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Pontefract Road, Purston, Featherstone
Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
Environmental Statement Non Technical Summary
2
Report Author .................................... Alastair Cliffe / KM
Report Date .......................................... September 2012
Project Number ....................................................... 3472
Document Reference ......... P0-TP-SPA-RP-P3472-0012-A
3
Introduction and EIA Process ................................................................................................................................... 4
Site Description ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Development Description ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Planning Policy Context ............................................................................................................................................ 8
The Need .................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Consideration of Alternatives ................................................................................................................................ 10
Ground Conditions and Contamination ................................................................................................................. 11
Traffic and Transportation ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Landscape .............................................................................................................................................................. 14
Water Environment................................................................................................................................................ 16
Socio Economic ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
Ecology and Nature Conservation .......................................................................................................................... 18
Air Quality .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Interaction of Effects - Construction ...................................................................................................................... 20
Interaction of Effects - Operational ........................................................................................................................ 21
Cumulative Effects ................................................................................................................................................. 22
Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................................. 23
Contents
4
Introduction
EIA Process
This is the non-technical summary for an Environmental
Statement (ES) which has been prepared on behalf of Taylor
Wimpey UK Ltd to accompany a hybrid planning application
for residential development at Pontefract Road, Purston,
Featherstone.
This document is a summary of the ES that has been
submitted as part of the planning application having regard to
the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact
Assessment) Regulations 2011. The Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) process is outlined below.
The summary describes the physical characteristics of the
development, its land use requirements, an outline of the
main alternatives considered and a description of the effects
on the environment which are likely to be effected by the
development.
These include:
Direct, indirect or secondary effects
Cumulative effects
Short, medium or long term effects
Permanent or temporary effects
Positive effects
The report also identifies any measures required to mitigate
potential adverse impacts of the proposals within and around
the application site. Full details can be found within the
Environmental Statement.
Identify Proposed Development
Scoping Submission
LPA 5 Week Review Period
Review Response & Prepare EIA Report
Predict Impact on Environment
Identify Baseline
Prepare / Finalise Environmental Statement
Consider mitigation
Assess Significance of Impacts
Feedback and consideration of
alternatives / Update and amend
masterplan for site
5
Site Description
The site comprises approximately 15 hectares of land on the
north-eastern edge of Featherstone. A public footpath
(Footpath 15, known locally as Jubilee Steps) runs along the
western boundary of the site, with existing residential
properties and allotments to the west of the footpath and
Featherstone Rovers Rugby Ground to the north-western
boundary of the site. Pontefract Road runs along the
southern boundary of the site and a number of residential
properties front onto Pontefract Road with rear gardens
abutting the application site. There are open fields to the
north and north-eastern boundaries of the site.
The areas around the site are in mixed use, consisting
primarily of residential as well as town centre, leisure and
agricultural uses. The town centre is located at the western
end of Post Office Road, to the west of the site. The railway
line runs in an east-west direction beyond agricultural fields
to the north of the site, with the Featherstone Railway
Station to the north of the town centre.
The site currently accommodates gently undulating
agricultural (arable) fields, redundant allotments and an area
of overgrown scrub land and woodland. A watercourse
flows through the centre of the site and two ponds (dry at
certain times of the year) are located within the small area of
woodland. The watercourse runs beyond the western
boundary where it is culverted below the public footpath and
existing residential properties. A ditch runs around the field
boundary within the central-western part of the site, which is
also dry at certain times of the year. There are a number of
trees (mainly sycamore, willow, ash and oak) and hedgerows
(predominantly made up of privet, hawthorn, sycamore and
willow) within the site.
Some fly tipping is evident to the centre of the site and to
the southern and western boundaries of the site.
Apart from Jubilee Steps to the western boundary of the site
and the right of access for agricultural purposes, there is
currently no formal public access across the site.
A small number of rear gardens of existing properties along
Pontefract Road have encroached into the application site
along the south-western boundary. Existing properties (215-
237 Pontefract Road) along the south-eastern boundary have
rights of access along the side of 215 Pontefract Road to the
rear of their properties. Property 215 Pontefract Road has
extended their rear garden wall, which has reduced the
width of vehicular access to the rear of the remaining
properties. This has led to properties 215-237 encroaching
onto the application site to navigate around 215 Pontefract
Road.
6
Development Description
The planning application is a hybrid application with detailed
elements dealt with in full and other matters in outline. All
other matters regarding detailed design, such as appearance,
layout, scale and landscaping (except for where they are
detailed in the context of this hybrid planning application),
are reserved for consideration at a later date.
The scheme proposals are still evolving and will take account
of the iterative nature of the Environmental Impact
Assessment process. In order to establish a development,
the following descriptions are based on the maximum likely
developable areas. There is potential that the following
quantum of development may reduce, however it will not
increase.
The Applicants are proposing to develop the site for
residential purposes to include up to 450 dwellings. A
summary is provided below:
A high quality residential scheme, which seeks to
deliver a series of regeneration benefits for
Featherstone, through the delivery of both open
market housing and affordable housing within a
sustainable location
A mix of house types including detached, semi-
detached, terraced housing and bungalows. The
detailed development proposals comprise
predominantly two storey properties, however there
is also a small mix of single storey bungalows and two
and half storey houses. The properties will be
accessed from a main spine road via a number of loop
roads and cul-de-sacs.
