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Greengate Energy Recovery Facility Planning Application Volume 1 Non Technical Summary October 2016 ESB Asset Development UK Ltd Tricor Suite 4th Floor 50 Mark Lane London EC3R 7QR energy recovery facility

Greengate Energy Recovery Facility ERF NTS October 2016.pdfbeing sought, and the Greengate ERF will be compliant with all appropriate regulatory standards. 2.2 Scoping and Pre-Application

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Page 1: Greengate Energy Recovery Facility ERF NTS October 2016.pdfbeing sought, and the Greengate ERF will be compliant with all appropriate regulatory standards. 2.2 Scoping and Pre-Application

Greengate Energy Recovery Facility

Planning Application

Volume 1

Non Technical Summary

October 2016

ESB Asset Development UK Ltd

Tricor Suite 4th Floor

50 Mark Lane

London

EC3R 7QR

energy recovery facility

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Non Technical Summary -Planning Application

Greengate Energy Recovery Facility117626/CEM/062016

Revision B

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Non Technical Summary - Planning Application117626/CEM/062016Revision B

SwecoSpectrum House2 Powderhall RoadEdinburghEH7 4GB

+44 (0)131 550 [email protected]

© Sweco 2016 This document is a Sweco confidential document; it may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval systemor transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise disclosed in whole or inpart to any third party without our express prior written consent. It should be used by you and the permitted disclosesfor the purpose for which it has been submitted and for no other.Registered Office: Sweco UK Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN. Company Registration No 2888385

Issue Date Reason for Issue Prepared Checked Approved

A 03.10.16 Draft for comment CEM FG BM

B 19.10.16 Final CEM FG BM

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Contents

1. Introduction .......................................................................................... 1

1.1 Overview ............................................................................................... 1

1.2 Purpose ................................................................................................. 1

2. Environmental Impact Assessment and Planning Regulations ............ 3

2.1 Environmental Statement and Environmental Impact Assessment .... 3

2.2 Scoping and Pre-Application Consultations ......................................... 3

3. Planning Policy Context ........................................................................ 5

4. Description of the Development .......................................................... 6

4.1 General ................................................................................................. 6

4.2 Rationale for Proposal .......................................................................... 6

4.3 Description of Proposal ........................................................................ 7

4.4 Construction Programme ..................................................................... 8

4.5 Refuse Derived Fuel .............................................................................. 8

4.6 Gasification ........................................................................................... 8

4.7 Technology Description ........................................................................ 9

4.8 Power Distribution................................................................................ 9

4.9 Flue Gas Cleaning and Emission Monitoring ...................................... 10

4.10 Air Pollution Control Residue ............................................................. 10

4.11 Operation............................................................................................ 10

4.12 Decommissioning ............................................................................... 10

4.13 Alternatives Considered ..................................................................... 11

5. Potential Impacts and Recommended Mitigation ............................. 12

5.1 Landscape Character and Visual Amenity .......................................... 12

5.2 Traffic and Transport .......................................................................... 13

5.3 Air Quality ........................................................................................... 13

5.4 Noise ................................................................................................... 14

5.5 Ecology ................................................................................................ 15

5.6 Soils and Geology ............................................................................... 15

5.7 Flood Risk and Drainage ..................................................................... 16

5.8 Carbon and Sustainability ................................................................... 16

5.9 Cultural Heritage ................................................................................ 17

5.10 Socioeconomics .................................................................................. 17

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6. Summary and Conclusions ................................................................. 18

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1

01 Introduction

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1. Introduction1.1 Overview

ESB Asset Development UK Ltd. (ESB AD) and Pilkington United Kingdom Limited(‘Pilkington’) are jointly developing an energy recovery facility at Pilkington’s GreengateWorks. The application will be submitted to St. Helens Council Planning Department forpermission to construct and operate the proposed development. The facility will generateelectricity from the treatment of refuse derived fuel (RDF) by gasification.

