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Knottingley Power Project Environmental Statement

Socioeconomic, Cumulative Impact and Framework CEMP

ESB International

September 2013

Knottingley Power Project

Environmental Statement – Cumulative Impact Assessment and CEMP

September 2013 Page 1

CONTENTS

Page

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

SOCIO-ECONOMICS 9

25 SOCIO-ECONOMICS 11

25.1 Introduction 11

25.2 Policy Overview 12

25.3 Environmental Scoping / Stakeholder Consultation 13

25.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 17

25.5 Baseline Conditions and Receptors 21

25.6 Design and Operation / Mitigation 26

25.7 Potential Impacts 27

25.8 Summary and Conclusions 47

INDIRECT / SECONDARY AND CUMUALTIVE IMPACTS 51

26 INDIRECT / SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS 52


26.2 Environmental Scoping / Stakeholder Consultation 52

26.3 Description of Developments Considered 52

26.4 Impact Assessment 52

26.5 Cumulative Impacts: Air Quality 58

26.6 Cumulative Impacts: Terrestrial Ecology 61

26.7 Cumulative Impacts: Water Resources 62

26.8 Cumulative Impacts: Landscape and Visual 62

26.9 Cumulative Impacts: Waste Management 62

26.10 Cumulative Impacts: Traffic, Transport and Access 64

26.11 Cumulative Impacts: Cultural Heritage 71

FRAMEWORK FOR A CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 73

27 FRAMEWORK FOR A CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 75


27.2 Environmental Management 75

27.3 Suggested Contents of a Construction Environmental Management Plan 75




LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

% percent

%ile Percentile

AADT Annual Average Daily Traffic

Aatm Atmospheric Absorption

Abar Screening by Obstacles

AC Alternating Current

Adiv Geometrical Divergence

ADMS Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling System

AGI Above Ground Installation

AGR Advance Gas Reactor

Agr Ground Effect

AIL Abnormal Indivisible Load

Amisc Miscellaneous Effects

AOD Above Ordinance Datum

AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

APIS Air Pollution Information System

AQAP Air Quality Action Plan

AQMA Air Quality Management Area

AQO Air Quality Objectives

AQS Air Quality Strategy

ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASWYAS Archaeological Services West Yorkshire Archaeology Services

AUT Automatic Ultrasonic Testing

BAP Biodiversity Action Plan

bar g bar gauge

BAT Best Available Technique

BGS British Geological Society

BPD Boring Proximity Distance

BRE Building Research Establishment

BS British Standard

C&I Commercial and Industrial

CAA Civil Aviation Authority

CBOA Commercial Boat Operators Association

CCGT Combined Cycle Gas Turbine

CCR Carbon Capture Ready

CCS Carbon Capture and Storage

CCTV Close Circuit Television

CD Cathodic Protection

CDM Construction, Design and Management

CEH Centre for Ecology and Hydrology




CEMP Construction Environmental Management Plan

CEMS Continuous Emissions Monitoring System

CHP Combined Heat and Power

CIEH Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

CIRIA Construction Industry Research and Information Association

CL Critical Load

CLEA Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment

CO Carbon Monoxide

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

CoC Contaminants of Concern

COMAH Control of Major Accident Hazards

COSHH Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

CRTN Calculation of Road Traffic Noise

CS Core Strategy

CSM Conceptual Site Model

CSWMP Construction Surface Water Management Plan

CTMP Construction Transport Management Plan

CTP Construction Travel Plan

dB Decibels

DCLG Department for Communities and Local Government

DCO Development Consent Order

DCVG Direct Current Voltage Gradient

DECC Department for Energy and Climate Change

DEFRA Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

DEMP Decommissioning Environmental Plan

DMBC Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

DMRB Design Manual for Roads and Bridges

DPD Development Plan Documents

DQRA Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment

EA Environment Agency

EAL Environmental Assessment Levels

EART Environmental Assessment of Road Traffic

EcIA Ecological Impact Assessment

EH English Heritage

EHA English Heritage Records

EHO Environmental Health Officer

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EMS Environmental Management System

EPS European Protected Species

EPUK Environmental Protection United Kingdom

ES Environmental Statement

ESB Electricity Supply Board




ESD Emergency Shutdown Device

ESR Environmental Scoping Report

EU European Union

FRA Flood Risk Assessment

GAC Generic Assessment Criteria

GCN Great Crested Newt

GIS Gas Insulated Switchgear

GLA Greater London Authority

GRF Gas Receiving Facility

GW GigaWatt

HA Highways Agency

HAP Habitat Action Plan

HAZCON Hazardous Construction

HAZID Hazard Identification

HAZOP Hazards and Operability

HCU Hybrid Cooling Units

HDD Horizontal Directional Drill

HGV Heavy Goods Vehicle

HIA Health Impacts Assessment

HNO3 Nitric Acid

HPA Health Protection Agency

HRA Habitats Regulations Assessment

HRSG Heat Recovery Steam Generator

HSC Hazardous Substances Consent

HSE Health and Safety Executive

IAQM Institute of Air Quality Management

IDB Internal Drainage Board

IEEM Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

IEH Institute of Environment and Health

IfA Institute for Archaeologists

IGE Institute of Gas Engineers

IPC Infrastructure Planning Commission

IPPC Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control

JMU Joint Mobility Unit

JNCC Joint Nature Conservation Committee

kEgH+/ha.yr Estimated Acid Deposition per Hectare per Year

kgN/ha.yr Kilograms of Nitrogen per Hectare per Year

km kilometre

km2 Square Kilometres

kph kilometres per hour

KPL Knottingley Power Limited

KPP Knottingley Power Project




kV kilo Volt

LA90 A weighted sound pressure level exceeded 90 % of the time

LAeq Equivalent Sound Pressure Level

LAeq,T Equivalent continuous A weighted sound Pressure level

LAeq,Tr Equivalent continuous A weighted sound Pressure level over a given time period

LAmax A-weighted Maximum Sound Pressure Level

LAQM Local Air Quality Management

LB Listed Building

LBAP Local Biodiversity Action Plan

LCA Landscape Conservation Area

LCPD Large Combustion Plant Directive

LDF Local Development Framework

LGV Light Goods Vehicle

LIR Local Impact Report

LNR Local Nature Reserve

LQM Land Quality Management

LVIA Landscape and Visual Assessment

LWS Local Wildlife Site

m metres

m3 Cubic metre

m3/s cubic metres per second

MAGIC Multi Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside

MAPD Major Accident Prevention Document

MJ/kg MegaJoules per kilogram

mm millimetres

MP Measurement Position

mph miles per hour

MRF Materials Recycling Facility

MVA Megavolt amp

MW MegaWatt

N2 Nitrogen

NBN National Biodiversity Network

NCA National Character Area

NDT Non-Destructive Testing

NE Natural England

NHBC National House Building Council

NMR National Monuments Record

NNR National Nature Reserve

NO Nitric Oxide

NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide

NOx Nitrogen Oxides

NPPF National Planning Policy Framework




NPS National Policy Statements

NSIP Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project

NTM National Traffic Model

NTS Non-Technical Summary

NYCC North Yorkshire County Council

NYHER North Yorkshire Historic Environmental Record

°C degrees

OfGEM Office of Gas and Electricity Market

OHL Over Head Line

PB Parsons Brinkerhoff

PC Process Contributions

PCB Polychlorinated biphenyls

PEC Predicted Environmental Concentration

PIG Pipeline Inspection Gauge

PINS Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Directorate

PM10 Particulate Matter

PRoW Public Right of Way

PSR Pipeline Safety Regulations

PWR Pressure Water Reactor

RSK RSK Environmental Consultants

SAC Special Area of Conservation

SAP Species Action Plan

SBL Search By Location

SDC Selby District Council

SEGI Site of Ecological or Geological Importance

SFRA Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

SGV Soil Guideline Values

SINC Site of Importance for Nature Conservation

SKM Sinclair Knight Merz Enviros

SM Scheduled Monuments

SNCI Sites of Nature Conservation Importance

SO2 Sulphur Dioxide

SoCC Statement of Community Consultation

SoS Secretary of State

SPA Special Protection Area

SRCL Site Relevant Critical Load

SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest

SWMP Site Waste Management Plan

TA Transport Assessment

TAG Transport Analysis Guidance

TPS Travel Plan Statement

TRADS Traffic Flow Database System




UDP Unitary Development Plan

µg/m3 Micrograms per Cubic Metre

UK United Kingdom

UK-AIR United Kingdom Air Information Resources

UK-D UK Distribution System

UK-T UK Transmission System

µm micrometres

UPS Un-interrupted Power Supply

VER Valued Ecological Receptor

VOC Volatile Organic Compounds

WHO World Health Organisation

WHS World Heritage Site

WMDC Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

WRMU Water Resource Management Unit

WYAAS West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service

WYHER West Yorkshire Historic Environmental Record

WYPTE West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive

YWT Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

ZTV Zone of Theoretical Visibility




SECTION 25

SOCIO-ECONOMICS




25 SOCIO-ECONOMICS

25.1 Introduction

25.1.1 This Section assesses the potential socio-economic impacts associated with the development of the Knottingley Power Project (KPP).

25.1.2 Within this Section, ‘social impacts’ refer to the effects of the development of the KPP which relate to the ways in which people live, work, play, relate to one another, organise to meet their needs and generally cope as members of society.

25.1.3 Similarly, within this Section ‘economic impacts’ refer to the consequences of the development of the KPP which relate to employment, and direct and indirect spending.

25.1.4 The key purpose of this Section is to determine how the KPP is likely to change the lives of current and future residents, which can be used to inform the design and decision making process accordingly. The assessment within this Section has been completed using professional judgement, and feedback from an extensive consultation exercise.

25.1.5 Accordingly, this Section considers how the development of the KPP will impact on:

Population characteristics (i.e. potential population change, seasonal residents / tourism impacts);

Community and institutional structures (i.e. employment / income characteristics, employment opportunities, local / regional / national linkages, industrial / commercial diversity, travel around the area);

Individual and family changes (i.e. perceptions of risk, displacement / relocation concerns, residential stability, attitudes towards the project, concerns about social well-being); and,

Community resources (security, change in community infrastructure, land use patterns (including Public Rights of Way (PRoW)), effects on cultural / historical / archaeological resources, disruption to the environment, pollution to waterways, visual impact of development).

25.1.6 This Section follows the adopted structure for this ES as follows:

Policy overview (comprising a review of the national and local policy to establish the policy background and the relevant constraints / requirements that must be adhered to);

Environmental scoping / stakeholder consultation (providing details of the comments received during the scoping and assessment stages. Responses are provided to demonstrate how the comments have been addressed);

Assessment methodology and significance criteria (setting out the methodology adopted for this assessment and the criteria for establishing whether impacts are significant);

Baseline conditions and receptors (describing the current baseline conditions and identifying the key receptors);

Design and operation measures (describing the key design and operation measures that are likely to influence the assessment);

Potential impacts (presenting the assessment of the potential impacts on the baseline conditions and receptors, taking into account the design and operation measures);




Mitigation and monitoring measures (describing the further mitigation measures proposed to further reduce any likely significant effects of the KPP on the environment. This section will also describe any monitoring that has been proposed as a means of reducing the effect of a likely significant impact);

Summary and assessment of residual impacts; and,

Conclusion and summary.

25.1.7 This Section should be read in conjunction with Appendix Y.1 (Health Impact Assessment for the CCGT power plant) and Appendix Y.2 (Health Impact Assessment for the Gas Pipeline).

25.2 Policy Overview

National Policy Statements

25.2.1 The relevant Assessment Principles in terms of generic impacts (‘Socio-Economics’) from Part 5 of NPS EN-1 (Generic Impacts) are set out below:

NPS EN-1: Generic Impacts – Socio-Economics

25.2.2 Under Applicant’s Assessment (paragraphs 5.12.2 to 5.12.5):

“Where the project is likely to have socio-economic impacts at local or regional levels, the applicant should undertake and include in their application an assessment of these impacts as part of the ES.

The assessment should consider all relevant socio-economic impacts, which may include:

The creation of jobs and training opportunities;

The provision of additional local services and improvements to local infrastructure, including the provision of educational and visitor facilities;

Effects on tourism;

The impact of a changing influx of workers during the different construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the energy infrastructure. This could change the local population dynamics and could alter the demand for services and facilities in the settlements nearest to the construction work (including community facilities and physical infrastructure such as energy, water, transport and waste). There could also be effects on social cohesion depending on how populations and service provision change as a result of the development; and

Cumulative effects – if Development Consent were to be granted to for a number of projects within a region and these were developed in a similar timeframe, there could be some short-term negative effects, for example a potential shortage of construction workers to meet the needs of other industries and major projects within the region.

Applicants should describe the existing socio-economic conditions in the areas surrounding the proposed development and should also refer to how the development’s socio-economic impacts correlate with Local Planning policies.

Socio-economic impacts may be linked to other impacts, for example the visual impact ... may also have an impact on tourism and local businesses”.

Local Planning Policy

25.2.3 The Key Planning Policies listed below have informed the impact assessment.




Wakefield Metropolitan District Council Unitary Development Plan

E43 Environmental Impact

E61 Environmental Design

Wakefield Metropolitan District Council Core Strategy

CS8 The Local Economy

D26 Protection of Agricultural Land

Selby Local Plan

ENV1 Control of Development

ENV2 Environmental Pollution and Contaminated Land

ENV4 Hazardous Substances

EMP7 Employment Development in the Countryside

25.2.4 A full transcript of these policies is contained in Appendix A. Further consideration of these policies is presented in the Planning Statement.

25.3 Environmental Scoping / Stakeholder Consultation

25.3.1 A summary of the PINS environmental scoping opinion in terms of socio-economics is provided in Table 25.1. A summary of the comments provided from other statutory consultees and stakeholders in terms of socio-economics is provided in Table 25.2.