The vehicular access to the site is proposed from
Pontefract Road (A645) to the southern boundary of
the site, which will combine with the existing traffic lit
junction of Ackworth Road and Pontefract Road.
7
Development Description
The public right of way (footpath 15 - Jubilee Steps) to
the western boundary of the site will be retained and
enhanced by proposals to widen it. Pedestrian and
cycle links will be provided to Jubilee Steps, which
provides access to Victoria Street and Post Office
Road and access to the town centre of Featherstone
and the railway station.
A controlled emergency vehicle access will be
provided via Post Office Road.
An area of public open space (POS) will be provided
within the western part of the site, which is defined by
the Jubilee Steps to the west and the watercourse and
spine road to the east. There are a number of trees
and areas of scrub which will be retained where
practicable. A significant amount of new planting will
be provided as part of the POS area. The POS will
also accommodate an area of open space and an
informal kick about area. A path will cross the
watercourse to provide access between the POS and
the wider application site.
A water detention basin will also be located within the
POS to provide an area for surface water retention
should this be required. A foul pumping station is also
required to serve the site and this will be located to
the east of the POS. The existing water vole habitat
will be retained, enhanced and improved as part of the
proposals. The watercourse will be culverted where
the spine road crosses the watercourse.
Parameters Plan
8
Planning Policy Context
Planning Policy supports schemes that will assist in
regeneration and encourage growth and investment into
Wakefield.
The statutory development plan for the consideration of this
application comprises the:
Regional Strategy for Yorkshire and the Humber, May
2008 (RS)
Wakefield Local Development Framework (LDF):
Core Strategy (CS), April 2009
Development Policies (D), April 2009
Site Specifics Proposals Document (SSPD), 12
September 2012
The LDF replaces many of the policies in the
Wakefield Unitary Development Plan First Alteration
adopted January 2003 (UDP). However the remaining
saved policies of the UDP, including Retail, Leisure and
Open Space policies, remain part of the statutory plan.
The remaining UDP Policies in relation to Retail, Leisure and
Open Space will be eventually replaced by LDF Development
Plan Documents (DPD) for Retail and Town Centres DPD
and Leisure, Recreation & Open Space DPD. For the
purpose of this planning application, the saved UDP policies
are not relevant.
The Council has recently adopted the Site Specifics Proposals
Document (SSPD), as part of the LDF. The SSPD provides a
set of site allocations and proposals to meet the vision,
objectives and development strategy of the Core Strategy.
The document includes land allocations to meet anticipated
development needs relating to housing, employment and
mixed use development. These proposals replace equivalent
allocations and designations in the saved UDP.
The SSPD was submitted to the Secretary of State in early
2011 and the Inspector held public hearing sessions during
December 2011 and January 2012. The Council received the
Inspector's Report about the Examination of the SSPD on 8
June 2012. The Inspector concluded that in general terms,
the SSPD is generally sound, and subject to the Council
adopting the Inspector's recommended modifications, the
SSPD satisfies the criteria for soundness in accordance with
the NPPF (which are; positively prepared, justified, effective
and consistent with national policy).
The application site has been allocated for housing (Policy HS
N111ii) in the SSPD and states:
"Policy HS N111ii - NORTH OF PONTEFRACT ROAD
This is a greenfield urban extension site, which is close to the town
centre, and has good access to public transport. The site's
development will be part of regeneration proposals, and will
include good pedestrian links to the town centre.
The site should only be accessed by a new junction with Pontefract
Road being incorporated into the existing signal controlled junction.
The new junction should incorporate safe and appropriate
pedestrian crossing facilities. A travel plan must accompany a
transport assessment for this site in order to minimise the impact
of traffic on the strategic road network. The need for physical
mitigation measures on the strategic road network must be
investigated. The details of any proposed mitigation measures,
including their funding and implementation, should be agreed with
the Council and the Highways Agency. Development proposals for
the site should take into account relevant masterplans.
Development which prejudices the subsequent potential
development of adjoining areas will not be permitted. In relation
to the Air Quality Action Plan, a planning obligation will be required
to offset the increase in road vehicle trips. Rights of way should be
improved and a route linking to Featherstone railway station will
be required. The viability of a bus route through the site should be
investigated. A 2 hectare area of natural greenspace will be
provided on-site or nearby, and a contribution to off-site open
space quality improvements will be required. A phase I desktop
Study will be required to identify potential risks of contamination."
9
The Need
There is a clear steer from Government to encourage
growth and development. The Government’s Planning for
Growth strategy (March 2011) requires more development
in suitable and viable locations with an expectation that the
answer to growth and development should wherever
possible be ‘yes’ except where it compromises key
sustainable development principles.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (March
2012) also provides an extremely strong emphasis on
sustainable development and growth with a clear
presumption in favour of sustainable development. It also
sets out the requirement for Local Planning Authorities to
have an additional 5% headroom on top of their five year
housing land supply.
The NPPF supports sustainable development and the
Ministerial foreword to this document confirms this ‘is about
positive growth – making economic, environmental and
social progress for this and future generations’. Paragraph 15
of the NPPF states that policies within Local Plans should
follow the approach of the presumption in favour of
sustainable development so that it is clear that development
which is sustainable can be approved without delay.