The proposed development is co-located on previously developed land owned by Pilkingtonand is sited at their operational Greengate Works. The site address is Sutton Heath Road,St. Helens, WA10 2RZ as shown on Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1 – Site Location Plan (taken from Drawing No. 117626/PA16/02)

The Planning Application includes an Environmental Statement detailing the proposeddevelopment, and studies of environmental, social and economic aspects undertaken todetermine impacts. Contributions have been received from a number of appropriatespecialists.

1.2 Purpose

The primary purpose of the development is to generate renewable electricity for use at thePilkington Greengate and Watson Street Works. Surplus power would be exported to thenational grid.

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01 Introduction

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The proposed development provides a facility for the recovery of energy from treatedwaste, addressing policies within the Merseyside and Halton Joint Waste Local Plan and theNational Waste Policy for England with respect to diversion of waste from landfill. Figure1.2 shows the grades included in the national waste hierarchy as included in the Merseysideand Halton Joint Waste Local Plan.

Figure 1.2 - Waste Hierarchy from the Merseyside and Halton Joint Waste Local Plan.

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02 Environmental Impact Assessment and Planning Regulations

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2. Environmental Impact Assessment and PlanningRegulations

2.1 Environmental Statement and Environmental Impact Assessment

The Environmental Statement looks to address all significant aspects of the development;from what it is to why it is required, and to demonstrate how it complies with currentplanning policy and environmental regulation.

The proposed development falls under Schedule 1 of the EIA Regulations 2010 (asamended) and is categorised as a ‘waste disposal installation for the incineration orchemical treatment of non-hazardous waste with a capacity not exceeding 100 tonnes perday’. The Greengate ERF is deemed to fall within the requirements of the EIA Regulationsand therefore an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a formal process that assesses the possiblepositive and negative impacts that a proposed project may have on the environment, takingaccount of the environmental, social and economic aspects.

The proposed development falls under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales)Regulations 2010 as amended and would require an Environmental Permit to operate. Anapplication to the Environment Agency for an Environmental Permit will follow at a laterstage of the project development.

2.1.1 Standards

It is recognised that the nature of the Greengate ERF in using Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF),albeit employing modern enclosed technologies, has the potential to raise some publicconcerns. Typically concerns are associated with emissions that may potentially impacthuman health and air quality along with RDF giving rise to litter, odour and vermin.

As with most projects of this nature matters such as noise, traffic generation, visual andecological impacts are also of relevance.

Assessment of impacts is made by specialists employing appropriate methodologies andeffects are assessed against published standards. No departures from these standards arebeing sought, and the Greengate ERF will be compliant with all appropriate regulatorystandards.

2.2 Scoping and Pre-Application Consultations

A Scoping Opinion request is a document or set of documents that is issued to the localplanning authority, requesting their opinion to a proposed project, and to gauge whatneeds to be submitted as part of a planning application.

An initial request for Scoping Opinion was submitted to St. Helens Council PlanningDepartment in May 2015 detailing proposals for an Energy Recovery Facility that could

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02 Environmental Impact Assessment and Planning Regulations

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generate up to 10MW1 of electricity. This Scoping Opinion was updated in April 2016 toincrease electrical output of the Greengate ERF to 15MWe. Associated backgroundinformation and project description, location of the proposed development and outlinecharacteristics of the following potential impacts are assessed within the planningapplication:

· Landscape and Visual

· Ecology

· Cultural Heritage

· Soils & Geology

· Air Quality

· Noise and Vibration

· Flood Risk Assessment

· Traffic and Transport

· Socioeconomics

· Climate Change

· Cumulative Impacts

ESB AD and Pilkington undertook a series of pre-application consultation events in July andAugust 2016. These events comprised a leaflet drop and poster distribution to localaddresses and locations of note within a 1km radius of the proposed development, and anexhibition held at The World of Glass, St Helens on the 4th and 11th of August 2016.

