PLANNING SUPPORTING STATEMENT - Viridor

SEVERN ROAD RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTRE

PLANNING SUPPORTING STATEMENT

SLR REF 402.0036.00374

October 2009


Severn Road Resource Recovery Centre SLR Consulting Limited

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CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................................... 2 Site Description............................................................................................................. 3 Description of the Development.................................................................................... 5

Materials Recycling Facility ....................................................................................... 5 Energy from Waste Facility ....................................................................................... 6 Energy Recovery....................................................................................................... 7 Air Pollution Control (APC) / Flue Gas Treatment..................................................... 7 Bottom Ash Recycling Facility ................................................................................... 8 Ancillary Development............................................................................................... 8 The Building .............................................................................................................. 8 Traffic ...................................................................................................................... 11 Landscaping............................................................................................................ 13 Surface Water Management ................................................................................... 14 Lighting.................................................................................................................... 14 Construction ............................................................................................................ 14 Operating Hours ...................................................................................................... 15 Employment ............................................................................................................ 15

Review of Planning Policy .......................................................................................... 16 National ................................................................................................................... 16 Regional Policy ....................................................................................................... 18 Local Policy ............................................................................................................. 19 Summary................................................................................................................. 22

Need ........................................................................................................................... 23 Alternatives ................................................................................................................. 25

Alternative Sites ...................................................................................................... 25 Alternative Technologies......................................................................................... 25

Potential Environmental Effects.................................................................................. 27 Highways................................................................................................................. 27 Noise ....................................................................................................................... 27 Air Quality................................................................................................................ 27 Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology................................................................... 28 Land Quality ............................................................................................................ 29 Ecology ................................................................................................................... 29 Landscape and Visual Impact ................................................................................. 30 Socio - Economic Impacts....................................................................................... 30 Cultural Heritage ..................................................................................................... 31

Conclusions ................................................................................................................ 32



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INTRODUCTION 1.1 Avonmouth is fast developing as a major base for renewable and low carbon

energy industries with energy from waste and recycling playing an important role. The ample supply of industrial land and excellent transport links means that the area offers strong potential over the next 5-10 years to become a regional/national centre of excellence for these industries ensuring that Bristol is at the forefront of the low carbon economy. The potential for municipal, industrial and commercial waste streams to contribute to energy generation and district heating/chilling networks are key areas to develop as part of the Bristol Green Capital strategy.

1.2 Viridor has therefore selected the Avonmouth area to develop a Resource

Recovery Centre incorporating an Energy from Waste (EfW) facility and a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The proposed site is the northern part of the Sevalco Plant site in Avonmouth. The full address of the site is Severn Road, Chittening, Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 0YU. The site is located at National Grid Reference 353797, 181739 around 7 miles north west of Bristol city centre. The site location is shown in Drawing 1/1 Site Location Plan.

1.3 The site will be known as the Severn Road Resource Recovery Centre

(SRRRC) and full description of the application is as follows:

“The construction and operation of a Resource Recovery Centre including a Materials Recycling Facility an Energy from Waste and Bottom Ash Facility, associated Office, Visitor Centre with new access road and weighbridge facilities, associated landscaping and surface water attenuation features.”

1.4 The application is supported by an Environmental Statement (ES) which

reports the results of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), undertaken by SLR Consulting Ltd. The EIA assessed the potential environmental impacts of the development.

1.5 This supporting statement contains the completed planning application forms

and certificates. It then proceeds to give a description of the site and the proposed development, a summary of the potential environmental effects and a review of relevant planning policies for the development and ends with a summary of the benefits of the proposed development.



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SITE DESCRIPTION 1.6 Avonmouth is an extensive, long established industrial area that serves the

West of England sub region and beyond. It hosts a wide range of general industrial uses, specialist industries, port facilities, storage and distribution, power generation and waste management uses and has excellent links to the strategic route network.

1.7 The application site comprises about 8.3 hectares of land located within the

Avonmouth industrial area adjacent to Severn Road and about 230 metres east of Chittening Road (A403), which is the main road providing a north/south connection within the Avonmouth industrial area. The site is shown in its local context on the aerial photograph1 set out below.