The Government has also recently reconfirmed its
commitment to build out of the current economic climate
which further emphasises the need for development.
In terms of the local context, the Yorkshire and Humber
Regional Strategy (RS, May 2008) increased the focus on the
Five Towns area through policy LCR1, which states that the
focus on housing renewal and development in the Coalfield
Regeneration Area should be towards Castleford, Pontefract,
Featherstone, Knottingley and Normanton. The RS also
recognises that there could be circumstances where not all
housing could be accommodated within the existing Urban
Areas and that the most sustainable locations to
accommodate some of this development may currently be
within the Green Belt, such as in West Yorkshire. Wakefield
Metropolitan District Council (WMDC) has therefore
reviewed its Green Belt boundaries through the emerging
LDF.
The Five Towns were given Growth Point Status in 2008
meaning an accelerated delivery of housing above RS housing
numbers, supporting the need for growth in this area.
The Five Towns area of Wakefield is covered by a Strategic
Development Framework (SDF). The SDF states that
housing-led regeneration can be a powerful and effective tool
to assist the renaissance of the centres in these five towns.
The principal aim for Featherstone is to create a critical mass
of population to support a vibrant town centre. The
application site is identified in the SDF as part of the
regeneration proposals.
The site was previously identified as a Protected Area of
Search (PAS) within the UDP, which establishes the principal
for the development of the site in the future. The Site
Specific Proposals Document (SSPD), which forms part of
the LDF and therefore the Development Plan, has recently
been adopted, following an EiP and publication of the
Inspector’s report. The SSPD provides a set of site
allocations and proposals to meet the vision, objectives and
development strategy of the Core Strategy. The document
includes land allocations to meet anticipated development
needs relating to housing, employment and mixed use
development. These proposals replace equivalent allocations
and designations in the saved UDP and confirms the
application site’s allocation for housing, thereby replacing its
previous PAS status. The indicative trajectory in the DPD
identifies 449 dwellings on the application site. The site is
located in a highly sustainable location and it is clear that its
development would assist the regeneration of Featherstone
through housing led development.
It can be concluded that there is a clear need for the
proposed development in Featherstone, which is strongly
supported by national, regional and local planning policy. In
turn this growth will contribute to the regeneration of the
settlement.
10
Consideration of Alternatives
The alternatives considered for the development of this site
are set out below.
Do Nothing
The planning application site is a housing allocation with the
recently adopted Site Allocations DPD.
Section 3 of the ES Part 1 Report explains the need for
development and that there is a need for new housing in
Featherstone to meet the housing requirement and to secure
regeneration benefits for the settlement.
To do nothing with the site and therefore retain it in its
current use, would not allow the significant need for new
housing to be met in a sustainable location in Featherstone.
This would therefore be contrary to the Development Plan
which includes the recently adopted Site Allocations DPD,
which confirms the site’s allocation for housing.
Compliance with the Development Plan
The site was previously allocated as an area protected for
long term development under Policy FTH23 of the Wakefield
Unitary Development Plan (adopted in 2003) (UDP).
Following the recent adoption of the site Allocations DPD,
which now forms part of the Development Plan, the site’s
allocation for housing has been confirmed.
In addition, the NPPF, now adopted as an expression of
national planning policy, sets out the presumption in favour of
sustainable development and the Government’s key objective
to increase significantly the delivery of new homes.
It should also be noted that, with regard to the requirement
for development plans to be compliant with the NPPF, the
Planning Inspectorate has recently issued guidance to
Inspectors on how emerging LDF policy documents might be
brought into line with the new NPPF approach. This has
recently been consulted on in the Council's SSPD and a
number of other authorities in the country. In this case, it
constitutes a model policy for inclusion in "post-NPPF"
development plans and is worded as follows:-
"When considering development proposals the Council will take a
positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of
sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy
Framework. It will always work proactively with applicants jointly
to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved
wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the
economic, social and environmental conditions in the area.
Planning applications that accord with the policies in this Local
Plan (and, where relevant, with polices in neighbourhood plans) will
be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate
otherwise.
Where there are no policies relevant to the application or relevant
policies are out of date at the time of making the decision then the
Council will grant permission unless material considerations
indicate otherwise – taking into account whether:
Any adverse impacts of granting permission would
significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when
assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy
Framework taken as a whole; or
Specific policies in that Framework indicate that
development should be restricted.”
The recently adopted SSPD includes the NPPF model policy
to bring the SSPD into line with the new NPPF approach.
Given that there are no adverse impacts that would
significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the
proposals, when assessed against the policies in the NPPF,
national planning policy supports the redevelopment of this
site with residential development. The proposals to develop
the site with housing are also in line with Development Plan
Policies.
11
This technical paper considers the likely significant effects
that the ground conditions at the application site could have
on the proposed development and vice versa.
The following aspects were considered:
The ground conditions expected beneath the
application site and in the surrounding area. This
includes the geology (soils and underlying bedrock),
hydrology and hydrogeology (surface water and
groundwater which together are classified as
controlled waters)
The environmental sensitivity of these
The likelihood of contaminants being present both
within the application site’s boundaries as well as
within the local area, which may influence the
application site pre, during and post construction
Any further pollution which may result from the
proposed development of the application site itself
Any other hazards which may be associated with the
ground.