The local community, local suppliers and businesses and local councillors were invited toattend the exhibition giving detail on the proposals. Figure 2.1 shows how the exhibitionlayout within a conference room at The World of Glass.

Figure 2.1 – Exhibition display at The World of Glass

1 A Megawatt (MW) measures power and is equivalent to one million watts.

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03 Planning Policy Context

3. Planning Policy ContextThe Pilkington Greengate Works is located to the south east of an industrial area of St.Helens.

The closest residential property is some 483m to the south. The proposed Greengate ERFconstitutes a development requiring planning permission under the Town and CountryPlanning Act (1990) as it involves building, engineering and other operations on, over andunder the land.

The proposed development provides a facility for the recovery of energy from material leftover from waste recovery treatment processes. The development is consistent with policieswithin the National Planning Policy Framework, Waste Management Plan for England,National Planning Policy for Waste, St. Helens Local Plan Core Strategy, St. Helens UnitaryDevelopment Plan (Saved Policies), and Merseyside and Halton Joint Waste Local Plan.

A detailed planning policy review is contained within the Environmental Statement. Theproposed development of Greengate ERF complies with the relevant planning policies.

In support of the planning application, a rigorous environmental assessment has beenundertaken. The assessment has not identified any significant environmental effects whichwill not be appropriately mitigated against.

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04 Description of the Development

4. Description of the Development4.1 General

The site for the proposed development is currently a car park area and the planningboundary covers an area of some 5.86ha. It is located adjacent to the existing PilkingtonGreengate Works as shown on Figure 4.1. The planning boundary of the proposedGreengate ERF is outlined in red.

Figure 4.1 – Planning Boundary of proposed Greengate ERF

4.2 Rationale for Proposal

The operations at the Pilkington Greengate Works are energy intensive and requiresignificant electricity usage during production processes. Establishing an ERF adjacent tothe Greengate works will protect Pilkington from increasing energy costs.

Securing this energy cost reduction will assist Pilkington’s competitiveness in the UK marketand abroad and as a result will provide job security for the workforce in the foreseeablefuture, whilst also supporting the wider local economy through their suppliers network.

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04 Description of the Development

The proposed Greengate ERF has the potential to generate heat as well as power andpotential heat users and a district heating network have been investigated for the heatbased on the proposed energy recovery process. This option will be progressed furtherafter consent is given and technology provider details are confirmed.

It is recognised that the construction and operation of the Greengate ERF would result inthe release of greenhouse gases. However, this should be viewed in a wider environmentalcontext, particularly as the ERF would be processing residual waste materials which wouldotherwise be sent to landfill. The facility would also generate electricity for Pilkington’s use,the majority of which would otherwise have been generated at a power station throughthe combustion of fossil fuels.

The proposed facility will contribute to meeting the government’s policy on renewableenergy. The facility will provide electricity direct to the Pilkington Greengate and WatsonStreet Works with surplus exported to the national grid. This electricity will be generatedby renewable sources which is in line with current EU and UK Government initiatives andobjectives.

4.3 Description of Proposal

The proposed development will utilise gasification technology and will be housed in apurpose designed building as shown on Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2 – West elevation of the Greengate ERF main building

The proposed main building covers an area of around 1.5ha or 15,000 square metres. Themain building will be in the order of 24m - 36m high, 148.5m in length and 51m wide. Aspart of the Environmental Impact Assessment, air dispersion modelling was carried outwhich determined that the maximum height of the chimney will be around 60m relative tothe ground level. The main building will be a steel portal framed building and finished incolours to complement the surrounding industrial buildings.

Internally, the proposed main building has a number of distinct areas including a fuelbunker for the reception of RDF, a pre-treatment hall, an RDF bunker, the gasificationprocess hall (with chimney stack), control room, water treatment plant and a steam turbinehall as shown on Figure 4.3.