25.3.2 This should be read in conjunction with Section 4 (Environmental Scoping) which provides the complete PINS environmental scoping opinion, in addition to comments provided from other statutory consultees and stakeholders.

Knottingley Power Project Environmental Statement – Cumulative Impact Assessment and CEMP


TABLE 25.1: SUMMARY OF PINS ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING OPINION (SOCIO-ECONOMICS)

Consultee Location in Scoping Opinion

Comment Response

Topic Area – CCGT Power Plant

Secretary of State Paragraph 3.87 to 3.88

No material comments. N / A

Topic Area – Gas Pipeline

Secretary of State

Paragraph 3.119

“The Scoping Report states that socio-economic impacts are most likely to occur in the construction phase. The effects of any permanent land take on farming during the operational phase should also be addressed as necessary. In any event the ES should consider potential socio-economic impacts on agriculture, such as land take, severance, reinstatement and loss of income”.

The Potential Impacts are set out in Section 25.7.

Paragraph 3.120

“The Scoping Report notes that during construction there may be some disruption to services such as gas or telecommunications, as a result of underground cables in the area of the proposed development, and that the presence of these would normally be established prior to construction. The potential for these, and related impacts, should be addressed in the ES”.

Information on Techniques for Crossing Existing Third Party Pipelines / Services / Utilities is provided in Section 6 (Description of Development).

Paragraph 3.121

“A forecast of the number, type and duration of employment opportunities during the construction phase should be included in the ES”.

The Potential Impacts are set out in Section 25.7.



Paragraph 3.122

“Although the assessment methodology refers to the proposed pipeline route / corridor, the baseline description included in this section of the Scoping Report relates to the power plant and not to the gas pipeline. This should be rectified in the ES”.

The Baseline Conditions and Receptors are set out in Section 25.5.



TABLE 25.2: SUMMARY OF COMMENTS FROM OTHER STATUTORY CONSULTEES AND STAKEHOLDERS (SOCIO-ECONOMICS)1

Statutory Consultee

Section / Topic Comment Response

Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

Regeneration / Socio-economics

“Given the current levels of economic inactivity within the Knottingley area and the high levels of deprivation it is important that any investment of this significance within the locality optimises the opportunities for positive benefits to the local community. Any mitigation measures should be proactively worked up in further detail now in conjunction with the Council to ensure that the workforce is trained and ready to access employment once opportunities arise site (particularly in respect of the construction phase, but there is skilled engineering labour within the locality also for the more permanent jobs) – e.g. apprenticeships, skills training, guaranteed interviews.

I understand that Knottingley High School may be seeking to access NEETs funding for Construction Skills training and I have also copied Economic Development colleagues into this email to seek their views.

Impact on the wider economy needs to be planned (e.g. food and lodging facilities for workers travelling from outside of the area)”.

Noted.

1 Responses contained in Environmental Scoping Opinion (Appendix 2 – Letters from Consultees)




25.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria

Element of the KPP Assessed in this Section

25.4.1 This Section assesses the potential socio-economic impacts associated with the development of the KPP. This Section should be read alongside Section 6 (Description of Development) which (in particular) provides details on the construction / operation / decommissioning activities associated with the KPP.

Study Area

25.4.2 The KPP lies within the administrative areas of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council (WMDC) and extents into the administrative area of Selby District Council (SDC) and North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC). Indeed, the CCGT power plant site is located within the administrative boundary of WMDC, and the boundary of SDC is 70 m to the north east. The boundary of NYCC is concurrent with the boundary of SDC.

25.4.3 The main element of the KPP is the CCGT power plant. Accordingly, the main study area covers a 3 km Study Area around the CCGT power plant site boundary. This 3 km Study Area incorporates the closest residential receptors, including: Knottingley (to the west); Kellingley (to the east); Cridling Stubbs (to the south); and, Beal (to the north east).

25.4.4 However, as there are other elements of the KPP, a secondary study area covers the KPP Order Limits as defined in the DCO application. Taken together, the Overall Study Area includes a number of local footpaths, bridleways and Public Rights of Way (PRoW) that could be used for recreational purposes. The River Aire and Aire and Calder Navigation Canal are also included within the Overall Study Area. In particular, the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal is used for leisure and commercial purposes.

25.4.5 The use of the 3 km Study Area and Overall Study Area was also cross-checked with key technical Impact Assessment Sections, including the work completed for: air quality impacts; noise and vibration impacts; and, landscape and visual impacts.

Temporal Scope

25.4.6 The temporal scope considered within this socio-economic assessment is based around the three project phases:

Construction (3 to 4 years for CCGT power plant, 1 year for Gas Pipeline);

Operation (25 years); and;

Decommissioning (18 months).

Assessment Methodology

25.4.7 There is currently no established methodology for the assessment of socio-economic impacts. Therefore, to assess the socio-economic impacts the “Guidelines and Principles for Social Impact Assessment” (updated 2003) have been used as an initial guide. In addition, guidance contained within “Social Impacts and Wellbeing: multi-criteria analysis techniques for integrating nonmonetary evidence in valuation and appraisal”, written by the Social Impacts Taskforce and published by Defra in December 2011 has been used. This has been supplemented by professional knowledge and experience.

25.4.8 Accordingly, the assessment of socio-economics impacts seeks to establish the potential social and economic impacts of the KPP, and assesses the potential effects against the current / existing baseline conditions. Therefore, the methodology for the assessment of socio-economic impacts follows the following stages:




Stage 1. Describe the Human Environment and Area of Influence

This stage seeks to identify the current baseline conditions within the Study Area.

Stage 2. Identify Potential Stakeholders

Using the results of Stage 1, this stage draws on previous experience of studies of this type to allow for the identification of potential stakeholders. A stakeholder map is then produced based on groups that could be affected by the proposed development (i.e. those that live nearby, those that could potentially hear or see the development and those that have an interest in the development but do not live in close proximity to it).

Stage 3. Identify Probable Impacts

Based on scoping responses, consultation feedback and professional knowledge of the subject (guided by the Guidelines and Principles for Social Impact Assessment), this stage identifies the probable impacts of the development.

Stage 4. Identify Likely Socio-Economic Impacts

From the results of Stage 3, this stage identifies the likely socio-economic impacts by considering the following variables:

Number of people potentially affected;

Duration of impacts (long-term (>2 years) versus short-term (<2 years));

Impact significance (intensity of impacts);

Likelihood of causing subsequent indirect ‘secondary’ impacts; and,

Uncertainty over possible effects.

Stage 5. Clarify with Enhancement Measures

As the developer has a number of enhancement measures in place that will offer a number of direct benefits to the local community and stakeholders, this stage identifies these enhancement measures before the impact assessment is undertaken.

Stage 6. Assess Socio-Economic Impacts

Stage 7. Recommend Further Opportunities for Benefits Associated with the Development

This stage identifies any remaining measures that would help support the proposed development in terms of socio-economic considerations.

Stage 8. Conclusions

25.4.9 In undertaking Stage 1 and Stage 2, a Desk Based Assessment was used to establish the current / existing baseline conditions for the region and included reference to a range of available data sources. Information was obtained from the National Statistics website (http://www.statistics.gov.uk), Nomis (www.nomisweb.co.uk) and Wakefield Council websites (www.wakefield.gov.uk). Where possible, demographic information was obtained from the most up-to-date sources (as opposed to a reliance on Census data, which dates from 2001 and so current validity is questionable). Information was also obtained from local community internet sites and community description sites including http://www.upmystreet.co.uk and crime statistics from the police website http://www.police.uk.

25.4.10 In undertaking Stage 6, the assessment of socio-economic impacts will be based on the following:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/

http://www.upmystreet.co.uk/

http://www.police.uk/




Estimates of employment levels for the construction and operational phase (provided by the Applicant);

Estimates of spending generated by employees (based on research by YouGov from 20052);

Indirect employment levels calculated by applying a local level multiplier of 1.13 (based on research by English Partnerships who have calculated that for every 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs associated directly with a project, there are likely to be 10 FTE indirect jobs); and,

Using accepted good practice in terms of converting temporary employment into full-time equivalents (FTEs)4 (to equate construction activity associated with the Project to permanent full-time jobs).

Significance Criteria

25.4.11 To determine the significance of any potential impact, the sensitivity of the receptor will first be determined via the use of Table 25.3. The magnitude of change is then determined via the use of Table 25.4. These are then combined, via the use of Table 25.5, to determine the significance of the impact.

Sensitivity of the Receptor

25.4.12 When dealing with socio-economic factors associated with the KPP, a range of people may be affected. Accordingly, the sensitivity of socio economic receptors is expressed as very high, high, medium and low. As there is a degree of sensitivity associated with all groups, a negligible ranking has not been used.

2 Research conducted by YouGov among a sample of 2,120 people across Great Britain (2005). The Real UK National Average Salary. 3 English Partnerships (2008) Additionality Guide: A Standard Approach to Assessing the Additional Impact of Interventions. http://www.thesroinetwork.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_view/gid,30/. 4 English Partnerships (2003). Calculating cost per job. Best Practice Note 15. Issue date 30 October 2003.

http://www.thesroinetwork.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_view/gid,30/




TABLE 25.3: DEFINITION OF SENSITIVITY OF THE RECEPTOR

Sensitivity Definition

Very High

The receptor is predominantly comprised of vulnerable groups or communities. Therefore, the receptor is likely to be totally or substantially affected by an impact.

The receptor is an economy* that is susceptible to total or substantial change as a result of the impact.

High

The identified needs or concerns of a receptor (e.g. community or organisation) indicate that it will be highly sensitive to change as a result of an impact.

The receptor is an economy* that could experience short-term (less than 2 years) total or substantial change as a result of the impact.

Medium

The receptor is comprised in part of vulnerable groups or communities. Therefore, the receptor is likely to be partially or moderately affected by an impact.

The identified needs or concerns of a receptor (e.g. community or organisation) indicate that it will be moderately sensitive to change as a result of an impact.

Low

The recognised needs or concerns of the receptor (e.g. community or firms) indicate that it will have a low sensitivity as a result of the impact.

The receptor is an economy* that is susceptible to minor or negligible change as a result of the impact.

* An economy refers to an economic system of interest, in this case the local economic conditions of Wakefield Council area.

Magnitude of Impact

25.4.13 The description of magnitude of the impact is summarised in Table 25.4. The magnitude of the impact takes into account the following factors:

The spatial extent and number of people or firms affected (for example, individuals, neighbourhoods, local area, region, UK economy);

The duration of the impact (for example temporary or permanent, irreversible or permanent, short-term, medium-term or long-term), and;

Thresholds, where an effect will create an unacceptable step change.

TABLE 25.4: DEFINITION OF MAGNITUDE

Extent Duration Threshold

Very Large UK wide Permanent irreversible impact

A paradigm shift / step change

Large Local authority area Impact to occur for more than 10 years

Major difference perceptible

Medium Sub-region / town area Impact to occur for less than 10 years

Moderate difference perceptible

Small Village area Temporary impact / reversible (less than 2 years)

Minor difference perceptible

Negligible Immediate location to site

Impact likely to occur for less than a day

No discernible difference

25.4.14 Therefore, based on the use of Table 25.4, it is possible that an impact will affect a large number of people (i.e. would be of large magnitude), but the impact is likely to




occur for less than a day (i.e. which be negligible magnitude). In this instance, professional judgement is required to assign a magnitude of an impact. Therefore, therefore the information presented in Table 25.4 is merely provided as a guide.

Significance

25.4.15 Using the sensitivity of a receptor and the magnitude of change (magnitude of impact), the significance of the impact is determine via Table 25.5.

TABLE 25.5: SIGNIFICANCE MATRIX

Sensitivity of Receptor

Very High High Medium Low Negligible

Magnit

ude o

f Im

pact Very large

Substantial Significance

Substantial Significance

Moderate Significance


[1]

Large Substantial Significance



Minor Significance

[2]

Medium Moderate

Significance Moderate Significant

Minor Significance

[2] Neutral

Significance

Small Moderate

Significance Minor

Significance [2]

Neutral Significance

Neutral Significance

Negligible [1] [2] Neutral

Significance Neutral

Significance Neutral

Significance

[1] The choice between ‘Moderate Significance’, ‘Minor Significance’ and ’Neutral Significance’ will depend on the specifics of the impact and will be down to professional judgement and reasoning.

[2] The choice between ‘Minor Significance’ and ‘Neutral Significance’ will depend on the specifics of the impact and will be down to professional judgement and reasoning.

Limitations

25.4.16 Every endeavour has been made to engage stakeholders during the public consultation phases. The nature of socio-economic assessments means they are not an exact “science” and an element of personal judgement is used in their interpretation.

25.5 Baseline Conditions and Receptors

25.5.1 To assess the contribution that the KPP would make to the social and economic structure of the area, it is important to establish the current local context and prevailing socio-economic characteristics. The information that follows describes the socio-economic setting of the region.

Baseline Conditions

Population

25.5.2 The population breakdown is shown in Table 25.6.




TABLE 25.6: POPULATION BREAKDOWN (2010 DATA)

Knottingley Ward

(numbers)

Knottingley Ward (%)

Wakefield District

Selby District Great Britain

All people 13,710 325,600 83 500 61 425 700

Males 6,730 49 49% 49% 49%

Females 6,980 51 51% 51% 51%

Aged 0 to 4 871 6.3 7.2% - 7.5%

Aged 5 to 15 1,592 12 12% - 13%

Aged 16 to 74 10,156 74 74% - 73%

Aged 75 and over

1,091 8.0 7.5% - 7.7%

25.5.3 Knottingley Ward, Wakefield District and Selby District mirror the gender ratio in England with a slightly higher percentage of females than males.