The application site has been shown not to be significantly
contaminated with either manmade or naturally occurring
contaminants except that there are likely to be slight risks
presented by contaminants in the made ground. The total
area of made ground is only 2.9 hectares compared to the
total area of the application site of 15 hectares and the slight
risks can be easily mitigated. One stand of Japanese
Knotweed (an invasive weed) was noted to be present on
the mound in the north-west of the site and physical hazards
posed by the ground have generally not been identified.
There are not expected to be significant risks posed to
receptors based on the application site’s current use/state.
There are however, contaminants and Japanese Knotweed
present and therefore development of the application site
would require mitigation of any potential adverse effects and
result in the elevated contaminants, Knotweed or ground
hazards having been managed giving confidence that the risks
have been assessed and where necessary mitigated. This
could be considered a minor benefit.
The environmental impacts pre-mitigation are considered to
be minor or moderate negative*. It is considered that
conditions attached to the planning permission will ensure
that potential risks are identified and dealt with accordingly.
Any potential long term adverse effects to future site users,
plants, controlled waters and built structures both on the
application site and in the surrounding area as a result of the
ground conditions both during and post construction will
need to be mitigated through implementation of a
contamination Remediation Strategy agreed with the Local
Authority Contaminated Land Officer and any other relevant
parties. The impacts post mitigation are therefore considered
to be minor negative impacts at worst*.
*The impact for the groundwater and surface water are
considered to be exaggerated as these are identified as a
regional receptor, although any potential impacts would only
affect a localised area.
All of the impacts of the proposed development and any
which may occur in the surrounding area in the future are
expected to be mutually exclusive and consequently there
are not expected to be any cumulative impacts.
Ground Conditions and Contamination
Development Trends 1852—1982
12
Traffic and Transportation
This Technical Paper considers the effects of the proposed
residential development upon the traffic and transportation
conditions within the vicinity of the application site. It
considers the effects of the traffic generated by all phases of
the development, which together will provide up to 450
residential units.
This Technical Paper has considered the impacts of the
proposals and driver delay, pedestrian delay and amenity, fear
and intimidation, severance and accidents and safety.
The impacts of the proposals have been assessed both during
its construction phase and also during the operational phase,
when all of the houses have been built and occupied. The
impacts of the proposals have been assessed through a
comparison of the traffic and transport conditions within the
surrounding area both without the development and with the
development. A Transport Assessment (TA) (appended to
the Traffic and Transportation Technical Paper) has also been
prepared to support the application and this provides more
details of the potential impacts of the scheme on the
surrounding road network.
A series of local and national planning policy and guidance
documents have been referred to in the preparation of this
ES Technical Paper. The scope of the TA and ES Technical
Paper have been agreed with both Wakefield Metropolitan
District Council and the Highways Agency during pre-
application discussions.
Baseline data has been collected from a series of traffic
surveys undertaken around Featherstone, comprehensive
measurements obtained through site visits and a range of
other existing data sources, including traffic speeds and
accident records.
The analysis has considered the existing road network and
also a future design year scenario of 2025, which reflects the
end of the construction period for the proposals. For the
assessment of the impacts at M62 Junction 31, an assessment
year of 2021 was agreed with the Highways Agency.
The scale of impacts identified through the assessment
process has been defined for each of the traffic and
transportation parameters and these have been categorised
as impacts which are either substantial, high, moderate, minor
or negligible based upon a set of appropriate assessment
criteria.
The study area for the assessment of traffic and
transportation impacts has been agreed with both highway
authorities. This includes the local junctions surrounding the
site including the A645 Pontefract Road junctions with
Ackworth Road and Station Lane and also the A645 junction
with Common Side Lane and Featherstone Lane/Acton Lane
and Junction 31 of M62 Motorway.
A large number of committed developments in the area have
also been taken into consideration in the assessment,
including a range of development sites within Featherstone
and beyond and also include the effects of the proposed
Green Lane Link Road. The results of the baseline junction
capacity assessments show that all of the junctions within the
study area operate within their capacity under both the
existing traffic flows and also under the future year baseline
traffic flow scenarios (i.e. committed development).
Public Transport:
Access to Bus Routes
Public Transport:
Access to Rail Stations
Access to Facilities Exisiting Pedestrian Movement
13
Traffic and Transportation
The traffic levels during the construction phase are
significantly lower than the volume of traffic generated by the
proposals during its operational phase and therefore the
traffic-related environmental impacts associated with the
proposals during the construction phase will be lower than
during the operational phase. The analysis has shown that all
of the impacts during the construction phase will be
negligible.
The traffic generated by the proposed during its operational
phase has been calculated using trip rates extracted from the
TRICS database for other similar residential developments
and the proposed 450 residential units are forecast to
generate 261 two-way vehicle trips in the AM peak hour and
278 vehicle trips in the PM peak hour.
The overall impacts of the development proposals in traffic
terms has been shown to range from negligible to minor
adverse impacts across each of the potential impacts. The
main impacts relate to increased driver delays at the Station
Lane/Pontefract Road junction and at the proposed site
access junction into Pontefract Road. In addition to this,
there will be some minor adverse impact on pedestrian
amenity along Pontefract Road as a result of increased traffic
levels.