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Figure 4.3 – Proposed floor plan of Greengate ERF

All access points (with the exception of pedestrian only doors) into and out of the mainbuilding will be via rapid open /close roller shutter doors.

The remainder of the planning boundary area comprises a loading bay, access routes, visitorand multi storey car parks, an administration building, silos for the storage of waste ash andfilter material, a condenser, existing cable ducts and a security lodge.

4.4 Construction Programme

The construction of the Greengate ERF is expected to take around 36 months with a sixmonth period afterwards to allow for testing of the equipment. Construction shall comprisethe following overlapping elements:

· Ground Works

· Civil and Building Infrastructure

· Mechanical and Electrical Equipment

· Testing and Commissioning

Construction operations will generally take place between 07:00am and 19:00pm Mondayto Friday and 08:00am to 16:00pm on Saturdays. There will be some activities which areoutside these periods but these will be very limited.

4.5 Refuse Derived Fuel

Selected wastes will be pre-treated at various local treatment centres to produce RDF. TheRDF is derived from separation of non-recyclable fractions of municipal, commercial &industrial waste (C&I) that remain after the initial treatment process have been completed.

RDF would then be transported in enclosed vehicles to the Greengate ERF.

4.6 Gasification

Gasification is a technology that converts organic or fossil based carbonaceous materialsinto carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This is achieved by reacting thematerial at high temperatures with partial combustion using a controlled amount of oxygen

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and / or steam. The resulting gas mixture is called syngas (from synthesis gas or syntheticgas) and is itself a fuel. The power derived from gasification and combustion of the resultantsyngas is considered to be a source of renewable energy if the gasified compounds areobtained from biomass.

Gasification is considered to be an Advanced Conversion Technology (ACT) that can operateon relatively small scale sites that are appropriate for the quantities of waste to bedelivered. Gasification is a proven technology at commercial scales and also has a readysupply of fuel (waste), helping to secure a continued supply of electricity.

4.7 Technology Description

The intention is to operate one fluidised bed gasifier within the Greengate ERF to produce15MWe of electrical output. Bubbling fluidised bed gasification has the ability to generatepower from fuels of varying quality in a highly efficient manner. The process provides anoptimised, stable atmosphere for gasification to take place. The gasification plant proposedis also modular and can be developed in accordance with the volume of waste expected onsite each year.

A an example summary of the plant proposed for use during the gasification process on siteis shown in Figure 4.4

Figure 4.4 – Example gasification process (Outotec.com)

The plant will comply with the provisions of Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) legislationand will mirror identical plant built elsewhere in Europe. The entire operation will becontrolled from a central control room as shown on Figure 4.3.

4.8 Power Distribution

Power will be delivered to the Pilkington Greengate and Watson Street Works via cableducting on or adjacent to the site, depending on the final destination of the power. A newsubstation will be constructed to complement the substations already existing on site.

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4.9 Flue Gas Cleaning and Emission Monitoring

The flue gas cleaning systems comprises:

· Recirculation of flue gases to reduce the nitrogen based emissions;

· A selective system that lowers nitrogen based emissions;

· Dry flue gas scrubbing which uses lime and activated carbon;

· Bag filters that reduce dust particles in flue gases.

Continuous monitoring of emissions will be provided which monitor the key flue gasparameters, such as carbon monoxide content. This would be a requirement of theEnvironmental Permit.

4.10 Air Pollution Control Residue

Following complete combustion of the RDF, as residue accumulates in a pit at the bottomof the combustion chamber.

This ‘bottom residue’ will be transferred from the pit below at the bottom of the boiler toa purpose built silo. The residue, which complies with the specific requirements of theIndustrial Emissions Directive (IED), cools as it is transferred to the residue hopper.

As all equipment is purpose built, the bottom residue is discharged within an enclosedsystem, minimising dust or fugitive emissions. There will also be residue from air pollutioncontrol residue (APCR) abatement equipment collected.