1.8 To the north of the application site is Severnside Works and Seabanks Power

Station with a number of pylon lines running past the northern edge of the site, and then diverging across the landscape to the east. Planning permission has recently been granted for two wind turbines on land to the north west of the site as well. To the west of the site is the large area of Chittening Industrial Estate on the edge of the Severn Estuary.

1.9 To the east, flat open agricultural land leads to a gas works and onto the M49

motorway. Immediately south of the site lies an adjacent industrial complex.

Approximate application area boundary

1 www.googleearth.com

http://www.googleearth.com/



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1.10 The site is currently served from Severn Road via two priority T-Junctions. To the west of the site, Severn Road joins with the A403 via an at grade T junction, with the major road of the junction passing through a near 90 degree bend, with the minor arm being on the apex of the bend. Incorporated within the development proposals are improvements to the site access, the geometry of Severn Road adjacent to the application site, and plans to signalise the A403-Severn Road / A403-Chittening Road junction.

1.11 The site access shall be improved so as to ease two-way movements by

heavy goods vehicle traffic. To this end, the southernmost site access, located 245-metres southeast of the junction of A403- Severn Road / A403-Chittening Road, will be improved to provide 15-metre radii. The proposals have also been designed to provide visibility in accordance with TD42/95, which requires visibility over 160 metres from a 4.5-metre set-back position.



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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT 1.12 The development is for the construction of a Materials Recycling Facility

(MRF) which will sort and bulk up recyclables as well as pre treating wastes. Residues from the MRF and other residual wastes will be handled in the Energy from Waste facility that will generate energy and heat from the treatment by combustion of residual waste. The EfW will incinerate 350,000 tonnes per annum of non hazardous, residual Commercial and Industrial waste (C&I) and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Residual waste is that which remains after materials suitable for recycling and composting have been removed. Bottom ash generated by the EfW process will be treated on site and recycled as secondary aggregate.

1.13 Drawing EfW-POR-21 illustrates the proposed layout for the facility. The

Resource Recovery Centre will comprise of the following elements:

o Materials recycling facility; o Energy from waste facility; o Bottom ash recycling facility; o Supporting ancillary development, including access roads, parking,

weighbridges and landscaping; and o Offices and Visitor & Education Centre.

1.14 Vehicles will enter the site from Severn Road to the south via an improved

site access. Staff and visitors will turn to the right to access the car parking provided in front of the offices and visitor centre to the RRC. Operational vehicles will all turn left upon entering the site to access the weighbridge control area before proceeding into the site via a central access road off of which separate access to the MRF, EfW, and bottom ash facility is provided.

Materials Recycling Facility 1.15 The proposed MRF will occupy the western half of the proposed RRC

building providing a large, flexible internal space which will enable a wide range of recycling options to be implemented as required by the market. The size of the building will, for example, enable the establishment of separate lines of recycling equipment enabling the plant to deal with a wide range of wastes and maximise the recovery of recyclate.

1.16 Waste materials will be delivered into the building and deposited within a

designated tipping area. From here material will be loaded in to the processing equipment for the screening and sorting of recyclates and residual waste.

1.17 Recyclates from the process will then baled and stored within the building

prior to dispatch from the bale collection area. Glass and timber, which cannot be baled, will be stored externally in an area adjacent to the bottom ash recycling facility.



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1.18 Residual waste from the process will be placed in the waste store prior to dispatch to the EfW.

Energy from Waste Facility 1.19 The proposed EfW will occupy the eastern half of the main RRC building.

