data, computer modelling, consultations with relevant organisations and specialist assessments. 5.2. The first stage of the EIA process involved undertaking a Scoping Study. The purpose of the Scoping Study was to identify the likely significant environmental effects that could arise from the Development and therefore provide the focus of the EIA. The findings of the scoping exercise, along with details of the proposed methods for the specialist assessments, were presented in a Scoping Study report and submitted to Wandsworth Council on 3 January 2014. 5.3. The scope of the EIA was formally agreed with Wandsworth Council via their formal Scoping Opinion which was received on 18 February 2014 and a letter of response from Waterman dated 31 March 2014. 5.4. The Scoping process confirmed that the Development would likely give rise to a number of issues which need to be considered in the EIA. These comprise: socio-economics; transportation; noise and vibration; air quality; ground conditions and contamination; flood risk and drainage; ecology; archaeology; wind; daylight, sunlight, overshadowing and solar glare; townscape, visual and built heritage; and cumulative effects. 5.5. Each of the above issues are addressed in the ES, with a chapter dedicated to each of these issues. The Townscape, Visual and Built Heritage Assessment is presented in a separate volume (Volume 2) of the ES. In each chapter, a description of the assessment methodology is given together with a description of the relevant environmental aspects of the Site and surrounding area. This is followed by an assessment of the likely significant effects of the Development (both beneficial and adverse) and any measures that should be adopted to reduce or offset any significant adverse effects identified during the assessment. The ES also provides an assessment of the residual effects that would remain after mitigation measures have been implemented, as well as the cumulative effects of the scheme. Cumulative effects can arise due to the combination of individual effects (e.g. dust and noise during construction works) or as a result of a combination of effects from several developments (referred to as committed developments ). Page 7
6. What Are the Likely Environmental Effects and How Would They Be Minimised? Socio-Economics 6.1. During demolition and construction, the Development would provide economic benefits to the local area, creating 152 jobs per year during the duration of the works. 6.2. Once completed, the Development would generate between 30 and 425 new jobs, depending on the exact nature of the commercial and community uses provided on the Site. 6.3. The provision of 290 residential dwellings as part of the Development would significantly contribute to the housing target of Wandsworth Council, accounting for over 15% of the annual housing target. A proportion of dwellings would be affordable and suitable for families. 6.4. It is estimated that the Development would have an additional resident population of 518. It has been concluded that there is sufficient capacity within existing early years education, primary school education, secondary school education and healthcare facilities to provide for the additional demand for services that the new population on the Site would create. The expansion of St Mary's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School proposed as part of the Development would significantly increase the provision of primary school places in the Borough which would help meet future demand as a result of future developments in the surrounding area. 6.5. The Development would provide 5,440m 2 of new public open space made up of a number of varied and accessible spaces. There will be sufficient play space within the Development for children aged under 4. Under strict guidelines, there is insufficient local play space provision for children aged between 5 and 11. However, the proximity of Battersea Park and nearby playgrounds (Doddington Estate and Patmore Estate) will provide varied play space for this age group. The play space requirement of the 12 to 18 age group is provided by the Doddington and Patmore Estate Playgrounds. In addition, this age group will be able to benefit from the varied play space offered at Battersea Park. Transportation 6.6. An assessment of the transportation effects of the Development in terms of traffic, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport was undertaken. 6.7. Demolition and construction of the Development would generate the need for HGV traffic associated with general plant and material deliveries and the removal of waste from the Site. To effectively manage this, a Construction Management Plan would be developed and implemented. This would be agreed with Wandsworth Council and Transport for London and would include measures such as the use of agreed appropriate routes to and from Site only for construction vehicles, provision for loading and unloading of vehicles off the public highway; and keeping local residents informed of activities. 6.8. In addition, Lockington Road would remain free of construction vehicles during the school pick-up and drop-off period (i.e. 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm) to minimise disruption to the operation of St Mary s Primary School and Newton Prep School during the demolition and construction period. 6.9. The Development would be virtually car free with only 5 disabled / accessible car park spaces provided. Once the Development is completed, whilst there would be an increase in the number of people travelling to and from the Site, there would be an overall reduction in the number of people travelling by car compared to the existing situation. Nevertheless, Travel Plans have been Page 8