4.11 Operation

The plant is expected to operate 24 hours per day, seven days a week. The plant will runthroughout the year to produce electricity, except during planned and unplannedmaintenance and shutdowns.

Waste deliveries to the site will generally take place on Monday to Fridays between 09:00– 16:30 hrs and on Saturdays between 09:00 – 15:30 hrs. Occasional waste deliveries maybe necessary out with these periods to ensure adequate fuel supply, but will be set to aminimum.

Once operational, the Greengate ERF will be under regulation of its Environmental Permitissued by the Environment Agency. Environmental monitoring will be undertakenthroughout the operating life of the Greengate ERF to review all emissions from the plant.

4.12 Decommissioning

At the end of the Greengate ERF’s operational life, decommissioning will be undertaken inaccordance with the relevant legislation prevailing at the time. A decommissioning plan willbe submitted to meet the requirements of the Environmental Permit issued by theEnvironment Agency.

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4.13 Alternatives Considered

A key aim of the project is to generate renewable power to reduce electricity costs for theexisting Pilkington operations. Alternative parts of the Pilkington Greengate Works to thesouth of the existing administration building was considered. That area is occupied by alarge mound and the earthworks required to level the area were not considered costeffective to the overall project.

There is a wide range of technologies available to produce energy from waste, dependingon the space available for development and construction of the necessary operationalbuildings. The available space at the Greengate Works limits the technology that could beconsidered. For this reason, it was determined that energy recovery via gasification, inparticular using the bubbling fluidised bed process would be the preferred technology.

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05 Potential Impacts and Recommended Mitigation

5. Potential Impacts and Recommended Mitigation5.1 Landscape Character and Visual Amenity

An assessment of the landscape and visual impact of the proposed ERF taking account ofthe construction and operational periods has been undertaken. The assessment hasidentified that during the construction period there will be some visual effects from the useof cranes and large machinery used during construction.

No mitigation measures are proposed during the construction period as this will be for alimited time period only and are not considered to be significant.

The proposed development will generally create a low impact on the landscape of the localindustrial landscape.

Nine viewpoint locations were agreed with St. Helens Council representing residential,recreational receptors and representative viewpoints. The locations are shown on Figure5.1.

Figure 5.1 – Landscape and visual assessment viewpoint locations

The tallest feature of the development, the chimney stack, will be seen in the context withthe nearby operational stacks of Pilkington’s Greengate Works. The proposed stack at theGreengate ERF is smaller in height (around half the height) and is narrower than the existingchimney stacks and therefore it would be less prominent within the wider study area.

From longer range positions, the proposed development reduces in visual prominence andwhere visible, it is seen in context with the adjacent Pilkington buildings and stacks. Theproposed Greengate ERF development is shown to the left of Figure 5.2 in relation to theexisting Pilkington Greengate Works.

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Figure 5.2 – Landscape and visual assessment photomontage of proposed Greengate ERF.

During the operation of the ERF the visual effect is permanent from all viewpoints, howeverthe predicted level of significance varies from not significant to minor adverse.

5.2 Traffic and Transport

An assessment of traffic related environmental effects has been completed. A TransportAssessment and an Operational Travel Plan Statement have also been undertaken. Trafficwould be generated during construction and operation.

The main construction access for the heavy good vehicles (HGVs) will be via BurtonheadRoad and Sutton Heath Road to the construction lay down area within the site. The dailycivil and mechanical works HGV traffic at the peak of construction will be in the order of 32vehicles per day and Light Goods Vehicles (LGV) in the order of 10 vehicles per day,managed over a 12 hour shift (Monday to Friday). Construction is expected to be completedover a 25 to 36 month period starting at mid-2017.

Overall the proposed development will generate additional traffic during the constructionphase, the volumes and times that this traffic is travelling on the highway network meanthat any detrimental environmental impacts from the development will be negligible andwill be of a temporary nature only.