A series of mitigation measures are therefore proposed to
address the impacts of the proposals, which include a Travel
Plan, the aim of which is to minimise the level of vehicular
traffic associated with the development; full signal-controlled
pedestrian crossing facilities at the site access junction;
improvements to the pedestrian and cycle connections to the
town centre and railway station; and the extension of the
length of the right turn lane on the eastern arm of the
Wakefield Road/Common Side Lane junction to provide
additional storage.
Following implementation of the mitigation package, it is
considered that the impacts of the proposals will largely be
negligible, with some residual minor adverse impacts upon
driver delay and public transport users during the peak hours.
Impacts at other times are considered to be much lower.
14
Landscape
The Landscape and Visual Impact Technical Paper reports the
findings of a landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA)
and identifies and assesses the effects of residential
development on land off Pontefract Road, Purston,
Featherstone, on the physical landscape of the application site,
the surrounding landscape character and on views and visual
amenity.
The Assessment was informed by an audit of relevant
landscape planning policies and consultation with officers of
Wakefield MDC.
The methodology used for the LVIA was based on best
practice guidance - Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact
Assessment (The Landscape Institute and Institute of
Environmental Assessment, 2nd Edition, 2002) and follows a
standard two stage approach, involving a detailed description
of the baseline conditions of the receptors, and assessment of
their sensitivity, followed by a prediction of the magnitude of
impact that the proposed development would bring, allowing
for mitigation measures, on both landscape and visual
receptors.
The sensitive receptors identified include landscape elements,
such as topography, vegetation, settlement and built form and
landscape character (interactions of elements and features and
people’s perceptions of these); and visual receptors, such as
local residents, users of public rights of way and other
recreational features, users of transport routes.
The sensitivity of each receptor is described as Low, Medium
or High
The Magnitude of Change for both Landscape and Visual
receptors is described as Low, Medium or High
The Significance of Effects is determined by cross-referencing
the sensitivity of the receptor (landscape or viewer group)
with the magnitude of change expected as a result of the
development, and applying professional judgement based on
experience. Impacts can be Negligible, Minor, Moderate, High
or Substantial. They may also be positive or negative
depending on whether the change is judged as likely to be
perceived as adverse or beneficial by the majority of those
experiencing it.
The study area falls within the Regional County Landscape
Character Area ‘Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire
Coalfield’ (Countryside Character Area 38), and within
WMDC Landscape Character Area ‘The Northern Coalfield.’
There are no Landscape Designations within 3Km of the site
and only 3 listed buildings within 1Km of the site. Field study
confirmed that issues arising from intervisibility are unlikely
and there is therefore no potential for Impacts on designated
Landscapes.
Having regard to the WMDC Landscape Character
Assessment the site was assessed as having a low sensitivity to
landscape change. Change can have beneficial as well as
adverse landscape effects.
The Masterplan and landscape strategy were designed through
an iterative process to incorporate the policy objectives for
enhancing this landscape area and detailed designs will
incorporate the proposed primary mitigation measures, aimed
at minimising visual impact and enhancing existing landscape
character.
The development provides the opportunity to improve the
landscape of the site and positively influence the landscape
character of both the site and the wider area, removing signs
of dereliction, increasing biodiversity and habitat linkages,
improving public access and providing significant new areas of
Public Open Space.
Four Landscape Receptors were considered to have the
potential for significant impacts and were therefore the
subject of detailed analysis – Topography, Land Cover and
Vegetation, Settlement and Built Form and Landscape
Character.
Of the four, Topography was found to have a Negligible
Landscape Impact at completion of the project, and the other
three (Land Cover and Vegetation, Settlement and Built Form
and Landscape Character) were found to have Minor
Beneficial Landscape Impacts.
These impacts remain the same 10 years after completion of
the development, however vegetation tree and woodland
pattern continue to benefit from increasing longer term
benefits to the quality of the landscape and biodiversity as the
scheme matures.
The area from which the development is visible is limited by
generally flat topography, built form and vegetation to a small
area immediately surrounding the site and over fields to the
15
Landscape
East, defined by the built form of properties on Pontefract
Road, the eastern edge of Featherstone and the stands of the
Post Office Road rugby ground to the West, the railway line
to the North, and a combination of topography and
vegetation to the North East and East. There are no medium
or long distance views of the site.
The Key Visual Receptors are within 700m of the site and
include:
Pedestrians on Featherstone Public Footpath No15
(Pontefract Road, Purston to Halfpenny Lane,
Featherstone, known as Jubilee Steps) and
Featherstone Public Footpath No 16 – Halfpenny Lane
from Kings Mead Pontefract to Featherstone
Halfpenny Lane
Residential properties surrounding the site
Recreational users – allotments to the East and sports
facilities to the North
Motorists - Post Office Road and Victoria Street
Transport users - the Wakefield to Pontefract Railway
Line
The study began with desk studies in a 10Km x 10Km site
centre are, and a computer model was run to establish those
areas with a potential view of the site. Within those areas,
field study determined places with an actual view of the site.
62 viewpoints were considered and in discussion with the
council, 10 Key Viewpoints (representing the range of
receptors found in the study) were agreed for detailed
assessment. They were described and analysed (Four were
the subject of Photomontages). Analysis revealed the
following:-
At Completion, from the 10 Viewpoints analysed for
Residential, Pedestrian and Motorist receptors, there were
found to be 8 Minor Adverse Impacts, 1 Minor Beneficial
Impact, 1Minor Adverse/Minor Beneficial Impact and 2
Negligible Impacts.