The main elements of the EfW proposals are:

• Waste reception hall with storage bunker, shredder and a waste feed system;

• Boiler hall with a grate, combustion chamber and a heat recovery boiler;

• Turbine Hall with stream turbine for generating electricity;

• Flue gas treatment hall with equipment to clean combustion gases;

• Facility for discharging and loading APC residue silos and other ancillary equipment;

• Hall with storage bunker for the collection and loading of incinerator

bottom ash;

• Conveyor to bottom ash recycling area;

• Twin chimneystack to discharge the treated flue gases into the atmosphere;

• An air-cooled condenser for cooling and recycling steam from the generating process;

• Ancillary areas, control room, Central Processing Unit (CPU) room, bulky and light storage areas and electrical room, workshops etc.

Waste Reception 1.20 The waste will be delivered to a dedicated handling area using bulk transfer

and street refuse collection vehicles (RCV’s). All vehicles delivering residual waste will be weighed when entering the site and proceed to a vehicle delivery and tipping hall where they will back up and discharge the waste into a pit or storage hopper. From here the waste is transferred to the two parallel “energy-from-waste” process lines and to each combustion chamber via dedicated feed chute and airlock section using grab cranes.

1.21 The cranes are also used to mix and break-up the incoming materials to

ensure homogeneity of feed to the combustion chambers. A shredder is provided to process any bulky household waste received in the hoppers and to reduce material to an appropriate size prior to the combustion process.



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1.22 Air is extracted from the waste reception hall and used as waste combustion air which helps control odours arising in this area. The reception area is enclosed with access doors and air louvers to manage traffic and control air movements.

Waste Combustion 1.23 Combustion will take place in two stages, with primary combustion

undertaken on a moving mechanical grate to promote the mixing of burning/unburnt wastes. The combustion gas from the primary stage will be heated in the secondary combustion chamber to reach its specified temperature (850 degrees for a minimum of two seconds). Afterwards the residue from primary combustion on the moving grate will be removed as incinerator bottom ash (IBA).

Energy Recovery 1.24 The heat from combustion of the waste will be recovered initially to form

steam and ultimately as electrical energy up to approximately 30 megawatts. This is enough to serve around 42,000 households2. The heat that is produced is recovered within a waste boiler to form high pressure steam, which is used to drive turbines to generate electricity. A proportion of this site generated energy will be used within the facility itself, but the majority will be exported to the National Grid.

1.25 The design of the heat recovery boiler is particularly suited to waste

combustion and incorporates facilities to minimise dust carry-over and for online cleaning through rapping systems and soot blowers to minimise maintenance impacts. Dust collected from the boilers is discharged as fly ash and collected with the flue gas treatment residues.

1.26 The power generation and auxiliary equipment include turbine/generator

sets, air condensers and a facility with the potential to extract further value from the partially cooled steam or hot water after it has been through the turbines. This can be used to provide heating or process heat for homes and businesses within a reasonable proximity to the site, see the Heat Plan in Appendix 14.2.

Air Pollution Control (APC) / Flue Gas Treatment 1.27 Air pollution control is an essential element of any modern incinerator. The air

pollution control system forms an integral part of the plant and will ensure that the emissions from the plant will meet the stringent EU Waste Incineration Directive (WID) (2000/76/EC) standards. Residues from the process are classified as hazardous waste and will be stored in sealed silos prior to removal from site in sealed tankers for treatment and stored in sealed silos at a suitably licensed facility. Currently, the nearest appropriate facility is near Cheltenham.

2 Ofgem average electricity use per household



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Bottom Ash Recycling Facility 1.28 It is proposed that incinerator bottom ash will be treated and recycled to

produce aggregate material at an on site plant adjoining the EfW. The material will be moved from the EfW via a covered conveyor to the bottom ash facility.

1.29 The bottom ash material is wet on leaving the EfW and needs to be matured

and turned for between 4-6 weeks before it can be processed for aggregate. The maturation and aggregate processing operations will be carried out under cover, with further storage areas provided for the finished product.

1.30 At full capacity it is estimated that the plant will produce approximately

90,000 tpa of recycled aggregate for the local market. The screening, maturation and storage of this material will take place under cover in the northern part of the site.

