London Road, Derker Non Technical Summary Introduction The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Pathfinder was set up to tackle longstanding problems of poor quality housing and to provide the framework for transforming declining neighbourhoods into popular places to live. Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (OMBC) is responsible for the compulsory purchase of properties to enable the old properties to be demolished and for new properties to be constructed. In partnership with the Housing Market Renewal team, compulsory purchase of properties and relocation of residents has been taking place since 2008 in one part of the Derker area around London Road and Derker Street. The area included under compulsory purchase orders (CPO) is shown below. The Derker neighbourhood to the north east of Oldham town centre is one of those neighbourhoods identified for change. In 2003 a masterplan 1 for the Derker area was produced which identified certain changes including the demolition of properties, refurbishment of properties and construction of new properties to accord with modern standards and to provide a greater variety of housing choice. 1 Paul Butler Associates (2003) Derker Spatial Masterplan CPO and Planning Application Area From 2009, Bellway Homes in conjunction with Guinness Northern Counties Housing Association has been working with the Council and Housing Market Renewal Team to deliver a planning application for the area which has been subject to CPO.
Purpose of this Document This document is a Non Technical Summary (NTS) of the Environmental Statement (ES). The ES accompanies the planning application and forms part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. The NTS presents a summary of the results of an assessment that has been undertaken to determine the impacts of the proposed development on the local environment. Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council Civic Centre West Street Oldham OL1 1UT Information on the wider Housing Market Renewal (HMR) in Oldham and Derker in particular can be obtained from the HMR Office, on the corner of Flint Street in Derker, Oldham. Information is also available online at www.oldhamrochdalehmr.co.uk The Proposed Development Properties along London Road. Where to Find Further Information The findings of the EIA, are reported in full in the ES and readers requiring detailed technical information should refer to the ES in the first instance. Copies of the ES and the planning applications will be made available for inspection at the following location: Bellway Homes (North West Division) is applying to Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (OMBC) for full Planning Permission for the redevelopment of part of the Derker Housing Market Renewal (HMR) Area for residential use (planning land use class C3). The site will be cleared and demolished by OMBC before construction commences on site, therefore, for the purposes of the EIA, it is assumed that all demolition is complete.
The proposals have been developed in consultation with OMBC and their HMR team to deliver modern, sustainable family housing. The proposal is for 148 dwellings, with a range of house types and sizes. 30% of the houses will be marketed as affordable housing through Guinness Northern Counties Housing Association. The breakdown of property sizes is presented below. 2 bed properties = 37 3 bed properties = 97 4 bed properties = 10 5 bed properties = 4 The proposals require minor alterations to Afghan Park which will reduce slightly in size. The overall function and quality of the park as an important recreational space will be retained. The street layout of London Road, Derker Street and Afghan Street remain in their current alignment and a public right of way will be diverted, but retain a connection from Derker Street to London Road. Proposed Layout
The EIA Process Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is part of the UK planning process through the EIA Regulations. It aims to identify and assess the likely significant impacts (adverse and beneficial) of major proposed developments to inform the planning decision process. The application proposal has been produced with regard to some key development constraints, namely: Retention of the existing main street pattern and layout, specifically London Road, Derker Street and Afghan Street. EIA involves consultations, undertaking baseline surveys to identify potential impacts and proposing suitable mitigation. Mitigation measures seek to minimise, remedy or compensate for the predicted adverse impacts of the proposed scheme. The development of mitigation measures is an integral part of EIA and is an important aspect of the planning and design process. Alternatives Considered and Development Constraints Retention of Afghan Park. Retention of individual properties not scheduled for demolition. Improvement of east to west linkages across the site. Option layouts were developed to ensure that the scheme delivered the required mix of house sizes and retained features such as existing trees. The EIA Regulations require that the EIA includes a consideration of alternatives. Due to the work undertaken prior to this application to identify the site for re development, along with extensive public consultation and development of the Derker Masterplan, a detailed assessment of alternative locations for development has not been carried out. Illustrative Street View