25.5.4 The age structure of a population indicates both the current and future requirements of an area. Broadly speaking the age structure of the population in Knottingley and Wakefield are generally similar to that of England as a whole. Knottingley has a lower percentage of infants / children aged 0 to 4 than that of Wakefield and the rest of England.

25.5.5 Furthermore, population density provides a measure of the number of people living in an area. It tends to be higher in urban areas and lower in rural areas. The average for England is 4.1 persons per hectare, Yorkshire and Humber region has an average of 3.4 persons per hectare.

25.5.6 The population density for Knottingley Ward (based on 2011 census data) is a rate of 10.5 persons per hectare. This is marginally higher than Wakefield (9.6 persons per hectare). This highlights the urban nature of Knottingley Ward and Wakefield District.

Labour Force and Employment

25.5.7 In 2010 the working age populations (16 to 64 year olds) of Wakefield and Selby were approximately 211,600 and 53,600 respectively. Of this, approximately 161,300 (76.2 per cent) are economically active (i.e. either in employment or unemployed) in Wakefield and 44,400 (78.9 per cent) in Selby. These values are slightly higher than the rates both for Yorkshire and the Humber (74.6 per cent) and Great Britain (76.2 per cent).

25.5.8 Of the economically active population, the number of people who are in employment in Wakefield is 146,300 (69.1 per cent) and in Selby is 42,700 (75.7 per cent). In both cases this is slightly higher than the rates in Yorkshire and Humber (67.9 per cent). However only Selby is higher than the rate for Great Britain (70.2 per cent).

25.5.9 It is noted that employment in Wakefield and Selby has varied over the last few years with employment rates fluctuating more so than both the averages for Yorkshire and Humber, and Great Britain. Furthermore, the recent global economic recession has resulted in a sharp and significant decrease in employment numbers and an increase in unemployment numbers.

25.5.10 The employment and unemployment trends are shown in Table 25.7 and Table 25.8.




TABLE 25.7: EMPLOYMENT RATES (% 16 – 64 YEAR OLDS)

Year Wakefield Selby

Yorkshire and The Humber

Great Britain

Number % Number % % %

(Jan – Dec) 2004

154,900 75.3 37,500 73.0 72.1 72.6

(Jan – Dec) 2005

152,400 73.2 38,700 75.6 72.2 72.6

(Jan – Dec) 2006

155,200 73.7 35,400 69.6 71.8 72.5

(Jan – Dec) 2007

149,700 70.8 39,000 73.3 71.3 72.5

(Jan – Dec) 2008

153,300 72.3 42,300 79.9 70.9 72.2

(Jan – Dec) 2009

149,100 70.6 37,600 66.1 68.8 70.7

(Jan - Dec) 2010

146,700 70.0 43,300 75.9 68.5 70.3

TABLE 25.8: UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS (MODEL BASED)

Year Wakefield Selby

Yorkshire and The Humber

Great Britain

Number % Number % % %

(Jan – Dec) 2004

6,000 3.7 1,200 3.2 4.5 4.8

(Jan – Dec) 2005

7,600 4.7 1,300 3.3 4.8 4.9

(Jan – Dec) 2006

8,000 4.9 1,800 4.9 5.5 5.2

(Jan – Dec) 2007

8,900 5.6 1,500 3.7 5.6 5.4

(Jan – Dec) 2008

9,600 5.9 1,900 4.4 6.3 5.7

(Jan – Dec) 2009

14,100 8.7 2,800 7 8.6 7.7

(Jan – Dec) 2010

14,600 9.0 2,700 5.9 8.8 7.7




Occupational Profile

25.5.11 A breakdown of the occupational profile is provided in Table 25.9.

25.5.12 Table 25.9 indicates that, in Wakefield, the largest proportion of the population are employed in public administration, education and health, followed by distribution, hotels and restaurants. Furthermore, in Selby, the largest proportion of the population is employed in manufacturing, followed by distribution, hotels and restaurants.

TABLE 25.9: OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE

Occupation Wakefield Selby Great Britain

% % %

Manufacturing 11.7 21.7 13.0

Construction 5.3 5.8 5.2

Services

Distribution, Hotels and Restaurants 25.6 19.4 23.5

Transport and Communications 8.2 4.5 5.5

Banking, Finance and Insurance 16.8 18.1 18.4

Public Administration, Education and Health

28.0 18.7 28.6

Other Services 3.4 2.7 4.4

Tourism* 7 6.2 7.7

* Tourism consists of industries that are also part of the services industry.

25.5.13 The mean gross weekly income by workplace in Wakefield and Selby is £476.20 and £486.60 respectively. This is above the average for Yorkshire and the Humber (£465.50), but below the average for Great Britain (£502.60).

Accommodation

25.5.14 During consultation with stakeholders, opinions were expressed with concern to the level of accommodation that would be available during construction. As a result of these concerns, a number of investigations were undertaken.

“The Private Rented Sector in West Yorkshire”

25.5.15 This is available from: www.shu.ac.uk5 and was produced by Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) dated 2008 with research conducted in 2007.

25.5.16 The report notes that private rented households constitute a significant proportion of the housing market in West Yorkshire. A large quantity of the available private rented accommodation is in Leeds. Furthermore, the private rental market in West Yorkshire appears to be relatively buoyant. However, the buoyancy of the market varies across the sector and two important sub-markets (the city centre and student sub-markets) appear to be encountering ‘difficulties’, with empty properties being a problem in both sectors, to some degree.

“Yorkshire Accommodation Stock”

25.5.17 This was produced by Yorkshire.com in 2009.

25.5.18 This report states that Yorkshire provides 3150 serviced accommodation establishments (hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, guesthouses and inns), which is 10 per cent of England’s

5 Available at: http://www.shu.ac.uk/_assets/pdf/cresr-WestYorksReport.pdf

http://www.shu.ac.uk/_assets/pdf/cresr-WestYorksReport.pdf




overall stock. Yorkshire is also home to 3162 non-serviced accommodation establishments, which is 9 per cent of England’s stock.

25.5.19 Furthermore, the report states that the distribution of accommodation stock varies considerably throughout the region. Overall, the greatest numbers of bed spaces are found in North Yorkshire for both serviced and non-serviced accommodation. In West Yorkshire, there are 32,525 serviced bed spaces and 6,982 non-serviced bed spaces.

Summary

25.5.20 Based on the information found it is concluded that bed spaces are sufficiently available in the Yorkshire area. However these bed spaces are not within the immediate locality of the proposed CCGT power plant site, and construction workers may need to travel further between their accommodation and workplace.

25.5.21 However, any travel is unlikely to exceed 10 km as this area would include Leeds, Wakefield and Doncaster where accommodation should be relatively easy to find.

Schools

25.5.22 The local schools within the 3 km Study Area are given in Table 25.10. They are mostly situated to the west of the proposed CCGT power plant site.

TABLE 25.10: SCHOOLS WITHIN 3 KM STUDY AREA

School School Type Approximate Pupil Number

Knottingley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior And Infant School

(1 km distance)

Urban Primary School 365

Knottingley High School and Sports College

(1.1 km distance)

Urban Secondary School 962

Little Acorns Nursery

(1.1 km distance) Nursery / Pre-school Unknown

Knottingley England Lane Junior And Infant School And Nursery

(1.3 km distance)


Knottingley Throstle Farm Junior And Infant School

(1.9 km distance)


Knottingley Vale Junior And Infant School

(2.3 km distance)


Knottingley Simpson's Lane Junior And Infant School

(2.4 km distance)


Crime

25.5.23 In June 2012, there were 38 reports of crime within 1 km of the proposed CCGT power plant site. The majority were anti-social behaviour (12 incidences). The remainder comprised: criminal damage and arson (7 incidences); theft (7 incidences); burglary (6 incidences); shoplifting (2 incidences); violent crime (3 incidences); and, drug crime (1




incident). There were no reported criminal incidents on the proposed CCGT power plant site itself.

Sensitive Receptors / Stakeholders

25.5.24 In addition to the above baseline conditions, a number of stakeholders have been identified. These are shown in Insert 25.1. The arrows highlight the relationships that are present between the stakeholder groups.

INSERT 25.1: STAKEHOLDER MAPPING

25.5.25 Based on Insert 25.1, the key concerns have been identified through professional judgement and clarified with the consultation process. Accordingly, the identified key concerns are as listed below:

Future Employees: access to employment opportunities;

Local Residents: access to employment opportunities and visual impact of development;

Supply Chain Business: access to supply chain opportunities;

Local Road Users: access around the surrounding road network;

Community Groups: visual impact of development;

Leisure Users: access to canal for recreational purposes; and,

Tourists: visual impact of development;

25.6 Design and Operation Measures

Design Measures / Operation Measures

25.6.1 Not applicable to this Section.

Further Measures

25.6.2 A number of further measures have been proposed as part of the way in which the KPP will be constructed / operated / decommissioned. These measures will be secured by way of Requirements in the DCO.

25.6.3 Accordingly, the further measures assumed in the assessment of potential impacts includes:

General Enhancement Commitments;

Local Liaison Committee and Liaison Officer;




‘Buy Local’ Policy; and,

Establish Links with Technical Colleges.

25.7 Potential Impacts

25.7.1 This Section considers how the development of the KPP will impact on:





25.7.2 It should be noted that some socio-economic impacts are explored in more depth elsewhere in other Sections of this ES, as listed below:

For the CCGT power plant site:

o Impacts to air quality (i.e. emissions) are considered in detail in Section 7;

o Impacts due to noise and vibration are considered in detail in Section 8;

o Landscape and visual impacts are considered in detail in Section 13; and,

o Traffic, transport and access impacts are considered in detail in Section 15.

For the Gas Pipeline:





Assessment Assumptions

Employment Requirements

CCGT Power Plant

25.7.3 During construction, the CCGT power plant is likely to employ a workforce that will peak at approximately 1 100 workers in months 24 to 32. However, generally speaking the workforce will average at 400 workers.

25.7.4 During operation, the CCGT power plant is likely to employ a workforce of approximately 50 workers. Local recruitment and supply chain use will be encouraged throughout the facility’s life.

25.7.5 During decommissioning, the CCGT power plant is likely to employ a workforce that will peak at approximately 500 workers.




Gas Pipeline

25.7.6 During construction, the workforce required will consist of a combination of skilled and semi-skilled staff. The skilled staff will include: welders; plant operators; inspectors; supervisors; and, management staff. The semi-skilled staff will include: drivers; plant operators; and, labourers. At the peak of construction, the workforce is expected to total approximately 90, spread along the route of the Gas Pipeline. However, over the entire construction period the workforce could total approximately 200 workers. A typical labour workforce for a gas pipeline is shown in Table 25.116.

25.7.7 However, it should be noted that in some cases the same workforce will be used for more than one construction activity. An example of this could be the top soil crew who excavate the topsoil, can also be used in reinstatement works. Another example is with the fencing crew, which could also work on pipe-bending and erecting permanent fencing. The period between April and May, is likely to be the busiest period in which construction activities take place.

6 Taken from West Burton Gas Pipeline Environmental Statement (Table 10.3), EDF Energy (2006)




TABLE 25.11: TYPICAL DIRECT GAS PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE LEVELS

Workforce Job Description Number

KPL Management Team Construction Manager, Assistants and Inspectors

5

Construction Contractor’s Management Team

Site Manager, Construction Manager, Engineering Manager, HSE Team, Inspection Team and Departmental Staff

5

Construction Contractor‘s Workforce

Fencing Crew, Operators and Supervisor

10

Top-soil Stripping Team, Banksmen and Foreman

20

Stringing Team and Supervisor 6

Pipe Bending and Supervisor 6

Crossing Team comprising of several sub contractors, Sheet Piling, Boring, etc

25

Welding Team and Supervisor 25

Pipe Coating Team and Supervisor 12

Non-Destructive Testing Team and Supervisor

3

Pipe Trenching Team, Banksmen and Supervisor

15

Pipe Laying Team, Tie-in Crew, Banksmen and Supervisor

15

Land Drainage Team and Supervisor 10

Reinstatement Team, Fencing, Hedging, Wall Building, etc

20

General Delivery, Fuel, Materials, etc

5




Gas Pipeline Crossings

25.7.8 The proposed Gas Pipeline route has 31 significant crossings. These significant crossings have previously been described in Section 6 (Description of Development). These significant crossings are summarised in Table 25.12.

TABLE 25.12: SIGNIFICANT CROSSINGS

Type of Crossing Number of Crossings

Major Road Crossing 1

Minor Road Crossing 5

Track Crossing 5

Footpath Crossing7 3

Major Water Crossing 2

Minor Water / Ditch Crossing 5

Rail Crossing 0

Other 10

Total Significant Crossings 31

Impact Assessment

25.7.9 Tables 25.13, 25.14 and 25.15 present the impact assessment matrix completed for socio-economic impacts during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the KPP respectively.

25.7.10 If applicable, the Tables also identify potential mitigation that would be advisable, and the residual impacts of the KPP.

7 Note that there are 8 Footpath Crossings in total. However, 4 are combined with Track Crossings, and 1 is combined with a Ditch Crossing.



TABLE 25.13: SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION

Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact

Magnitude of Potential Impact

Comment Need for Mitigation Measures

Residual Impact

Potential Characteristics

Population Demographics

Introduction of workers (and families) to the local area resulting in population changes.

No Impact.

Under EU legislation, KPL cannot rule out the use of contractors and temporary labour from outside the area, but they are looking for measures to encourage use of local companies and labour to boost the local economy where possible.

No need identified.

Sufficient consideration in preference for local employment

N / A

Influx of Temporary Workers

Construction employment, specialist skills

No Impact

There are sufficient construction workers in the locality that will be able to meet the demand for workers. Therefore there is no expected influx of temporary workers.

No need identified.