Ancillary Development 1.31 Ancillary development at the Resource Recovery Centre will include:

• A visitor centre to enable community participation and the encouragement of waste reduction, recycling and energy recovery in Bristol and the surrounding area;

• Offices, changing rooms and showers for staff; • Staff and visitors car park, a coach and mini bus standing and cycle

spaces to encourage a reduction in car use; • Weighbridges and control centre; • Combined heat and power infrastructure; • Transformer House (contains meters, circuit breakers and step up

transformers necessary for the export of electricity; • Storage facilities for the collection, recycling and attenuation of

surface water run off; • Wheel wash facility; • Storage areas for skips and containers; • Site access roads with lighting, footpaths and vehicle manoeuvring

areas; • CCTV and other security measures; and • Landscaping and site fencing.

The Building

Arrangement 1.32 The MRF and EfW processes will be totally enclosed within a purpose-built

new building that is appropriately designed for its surroundings. Drawing EfW-POR-21-P0 illustrates the layout of plant and buildings within the site. The bottom ash is stored and treated in a separate building to the north of the main building.



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1.33 The main building will have a chimney stack on the southern side. Based on the findings of the air quality dispersion modelling, the chimney stacks will be 90 metres in height.

1.34 The proposed buildings and hardstandings will have an approximate area of

62,538m².

Design 1.35 The RRC requires a distinctive, high quality and attractive appearance and a

considerable amount of effort has gone into achieving such an appearance. The building’s appearance in relation to its site, surroundings and the views of it from local areas have all been carefully considered, in recognition of the challenges and opportunities that a proposal of this size and scale brings.

1.36 Given the size of the proposals, the aim is not to camouflage, but integrate

the building form with the surrounding industrial landscape whilst at the same time celebrating the RRC’s resource and energy recovery function and contributing an improvement to the architectural character of the area.

1.37 The MRF is positioned as an extension of the EfW plant. The extension of

the form in this way allows the building to be apparent as longer and lower than it is in reality. The bold soaring angular geometry that emerged from the iterative design process is a response to the importance of views into the site. It was chosen as the best option to ensure the integration of the RRC into the long expansive vistas of the industrial setting; the architecture is futuristic with maritime connotations and soars towards the rising uplands around Bristol.

1.38 The envelope is articulated by a series of vertical spines that express the

rigorous geometry. The roof is not expressed as a single plane sailing over all equipment, as this would have enclosed unnecessary volume and made the building taller than it needs to be. Rather, the roof is broken down into a number of separate roofs that are set between the spine walls at the lowest functional level, so as to reduce the volume of the building without compromising operational necessity of maintaining and replacing components in the future. This device of breaking down the roof line is a recognised strategy for helping to break up the scale and mass of the building.

1.39 The building is large and cannot be hidden on the flat land of the estuary.

The colour of these discrete spine elements forming the geometry of the facility is being studied to create an image which is complementary yet stands out in its setting and creates a landmark to encourage the economic regeneration of this industrial area of Avonmouth.

1.40 The proposed offices and visitor centre façade will bring interesting shapes,

textures and colours to the medium and short distance views of the building at the entrance to the facility. Shading is provided to the south facing EfW offices by means of a free standing perforated aluminium screen. Behind the screen a gantry will provide access to the considerable area of south facing glazing for regular cleaning of the windows. The screen will be colour coated



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the same Viridor green as the curved ACC screen and chimney blades, forming a striking entrance to the complex for visitors and staff alike.

Materials 1.41 The building materials have been chosen to ensure that practicality in terms

of the operations is complemented by a sustainable approach to their selection and use. The materials also need to be able to do justice to the strong design concept when viewed from a distance and create interest at medium and short range.

1.42 The following schedule of materials will be used for the proposed development:

• Roof to EfW and MRF – external sheet: Kalzip profiled aluminium

standing seam roof sheet, built up system; rolled on site for continuous sheet lengths. Finish: pre-weathered aluminium finish as AluPlusPatina.

• Roof lights to EfW and MRF – Danpalon polycarbonate roof cladding

system. Finish: softlight. Colour: Ice.

• Translucent wall cladding to sections of EfW and MRF walls – Danpalon polycarbonate wall cladding system, internal fixing. Finish: softlight. Colour: Ice.