The Likely Significant Impacts of the Development The first step of the EIA process is to undertake scoping. This determines what important issues (i.e. environmental topics) are to be addressed by the EIA. The scope of the EIA has been informed by the Scoping Opinion received from Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (OMBC) which identifies the following environmental issues: Townscape and Visual: Ecology and Nature Conservation: Geology, Mining, Ground Conditions and Land Quality: Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Flood Risk: Cultural Heritage: Traffic and transport: and Amenity (Noise and Air Quality during Construction). Townscape and Visual The application area was characterised by Victorian terraces and surrounding residential and industrial development dating from 1930 s through to the present day. However, the majority of properties have been demolished, or will be and hence the townscape character is open vacant ground of low value. The proposals aim to reinvigorate the local housing market and reintroduce a local community back to the area. The design of the development will complement existing houses, but also introduce a new character to the area. Key design principles have evolved from the original design brief and the proposals incorporate these. There will be changes to existing views, in particular from public rights of way and open space. Each of these issues is presented below together with a summary of the existing baseline, proposed mitigation, predicted environmental impacts and means of implementing mitigation. Illustrative Aerial View
The overall effect on townscape is assessed as moderate beneficial on a local scale. Impacts on views at completion are assessed as long term slight to substantial beneficial in terms of the changes to the quality of the view and negligible to substantial adverse in terms of the impacts to openness. Ecology The site area is urban in nature, a habitat survey, breeding bird survey and bat survey have been undertaken in May 2010. There are planted trees and ornamental shrubs which offer nesting and foraging habitat for common urban bird species such as jackdaw, greenfinch, goldfinch, robin, wren, blue tit, great tit, blackbird, pied wagtail, wood and feral pigeon, magpie and crow. In addition house sparrow and starling (UK Priority Species) were also recorded. No evidence of bats or other protected species was recorded on the site. House Sparrow During construction, measures to ensure that breeding birds are not disturbed will be implemented. Further mitigation measures include tree planting, landscaping and protection of existing areas of open space. Japanese Knotweed, an invasive species, will also treated or removed to ensure that it does not spread to neighbouring areas. Japanese Knotweed shoots Bird and bat boxes will be provided to encourage breeding success of birds in the area. The effect on ecology is assessed overall as negligible due to construction impacts and long term minor beneficial on a local scale at completion.
Geology, Mining, Ground Conditions and Land Quality The underlying ground conditions of the site indicate that, due to its development history there are areas and deposits of made ground of varying thickness and content. These are generally underlain by boulder clay, however the western part of the site has relatively shallow coal measures or seams. The site also sits above a minor aquifer, but there are no water courses or surface water features within 500m. A comprehensive geo environmental appraisal has been undertaken and further site investigation work will be completed to establish: Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Flood Risk A Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) has been undertaken as part of the planning application and is summarised in the ES. The FRA identifies that the site is located within Flood Zone 1 (least risk of flooding) and no specific mitigation measures are required. Surface water run off from the development will be accommodated within the existing foul water (public sewer system) due to ground conditions not being suitable for a soakaway based drainage system. Final method of contamination removal (if encountered); Detailed specification of foundations; Monitoring of construction around areas of former mine shafts. With the above measures incorporated, there is predicted to be a short term minor adverse localised effect due to the risk of encountering unforeseen contamination or subsidence. All other potential impacts to geology, mining and land quality are assessed as negligible. Flood Map no risk of flooding United Utilities has confirmed that the sewer system can readily accommodate surface water run off and no adverse impacts will occur. The new development will be designed in accordance with current Building Regulations standards with all drains and sewer installations adopted.