During the operation of the ERF the predicted daily increases in operational traffic includingHGVs on all the highway links of interest is minimal. The overall environmental effects areconsidered to be negligible.

During construction there will be the introduction of a temporary improvement scheme atthe proposed access to improve road safety.

5.3 Air Quality

Part of the role of an air quality impact assessment is to provide quantitative predictionsfor a range of pollutants and to provide interpretation of their significance.

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The assessment considers the effects of the gasification process emissions on local airquality standards which are relevant when considering Human Health impacts. Theassessment also includes a review of the likely ecological significance of atmosphericemissions and the impact on air quality from traffic generation.

Baseline air quality around the proposed installation is good and within European LimitValues and UK objectives.

During the construction phase the appointed contractors shall prepare a detailed methodstatement for the project contained within the Construction Environmental ManagementPlan.

Once the Greengate ERF is operational, the flue gases from the ERF plant will cleaned byusing Best Available Techniques (BAT) compliant methods to ensure compliance withIndustrial Emission Directive (IED) limits. The emissions will be managed and monitored bythe Operator and regulated by the Environment Agency in line with the requirements ofthe Environmental Permit.

Assessment of the emissions from the proposed installation on Human Health concludesthese are unlikely to result in any air quality objective or limit value being exceeded.

Assessment concludes the emissions from the ERF on designated ecological sites are notsignificant.

Assessment of increased nitrogen based emissions and particulates from increased trafficgeneration was found to be insignificant.

Overall, the impact on air quality from the proposed Greengate ERF is considered to be lowin the short and long term.

5.4 Noise

Noise monitoring at residential properties was carried out. An assessment of the impact ofnoise from the Greengate ERF taking account of the construction and operational periodshas been undertaken, including night time operational noise.

Baseline surveys were undertaken to assess existing ambient noise at sensitive dwellingsnear the proposed facility.

Construction noise will be controlled by compliance with BS 5228.

Noise mitigation during operations will involve the specification of plant with appropriatesound power limits, and the enclosure of all waste transfer and loading operations withina sealed building with good acoustic insulation properties. There will also be limits onmovements of vehicles, a planned and preventative maintenance plan and a noisemanagement plan for the site including training, procurement, testing, monitoring,complaints and review procedures.

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The measures detailed above would ensure that noise from the process will be acceptableat night at all sensitive receptors.

Daytime and evening noise impacts at noise sensitive receptors are highly unlikely to causesignificant loss of amenity. Even at night-time, process noise is unlikely to cause loss ofamenity, compared to existing background noise. Noise from the proposed installation ispredicted to be well below the background noise level and below the World HealthOrganisation (WHO) night-time criteria.

The noise impacts from the facility are likely to be low at all sensitive receptors subject tothe successful implementation of the mitigation measures.

5.5 Ecology

An assessment of the impact on ecology from the ERF site and surrounding areas has beenundertaken. The assessment takes account of the construction and operation of the site.

Background information on the site and its immediate surroundings was compiled usingonline searches and databases along with previous ecological surveys undertaken. A habitatsurvey was undertaken within the site boundary and surrounding areas in July and October2016. Habitats were then classified according to approved methodologies for extendedPhase 1 Habitat Survey and their extents mapped.

The site is not located within any statutory designated areas, however there are a numberof designated nature conservation areas close to the site including Stanley Bank MeadowSSSI, located approximately 4.2 km to the north east; and Mersey Estuary SSSI, locatedapproximately 9.5 km to the south. Thatto Heath Meadows, designated as Local NatureReserve, is located approximately 253 m south of the site. There are four non-statutorydesignated sites lying within 2km of the site.

The habitats present on the site included a small area of immature beach trees in thesouthern portion and eastern boundary of the site and scattered scrub across the majorityof the site. Grassland was also present.