The Adverse Impacts are all mitigated over time with the
increasing effectiveness of the Landscape Infrastructure
incorporated into the site masterplan. In most cases, the
modification of the impact is not sufficient to change the
Significance of Effect, resulting in the following Residual
Impacts at 10 years after completion:-
2no Negligible Visual Impacts
7no Minor Adverse Visual Impacts
2no Minor Beneficial Impact
1no Minor Positive or Minor Beneficial Impact
Therefore we conclude that the predominant residual impact
for visual receptors is Minor Adverse and that “the proposals
constitute only a minor component of the wider view, which might
be missed by the casual observer or receptor. Awareness of the
proposals would not have a marked effect on the overall quality of
the view.”
Our overall conclusion is that significant impacts are avoided
and the development will fit well into the landscape.
Proposed Landscape Strategy
16
Water Environment
This technical paper considers the impacts of the proposed
development on the water environment, including the
impacts of potential flood risk.
Went Beck is located 1.5km to the south of the site. An un-
named watercourse, part of which is designated as Main
River runs through the centre of the site, flowing from north
east to west. The site also contains several ponds and other
ditches. None of the watercourses within the site are
designated under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Water quality is likely to be typical of small watercourses
receiving agricultural runoff. The receptors have been
identified as being mostly of local value with Went Beck
being of Borough/District value.
The land around the watercourse is relatively flat with
ground levels of between 41.00m AOD and 43.00m AOD.
The land slopes at the edges of the site with levels reaching
49.25m AOD at the south-eastern most part of the site.
Although the online Environment Agency maps indicate the
whole of the proposed development site is located within
Flood Zone 1, which is land defined as having a low risk of
fluvial flooding, the Environment Agency requires that the
results of the 2011 modelling (of the un-named watercourse)
from this detailed FRA are considered when designing the
site. The modelling suggests a significant area of the
proposed development west of the watercourse would be at
risk from flooding during a 1% AEP event. When climate
change is taken into account, there is no significant change in
the flood extent. The maximum flood levels at the culvert
entrance Flood depths reach approximately 0.8m for the 1%
event on the right bank of the unnamed watercourse. Flood
depths elsewhere are approximately 0.25m.
Relevant legislation and planning policy has been identified
and the assessment concludes that the development complies
with the relevant planning policies in the Core Strategy and
Development Policies Document (Wakefield Council, 2009).
An assessment has been undertaken of the potential impacts
of the proposed development upon the water environment.
This has been based on a variety of sources including a Flood
Risk Assessment (Halcrow, 2012) and Drainage Strategy
(Eastwood and Partners, 2012).
During construction impacts may result from the release of
sediment into the watercourses or the use of polluting
materials on site such as cement and fuels. With appropriate
mitigation and best practices employed during construction
there is anticipated to be no significant effect upon any of the
watercourses with the significance of impacts assessed as
negligible.
The incorporation of SuDS into the design of the
development in the form of a detention basin ensures that
impacts during operation upon flood risk and water quality
from the development are reduced to an acceptable level,
assuming these are maintained appropriately. The loss of the
ponds and culverting of a section of the un-named
watercourse for access within the site is an adverse impact.
This is mitigated by the incorporation of damp areas within
the detention basin and the creation of water vole habitat
which includes new sections of watercourse. With this
mitigation the impacts during the operation phase are
negligible or neutral.
An assessment of the cumulative effects has been undertaken
and concluded that because each of the other developments
in the area do not physically impact upon local watercourses
there should be no cumulative impacts upon the water
environment.
The assessment has concluded that with the recommended
mitigation measures adopted during construction and
operation the proposed development should have no
significant adverse impact on the water environment does
not lead to any significant environmental impacts upon the
water environment and should be considered appropriate for
development in this respect.
17
Socio Economic
The proposed residential development brings a series of
significant benefits to the Featherstone ward, Wakefield and
the Region. The overall impact of the proposal in terms of
socio-economic issues is considered to be negligible to minor
beneficial due to the delivery of new homes and affordable
housing the positive effects that the development will have to
the local community and economy.
Beneficial socio-economic impacts will arise as a result of the
proposed development. The provision of new housing within
Featherstone has been assessed as having a minor beneficial
impact upon the current migration rates since more homes
will be made available to the local population. Essentially,
more homes will be available providing local housing
opportunities for people who might otherwise have moved
outside of the area. The new homes will be provided in a
range of house types which will respond to the existing
housing market within the area. The proposed development
will also incorporate affordable housing to address the need
within the area.
Employment opportunities for the local population will be
provided through the proposed residential scheme. The
Technical Paper indicates that it is expected that the scheme
will deliver 675 temporary direct jobs (construction) and a
range of spin off jobs. The proposed development generates
additional demand for local services which would have a
potential positive impact on the employment of additional
staff by existing businesses in the locality. The additional
household expenditure within Featherstone that could result
from the proposed scheme has been calculated to be
£1,546,722. The proposed development could provide the
Local Authority with £3,306,001 over 6 years as part of the
New Homes Bonus which could assist in delivering housing
growth within Wakefield.