N / A

Tourism Impacts

Impact during construction due to limited amount of accommodation in locality

Short-term

Small Magnitude

Negative

Significance: Neutral

Investigations undertaken to determine the baseline have highlighted that despite the lack of accommodation in the locality, there is a sufficient amount of accommodation within the wider “local” area (approx 10 km)

No need identified. N / A

Community and Institutional Structures

Employment / Income Characteristics

Change to employment / income characteristics

No Impact The construction skill requirements match the baseline availability in the locality and salary will match current levels.




Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact

Local / Regional / National Linkages

Changes to Local Public Transport Network

Long-term

Small Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

KPL will make enhancements to the local bus infrastructure to support transport of visitors and employees to the site.

Positive Impact.


Industrial / Commercial Diversity

Encourage Economic Diversity to Support the Local Economy

Short-term

Small Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

In terms of procurement, specialist materials (such as: steel line pipe; and, plant / equipment for the AGI) will be sought from qualified suppliers to match the high specification required. Whilst this ‘specialist’ procurement is not expected to have a great impact on the local economy due to the specialised nature of the materials sought, there may be ‘local additional’ procurement opportunities.

For example, provided such markets are available and prices are competitive, it is possible that there may be ‘local additional’ procurement opportunities for materials / services associated with: fencing; drainage; re-instatement materials; fuel; consumables; aggregates; seed; and, other materials.

Additionally, it is possible that some construction plant / equipment may be hired from local companies. The ‘local additional’ procurement opportunities are therefore expected to lead to a moderate beneficial short-term impact on the local economy.

Positive Impact.




Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact

Economic Investment (Employee Spend)

Supply Chain and Employee Spend in the Local Region

Short-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

Research by YouGov for Maestro in 2005 detailed that employee spend averages £6 per day (http://www.maestrocard.com/uk/news/press_releases1.html). Therefore, increased spending in the local area is likely to have a positive impact on the local economy.

During the peak construction period for the CCGT power plant the spend in the local area is calculated as £6,600 per day (£33,000 per week, based on 5 working days, £132,000 per 4 week period).

On top of this is the potential for spend from any requirements for accommodation.

Positive Impact.


Direct Employment

Number of Jobs created as a result of Construction Employment

Short-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

For the CCGT power plant, a conservative peak estimate of 6 months employment at 1,100 jobs, equates to 55 FTE job created during the construction period (just for the peak period over the 2 year construction period this is likely to be more).

Positive Impact.

No need identified.

Furthermore, there is sufficient availability within the locality in terms of construction workers to meet this requirement.

N / A

Indirect Employment

Number of Indirect Jobs created as a result of Construction Employment

Short-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

For the CCGT power plant, the peak period would likely create 110 indirect jobs (please note: some of these jobs may be temporary positions)

Positive Impact.


http://www.maestrocard.com/uk/news/press_releases1.html




Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact

Economic Investment (GVA)

National Non-Domestic Rates

Short-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

The construction phase of the development is likely to lead to an increase in GVA.

Recent reports such as http://www.cic.org.uk/newsevents/ImpactRecessionProfessionals-EconomicPerspective.pdf highlight the need for private industrial developments to increase the prospects for the construction industry that has seen a decline with the loss of public housing projects etc.

Positive Impact.


Individual and Family Changes

Perceptions of Risk

Concerns regarding Levels of Crime / Health and Safety

No Impact

Due to current state of site (disused), the introduction of construction work with associated security fencing in place will improve any current perceptions of risk.

Positive Impact.

No need identified.

KPL will ensure security fencing is in place during construction.

N / A

Attitudes towards the Project

Consultation to date has demonstrated a level of support for the Project, particularly regarding the level of employment provision for the locality.

Short-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

The consultation has been broadly positive for the development.

The increase in construction opportunities is viewed as a good opportunity, particularly taking into account the commitment for use of local resources.

In terms of wider opinions, CCGT power plants are the most efficient of all fossil-fuel power stations, its high degree of flexibility is crucial for maintaining a secure and constant supply of electricity.

Positive Impact.


http://www.cic.org.uk/newsevents/ImpactRecessionProfessionals-EconomicPerspective.pdf




Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact

Community Resources

Land Use Patterns

Changes to Use of Land

Short-term

Small Magnitude

Negative


Construction of the Gas Pipeline will affect those Land Owners / Land Occupiers who are farmers, through direct or indirect impacts on their land during construction.

The direct impacts will be confined to the location of the AGI, the “working width” and the access / egress points to the “working width”. Direct impacts to agricultural activities in these identified areas are unavoidable. However, the construction activity is only expected to last one season8 and, as such, there is a short-term minor adverse impact on agricultural production.

A number of mitigation measures will be secured by way of Requirements in the DCO. One of these comprises the implementation of a code of construction practice (i.e. the implementation of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)).

No Long Term Significant Impact

Effects on cultural resources

Change to Cultural Resource Availability

Neutral During construction there will be no change to the cultural resources associated with the location.


Security

A Construction Site with its associated machinery and materials offers the opportunity for increased crime levels that may give concern to local residents.

Neutral

KPL will ensure that 24 hour security is in place, plus associated fencing and CCTV requirements to minimise the risk of security incidences on site.


8 It should be noted that if there are adverse weather conditions reinstatement may be postponed to the following year to ensure optimum reinstatement.



Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact

Access to local amenities

Construction activities can cause disruption to footpaths / local access points

-

Footpaths / local access points may be directly affected by the construction of the CCGT power plant and the Gas Pipeline.

Further information, in terms of the CCGT power plant, is provided in Section 15 (Traffic, Transport and Access).

Further information, in terms of the Gas Pipeline, is provided in Section 23 (Traffic, Transport and Access).

- -



TABLE 25.14: SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS DURING OPERATION

Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact




No Impact.


No need identified.


N / A


Specialist skills No Impact Not an issue during operation No need identified. N / A

Tourism Impacts

Seasonal staff during peak / outage periods

No Impact






No Impact The operational skill requirements match the baseline availability in the locality and salary will match current levels.




Long-term

Small Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor


Positive Impact.




Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact



Long-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

The redevelopment of the CCGT power plant site (from disused status) will improve the industrial diversity of the area.

In addition, commercial diversity will be improved through provision of local community facilities

Positive Impact.




Long-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor


Positive Impact.


Direct Employment


Long-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

During operation, the CCGT power plant is likely to employ a workforce of approximately 40 workers.

Positive Impact.

No need identified.


N / A

Indirect Employment

Number of Indirect Jobs created as a result of Construction Employment

Long-term

Negligible Magnitude

Positive


A total of 4 indirect jobs are expected to be created associated with operations on the CCGT power plant site (based on the multiplier effect of 10% creation).

Positive Impact.






Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact



Long-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

KPL will be liable to pay Business Rates (National Non-Domestic Rates, NNDR) on its development.

In the past, these financial payments accrued to the Treasury without any payments passed back to the Local Planning Authority in which a development is located.

The current Government’s approach to new developments and NNDR is outlined in the Policy Green paper (http://www.conservatives.com/~/media/Files/Green%20Papers/planning-green-paper.ashx ) that states “...when your community attracts more businesses, we’ll let your area keep the increased business rates for six years” (page 2).

The timing and extent of the NNDR that will accrue to the local council is uncertain at the moment and may not be applied in the current Parliament. However, based on the documents reviewed, a realistic view would be to assume that at least six years of NNDR would accrue to the local council (conservative estimate of >£50,000 per annum based on a current rateable value and payment of 48.5p in the pound). In addition, the introduction of tourism to the area will further support economic investment.

Positive Impact.


http://www.conservatives.com/~/media/Files/Green%20Papers/planning-green-paper.ashx

http://www.conservatives.com/~/media/Files/Green%20Papers/planning-green-paper.ashx



Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact


Perceptions of Risk


Long-term

Negilgible Magnitude

Positive


Due to the current state of the site (disused), the introduction of an operational site with associated decorative and security fencing will improve perceptions of risk.

There will be a clear distinction between the publicly accessible and operational areas, and best practice health and safety provisions will be adopted.

Positive Impact.




Long-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor


The increase in construction opportunities is viewed as a good opportunity, particularly taking into account the commitment for use of local resources.


Positive Impact.


Community Resources

Land Use Patterns


Long-term

Small Magnitude

Positive


In terms of the CCGT power plant site, there is currently limited use of the proposed area and there is no identifiable impact on PRoW within the area.

In terms of the Gas Pipeline, operation will have no impact on land use patterns.

Positive Impact.




Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact



Long-term

Small Magnitude

Positive


The introduction of an industrial process within an area that traditionally provided industrial growth will be in keeping with historic activities of the area.


Security Concerns regarding Security.

Long-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor


This will be an improvement on the current state of the site.



Improvements / Introduction of PRoW and access points

Long-term

Small Magnitude

Positive


During operation, there is not expected to be any impact on PRoW or access points.




TABLE 25.15: SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS DURING DECOMISSIONING

Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact




No Impact.


No need identified.


N / A


Decommissioning employment, specialist skills

No Impact

There are sufficient workers in the locality that will be able to meet the demand for workers. Therefore there is no expected influx of temporary workers.

No need identified.


N / A

Tourism Impacts

Impact during decommissioning due to limited amount of accommodation in locality

Short-term

Small Magnitude

Negative







No Impact The decommissioning skill requirements match the baseline availability in the locality and salary will match current levels.




Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact



Long-term

Small Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor


Positive Impact.




No Impact During decommissioning there will be no change to the baseline situation .




Short-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor


Positive Impact.


Direct Employment


Short-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

During decommissioning, the CCGT power plant is likely to employ a workforce that will peak at approximately 500 workers.

Positive Impact.

No need identified.


N / A





Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact

Indirect Employment

Number of Indirect Jobs created as a result of Decommissioning Employment

Short-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

For the CCGT power plant, the decommissioning would likely create 50 indirect jobs (please note: some of these jobs may be temporary positions)

Positive Impact.




Short-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor

The decommissioning phase of the development is likely to lead to an increase in GVA.

Recent reports such as http://www.cic.org.uk/newsevents/ImpactRecessionProfessionals-EconomicPerspective.pdf highlight the need for private industrial developments to increase the prospects for the construction industry that has seen a decline with the loss of public housing projects etc.

Positive Impact.



Perceptions of Risk


No Impact

Due to current state of site (disused), the introduction of decommissioing work with associated security fencing in place will improve any current perceptions of risk.

Positive Impact.

No need identified.

KPL will ensure security fencing is in place during decommissioning.

N / A





Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact



Short-term

Medium Magnitude

Positive

Significance: Minor


The increase in decommissioning opportunities is viewed as a good opportunity, particularly taking into account the commitment for use of local resources.


Positive Impact.


Community Resources

Land Use Patterns


No Impact - No need identified N / A



No Impact - No need identified N / A

Security

A Decommissioning Site with its associated machinery and materials offers the opportunity for increased crime levels that may give concern to local residents.

Neutral





Aspect / Activity

Potential Impact



Residual Impact


Decommissioning activities can cause disruption to footpaths / local access points

-

Footpaths / local access points may be directly affected by the decommissioning of the CCGT power plant and the Gas Pipeline.

Further information, in terms of the CCGT power plant, is provided in Section 15 (Traffic, Transport and Access).

Further information, in terms of the Gas Pipeline, is provided in Section 23 (Traffic, Transport and Access).

- -




25.8 Mitigation and Monitoring Measures

25.8.1 As noted in Section 25.6 (Design and Operation Measures), certain measures have been proposed as part of the way in which the KPP will be constructed / operated / decommissioned. These measures will be secured by way of Requirements in the DCO. Further description of these measures is provided in this Section.

General Enhancement Commitments

25.8.2 Under EU legislation, KPL cannot rule out the use of contractors and temporary labour from outside the area. However, they are looking for measures to encourage use of local companies and labour to boost the local economy wherever possible. KPL has committed to ensure that jobs are advertised locally.

25.8.3 KPL are also working with Wakefield Skills and Employment Partnership, Selby DC and North Yorkshire County Council to maximise opportunities for local people.

25.8.4 KPL will make enhancements to the local bus infrastructure to support transport of visitors and employees to the site.

25.8.5 KPL will ensure that 24 hour security is in place, plus associated fencing and CCTV requirements to minimise the risk of security incidences on site.

Local Liaison Committee and Liaison Officer

25.8.6 KPL will establish a local liaison committee made up of representatives from KPL, WMBC, SDC, NYCC and Parish Councils. The committee will provide a forum in which consultation can take place to consider the effects and issues during the construction of the development. The committee will meet on a regular basis, not less frequently than every 2 months (unless otherwise agreed by the committee members) during the construction of the development. Meetings of the committee may be attended by members of the public as observers.

KPL will nominate a representative as a public liaison officer to act as a point of contact for members of the committee, responding to concerns raised by the local community and for all matters associated with the construction of the development. The public liaison officer will be a member of the local liaison committee.

‘Buy Local’ Policy

25.8.7 CCGT power plants are highly advanced and technically complex facilities. Only a few suppliers worldwide are capable of providing a CCGT power plant of the size proposed for the KPP. KPL will be inviting these suppliers to submit expressions of interest in the project construction work, probably in 2014. The appointed contractor will be fully responsibility for the design and construction of the entire CCGT power plant, including procurement of materials and securing the necessary construction site personnel. The appointed contractor will be required under the contract to advertise site vacancies in the local, regional and national press, and contractors will be encouraged to use local employment agencies / organisations when sourcing labour.

25.8.8 A large amount of the equipment that will be used on the CCGT power plant site (e.g. gas turbines, steam turbines, Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG), transformers, hybrid cooling towers) is very specialised, and it is likely that most of this equipment will be manufactured outside the region. In many cases, in order to satisfy warranty and safety requirements, the equipment will need to be installed and commissioned by the manufacturers' personnel. However, there will be other work packages which will provide significant opportunities.