Cultural Heritage A desk based archaeological assessment for the area has been completed and the Greater Manchester Historic Environmental Record (HER) consulted. Following clarification of an incorrect entry, this identified that there were no HER entries within the site boundary. However, twelve non designated heritage assets have been identified to be present within the site boundary of limited and local value. Two archaeological assets are assessed to have medium cultural heritage value: Remains of Alexandra Mills first shown on the 1894 map; and Remains of a building of unknown function first shown in 1829, possible back to back housing which is of regional significance. Both are demolished and have had later buildings built on top which have subsequently been demolished. Further investigative work by trial trenching will be undertaken prior to construction to investigate and record archaeological remains if present. For other heritage assets of low value, a watching brief will be undertaken during construction. Provided that mitigation is implemented, the potential impacts on cultural heritage are assessed as neutral due to the process of investigation and recording. Traffic and Transport A Transport Statement has been undertaken as part of the EIA. This has assessed the potential significant impacts of the construction and operational stages of the proposed development on the local and surrounding highway networks and its contribution to sustainable modes of transport. Historic Map 1894 showing Alexandra Mills During construction, there will be a slight increase in vehicles and in the type of vehicle visiting the site. Construction traffic will be managed as part of a Code of Construction Practice
(CoCP) and minor adverse impacts of a short term and localised nature are predicted to occur. At completion, the proposed development will reintroduce population to an area which has experienced previous decline. This increase will have direct impacts on traffic generated by the site and projected demand for public transport. The overall effect on public transport is assessed as moderate beneficial in the long term and at a local level. Amenity (Noise and Air Quality) Potential impacts on amenity have been considered in relation to noise, air quality and dust generated as part of the construction process. The construction period is estimated to last 5 years, with parcels of the site being developed in phases and standard working practices (0700 to 1900 Mon to Fri and 0700 to 1300 Sat) adopted. Impacts on traffic generation are assessed as minor adverse in the long term, on a local scale due to the projected increase in traffic from the site. Potential impacts on highway safety have been assessed as negligible. Proposed Construction Phasing Good working practices and specific mitigation measures to manage and control noise, dust and air quality emissions are included as part of a draft Code of Construction Practice (CoCP), which can be made a condition of planning consent. Local Bus Services
Noise The noise likely to be generated by the construction phase works at existing residential receptors has been assessed against defined significance criteria. Baseline noise monitoring was carried out at existing residential locations to establish existing noise levels. Reducing noise from construction activities will be achieved using best practice measures such as: Use of hoardings and screens to limit noise. Use of silencers on equipment. Restricting use of noisy plant and ensuring all machines are kept in good working order. Air Quality and Dust A qualitative air quality assessment has been carried out to assess the potential impact on air quality due to the construction phase works. Using Best Practice Guidance for the control of dust and emissions from construction, mitigation measures have been recommended to reduce the potential impact on air quality at existing sensitive receptor locations including: Restricting vehicle engines and turning engines off when not in use. Use of low emissions fuel and good maintenance of vehicles. Dust generating activities to be undertaken away from existing residential properties. Potential noise impacts to existing residential receptors will generally be short term minor adverse and of a localised nature. By its nature, construction areas and activities vary and residents will be kept informed of progress and procedures by which complaints can be made in the event of unacceptable noise impacts. Potential impacts to existing residential receptors will generally be short term and of a localised nature. With mitigation measures in place, impacts on air quality are predicted to be negligible.
Summary of Impacts The proposed development will bring back into use an area which has experienced housing market decline. In consideration of the existing consent for the compulsory purchase of properties within the application area, the EIA has assumed that the demolition of properties is undertaken prior to construction commencing. Bellway Homes in partnership with Guinness Northern Counties Housing Association will construct 148 new homes. During construction, short term, local minor adverse impacts are predicted to occur due to the risk of encountering unforeseen contamination or subsidence and as a result of construction traffic and noise. No significant construction impacts are predicted to occur for ecology, water and air quality with mitigation measures in place. At completion, there will be beneficial impacts for public transport, ecology and townscape and quality of views and a neutral impact on cultural heritage. Certain view points will experience direct adverse impacts at the local scale due to the magnitude of change experienced on openness, the change in quality of views will be beneficial. There will be a minor adverse effect to the local road network due to the predicted change in traffic generated from the site, however this has no material effect on highway safety or operation and no improvement works are proposed. Contact Details Further copies of this Non Technical Summary (NTS) are available free of charge. Hard copies of the full ES can be purchased for a cost of 50 and electronic versions on CD are 5. For a copy of either the NTS or ES please contact NJL Consulting on the details below: NJL Consulting Adamson House Towers Business Park Wilmslow Road Manchester M20 2YY Tel: 0845 362 8202 Email: info@njlconsulting.co.uk