The development proposes to offer a range of contributions
which in turn will assist in mitigating potential negative
impacts. These include the following:
The development of the residential site will be the subject of
a Travel Plan which aims to restrain vehicular traffic and
encourage the use of alternative forms of travel. Residents
will be advised of alternative travel modes that are available
and bus travel will be encouraged.
The proposed development will deliver 25-30% affordable
housing on the site to assist in meeting existing housing need
(and included within a Section 106 Agreement). However the
scheme will provide an increased availability of properties
available to those on the housing register and qualified for
Housing Association properties and will in turn have a
positive impact on the overall supply of properties within the
area.
Panoramic Views of the site
18
Ecology and Nature Conservation
This technical paper assesses the impact on ecological
receptors.
The proposed development will involve the construction of
450 new dwellings, resulting mainly in the loss of arable land
and disused allotments.
The site has been found to support a small water vole
population, and four amphibian species, including palmate
newt, which has a restricted range within the area. Great
crested newt was not found on site.
There will be no impact upon designated wildlife sites, or loss
of species or habitats of high nature conservation value.
There will be a loss of scrub/ woodland during construction,
mainly from the disused allotment areas, and a loss of three
of the four existing ponds. The significance of impacts during
construction before mitigation is considered are assessed as
moderate adverse.
The existing main watercourse and ditch, as well as the
majority of the scrub/ woodland along it, and the largest of
the four existing ponds will be retained. A new ditch, and
two new off-line ponds, and a number of back-waters, will be
created to benefit water vole and amphibians, including
palmate newt. In addition, three wetland areas will be
created beside the main watercourse, within ‘the basin’.
Areas of new scrub and woodland will be planted within the
Valley Greenspace, and along access roads, as well as within
the gardens of new properties, once occupied.
The provision of 50 bird boxes (for house sparrow, starling
and swift) and 20 bat boxes/ tubes within the new properties
will provide new nest and roost sites in an area which is
currently deficient in nesting/ roosting opportunities for bats
and these bird species, due a lack of buildings and mature
trees.
The significance of impacts after the consideration of
mitigation are therefore negligible to minor adverse during
construction and predominantly negligible and minor
beneficial during operation, once the site is completed and
occupied.
The cumulative assessment confirms that none of the
developments considered are of a sufficient scale, or are
sufficiently close to the development which is the subject of
this planning application, to result in significant cumulative
impacts upon the ecological receptors identified as being of
Local or Neighbourhood value, or above, described here.
Water Vole Habitat and cross sections
19
The potential effects of the proposed development, with the
proposed mitigation in place, on local air quality sensitive
receptors have been assessed against the requirements of
planning policies and national legislation. Additional mitigation
measures have been recommended where appropriate, to
minimise the potential for adverse effects being experienced
by the local community during the construction and
operational phases of the proposed development.
For the proposed development, the concentrations of any
airborne particulate matter generated by these activities
would be controlled using good site practice measures, to
control the generation of dust. These measures would be
defined in a Construction Management Plan (CMP) that
would be agreed with the local authority pollution control
department. The impacts are therefore assessed as negligible
to minor adverse as a worst case and would be a short term
impact while construction is underway.
In the proposed opening year, annual mean nitrogen dioxide
concentrations have been calculated at properties alongside
roads where the proposed development would alter the
amount of traffic, including some roads within the air quality
management area (AQMA). Air quality would be almost the
same with or without the proposed development and can be
considered to be ‘air quality neutral’.
The change in air quality resulting from the proposed
development would not result in any new exceedances of
national air quality objective values and would meet the
requirements of national and local planning policies.
Air Quality
Summary of Design Responses
20
Interaction of Effects of Construction
C
O
N
S
T
R
U
C
T
I
O
N
I
M
P
A
C
T
S
TOPIC IMPACT MITIGATION
Remediation, earth works
and construction activity
Water Quality / Drainage
Contamination
Invasive Plant species
Dust soiling / earthworks / construction / trackout Harm to ecological receptors
Noise due to construction works
Increase in construction traffic Road safety
Spillage
Import and export of material
Water pollution
Flood risk
Culverting Release of contaminating fuel
Provision of a Construction
Management Plan Minimising dust generating activities
Re-use of material on site Dust suppression
Gas monitoring
Best Practice Measures, control and monitoring measures
Stock piling of materials Good working practice
Capping layer
Treatment of Japanese Knotweed
Adherence to PPGs
Air Quality
Retention of ditch
Early provision of SUDs and detention basin
Creation of ecological habitat areas
Phasing of works to minimise
disturbance Avoid bird nesting season
Good working practices SUDs
Creation of wetland habitat area
Ecological Impacts
Landscape and
visual impact
Impact on aquatic habitats
Fragmentation of habitats
Disturbance of species
Loss of trees and vegetation
Storage of materials
Change in levels Loss of agricultural land
Change in character of views Impact on public footpath and
footpath users
Retention of trees where practicable
Retention of ditch and associated vegetation
New planting
Retention of agricultural soil on site
for re-use Consideration of suitable location
for storage of materials
Habitat enhancement and creation Avoidance of night time working
Phasing of works
Landscape and
visual impact