prepared for the Primary School, residential and commercial uses. These documents set out the broad principles to be adopted to promote sustainable travel and aim to encourage more people to use active modes of travelling: walking and cycling. Specifically, through the implementation of the School Travel Plan, it is predicted that there would be no additional drop-offs or pick-ups on Lockington Road than currently. 6.10. Prior to the occupation of the Development, a Delivery Servicing Management Plan would be prepared which would aim to ensure that servicing and deliveries to the residential, Primary School, commercial and community uses within the Development can take place efficiently without a significant effect on the local highway network. This would be secured by planning condition. 6.11. There would be an increase in pedestrian and cycle movements at the Site compared to the existing situation. The Development provides for improved public realm with a pedestrian only route provided through the Site which would link Battersea Park Rail Station to the north and Queenstown Road Rail Station in the south of the Site. It is also proposed to provide new cycle parking facilities for residents, people who work within the Development and for pupils at the Primary School. 6.12. There would also be an increase in the number of people at the Site using public transport compared to the existing situation. However, the predicted increases in numbers of people using both bus and rail services are very small and is not expected to affect the capacity of services provided. Noise and Vibration 6.13. Demolition and construction works are likely to include activities that would be likely to increase noise levels and potentially cause vibration within and immediately adjacent to the Site. In particular when activities are occurring closest to the Site boundary, this could result in temporary effects on occupants in surrounding properties. 6.14. However, the implementation of noise and vibration control and management measures through a Construction Environmental Management Plan for the demolition and construction works would help to reduce noise disturbance to occupants of existing properties. Such measures would include using low-noise machinery and equipment, enclosing and screening machinery and using low-vibratory foundation methods. Demolition and construction traffic is predicted to result in minimal noise increases on local roads. 6.15. An assessment of the suitability of the Site for residential and school uses has been undertaken. The assessment results indicate that through the provision of an appropriate glazing and ventilation strategy required internal noise levels would be met for all sensitive spaces. Similarly, preliminary indications are that amenity spaces would be likely to achieve acceptable noise levels for external spaces with the incorporation of suitable mitigation measures. 6.16. Any items of fixed building services plant installed as part of the Development would have the potential to generate noise. Suitable noise level limits have therefore been proposed to ensure that noise from plant does not cause disturbance to future occupants of the Development. 6.17. It is considered unlikely that noise from the use of the play spaces within the proposed Primary School would cause noise disturbance for residents of existing properties or for future occupants within the Development. Page 9
Air Quality 6.18. The air quality in the area of the Site is relatively poor, particularly along main roads such as Battersea Park Road and Queenstown Road. An assessment was undertaken to determine the likely effects of the Development on local air quality. 6.19. The main effect on local air quality during demolition and construction relates to nuisance that can be caused by dust. Nuisance caused from dust, however, would only likely be experienced by people living or using premises closest to the Site and only for a temporary period. A range of measures to minimise or prevent dust have been identified and should be implemented to minimise the effect on the neighbouring community. St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, local residents and Newton Prep School would be kept informed of demolition and construction activities. 6.20. Any emissions from equipment and machinery operating on the Site during demolition and construction would be small in comparison to the emissions from the large volume of vehicles travelling on roads in the surrounding area of the Site and would not detrimentally affect air quality. It is anticipated that the effect of demolition and construction vehicles entering and leaving the Site during the period of greatest vehicles movements would have a minor effect in the context of local background pollutant concentrations and existing local road traffic emissions. To address this, a Construction Traffic Management Plan should be developed which would include appropriate measures such as the use of agreed routes to and from Site for demolition and construction vehicles and restricting largest vehicles to arriving and departing from Site during off-peak periods. 6.21. Computer modelling has been carried out to predict the effect of future traffic-related exhaust emissions and heating plant emissions and the likely changes in local air quality following the completion of the Development. The effect of the Development on local air quality has been predicted for a number of existing sensitive locations surrounding the Site and for future sensitive locations within the Site. 6.22. It is predicted that the Development would result in only a small or imperceptible deterioration in air quality at all of the existing sensitive locations. At some of the locations assessed, exceedances of the UK air quality objectives were predicted, however, none of these were new or additional exceedances as these were also predicted to occur in the absence of the Development. 6.23. For the sensitive uses within the Development itself; the residential dwellings and the Primary School; the UK air quality objectives are met at the vast majority of the locations. Some residential units within Block 09 were predicted to experience air quality that would not meet the relevant objectives, but this is not unusual given its location at the junction of Queenstown Road and Battersea Park Road. In addition, a mechanical ventilation system within the residential dwellings is proposed which would allow improved air quality conditions within residential dwellings. 6.24. To account for uncertainty in the projected decline in key pollutant concentrations that forms the basis of approved assessment methods, a further assessment, known as a sensitivity test, was carried out assuming no future improvements in these key pollutant concentrations. The Development was predicted to result in an imperceptible deterioration in air quality at all but one of the existing sensitive locations, with Newton Prep School predicted to experience a small deterioration. Exceedances of the UK air quality objectives were predicted at all of the existing sensitive locations and most of the sensitive locations within the Development itself. However, none of these were new or additional exceedances of the UK air quality objectives caused by the Development as these were also predicted to occur in the absence of the Development. Page 10