Local Advantage

25.8.9 There will be areas where local labour, suppliers and contractors should have a competitive advantage over outside contractors by virtue of their proximity, the economics of using local labour and existing preferential arrangements with other local suppliers. The areas KPL will expect it to be possible for local labour, suppliers and contractors to be competitive are:

Earth moving

Drainage

Road construction

Civil works

Plant hire (particularly civil)

Aggregates

Haulage

Fencing

Site security

Cleaning

Catering

Site pest control

Administration

Accommodation

Waste disposal

Landscaping

Public relations

Archaeology

25.8.10 KPL will maintain a list of individuals who have expressed an interest in the KPP and will make this information available to main contractors. KPL will encourage these contractors to use local labour, suppliers and sub-contractors where they do not have existing in-house labour resources or existing arrangements with preferred partners.

25.8.11 KPL will ensure that WMDC, SDC and NYCC are aware of the contract packages and the opportunities available for local contractors, suppliers and labour.

Local Suppliers and Contractors

25.8.12 KPL will carry out research into the local market and prepare a list of local suppliers and contractors. This information will be made available during the selection and appointment of suppliers and contractors. Input to this will be sought from WMDC, SDC and NYCC and other local contractor / supplier marketing organisations. KPL will make this information available to main contractors.

Local Supplier and Contractor Seminar

25.8.13 KPL will work with WMDC, SDC and NYCC to organise a supplier / contractor seminar at which potential local suppliers and contractors can gain an understanding of the KPP,




register an interest and provide details of their capabilities. KPL will make this information available to main contractors.

Establish Links with Technical Colleges

25.8.14 As part of KPL’s commitment to forging links with the local community and with a particular emphasis given to energy, the environment and education, a School Liaison Officer will be appointed to establish links with technical colleges. KPL will support local schools educational initiatives in the areas of energy and the environment as well as providing support to range of other initiatives and community projects in the local area from time to time.

25.9 Summary and Assessment of Residual Impacts

25.9.1 This Section has assessed the potential socio-economic impacts associated with the development of the KPP, which has considered both ‘social impacts’ (i.e. the effects of the development of the KPP which relate to the ways in which people live, work, play, etc.) and ‘economic impacts’ (i.e. the consequences of the development of the KPP which relate to employment, and direct and indirect spending).

25.9.2 It has been concluded that the development and operation of KPP will have a, generally, positive impact on the local area of small to medium magnitude and of up to minor significance.

25.9.3 Where negative impacts have been identified, these will be short-term, of small magnitude and occur during the construction and decommissioning phases only. This Section has determined that, whilst there is currently a lack of sufficient available accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the land proposed for the KPP, the wider (10 km) area does have sufficient resources for the purposes of housing construction / decommissioning workforce. The overall impact is thus considered to be of neutral significance.

25.10 Summary and Conclusions

25.10.1 This Section has assessed the potential socio-economic impacts associated with the development of the KPP.

25.10.2 This Section considers how the development of the KPP will impact on:





25.10.3 It should be noted that some socio-economic impacts are explored in more depth elsewhere in other Sections of this ES, as listed below:

For the CCGT power plant site:








For the Gas Pipeline:





25.10.4 This Section has concluded that although the majority of the socio-economic impacts associated with the development of the KPP are positive, they are all expected to be Not Significant.




SECTION 26

INDIRECT / SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS




26 INDIRECT / SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

26.1 Introduction

26.1.1 This Section assesses the potential indirect / secondary and cumulative impacts associated with the KPP. This Section draws on the assessment of impacts provided in Sections 7 to 25, along with information relating to other developments in the area.

26.2 Environmental Scoping / Stakeholder Consultation

26.2.1 A summary of the comments provided from other statutory consultees and stakeholders in terms of socio-economics is provided in Table 26.1.

26.2.2 This should be read in conjunction with Section 4 (Environmental Scoping) which provides the complete PINS environmental scoping opinion, in addition to comments provided from other statutory consultees and stakeholders.

26.3 Description of Developments Considered

26.3.1 The (historic, current or reasonably foreseeable future) developments considered as part of the cumulative impact assessment are listed and described in Table 26.2.

26.4 Impact Assessment

26.4.1 The potential for cumulative impacts with these developments is provided in Table 26.3. Further information is provided, where relevant in the remaining sub-Sections.



TABLE 26.1: SUMMARY OF COMMENTS FROM OTHER STATUTORY CONSULTEES AND STAKEHOLDERS (CUMULATIVE IMPACTS)9

Statutory Consultee

Section / Topic Comment Response

Natural England Cumulative and In-Combination Effects

“The EIA should include an impact assessment to identify, describe and evaluate the effects that are likely to result from the project in combination with other projects and activities that are being, have been or will be carried out. The following types of projects should be included in such an assessment (Subject to available information):

a. Existing completed projects;

b. Approved but uncompleted projects;

c. Ongoing activities;

d. Plans or projects for which an application has been made and which are under consideration by the consenting authorities; and

e. Plans and projects which are reasonably foreseeable (i.e. projects for which an application has not yet been submitted, but which are likely to progress before completion of the development and for which sufficient information is available to assess the likelihood of cumulative and in-combination effects”.

The assessment is provided in Section 26.4.

9 Responses contained in Environmental Scoping Opinion (Appendix 2 – Letters from Consultees)



TABLE 26.2: DESCRIPTION OF DEVELOPMENTS CONSIDERED IN CUMUALTIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Name of Development

Distance from CCGT Power Plant Site

Address Status Description of Development

Drax Power Station

15 km Drax Power Station,

Selby,

North Yorkshire,

YO8 8PH

Existing Development

Drax Power Station is an existing large coal-fired power station capable of co-firing biomass and petcoke.

Its generating capacity is approximately 4 GW, which is the highest of any power station in the UK and Western Europe.

Ouse Renewable Energy Plant

Proposed -

Lytag Limited 16 km Proposed Lightweight aggregate manufacturing plant.

Eggborough Power Station

6.6 km

Eggborough Power Station,

Eggborough,

East Yorkshire,

DN14 0BS


Eggborough Power Station is an existing coal-fired power station capable of co-firing biomass.

Its generating capacity is approximately 2 GW.



Name of Development



Ferrybridge C Power Station

4.5 km

Ferrybridge C Power Station,

PO Box 39,

Stranglands Lane,

West Yorkshire,

WF11 8SQ


Ferrybridge C Power Station is an existing coal-fired power station capable of co-firing biomass.

Its generating capacity is approximately 2 GW.

Ferrybridge Multi-Fuel Project

Proposed

The proposed Ferrybridge Multi-Fuel Project will have a generating capacity of up to approximately 85 MW (approximately 108 MW gross) and will utilise a variety of fuel types (including biomass, refuse derived fuel and wood waste).

It is understood that there will be no combustion of hazardous waste or treatment of waste at the facility.

Further information is provided on:

http://www.sse.com/Ferrybridge/MultiFuelProject/ProjectInformation/

Pollington Airfield Biomass Development

9.2 km

Pollington Airfield,

Heck and Pollington Lane,

Nr Goole,

DN14 0DA

Approved

The consent permits the construction of a 53 MW Biomass Fuelled Power Station (burning Grades A, B and C and excluding Grad D “waste wood stocks”).

Information on the Consent can be found on:

https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/EIP/pages/projects/Pollington.htm

Prowind Wood Lane Wind Farm

5 km

Land at Wood Lane,

Birkin,

Knottingley

Application Submitted / Pending

The proposed wind farm would consist of 14 wind turbines, a permanent wind monitoring mast, access tracks, underground cabling, a substation and a temporary construction compound (which will be removed once the wind farm is operational).

The wind farm will be situated on an area of farm land between the Vinning Station on Roe Lane (north of Birkin) and the villages of Gateforth and West Haddlesey.

http://www.sse.com/Ferrybridge/MultiFuelProject/ProjectInformation/

https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/EIP/pages/projects/Pollington.htm



Name of Development



Southmoor Energy Centre

700 m (from CCGT power plant site centre)

Proposed

The proposed Southmoor Energy Centre will have a generating capacity up to 26 MW using Energy from Waste (EfW) technology and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology.

It will use approximately 280 000 tonnes per year of non-hazardous residual (left after recycling) waste that could provide a low-cost source of heat and power to Kellingley Colliery and potentially nearby local heat users.

Further information is provided on:

http://www.peel.co.uk/southmoor

http://www.peel.co.uk/southmoor




TABLE 26.3: POTENTIAL FOR CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Environmental Aspect

Potential for Cumulative Impact? Further

Information Provided?

Air Quality

Noise and Vibration

It was agreed with WMDC and SDC that no cumulative assessment of noise and vibration was required.

×

Terrestrial Ecology

Aquatic Ecology

The location of other developments along the River Aire is such that cumulative impacts are not anticipated to occur.

The proposed Southmoor Energy Centre will not abstract or discharge water to the River Aire.

The nearest abstraction and discharge is from Ferrybridge C Power Station, approximately 5 km upstream of the proposed pumping

station. This is above the weir at Knottingley which would ensure that any thermal plume will be completely mixed by the time is passes the

location of the proposed pumping station.

×

Water Resources

Geology and Soils As there is no co-location of the KPP with other proposed

developments, cumulative impacts are not anticipated to occur. ×

Landscape and Visual

Waste Management

Cumulative impacts are not anticipated to occur.

The magnitude of waste produced from the KPP is considered to be Negligible. During operation, the waste will account for less than

0.1% of the total commercial and industrial wastes within the Yorkshire and Humber Region.

×

Traffic, Transport and Access

Cultural Heritage / Archaeology

Socio-Economics

Cumulative impacts are not anticipated to occur.

Potential socio-economic impacts associated with the other proposed developments are most likely to be due to employment numbers,

particularly during construction. It is not expected that construction of the other proposed developments will occur at the same time as

plans for the KPP.

×




26.5 Cumulative Impacts: Air Quality

26.5.1 There are a number of proposed / permitted / existing developments within the surrounding area which with the CCGT power plant site have the potential to give rise to cumulative air quality impacts.

26.5.2 Based on Table 26.2, with the exception of the proposed Southmoor Energy Centre, all proposed / permitted / existing development are at least 4.5 km from the proposed CCGT power plant site. Given the relative distance of these developments from the proposed site, and the relatively low impact forecast for the proposed CCGT power plant on local air quality (see Section 7 (Air Quality)), it is unlikely that emissions to air from these developments will significantly affect the baseline air quality in the vicinity of the proposed CCGT power plant site or cause a significant cumulative impacts.

26.5.3 However, as a cross-check and to present as robust an assessment as possible, emissions from these developments were taken into account either through:

Air dispersion modelling using the same software as the main assessment for the proposed CCGT power plant site; or,

The addition of modelled concentrations reported in the relevant planning submissions.

26.5.4 It should be noted the assessment and results presented in this sub-Section are on the same basis as the assessment and results for the proposed CCGT power plant operating in isolation (i.e. the maximum predicted concentrations at any location on the modelled grid (i.e. the 5km x 5km grid centred on the proposed plant) for the assessment of long term and short term concentrations). Further information is provided in Section 7 (Air Quality). Furthermore, the assessment has considered nitrogen dioxide (NO2) only.

26.5.5 The data utilised for the assessment is set out in Appendix G.1. However, the full set of required emissions data needed in order to model emissions from the proposed Ferrybridge Multifuel Project was not available. Therefore, to include the impacts of this proposed plant in the cumulative impact assessment, the maximum modelled NO2 concentration reported in the ES (1.9 µg/m3) was added to the overall annual mean PC value. In addition, although the impacts on air quality of the three existing Power Stations (Drax / Eggborough / Ferrybridge) was taken into account through the selection of appropriate background data, the emissions from these Power Stations was also included in the cumulative impacts assessment as a precautionary approach. Therefore, to include the (long term / annual mean) impacts of these three existing Power Stations in the cumulative impact assessment, the combined modelled NO2 contribution from the three Power Stations at the Smeathall’s Farm Monitoring Station (as reported in the 2011 Annual Review of Management Plan) (1.5 µg/m3) was added to the overall annual mean PC value.

26.5.6 However, it should be noted that the short term impacts were only considered with regards to the Southmoor Energy Centre as the short-term nature of emission is much more likely to occur nearer to the emitting development. Given that, with the exception of the proposed Southmoor Energy Centre, all proposed / permitted / existing development are at least 4.5 km from the proposed CCGT power plant site, inclusion of these short-term impacts in the vicinity of the CCGT power plant site would not be representative of actual conditions.

26.5.7 The results of the cumulative impact assessment modelling are presented in Table 26.4 and Table 26.5 for the 3-unit layout and the 2-unit layout respectively. The results indicate that the relevant air quality objectives are still forecast to be complied with for both layout options.




26.5.8 It should be further noted that the annual mean concentrations also represent a worst-case scenario because the maximum off-site concentration of NO2 has been used for the proposed Ferrybridge Multifuel Project. In reality, the contribution to air quality levels in the vicinity of the proposed CCGT power plant site are likely to be significantly lower than those presented in this study. A medium magnitude of change is predicted when comparing cumulative impacts to those from the proposed CCGT power plant on its own, corresponding to a Slight Adverse impact on local air quality (the significance of this is deemed to be Minor, and therefore Not Significant). The results indicate that the change in predicted short-term concentrations is negligible (i.e. a change of less than 10% of the NAQS objective).

26.5.9 Accordingly, the assessment outcomes discussed in Section 7 remain unaltered with the inclusion of the cumulative sources.