The habitats on the site are unlikely to support populations of protected or notable speciesof invertebrates. There are habitats that are suitable for basking and foraging reptiles. Thebroadleaved woodland has the potential to support breeding birds along with bats. Anecological management plan will be implemented prior to construction works commencingon site and along with implementation of an Environmental Permit during operation, willmitigate any potential ecological impacts of the development.

5.6 Soils and Geology

The site has a long industrial history and is underlain by made ground associated withinfilled pits, then by glacial till deposits and solid geology sedimentary rocks of the PennineMiddle Coal Measures. The site is recorded as being within an area of previous coal mining.

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The overall contamination risk associated with the proposed development has beenassessed as moderate / high as a result of the potential for the migration of ground gasfrom underground mine workings.

Site investigations will be undertaken to investigate the depth, nature and extent of themade ground and underlying drift and solid deposits and assess the risk from ground gases.Also, to characterise the chemical nature of the soils across the site, with respect topotential human health and controlled waters risks, the investigations will also assess thepotential risk associated with possible mine workings, provide geotechnical information forfoundations and presence of groundwater beneath the site.

Following this assessment, any confirmed risks to the development should be addressedthrough the implementation and verification of a suitable remedial strategy including ifnecessary works to address any ground contamination, ground gas or stability risk.

On the assumption that any risks associated with the development are either excluded atsite investigation phase or addressed through remediation, no significant residual impactsare anticipated.

5.7 Flood Risk and Drainage

A review of the potential flood impact on the site from rivers, coastal and surface water hasbeen undertaken. The assessment has identified that the site is not at risk of flooding fromrivers or coastal, however there is a risk from surface water flooding.

The Sustainable Urban Drainage System proposed mitigates flows to prevent the risk oflocalised flooding from surface water runoff to surrounding facilities. Sufficientunderground drainage will reduce the flood hazard.

The overall assessment is that the impacts from the development will present no increasedflood risk and present low pollution risk.

5.8 Carbon and Sustainability

A carbon and sustainability report was completed for the Greengate ERF. The analysisundertaken concludes that the proposed Greengate ERF has a net positive impact both interms of reduced carbon emissions and wider sustainability considerations compared tothe baseline scenario.

The plant is expected to provide a net carbon benefit over landfilling the waste and overtreating the waste and exporting the RDF.

Energy recovery from waste that would otherwise be disposed of represents a shift up thewaste hierarchy for this waste fraction, helping reduce waste quantities being sent tolandfill without resorting to the transport of this waste long distances that would incuradditional carbon emissions arising from the transportation.

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5.9 Cultural Heritage

A desktop study and review utilising available database information on structures and landsof archaeological, historical, conservation and environmental interest was carried out.

There are no recorded sites or monuments within the area proposed for development.There are a small number of listed buildings and designated parks close to the planningapplication site and these will remain unaffected by the proposal.

As such the proposal was assessed not to have any significant adverse impact in terms ofarchaeology or built heritage interests.

5.10 Socioeconomics

An assessment of the potential impact of the ERF upon the community and associated socialeffects has been undertaken. The assessment has identified that there are positive impactsduring the construction and operational period for the local and surrounding areas in termsof direct and indirect employment. The Greengate ERF will also secure existing employmentat the Pilkington Greengate and Watson Street Works providing security to the locallyemployed community.

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6. Summary and ConclusionsThe Environmental Statement has assessed and identified potential environmental impactsthat may arise as a result from the proposed Greengate ERF during the construction andoperational stages of the development.

A rigorous environmental assessment has been undertaken which has not identified anysignificant environmental effects which will not be appropriately mitigated by acombination of direct mitigation measures or through operational and managementsystems.

No demonstrable harm to interests of acknowledged importance has been concluded toarise as a result of the proposal.

Full details of the approach and methodology of the assessments, detailed consideration ofpotential impacts and the mitigation measures proposed are provided in the EnvironmentalStatement and Technical Appendices which should be consulted where more detail isrequired.