Ground Conditions and Contamination 6.25. A desk-based study of ground contamination and a preliminary intrusive site investigation at the Site have established that significant ground contamination at the Site is unlikely and contamination in soils and groundwater is likely to be present in localised areas only. The most likely source of contamination is likely to relate to the presence of material imported to facilitate the existing development on the Site. 6.26. A detailed site investigation would be undertaken prior to demolition and construction to determine and quantify the nature and extent of contamination present at the Site. If required, a Remediation Strategy would be developed and agreed with the relevant statutory authorities, including Wandsworth Council and the Environment Agency, and be implemented during the early stages of the demolition and construction programme. 6.27. A Foundation Works Risk Assessment should be prepared in consultation with the Environment Agency to establish the appropriate piling methodology to minimise contamination risks to the aquifer underlying the Site. In addition, a number of measures for good site management have been recommended to minimise exposure of construction workers and pupils and staff at St Mary s Roman Catholic Primary School during demolition and construction. 6.28. It is likely that the Site and surrounding area suffered bomb damage during the Second World War and unexploded devices could be encountered during excavation works. Specialist survey of parts of the Site has been recommended which would be undertaken prior to any intrusive works. Mandatory health and safety requirements would ensure all construction workers are provided with necessary awareness training to recognise potential unexploded ordnance and provided with safety instructions detailing actions to take should unexploded ordnance be encountered. 6.29. The majority of the existing imported material across the Site including existing soft landscaping would be removed to facilitate the Development. In addition to any specific remediation measures, the provision of buildings and hardstanding across the majority of the Site and the provision of clean topsoil in soft landscaping areas would result in a very low risk of harm to human health and the wider environment following completion of the Development. Flood Risk and Drainage 6.30. During demolition and construction, changes in Site conditions have the potential to result in a temporary risk of surface water flooding. However, measures would be put in place to control surface water runoff from the Site in line with industry standards. Where appropriate, cut-off drainage would be provided around the Site during the construction phase when there is no on-site drainage network in place. 6.31. Localised groundwater flooding could also occur during the excavation works required to construct the basements within the Development. Appropriate building practices with regard to the basement construction should be employed to prevent groundwater ingress. 6.32. Although the Site is located within Flood Zone 3, the Site is protected by the Thames flood defences, and as such, the Site's risk of flooding from the River Thames is considered to be low. 6.33. In the unlikely event of a breach of flood defences coupled with extreme water level, the eastern part of the Site is predicted to experience low level flooding. To address this, the Development has been designed to ensure the safety of occupiers and users of the buildings. 6.34. A surface water drainage strategy has been developed which includes measures to store rainfall and reduce runoff on-site and control the rate of discharge of this water to the local sewer network, once the Development is completed and operational. These measures include the use of SuDS Page 11
and the strategy also allows for the likely increase in rainfall due to climate change. The total surface water discharge rate to the sewers would be reduced to 50% of that of the existing situation. The Development would therefore not increase flood risk on-site or elsewhere beyond the Site boundary, which is in line with national and local policy as well as Environment Agency guidance. 6.35. Although foul water discharge would increase as a result of the Development, the overall discharge to the public sewer would reduce because of the reduction in surface water discharge by 50% on the existing rate. This would therefore results in an improvement to the capacity of the public combined sewers in the vicinity of the Site. The necessary upgrades to the local sewage pumping station and treatment works will be undertaken by Thames Water as part of planned works to facilitate strategic development in the Battersea area. 6.36. There would be an increased demand for water supply resulting from the Development, however, the implementation of water efficiency measures would be incorporated into the Development to minimise the demand as far as possible. Ecology 6.37. The likely ecological effects resulting from the Development were assessed in accordance with published guidelines. A survey of the Site was undertaken including visual inspections of trees and buildings to check for the potential for breeding bird and bat roost habitat. Further emergence and re-entry surveys for bats on buildings identified as having low or moderate potential to support roosting bats were undertaken in June and July 2014. 