TABLE 26.4: ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION MODELLING RESULTS (CUMULATIVE ASSESSMENT – POTENTIAL AIR QUALITY IMPACTS) – 3-UNIT LAYOUT

Pollutant Averaging period

Air quality

objective (AQO)

Background concentration

(μg/m3)

Baseline + Proposed Plant

Baseline + Proposed Plant + Cumulative

Sources

(μg/m3) PC (µg/m3) PEC/AQO

(%) PEC

(µg/m3) PEC/AQO

(%)

Scenario 1 – Base Load

NO2

Annual mean

40 19.7 22.3 56% 26.8 67%

1 hour mean (99.8th %ile)

200 76 125 62% 125 62%

Scenario 2 – Minimum Load

NO2


200 76 129 64% 129 64%

TABLE 26.5: ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION MODELLING RESULTS (CUMULATIVE ASSESSMENT – POTENTIAL AIR QUALITY IMPACTS) – TWO CCGT LAYOUT

Pollutant Averaging period

Air quality

objective (AQO)

Background concentration

(μg/m3)

Baseline + Proposed Plant

Baseline + Proposed Plant + Cumulative

Sources

(μg/m3) PC (µg/m3) PEC/AQO

(%) PEC

(µg/m3) PEC/AQO

(%)

Scenario 1 – Base Load

NO2

Annual mean

40 19.7 21.1 53% 25.9 65%


200 76 98.3 49% 102 51%

Scenario 2 – Minimum Load

NO2


200 76 101 51% 101 51%




26.5.10 With regard to the potential cumulative impacts on designated habitat sites due to deposition, as the individual contribution of the proposed CCGT power plant was described as “not likely to have a significant effect alone or in combination irrespective of the background levels”. Accordingly, the potential cumulative effect would be negligible and a cumulative assessment is not required.

26.6 Cumulative Impacts: Terrestrial Ecology

Existing Developments

26.6.1 There are three existing Power Stations in close proximity to the proposed CCGT power plant site. These are:

Drax Power Station (15 km to the north east);

Eggborough Power Station (6.6 km to the east); and

Ferrybridge C Power Station (4.5 km to the north west).

26.6.2 Considering the distance of these existing developments from the CCGT power plant site, it is considered that the cumulative impacts to terrestrial ecology from these schemes will be negligible.

Proposed Developments

Ferrybridge Multi-Fuel Project

26.6.3 The ES for Ferrybridge Multifuel Project was reviewed in July 201210. This ES contains details on the ecology of the proposed site, and noted that surveys were undertaken for: amphibians; bats; badger; and, water vole. In addition, it was noted that ad-hoc recording of bird species were undertaken. The ES states that no protected species were recorded on the proposed site during these surveys and the development was considered to have no more than local significance for species and habitats on site.

26.6.4 Furthermore, the ES noted that the proposed site is situated 1.5 km from Fairburn and Newton Ings SSSI. The assessment of the Fairburn and Newton Ings SSSI concluded that “due to the intervening distance and lack of ecological connectivity between the Proposed Development site and this site, Fairburn and Newton Ings will not be subject to habitat loss, disturbance or other direct impacts during any stage of the development”.

26.6.5 Accordingly, considering the distance of Ferrybridge Multi-fuel Power Station from the proposed CCGT power plant it is considered that there are no cumulative impacts to terrestrial ecology.

Pollington Airfield Biomass Development

26.6.6 The ES for Pollington Airfield Biomass Development was reviewed in July 201211. The ES concluded that no significant impacts were expected upon protected species during the construction or operation phases of the development.

26.6.7 Furthermore, air quality modelling of the emissions concluded that there would be no adverse effects on any statutory or non statutory sites within the search area (15 km of the emission point).

10 Available at: http://www.sse.com/uploadedFiles/Z_Microsites/Ferrybridge/Controls/Lists/Resources/EnvironmentalStatement-Volume1(November2009).pdf. 11 Available at: http://www.eastriding.gov.uk/padocs/JULY2011/87121354965811E0B3A50019994E345E.pdf

http://www.sse.com/uploadedFiles/Z_Microsites/Ferrybridge/Controls/Lists/Resources/EnvironmentalStatement-Volume1(November2009).pdf

http://www.sse.com/uploadedFiles/Z_Microsites/Ferrybridge/Controls/Lists/Resources/EnvironmentalStatement-Volume1(November2009).pdf

http://www.eastriding.gov.uk/padocs/JULY2011/87121354965811E0B3A50019994E345E.pdf




26.6.8 Accordingly, considering the distance of Pollington Airfield Biomass Development from the proposed CCGT power plant it is considered that the cumulative impacts to terrestrial ecology will be minimal.


26.6.9 A Environmental Scoping Report was reviewed12. The proposed scheme will be situated to the south-west side of the existing colliery site and will cover an area of approximately 13 ha. From aerial photographs, this area is currently occupied by stockpiles of coal products, sediment lagoons and part of the rail spur and access road.

26.6.10 Furthermore, the Phase 1 Habitat Survey has confirmed that the site is of very limited ecological value. No evidence has been found for the presence of protected mammals such as: badgers; bats13; or, Water Vole. In addition, no evidence of Great Crested Newt has been found within the site.

26.6.11 In terms of cumulative impacts, although the Southmoor Energy Centre site abuts the proposed CCGT power plant site, the habitats found within the site boundary are not similar to those recorded at the proposed CCGT power plant site. As such, there will be no cumulative loss of directly comparable habitats, and in this case, it is considered that there are no direct cumulative impacts to terrestrial ecology due to habitat loss / fragementation.

26.6.12 It is noted that the proposed design of the Southmoor Energy Centre buildings will be such that they fit as closely as possible with the existing colliery design and, apart from the chimney stack, the buildings will be designed at a lower height than the existing buildings. As such, it is considered that there may be indirect cumulative impacts to terrestrial ecology (i.e. bats / birds) due to the disturbance of species.

26.7 Cumulative Impacts: Water Resources

26.7.1 With regards to water resources, there is one other development with the potential for cumulative impact on the local hydrological environment. This is a proposed biomass generation facility at the Kellingley Colliery site on the opposite bank of the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal to the northeast of the CCGT power plant site.

26.7.2 However, following a review of the proposals for the proposed biomass generation facility at the Kellingley Colliery site it is considered that the only potential for significant cumulative impact would be restricted to the construction phase (i.e. in the event that the construction of the two project was undertaken simultaneously). In this case, the combined low level of sediment that could potentially enter the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal could result is a significant impact.

26.7.3 The unmitigated risk associated with this is considered to be Moderate Adverse. However, to control this daily monitoring of water quality in the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal would be undertaken to identify potential pollution incidents and enable the causes to be addressed.

26.8 Cumulative Impacts: Landscape and Visual

26.8.1 The CCGT power plant would add to the existing and proposed future developments to the east of Knottingley.

26.8.2 The development of the CCGT power plant would comprise clearance and redevelopment of a vacant brownfield site and an area of agricultural land. In this regard it is noted that the CCGT power plant site, and other land immediately adjacent to it, is allocated for development in the Local Development Plan, including provision for

12 Available at: http://www.peel.co.uk/media/Peel%20Environmental/20953_A5_P1_CH_ESScopingReport_120905.pdf 13 Whilst bats may forage or commute within the site, there are no suitable roost locations.

http://www.peel.co.uk/media/Peel%20Environmental/20953_A5_P1_CH_ESScopingReport_120905.pdf




an energy centre. Therefore there is a strategic objective for development, such as the KPP, at this location.

26.8.3 Within the assessment of cumulative impacts, a number of proposed future developments (currently in the planning process, having been granted planning permission or currently being constructed) have been reviewed. The key developments that have been identified where there is the potential for cumulative landscape and visual effects are:

Southmoor Energy Centre, within the site of the Kellingley Colliery;

Ferrybridge Multifuel Project, positioned within the site of the existing Ferrybridge C Power Station; and

Various proposed wind energy projects.


26.8.4 The proposed Southmoor Energy Centre comprises an Energy from Waste (EfW) Facility with Combined Heat and Power (CHP). It is proposed to be located within the site of the Kellingley Colliery, positioned immediately to the north of the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal. It is the subject of a current planning application submitted to NYCC.

26.8.5 The potential relationship between the CCGT power plant and Southmoor Energy Centre is recognised and to inform the assessment two cumulative visualisations have been prepared to demonstrate this. These have been prepared for Viewpoints 5 and 8 (shown in Figures 13.4.5E and 13.4.8B). These show the 3-unit option for the CCGT power plant. These particular viewpoints have been selected as locations to the north and south are most likely to clearly show the juxtaposition of the two projects. At locations to the east and west they are more likely be seen one in front of the other, therefore potentially making the relative positions of the two projects less clear. Wireframe views have been presented rather than photomontages to avoid any confusion over the rendering of materials, therefore photomontages for each project should be referred to in order to understand this aspect.

26.8.6 The visualisations demonstrate the potential spatial relationship between the two projects indicating that, despite the differences in the design, there are some similarities in terms of overall scale and mass of the structures. The Southmoor Energy Centre has the potential to have cumulative effects in combination with the CCGT power plant as it would lead to the general increase of industrial development to the east of Knottingley. The two projects would be seen in conjunction with each other, and the scale of the schemes, together with their close proximity, means they are likely to be visible simultaneously at many locations within the surrounding landscape.

26.8.7 The increased concentration of development would mean greater combined effects, should both projects be implemented. However, it is a location where industrial development already exists and the proposed projects would be adding to this rather than forming completely new elements.

Ferrybridge Multifuel Power Station

26.8.8 Ferrybridge Multifuel Power Station is a consented project positioned within the site of the existing Ferrybridge C Power Station. It is understood that pre-construction works are in progress. The proposed Ferrybridge Multifuel Power Station would be positioned to the north west of the existing Ferrybridge C Power Station. The separation distance between the CCGT power plant site and this project would be approximately 4 km. This, together with the presence of the existing Ferrybridge C Power Station, will limit opportunities to see the two projects in single or successive views. These factors will also limit the cumulative effect these projects will have on landscape character (i.e. the




two projects are sufficiently far apart for them not to appear as increasing intensification of development).

26.8.9 Overall, it is anticipated that the potential cumulative effect of the CCGT power plant in combination with the Ferrybridge Multifuel Power Station will be limited.

Wind Energy Projects

26.8.10 A number of wind energy projects are emerging at various locations within the landscape surrounding the KPP, including::

Darrington Wind Farm, between Darrington and Cridling Stubbs (application submitted);

Prowind Wood Lane Wind Farm, between Birkin, Gateforth and West Haddlesey (application submitted);

Stubbs Bridge Wind Farm, north of the M62 near Cridling Stubbs (status unknown); and,

Byram Wind Farm, between Byram and Birkin (status unknown).

26.8.11 It is also understood that there may be further wind energy projects within the surrounding area, but these are located at a greater distance from the proposed CCGT power plant site.

26.8.12 The closest of the above proposals to the CCGT power plant is the Stubbs Bridge Wind Farm, although the status of this (e.g. in development or submitted as part of planning application) is unknown. The other projects are located a slightly greater distance from the CCGT power plant site (but within 5 km). The characteristics of the proposed CCGT power plant, and the way that it will be perceived in the landscape, would be quite different to the wind energy projects. Indeed, the CCGT power plant will be a static development, compared with the rotating blades of wind turbines. It will also be located in a position that is concentrating development within the land that extends to the east of Knottingley, rather than spreading into the surrounding landscape.

26.8.13 Should any of these wind energy projects obtain planning permission and be constructed they would be visible in combination with the CCGT power plant. This visibility will be very variable with simultaneous, successive and sequential views experienced at various locations. It should also be noted that wind energy projects are likely to be compared with / seen in relation to each other rather than other types of project or development. Overall the spatial relationships between the CCGT power plant site and the proposed wind energy projects, together with the quite different form of these developments, means significant cumulative effects are unlikely.

26.9 Cumulative Impacts: Traffic, Transport and Access

Developments Considered

26.9.1 Based on Table 26.2, it is possible that the construction and commissioning phases of the CCGT power plant and Gas Pipeline will overlap with that of the Southmoor Energy Centre. Indeed, the timetable for the construction and commissioning of the CCGT power plant is 2015 to 2018, and the timetable for construction and commissioning of the Gas Pipeline is 2015. The timetable for the construction of the Southmoor Energy Centre is January 2014 to January 2017, with the peak period for construction worker activity occurring in 2015. Full details of the construction programmes and worker profiles is provided in the Transport Assessment (Appendix O.1).

26.9.2 Therefore, the construction activities for the three proposals will overlap in 2015.




26.9.3 Table 26.6 summarises the construction worker traffic for each proposal during the potential overlap period in 2015 and also the construction worker traffic at the peak period for construction activity for the CCGT power plant in 2017. It can be seen from Table 26.6 that the overall arrival and departure totals for 2015 are marginally higher than those in 2017. Therefore, the cumulative impact of the three proposals has been examined for 2015.

Traffic Impacts

Construction Staff Vehicle Movements

26.9.4 As indicated, the construction activities for the three proposals will overlap in 2015. Table 26.7 summarises the likely changes in link flow on the highway network of interest in the construction peak hours in 2015. For completeness and comparison purposes, the link flows during the commuter peak hours are also presented in the Table.