• Louvre banks in EfW wall cladding – steel to be integrated with adjacent

cladding systems. Colour: to match adjacent cladding. Finish: polyester powder coated.

• Curved screen to air cooled condensers – perforated Kalzip aluminium

sheet, type 65/400/RV6/8 in horizontal bands. Colour: green to match RGB:68, 220, 132. Finish: polyester powder coated.

• Vehicle door surrounds in EfW and MRF – reinforced insitu concrete.

• Exposed steel structure generally – hot dip galvanised finish.

• Doors in EfW base – steel faced up and over or roller shutter doors.

Colour: to match adjacent cladding. Finish: polyester powder coated.

• Flue structure and cladding – hot dip galvanised steel. Blade material: perforated Kalzip aluminium sheet, type 65/400/RV6/8. Colour: green to match RGB:68, 220, 132. Finish: polyester powder coated.

• Chimney stacks – steel. Colour: goosewing grey. Finish: polyester

powder coated.

• Roof over EfW and MRF offices - external sheet: Kalzip profiled aluminium standing seam roof sheet, built up system; rolled on site for continuous sheet lengths. Finish: pre-weathered aluminium finish as AluPlusPatina.



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• Wall cladding to EfW and MRF offices – external sheet: sinusoidal or trapezoidal steel wall cladding laid at an angle as Elite system 51 or 52 by Euroclad. Finish: Euroclad Colourcoat Prisma. Colours: light and dark tone in metallic finish in alternating planes (dark tone to be Prisma Grey Aluminium and light tone to be Prisma Metallic Silver).

• Curtain walling to glazed areas of EfW offices – aluminium double glazed

curtain walling system as Schuco or Kawneer. Opening sections at higher level for natural ventilation. Colour: glazing grey/green; frame to match adjacent cladding. Frame finish: polyester powder coated.

• Brise soleil screen to EfW offices – perforated Kalzip aluminium sheet,

type 65/400/RV6/8 in horizontal bands. Colour: green to match RGB:68, 220, 132. Finish: polyester powder coated.

• Bottom Ash roof – external sheet: Kalzip profiled aluminium standing

seam roof sheet, single skin rolled on site for continuous sheet lengths. Finish: pre-weathered aluminium finish as AluPlusPatina.

• Bottom Ash walls – below six metres: reinforced concrete with smooth

finish and modular panel construction. Above six metres: single skin sinusoidal or trapezoidal steel wall cladding laid at an angle as Elite system 51 or 52 by Euroclad. Colour: prisma metallic silver. Finish: Euroclad colourcoat prisma

Traffic 1.43 Incorporated within the development proposals are improvements to the site

access, the geometry of Severn Road adjacent to the application site, and plans to signalise the A403-Severn Road / A403-Chittening Road junction.

1.44 The site access shall be improved so as to ease two-way movements by

heavy goods vehicle traffic. To this end, the southernmost site access, located 245-metres southeast of the junction of A403- Severn Road / A403-Chittening Road, will be improved to provide 15-metre radii. The proposals have also been designed to provide visibility in accordance with TD42/95, which requires visibility over 160 metres from a 4.5-metre set-back position.

1.45 Complimentary of the proposed improvements to the site access are

proposals to widen the carriageway of Severn Road between the proposed site access and the A403-Severn Road / A403-Chittening Road junction, to provide a 7.3-metre carriageway. This is commensurate to accommodating two-way heavy goods vehicle traffic and is the traditional industrial estate standard. Forward visibility would also be improved through easement of the existing road alignment.

1.46 Under the proposals, the applicant also intends to signalise the existing

priority T-junction comprising A403-Severn Road and A403-Chittening Road. However, it is noteworthy that, in consideration of the extant use of the application site, and the similarities in potential trip generation with the proposed development, the development proposals could be accommodated by the existing junction layout, both in capacity and safety terms.