6.38. The Site is dominated by buildings and hard standing with a small number of trees, scattered scrub, ornamental planting, walls and amenity grassland also present. The Site currently contains limited ecological interest with habitats that are unremarkable and common within the wider area. However, the Site provides suitable habitat for breeding and foraging birds and foraging bats. 6.39. No buildings subject to emergence or re-entry surveys were identified as bat roosts. A very small level of foraging activity by common pipistrelle bats was recorded within the boundary of the Site. 6.40. A CEMP should be developed and implemented to ensure that appropriate environmental controls are used to protect retained habitats at the Site and surrounding areas, during demolition and construction. 6.41. The ecological value of the Site would be enhanced as a result of the completed Development due to the provision of ecological enhancement measures which include the creation of new habitat such as green and brown roofs and habitat planting and the provision of suitable nesting, roosting and foraging opportunities for birds and bats. Archaeology 6.42. The likely effects of the Development on buried archaeological assets within the Site have been assessed. The assessment has been carried out in line with national, regional and local planning policy and in accordance with the standards specified by the Institute for Archaeologists, Department of Communities and Local Government and GLAAS. 6.43. The Site does not contain any known below ground heritage assets and does not lie within an Archaeological Priority Area (area identified by Wandsworth Council as being of importance for archaeology). 6.44. From a review of the available information the Site has low to moderate potential for archaeological remains of prehistoric and Roman date. However, 19th and 20th century phases of development at Page 12
the Site can be considered likely to have severely disturbed adverse any pre-existing archaeological remains. 6.45. The likely effects of the Development would be associated with excavation and foundation works required to facilitate the Development. Accordingly, archaeological mitigation has been proposed in the form of a minimal archaeological fieldwork exercise, prior to demolition and construction, secured by means of an appropriately worded standard planning condition. 6.46. There would be no likely effects on archaeological assets once the Development is complete and occupied. Wind 6.47. An assessment of the likely wind conditions as a result of the Development and the suitability of these in terms of pedestrian comfort has been undertaken. The assessment has been informed by appropriate meteorological data and detailed wind tunnel testing. 6.48. The wind microclimate at the existing Site and in the surrounding area is relatively calm, and suitable for the current use of the Site. The conditions are suitable for standing / entrance use (at worst), and predominantly suitable for sitting, during the windiest season. 6.49. The wind effects during demolition and construction works has been assessed using professional judgement, informed by an analysis of the background windiness of the Site based on the meteorological data. The demolition of the existing buildings would not be expected to have a significant effect on the wind conditions within, and immediately surrounding, the Site. As construction of the Development proceeds, the wind conditions of the Site would gradually adjust to the conditions of the completed Development. 6.50. When the Development is complete, the conditions within the Site would be windier than existing conditions, in some locations, due to the increased height and massing of the Development compared to the existing buildings. At two building entrances, at Block 02, conditions would be slightly windier than desired for a building entrance. To address this, a vertical solid or porous side screen should be provided to create a sheltered buffer zone at this location. Parts of the ground floor communal courtyard space between Blocks 05 and 06 and part of the roof terrace on Block 01 were also predicted to be slightly windier than desired for spaces intended for sitting in the summer. However, soft landscaping in these locations would provide adequate shelter for residents using these spaces. Several balconies within Block 01 were also predicted to be slightly windier than desired for spaces intended for sitting in the summer. Providing a taller balustrade to the balconies would provide adequate shelter for residents using these balconies. 6.51. The wind microclimate at all other building entrances and ground level, rooftop and balcony amenity spaces and throughout the rest of the Site, including all pedestrian thoroughfares, would be suitable for the intended use. The wind conditions at all locations in the surrounding area would also be suitable for their intended uses; this includes all pedestrian thoroughfares and private gardens at surrounding properties. 6.52. With the recommended screens provided at the entrances to Block 02, soft landscaping within the amenity spaces between Blocks 05 and 06 and the roof terrace at Block 03 and by providing taller balustrades for the affected balconies, it is expected that the wind conditions throughout the Site and in the surrounding area would be suitable for their intended use providing a good level of pedestrian amenity. Page 13
Daylight, Sunlight, Overshadowing and Solar Glare 6.53. Construction of the Development would have a gradually increasing effect on the levels of daylight, sunlight, and overshadowing to existing residential properties and amenity spaces surrounding the Site as the massing of the Development steadily increases. Those effects that are perceptible as the Development nears completion would be similar to those of the completed Development. 6.54. Following completion of the Development, the results of the assessment show that the majority of existing residential properties surrounding the Site are predicted to receive adequate levels of daylight. Only four existing residential properties assessed would have their daylight availability noticeably affected as a result of the Development. However, this is not unusual given the urban context of the Site and its surroundings and it is considered that the overall daylight availability for the affected residential properties remains adequate. 