TABLE 26.6: CONSTRUCTION WORKER TRAFFIC GENERATION FOR THE THREE PROPOSALS

Trip Type Shift Start and Finish Times

Arrival and Departure

Times Arrivals Departures

CCGT power plant construction workers journeys to and from site outside of peak months of construction based on an average of 400 workers i.e. months 1 to 23 (2015) and 33 to 40

0700 – 1900

0600 – 0700 171

1900 – 2000 171

Gas Pipeline construction worker journeys to and from the construction compound April to May 2015 (peak of construction)

0600 – 0700 90

1900 – 2000 90

Southmoor Energy Centre construction workers journeys to and from site during busiest period of construction worker activity month 19 in 2015 – 375 workers

0600 – 0700 313

1900 – 2000 313

TOTAL 0600 – 0700 574

1900 – 2000 574

CCGT Power Plant construction workers journeys to and from site based on busiest period of construction i.e. months 24 to 32 (2017) - 1,100 workers

0600 – 0700 471

1900 – 2000 471




TABLE 26.7: 2015 LINK FLOW COMPARISON

Link Direction

2015 Commuter

Peak

2015 Construction Peak without

Proposals

2015 Construction

Peak with Proposals

Numerical Increase (%)

AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM

M62 Jct 34 off-slip w/b 206 - 98 - 148 - 50

(51%) -

M62 Jct 34 on-slip e/b - 173 - 59 - 124 - 65

(110%)

A19 (south of A645 roundabout)

n/b 731 826 369 338 573 338 204

(55%) 0

s/b 806 670 473 248 473 452 0 204

(82%)

A19 (north of A645 roundabout

n/b 474 552 262 236 262 303 0 67

(28%)

s/b 474 416 314 172 381 172 67

(21%) 0

A645 (west of A19 roundabout)

w/b 175 203 66 84 341 84 275

(416%) 0

e/b 230 218 91 92 91 368 0 276

(300%)

A645 (east of Common Lane)

w/b 365 347 157 253 222 356 65

(41%)

103

(41%)

e/b 283 350 204 215 308 280 104

(51%)

65

(30%)

A645 (west of Common Lane)

w/b 379 405 185 271 185 570 0 299

(110%)

e/b 300 374 244 237 544 237 300

(123%) 0

A645 (east of Headlands Lane)

w/b 636 754 360 598 360 897 0 299

(50%)

e/b 623 863 361 547 661 547 300

(83%) 0

A645 (west of Headlands Lane)

w/b 628 613 333 405 333 691 0 286

(71%)

e/b 630 700 350 407 637 407 287

(82%) 0

A645 (north of A162 s/b off-slip)

n/b 667 769 366 448 653 448 287

(78%) 0

s/b 676 690 405 414 405 699 0 285

(69%)




Link Direction

2015 Commuter

Peak

2015 Construction Peak without

Proposals

2015 Construction

Peak with Proposals

Numerical Increase (%)

AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM

A645 (south of A162 s/b off-slip)

n/b 750 848 499 487 766 487 267

(54%) 0

s/b 595 572 240 385 240 467 0 82

(21%)

A162 s/b off-slip s/b 235 233 91 130 111 130 20

(22%) 0

A162 n/b off-slip s/b 457 526 202 234 405 234 203

(100%) 0

A645 (south of A162 n/b off-slip)

n/b 558 690 401 400 464 400 63

(16%) 0

s/b 665 706 228 439 228 502 0 63

(14%)

M62 Jct 33 off-slip e/b 386 - 199 - 307 - 108

(54%) -

M62 Jct 34 on-slip w/b - 471 - 221 - 329 - 108

(49%)




26.9.6 It can be seen from Table 26.7 that during the construction peak hours: a 300% increase in traffic flow is predicted on the A645 eastbound approach to the A19 roundabout during the PM peak hour; a 123% increase is predicted on eastbound approach to the Weeland Road / Common Lane junction during the AM peak hour; increases of 82% and 50% are predicted on the eastbound and westbound approaches to the A645 / B6136 Ferrybridge Road / Headlands Lane junction during the AM and PM peak hours, respectively; increases of 54% and 69% are predicted on the northbound and southbound approaches to the A645 / A162 southbound off-slip junction during the AM and PM peak hours, respectively; an increase of 100% is predicted on the A162 northbound off-slip during the AM peak hour; and, an increase of 54% is predicted on the M62 Junction 33 off-slip during the AM peak.

26.9.7 The increases in flow are similar to those predicted for the highway network in 2017 at the peak of construction activity for the CCGT power plant, with the exception of the A645 eastbound approach to the A19 roundabout during the PM peak hour, which is heavily influenced by construction worker traffic associated with the proposed Southmoor Energy Centre. As with the peak of construction activity for the CCGT power plant, the predicted increases in traffic flow suggest that a medium to high impact may occur at the aforementioned junctions and mitigation measures may need to be considered. However, it is noted that the magnitude of the impacts is mainly due to the low levels of background traffic on the highway network during the construction staff peak hours.

26.9.8 As the construction staff arrival and departure times of 06:00 to 07:00 hours and 19:00 to 20:00 hours (construction peak hours) do not coincide with the highway network peak hours of 08:00 to 09:00 hours and 17:00 to 18:00 hours (commuter peak hours), it was agreed with the highway authorities that operational assessments of junctions, to confirm any requirement for mitigation measures, need only be undertaken where construction peak hour traffic volumes exceed network peak hour traffic volumes.

26.9.9 Table 26.8 presents a comparison between the 2015 commuter peak hour traffic flows and the 2015 construction peak hour traffic flows at the junctions of interest.




TABLE 26.8: 2015 COMMUTER PEAK HOUR AND CONSTRUCTION WORKER PEAK HOUR TOTAL JUNCTION TRAFFIC VOLUME COMPARISON

Junction

Total Junction Traffic Volume

Difference 2015 Commuter Peak

2015 Construction Peak with Proposals

AM PM AM PM AM PM

A645 Road / Common Lane / Low Green priority junction

708 797 800 875 92 78

A645 / B6136 Ferrybridge Road / Headlands Lane traffic signals

2027 2347 1372 1804 -655 -543

A645 / A162 southbound priority junction

1682 1788 1312 1337 -370 -452

A645 / A162 northbound priority junction

1615 1806 1088 1126 -527 -681

A645 Weeland Road / A19 roundabout

1840 1829 1249 1004 -591 -825

Junction 33 of the M62 eastbound off slip road

386 307 -79

Junction 33 of the M62 westbound on slip road

471 329 -141

Junction 34 of the M62 eastbound on slip

173 124 -49

Junction 34 of the M62 westbound off slip

206 148 -57




26.9.11 The comparison presented in Table 26.8 indicates that in 2015 the only junction predicted to experience higher traffic volumes during the construction worker arrival and departure peak hours is the A645 / Common Lane / Low Green junction. Therefore, the cumulative traffic impact at all junctions is therefore considered to be low with the exception of the Weeland Road / Common Lane / Low Green where the impact is considered to be high.

26.9.12 As indicated, improvements to the Weeland Road / Common Lane / Low Green junction are proposed to overcome its existing geometric shortcomings. The operational performance of the junction was therefore tested against the forecast flows for 2015 and the results confirm that the traffic generated by the combined construction phases of the three proposals can be safety accommodated by the improved layout without the need for further mitigation measures.

Civil and Mechanical HGV Movements

26.9.13 The daily civil and mechanical works HGV traffic at the peak of construction of the CCGT power plant will be in the order of 144 vehicles per day (i.e. 72 arrivals and 72 departures). Spread out over a 12 hour day, this will equate to just 12 HGV trips per hour, six arriving and six departing.

26.9.14 HGV traffic associated with the construction of the Gas Pipeline will be of the order of 50 vehicles per day (i.e. 25 arrivals and 25 departures) at the peak of construction activity. Spread out over 12 hour day, this will equate to approximately 4 HGV trips per hour, two arriving and two departing.

26.9.15 HGV traffic associated with construction of the Southmoor Energy Centre in 2015 will be of the order of 20 vehicles per day (i.e. up to 10 arrivals and 10 departures). Spread out over a 12 hour day, this will equate to less than 2 HGV trips per hour, one arrival and one departure.

26.9.16 Accordingly, in combination, the three development proposals could lead to increases in HGV traffic on the highway network of nine arrivals and nine departures per hour (spread over a 12 hour day). Increases in HGV traffic of this order are unlikely to lead to disruption. Therefore, cumulative impacts will be minimal.

Severance, Accidents and Road Safety, Driver Delay and Pedestrian Amenity, Fear and Intimidation

26.9.17 The cumulative impacts on severance, accidents and road safety, driver delay and pedestrian amenity, fear and intimidation will be the same as reported for 2017, at the peak of construction activity for the CCGT power plant alone. Therefore, cumulative impacts will be minimal.

26.10 Cumulative Impacts: Cultural Heritage

26.10.1 Based on Table 26.2 a number of potential cumulative impacts have been identified:

Prowind Wood Lane Wind Farm

26.10.2 This development may have a direct impact on cultural heritage / archaeological resources, if remains are found during ground preparation / excavation activities. These impacts would be direct adverse impacts, as they could damage or remove such remains14. However, the development may provide an opportunity for the discovery of unknown remains which could add to the cultural heritage / archaeological knowledge of the area. Therefore this could be construed as positive.

14 The significance of the cumulative direct impacts cannot currently be predicted as the nature/importance of the archaeological remains, if found, is not known at this stage.




26.10.3 In addition, this development could also have indirect impacts on the setting of cultural heritage / archaeological resources within the wider landscape.

Other Proposed Development

26.10.4 There is unlikely to be cumulative direct impacts associated with the other proposed development (i.e. the Ouse Renewable Energy Plant, Ferrybridge Multifuel Project, Southmoor Energy Centre) as the land on which the proposed development will be located is previously development plant.

26.10.5 However, these other developments could also have indirect impacts on the setting of cultural heritage / archaeological resources within the wider landscape.

Summary

26.10.6 The level of cumulative indirect impacts is predicted to be Moderate Adverse to Slight Adverse, as the scale of the above developments will change the current skyline. However, it should be noted that the above developments will not alter the context, as the area is already strongly influenced by the presence of a wide range of different developments including the existing Power Stations and the A1(M) / M62. Furthermore, the developments will not cause significant effects to the setting of these assets to the extent that they can no longer be appreciated or understood. The developments will also not be in conflict with government policy for the protection of the assets.

26.10.7 Therefore the cumulative impact is assessed as Not Significant.




SECTION 27

FRAMEWORK FOR A CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN




27 FRAMEWORK FOR A CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

27.1 Introduction

27.1.1 As noted in the Impact Assessment Sections, a number of measures have been proposed as part of the way the KPP will be constructed / operated / decommissioned. These measures are established best practice techniques and there is very considerable confidence in their effectiveness.

27.1.2 These measures will be secured by way of Requirements in the DCO.

27.1.3 One particular measure is the implementation of a code of construction practice (i.e. the implementation of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)). This Section draws together the information provided in the various Impact Assessment Sections in relation to this measure, and thus outlines a ‘Framework for a Construction Environmental Management Plan’ for the KPP. The Framework could be used by the Construction Contractor in the development of their CEMP.

27.2 Environmental Management

27.2.1 Effective environmental management is an important consideration throughout the development of any project, from design through to construction through to operation.

27.2.2 The key elements of effective environmental management include:

A process of iterative route design to minimise any potential environmental impacts identified in the impact assessment process;

Selection of appropriate construction methodologies which are designed to minimise any potential environmental impacts identified in the impact assessment process;

Putting in place procedures for the selection, management and auditing of the Construction Contractor, including a requirement for the Construction Contractor to produce a CEMP (which uses this Framework as a minimum); and,

The production of a ‘Project Specific’ Overall Environmental Management Plan for the construction / operation activities associated with KPP.

27.3 Suggested Contents of a Construction Environmental Management Plan

27.3.1 The Construction Contractor will be required to produce and implement the CEMP, and will identify site responsibilities for environmental management and describe how the various environmental management activities will be undertaken. In preparing the CEMP, the Construction Contractor will need to give appropriate thought to the requirements for: consultations; consent / licence / permit applications; communication and training on environmental awareness; selection and management of sub-contractors; and, environmental monitoring and auditing.

27.3.2 Based on achieving the residual impacts as reported in this ES, the Framework is provided in Table 27.1 taking into account the information provided in Sections 7 to 25.




TABLE 27.1: FRAMEWORK FOR THE CEMP

Impact Section Suggested Contents

General

The CEMP will require adherence to the EA’s Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPGs), including:

PPG1: General Guide to the Prevention of Pollution;

PPG2: Above Ground Oil Storage Tanks;

PPG5: Works In, Near or Liable to Affect Watercourses;

PPG6: Working at Construction and Demolition sites;

PPG8: Storage and Disposal of Used Oils;

PPG21: Pollution Incident Response Planning; and

PPG26: Storage and Handling of Drums & Intermediate Bulk Containers.

In addition, the CEMP will require adherence to other relevant guidance including:

Control of Water Pollution from Construction sites. Guidance for Consultants and Contractors C532 (CIRIA);

Environmental Good Practice on Site C650 (CIRIA);

Sustainable Drainage Systems: Hydraulic, Structural and Water Quality Advice C609 (CIRIA);

Sustainable Water Management in Landuse Planning C630 (CIRIA); and,

Environmental Permitting Guidance – Groundwater Activities (DEFRA).





Air Quality

General Measures

It is proposed that several Best Practice Methodologies will be included in the CEMP. These Best Practice Methodologies include adherence to the GLA Guidance. In this regard, site monitoring will be an important tool used to ensure the successful implementation of the Best Practice Methodologies. Site monitoring will include:

Monitoring of weather conditions, particularly the periods when dust emission and dispersal could affect the sensitive receptors (i.e. dry and windy weather conditions); and,

A grievance mechanism to be established, and an accurate log of any representations received from the public kept.

Scheme for the Control of Dust Emissions

The scheme for the control of dust emissions may be included in the CEMP. It is proposed that the scheme for the control of dust emissions will contain the following measures (taken from the GLA Guidance):

The use of a mobile spray tanker and water bowser(s) during long periods of dry weather conditions to damp down dust (i.e. during periods of topsoil stripping / pipe-stringing / trenching and laying / reinstatement);

All stockpiles to exist for the shortest possible time, and will be restricted wherever possible to a height no greater than 8 m;

The use of water (as a dust suppressant) or local suitable exhaust ventilation system on all cutting equipment;

Control measures for welding will be in accordance with Health and Safety Executive guidance notes EH54 and EH55 (as appropriate);

All excess materials will be used or safely removed from site according to appropriate legislation; and,

All skips (or similar) to be securely covered and drop heights will be minimised.