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Nevertheless, the applicant is aware of the issues relating to excessive vehicle speeds, which are seen as contributory factors to accidents involving vehicles over-turning on nearby parts of the network, and consequently the applicant proposes the improvements as a wider community benefit.

1.47 In respect of the junction layout, it is proposed that a flared two-lane

approach would be provided on the A403-Chittening Road approach; the nearside lane being for the left-turn onto the A403-Severn Road and the short off-side lane being for the right turn onto Severn Road, towards the application site. Single lane approaches would be provided on both Severn Road approaches and a Pelican crossing would be incorporated within the signal phasing over Severn Road (towards the application site) in order to tie-in with the National Cycle Route.

1.48 A review of the existing highway boundary indicates that all improvements

could be accommodated within either the existing limits of the adopted highway or within land under the applicant’s control.

1.49 The MRF is anticipated to process up to 150,000 tonnes of waste per annum

and it is expected that 60,000 tonnes will not be recyclable and so will be transferred to the EfW facility for disposal. Consequently, the MRF is expected to output 90,000 tonnes of sorted material from the site annually.

1.50 In respect of the general operation of the EfW, it is anticipated that the facility

will handle some 350,000 tonnes of waste every year. Of this, however, 290,000 tonnes will be delivered directly and 60,000 tonnes will be received as an internal transfer from the proposed MRF.

1.51 Of the 290,000 tonnes of waste that will be delivered directly to the EfW, it is

anticipated that 230,000 tonnes will be delivered in bulk from waste transfer stations and other waste treatment facilities located throughout the region. The remaining 60,000 tonnes is expected to be received by way of refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) collecting from the kerbside. It is noteworthy that waste delivered by RCVs will comprise a diverted trip since such traffic movements already take place on the wider road network.

1.52 Additional inputs are required for disposal of waste within the EfW and this

comprises the delivery of lime which is used in the process. Lime input is typically equivalent to 2.5% of the waste input and so, in the case of the proposed development, equates to approximately 9,000 tonnes per annum.

1.53 Residual non-combustible material in the form of APC and Incinerator Bottom

Ash (IBA) will remain as an output of the facility. IBA is a non-hazardous by-product which will be exported from the site for use as an aggregate within the construction industry. The exact proportion of IBA is highly dependant on the waste input. However, typically 25% of the input waste can be assumed as a rigorous estimate of IBA output. Therefore, in the case of the proposed development, the assessment assumes approximately 90,000 tonnes of IBA will be exported from the site annually.

1.54 APC is considered a hazardous material due to its alkaline content and is

typically produced at a ratio of around 5% of the waste input. With this in



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mind, the assessment assumes that approximately 18,000 tonnes of APC will be exported from the site to landfill sites capable of handling hazardous waste, each year.

Parking 1.55 A safe parking area will be provided for staff and visitors in front of the

offices. Parking provision at the site has been devised in line with car parking standards and guidelines operating in the Bristol City area.

1.56 The parking area has discrete circulation away from the lorry circulating

routes. There will be 79 car parking spaces at the site, 4 of which will be larger spaces specifically designated for blue badge holders. A lay-by is to be provided for a visitor’s coach or minibus standing. Covered storage for 20 bicycles will also be provided.

Landscaping 1.57 A high quality landscape treatment has been provided to areas surrounding

the RRC. A key element of this has been to retain as many of the mature trees on the site as possible within the wider constraints of the design and brief. This has been achieved by surveying the existing trees along the southern edge of the site to identify the specimens in good condition and worthy of preservation. The intention is to retain as many of the healthy mature trees as possible to provide a high quality boundary treatment onto Severn Road and future neighbours to the south. Retaining established trees along the boundary will also form a visual screen and foreground to the angular composition of the RRC building behind.

1.58 The driving geometry of the architecture is carried through directly into the

landscape strategy for the site in order to provide cohesion:- the geometry of the building and form of the air cooled condensers is reflected in the configuration of the access roads, the entry facilities, hard landscaping to the staff car parking and the visitors’ areas, and soft landscape arrangement.