6.55. Adequate sunlight levels, in line with published guidelines, are predicted to be achieved for 97% of the windows within the residential properties assessed. In the few instances where guideline levels of sunlight were not predicted to be achieved, at lower ground floor level within the property at 3 Lockington Road, the retained sunlight levels would remain very good and the amount of sunlight predicted to be lost as a result of the Development would be relatively small. 6.56. In terms of the overshadowing of existing amenity spaces in the vicinity of the Site, 20 out of the 21 amenity spaces assessed remain compliant with the criteria set down in published guidelines. The gardens of 157 to 161 Battersea Park Road were predicted to experience a reduction in the proportion of the space receiving 2 hours sun on the 21 st March, however, it should be noted that these gardens currently experience significant overshadowing so the effect of the Development is slight. 6.57. When considering overshadowing effects throughout the year, there would be additional shadow effects within Newton Prep School s playground but the vast majority of the playground, particularly on 21 st June, continues to receive sunlight during the afternoon. There would be a modest increase in shadow to the amenity spaces to the rear of Battersea Park Road on the 21 st March although the effects would be localised. There would not be significant additional overshadowing effect to the gardens of the Queenstown Road. 6.58. The solar glare assessments show that the glare created by the Development would in almost all cases occur beyond 30 from a seated position within a car or a train. Therefore, the limits of the windscreen would block out the glare and this is compliant with guidance. 6.59. The vast majority of the proposed dwellings within the Development have been predicted to experience adequate daylight with 752 out of 854 rooms (88%) meeting criteria set down in published guidelines. This is considered to be an excellent rate of compliance for a high density, central London development. 6.60. Eight of the thirteen amenity spaces within the Development (including four of the five public amenity areas) are predicted to meet the criteria relating to sunlight for amenity spaces as set down in published guidelines. Townscape, Visual and Built Heritage 6.61. During demolition and construction, there would inevitably be a visual intrusion to the local townscape and views from locations close to the Site as a result primarily of large construction plant and machinery, including tower cranes, and the presence of partially completed built form of the Development. However, this is unavoidable for the redevelopment of the Site and would only be temporary in nature. Page 14
6.62. Consideration of the visual effect of the Development, once completed, has been an integral part of the Applicant s design approach. The design of the Development has been developed throughout the design process to take account of likely townscape, visual impact and built heritage constraints and opportunities. The intention of the Applicant is for the Development to promote buildings of the highest architectural and urban design quality, which would contribute positively to the local townscape. As such, likely significant adverse effects have been avoided. 6.63. The Development would contribute a distinct sense of place and focus in the area around the Grade II listed Battersea Park Station, where transport infrastructure (road and rail) dominates currently and there is no noticeable focus. 6.64. In the visual assessment, the suitability of the design of the Development in its wider context was assessed using fifteen different viewing positions, which were selected in consultation with Wandsworth Council. 6.65. The Development would not be visible in distant views from the north and west, including those viewpoints identified at Battersea Park, views from the River Thames bridge crossings (the view downstream from Albert Bridge, the view of Battersea Power Station from Chelsea Bridge) and the view from Battersea Park Road. 6.66. There are three views from along the length of Queenstown Road, south of the site which demonstrate that the taller buildings of the Development would not detract from the visibility or prominence of Battersea Power Station in these views. 6.67. The Development would appear, to varying degrees, in views from areas closer to the Site, as seen in views from Battersea Park Road to the west and east of the Site and Queenstown Road to the south of the Site. The height of the three taller buildings and the relationship between them has been carefully considered in order to provide a varied skyline that responds to the Site s context. 6.68. The Development would result in a significant improvement to the Site and the surrounding townscape in terms of architectural quality and urban design. This would enhance the Park Town Conservation Area and the setting of nearby listed buildings, Battersea Park Conservation Area, Battersea Park Registered Park and Garden of Special Historic Interest and locally listed buildings. 6.69. The minor works to the Grade II listed railway bridge would enhance its setting with a new building of a high quality design, and the new access to Queenstown Road Station to the rear of the building giving it more prominence would enhance this listed building and its setting. Cumulative Effects 6.70. Two types of cumulative effects have been considered: Effect interactions: the combination of individual effects arising from the Development on a particular receptor, for example noise and vibration, dust and visual effects; and Cumulative effects: effects from reasonably foreseeable developments, which in isolation may be insignificant, but when considered together could result in a significant cumulative effect. 6.71. During demolition and construction a combination of nuisance effects from noise, vibration and dust together with visual and traffic effects could be experienced. The implementation of environmental control measures through a CEMP would minimise the nuisance effects on residents, occupiers of St Mary s Roman Catholic Primary School and Newton Prep School and pedestrians and other road users during demolition and construction. 6.72. The cumulative effects of the Development, together with other planned (or committed) developments were assessed. The other planned developments that have been considered Page 15