Construction Transport Management Plan

It is proposed that the CTMP contains the following measures (specifically to mitigate air quality impacts):

Wheel wash facilities will be provided at the access / egress to the “working width”;

Road sweeping vehicles will clean public roads in the vicinity of road crossings if and when necessary;

Vehicle speeds on the “working width” will be controlled;

All loads entering and leaving the working width will be covered;

Trucks and construction plant entering the “working width” will be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification to comply with all relevant regulations;

Unnecessary idling for trucks and plant will be avoided with engines turned off during periods of inactivity;

Delivery of pipe sections will be planned and coordinated to avoid congestion and excessive truck queuing / idling of trucks; and,

Trips and trip distances will be controlled and reduced where possible.





Noise and Vibration

General Measures

It is proposed that several Best Practice Methodologies will be included in the CEMP. These Best Practise Methodologies include adherence to:

The Code of Practice for construction works given in BS 5228.

Furthermore, in terms of potential noise impacts during construction, it is proposed that the following mitigation measures will be included in the CEMP:

The adherence to agreed construction hours;

Location and orientation of construction plant / equipment away from NSRs locations wherever possible (i.e. appropriate selection of “working width”);

Selection of inherently quiet construction plant / equipment to provide a reduction of noise at source (it is noted that reducing the number of construction plant / equipment items can reduce the intensity of the noise, although this will serve to prolong the period of noise);

Controlling noise at source by effective silencers on machines;

Avoiding unnecessary running of construction plant / equipment;

The use of acoustic covers on construction plant / equipment (wherever practical); and,

Regular maintenance of construction plant / equipment.

There may be a need for some construction work outside the identified construction hours (i.e. HDD which is required to be over a 24-hour period). For these events, discussions will be held with and agreement will be obtained from the Local Planning Authority prior to undertaking any such construction works. Land Owners will be notified of any amendment to the proposed Construction Programme.

Ecology

General Measures

It is proposed that the CEMP contains the following measures:

Briefings and instruction to be given with regards to the ecological and biodiversity issue associated with the proposed Gas Pipeline route (and Ecological Route Study Corridor); and,

Development of environmental awareness training plans. Furthermore, it may be that an ecological management plans may be included in the CEMP. The ecological management plan will contains a number of different species-specific Method Statements. These will include:

A Bat Method Statement;

A Breeding Bird Method Statement;

A GCN Method Statement;

An Invasive Plant Species Method Statement;

An Otter Method Statement;

A Reptile Method Statement; and,

A Water Vole Method Statement.





Water Resources

Hydrology: Watercourses / Waterbodies: Open Cut Crossings of Water

In terms of Open Cut crossings of watercourses / waterbodies, it is proposed that the crossing technique / construction method to be included in the CEMP will include the following steps:

The construction of a dam on the upstream side of the crossing;

The pumping of water out of the dammed upstream side of the crossing;

The excavation of the trench;

The laying of the section of the Gas Pipeline within the trench;

The backfilling of the trench and reinstatement of the ground; and,

The removal of the dam on the upstream side of the crossing.

In addition, these crossings would be completed as quickly as possible (of the order of one day per watercourse) during the summer months when water levels are expected to be at their lowest. Where this is not possible, any significant changes in water levels (between the upstream section and the downstream section of the crossing) should be corrected by re-establishing hydraulic connectivity. This may be achieved by the use of a pipe which allows water to pass from the upstream section to the downstream section. Ditches will be returned to their former dimensions and drainage headwalls will be replaced with protection provided to prevent scour erosion within the watercourse.

Hydrology: Watercourses / Waterbodies: Interruptions to Lateral Drainage

In terms of interruptions to lateral drainage / surface water drainage, it is proposed that the following mitigation measures will be included in the CEMP:

Access roads / haul routes will be constructed to manage drainage;

Soil bunds will be placed strategically so that drainage catchments are not diverted or altered;

Access roads will be designed so that they do not funnel surface water and increase flood risk or silt production;

Temporary wheel washing facility will be installed to prevent transfer of soil onto nearby public roads;

If deemed necessary, temporary drainage routes / silt fences will be constructed (of geo-textile);

Pre- and post-construction agricultural under-drainage schemes will be designed and installed to an agreed specification. This will ensure that the discharge rate pre- and post-construction is similar (i.e. there will be no increase in sediment / silt / nutrient / surface water flux);

A Soils Handling Strategy will be formulated, including a programme of soils de-compaction, loosening and aftercare aligned to the drainage schemes. This will facilitate soil structure recovery and natural drainage pathways to return soil water retention / storage to pre-construction status;

Care will be taken during construction to ensure that silt laden water does not enter watercourses. This will be done by plugging existing drains, intercepting surface water above the working width and where appropriate by leaving filter strips of unstrapped topsoil along main watercourses / ditches. Topsoil will be replaced over post-construction drains as soon as possible to prevent site water from getting into drains;

Any de-watering pumping will be undertaken using an appropriately sized pump at such a rate to avoid disturbance or erosion of stream banks;

De-watering pipes will be carefully positioned;

Temporary lagoons, siltation tanks or filter membranes may be considered at sensitive outfall locations or where deeper excavations are proposed; and,

The Construction Contractor will be required to regularly inspect all pumps, pipes and connections.

Furthermore, due to the relatively small percentage of land-take of the access roads / haul routes / laydown / material stockpiles compared to the baseline, it is not considered that the volume of surface water runoff will be changed significantly. Despite this, mitigation drainage designs will be provided to mitigate against any additional runoff onto adjacent land and potential siltation from road / traffic activity.





Hydrology: Water Resources

In terms of water resource, it is proposed that the CEMP will include measures for an ongoing Strategy for Water Quality Monitoring. This Strategy will aim to identify potential impacts on water quality arising from construction of the Gas Pipeline in a timely manner and mitigate their effects.

Flood Risk: Fluvial Flooding from the River Aire and Tributaries: Construction

In terms of fluvial flooding from the River Aire and tributaires, it is proposed that the CEMP will include measures to ensure there is no loss of flood storage volume. These measures include:

Ensuring that excavated top-soil / sub-soil / materials are not stockpiled and stored within the flood plain for long periods;

Careful locations of stockpiles to prevent the diversion of flows or retention of flood water within the flood plain;

Development of a construction methodology which maximises progressive restoration and involves the excavation and installation of short lengths of Gas Pipeline (rather than long lengths) to ensure the maximum possible flood storage volume is maintained;

Reinstatement of the topography;

Reinstatement of agricultural under-drainage to a comparable state; and,

Removal of (and safe / appropriate disposal of) any top-soil / sub-soil / material not used for back fill to ensure the maximum possible flood storage volume is not reduced.

Flood Risk: Fluvial Flooding from the River Aire and Tributaires: Construction

To mitigate impacts to construction workers / construction plant, a Flood Plan will be produced. The Flood Plan will set strict instructions to all staff of the actions to take during a flood event, and will include detailed access / egress routes. The Flood Plan will require subscription to the EA’s Flood Warning Service to ensure that that staff are aware of any impending risks / flood events. In addition, the Flood Plan will require the siting of equipment (including porta-cabins) off the flood plain wherever possible.

Flood Risk: Operational Flooding from the Development onto Adjacent Sites

To mitigate impacts due to operational flooding from the development onto adjacent sites, measures to be implemented include water stops to prevent water tracking along the pipeline. Furthermore, no specialist Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDSs) are considered necessary, and it is likely that the drainage of the AGI site will ultimately be incorporated into the local highway drains. This is an approach which has been discussed and agreed with the EA.





Geology and Soils

General Measures

It is proposed that several Best Practice Methodologies will be included in the CEMP. These Best Practise Methodologies include adherence to:

Protection of Workers and the General Public during the development of Contaminated Land, 1991. This Document establishes the key principles to take into account when designing and implementing work on contaminated sites in order to ensure the proper protection of the health and safety of employees and others who may be affected by such work. This will include the use of correct and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times.

A Guide to Safe Working on Contaminated Sites, R132, CIRIA, 1996. This Document is similar to the above Document, and also includes checklists to help in the preparation of health and safety risk assessments and the development of safe working practises. This will include the use of correct and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times.

Soil Management Plan (Potential Impacts to Geology and Soils)

It is proposed that the CEMP includes a Soil Management Plan (based on current DEFRA Best Practice Recommendations and on the findings of a detailed Soils and Drainage Assessment of the final route alignment). The Soil Management Plan will contain the following measures:

All top-soils will be stripped from the “working width” (with the exception of those areas where top-soils will remain undisturbed);

Access tracks / haul route will be constructed first along the “working width” to allow movement of vehicles around the site on areas of soft-standing;

Speed restrictions will be imposed along the access tracks / haul routes of the “working width” to minimise disturbance;

Any vegetation, top-soil and sub-soil will be removed to expose a suitable sub-grade;

Sub-surface exposure time periods will be minimised;

Any top-soils, sub-soils or aggregate suitable for reuse will be stockpiled on impermeable liners to the side of the “working width”;

Any materials which are significantly different or contaminated will be stored using appropriate geotextile separators;

Stockpiles of loose, fine materials will be damped down / covered over (if necessary) to reduce dust generation or wind erosion; and,

Any top-soils and sub-soils that suspected of being contaminated will be tested to assess their contamination status.





Contamination Land and Groundwater

The scheme for contaminated land and groundwater may be included in the CEMP. It is proposed that the scheme relating to contaminated land and groundwater will contain the following procedure in the event that any hot spots of contamination are discovered:

Work will be stopped immediately;

The discovery will be reported to the Construction Manager;

The area of the discovery will be sealed off to contain the spread of contaminants;

The area of the discovery will be cleared to ensure there is nothing that could cause fire and / or explosion;

The Regulator / Local Authority will be contacted upon the identification and confirmation of newly discovered contamination hot spots;

Arrangements for testing to be carried out will be made and changes to the Contamination Strategy will be agreed; and,

The details of the discovery (including photos and relevant information) will be recorded on an Environmental Incident Report Form.

Furthermore, in terms of a positive contaminant discovery, the scheme relating to contaminated land and groundwater will require that any soils which are considered to be contaminated (either identified through testing or through visual / olfactory evidence) are stockpiled separately on site and then, if necessary, disposed of off site. In addition, any additional soils that are to be imported to site will be required to have certification of their chemical concentrations to ensure that contaminated materials are not being introduced.

Landscape and Visual

General Measures

It is proposed that the code of construction practice (i.e. CEMP) contains the following measures:

The use of specific agreed methodology for the stripping, storage and re-instatement of topsoil and subsoil;

The siting of soil storage bunds to screen views from nearby receptors wherever practical; and,

Agreeing to restrictions on the heights of stockpiles.

Restoration of Land used Temporarily for Construction

The scheme for the restoration of land used temporarily for construction may be included in the CEMP. It is proposed that the scheme for the restoration of land used temporarily for construction contains the following measures:

The re-use of materials salvaged from site clearance;

The reinstatement of fence walls to match existing features (if required);

The reinstatement of trees / hedgerows lost during the construction works with locally occurring native species of local provenance;

The replacement / replanting of all removed trees / hedgerows in the first planting season following construction; and,

The proliferation of watercourses and / or ditches to match the adjoining profiles (if required).

Provision of Landscaping / Implementation and Maintenance of Landscaping / Trees

The scheme for the provision of landscaping / implementation and maintenance of landscaping / trees may be included in the CEMP. It is proposed that the schemes for the provision of landscaping / implementation and maintenance of landscaping / trees contain the following measure:

The effective maintenance and annual replacement of planting (if required, over a period of 60 months) to ensure that planting will establish successfully.





Traffic, Transport and Access

General Measures

It is proposed that several Best Practice Methodologies will be included in the CEMP. These Best Practice Methodologies include adherence to the GLA Guidance. In this regard, site monitoring will be an important tool used to ensure the successful implementation of the Best Practice Methodologies. Site monitoring will include:

Monitoring of weather conditions, particularly the periods when dust emission and dispersal could affect the sensitive receptors (i.e. dry and windy weather conditions); and,

A grievance mechanism to be established, and an accurate log of any representations received from the public kept.

Furthermore, it is likely that the following measures will also be included in the CEMP:

Wheel wash facilities will be provided at the access / egress to the “working width”;

Road sweeping vehicles will clean public roads in the vicinity of road crossings if and when necessary;

All loads entering and leaving the working width will be covered;

Delivery of pipe sections will be planned and coordinated to avoid congestion and excessive truck queuing / idling of trucks; and,

Trips and trip distances will be controlled and reduced where possible.

Construction Transport Management Plan

It is proposed that the CTMP will be developed in accordance with the following Objectives:

Minimising the need to travel;

Where travel is unavoidable, maximising the use of sustainable travel modes;

Ensuring that residual travel movements avoid sensitive access routes;

Ensuring that residual travel movements avoid sensitive (peak) periods of the day; and

Ensuring that residual travel movements result in nil detriment to highway safety.

Cultural Heritage / Archaeology

Archaeology

It scheme for archaeology may be included in the CEMP.

For the Gas Pipeline, it is proposed that the scheme for archaeology is based upon the Framework Scheme for Archaeology detailed in Table 24.14. The Framework Scheme for Archaeology builds on the results of the Stage 1 site investigations and has been prepared according to generally accepted best practice for the types of resources identified within the Study Area, and the types of impact that are likely to arise as a result of the development of the Gas Pipeline. Accordingly, the Framework Scheme for Archaeology is intended to help inform the final design and micro-siting of the proposed Gas Pipeline route. The Framework Scheme for Archaeology has been developed through engagement with NYCC and EH

Socio-Economics

N / A