Socio Economic
Beneficial Impact – no mitigation
proposed Construction Management Plan
Creation of construction jobs /
indirect jobs Increased expenditure and demand
for local services
Creation of GVA
Disruption to local community
21
Interaction of Effects of Operational
AREA O
P
E
R
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T
I
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N
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L
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P
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IMPACT MITIGATION
Residential Development
New access and junction
New pedestrian and cycle
links
Areas of POS
Landscaping
Ecological Areas
Detention Basin
Access road from A63
1,
000
re
sid
e
nti
al
uni
ts
Highway Safety
Increased traffic flows / traffic on
network
Driver Stress and delay
Increased traffic on local network
Traffic emissions
Severance
Pedestrian delay
New junction with full pedestrian
crossing facilities
Production of a Travel Plan
Proposed Infrastructure
Improvements
Improved pedestrian / cycle linkages
Improved linkages throughout the site
to wider area
Off-site highway improvements
(Common Side Lane / Wakefield Road
junction)
Increase in hard surfaces – increased
surface water run off
Water quality
Increased demand on water supply
Increase demand in foul water disposal
Flood risk
Loss of water features
Polluting materials from development
Culverting
Increase in population
Provision of housing to meet need and
demand
Increased GVA
New Homes bonus
Increased Council tax Payments
Increased household expenditure
Increased demand for existing facilities
and services
Creation of new open space
Increase in in-migration
Provision of affordable housing
Contamination
Disturbance to habitats / loss of
habitat
Pollution or damage to habitat /
running water habitats
Spread of invasive species (Japanese
Knotweed)
SUDs and drainage strategy including
on site detention basin
Restricted run off rates to less than
existing
Foul pumping station
Consideration of development layout,
building design and finished floor levels
Buildings outside 1 in 100 year flood
plain
Beneficial impact no mitigation
proposed
Verification report for remediation
works
Impact on Education and Health
provision
No mitigation required (capacity in
existing schools)
Habitat enhancement and creation
Tree retention and new planting
Control and eradication of Japanese
Knotweed
Appropriate landscaping
Bird box and bat box provision
Retention of wildlife corridors
Change in character of views
New planting, particularly around
boundaries
Retention of trees and vegetation
where possible and practical
22
Cumulative Effects
There are a number of cumulative effects that have been
considered during the environmental assessment work.
These were agreed with WMDC through the Scoping Stage.
The developments considered as cumulative are set out
below:
Former Crystal Glass Factory (08/02652/REM) –
Reserved Matters Application for 9 apartments and 60
dwellings, planning permission granted 3 February
2009.
Featherstone Lane (09/01476/FUL) – Residential
development (55 dwellings), planning permission
granted 24 September 2009.
Residential development at Girnhill Lane (11/01092/
FUL) – Residential development (233 dwellings),
planning permission granted 10 January 2012.
Former Crystal Glass Factory (12/00712/OUT) –
Erection of retail foodstore with associated access,
servicing and car parking. Application submitted 30
March 2012, decision pending.
Wilson Street Foodstore (09/00633/FUL) -
Demolition of existing derelict retail unit and
provision of one A1 retail unit (to include food retail)
with associated parking (former Kwik Save site).
Planning permission granted 11 June 2012. Renewal of
this planning permission (12/00664/RPP), planning
permission renewed 8 June 2012.
Featherstone Rovers Stadium (includes 2 new stands,
2x15m high floodlights, extension to rugby pitch). The
application submission confirms no additional capacity
is created and there is no change to the existing
parking – 12/01013/FUL. Application submitted May
2012, decision is pending.
Overall, it is considered that cumulatively, the developments,
post mitigation, would not have a detrimental impact that
could not be addressed with suitable mitigation for each
scheme. There are also a number of beneficial impacts of all
Photomontages
23
Conclusion
The main purpose of the ES is to provide an objective
assessment of the Environmental Impacts of the proposed
development. This Non-Technical Summary provides a
summary of the main issues identified within the ES Part 1
and ES Part 2.
The separate Technical Papers within ES Part 2 provides a
detailed analysis of impacts and mitigation and should be
referred to the complete assessment of impact. The ES Part 1
report aims to provide an overview of the predicted effects
and how it is proposed to mitigate the impacts.
It should be noted that the information submitted for this
planning application is extensive given the nature of the site,
however, the detailed mitigation strategies will be controlled
via the use of planning conditions and the Section 106
Agreement.
The report has also assessed the potential for the interaction
of effects and concludes that the adverse interaction of
impacts in and around the site will occur at its greatest during
the short term period (construction and initial operation
phase). It is however considered that the mitigation
proposed as part of this environmental assessment is
sufficient to deal with these impacts which would be
controlled by the use of planning conditions and S106 legal
agreement should planning permission be granted. Benefits in
the short term relate to direct and indirect employment
related to the construction industry and early delivery of the
SUDs, public open space and ecological habitat areas. In the
longer term, there are benefits resulting from the proposals
such as remediation of contaminated areas of the site,
housing provision to meet need and encourage investment
and the contribution to the regeneration of the settlement.
Illustrative Masterplan
Spawforths
Junction 41 Business Court, East Ardsley, Leeds, West Yorkshire. WF3 2AB
t: 01924 873873, f: 01924 870777, mail@spawforths.co.uk, www.spawforths.co.uk
Spawforths is a trading name of Spawforth Rolinson Ltd. Incorporated in England, Company Registration Number 2247289
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