1.59 Structured tree planting reinforces the geometry and the quality of the soft

landscape will alleviate the effect of the urbanising influence of the car park and access roads within the wider setting.

1.60 The car park and frontage to the building is designed as an integral part of

the landscape treatment and ensure pedestrian movement is not determined and restricted by vehicular movement requirements. Tree planting and shrub planting will provide strong definition and legibility enabling integration of the car park into the wider setting.

1.61 Trees aligned to the road and car park spaces comprise species indigenous

to the area. The trees and shrubs are chosen for their aesthetic quality, the locality, soil type and are native to the local landscape.

1.62 The land surrounding the plant is to be seeded with a low maintenance grass

mix, with occasional benches that will be used for visitors and workers. Aquatic species will be integrated into the water collection and attenuation



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ponds. The bottom ash storage areas are set well within the site boundary in order to provide landscape zones to link the development to its surroundings.

Surface Water Management 1.63 The proposed building is designed with a sustainable drainage management

scheme. It re-uses rainwater following collection in tanks within the building envelope for use in the process plant. The ponds around the northeast boundary and around the ACC (a part of the pond is for use in the event of fire on site) form an integral part of the green infrastructure and have been designed as surface water attenuation facilities to protect the RRC facility for up to and including the 1 in 100 year storm event (incorporating an allowance for climate change), to allow controlled release of runoff into the local watercourses.

Lighting 1.64 External lighting within the site will be required to ensure the safety of

manoeuvring vehicles and pedestrians around the site. Lighting will also enhance the security of the site. The main areas where lighting will be necessary are as follows:

• Adjacent to roadways, footpaths and vehicle manoeuvring areas.

This will include all site roads and hardstandings within the site including the weighbridge area.

• Above doorways. • On the façade of the building. • On the chimney stack (aircraft warning only).

1.65 There are no proposals for floodlighting the SRRRC, or for high level lighting.

Construction

Duration 1.66 The construction period for the scheme is likely to take up to three years.

Estimated timescales for the proposed development are as follows:

• 2011 to 2013 construction of SRRRC and commissioning. • 2014 SRRRC operational.

Stages 1.67 The first stage of the process will be the demolition and site clearance of the

industrial development that currently occupies the site. The proposed highway improvement works will also commence at this stage of the project to ensure that the improvements proposed are implemented as soon as is practicable.



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1.68 Following these operations the groundworks phase of the development will commence which will involve the importation of in the region of 45,000 m³ of inert construction fill to create the required platform level of 7.8 m AOD for the construction of the RRC.

1.69 The construction phase of the project will consist of the following activities:

• Excavation and installation of services; • Piling and construction of foundations; • Construction of concrete and asphalt surfaces; • Erection of steelwork and cladding for buildings; • Installation of process equipment; and • Provision of landscaping and fencing.

1.70 Upon completion of construction the plant will then have a commissioning period prior to going operational in 2014.

Operating Hours 1.71 The EfW will operate on a continuous basis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

and the MRF and Bottom Ash facility may also need to operate in this way. 1.72 Deliveries and exports may occur through the day and night but it is

anticipated that the majority of deliveries will take place between 06.00 and 19.00 hours.

Employment 1.73 During the construction phase, it is estimated that the development could

provide employment opportunities for up to 200 workers at any one time. 1.74 During the operational phase, the SRRRC will provide direct employment for

around 65 staff. Staff will be employed in a number of roles within the site, including: weighbridge operation, facility operation, clerical and administration staff as well as plant management. There will also be a need for temporary and contract workers for periodic maintenance and other irregular tasks.



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REVIEW OF PLANNING POLICY 1.75 This section reviews the national, regional and local planning policy which

has been considered in the preparation of this planning application.

National 1.76 The following national planning policy documents have been considered with

regards to the proposal;

• PPS1 -Delivering Sustainable Development (2005) Planning and Policy Statement and Climate Change (supplement to PPS 1) (2007)

• PPS9 - Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (2005); • PPS10 – Sustainable Waste Management (2005); • PPS23 - Planning and Pollution Control (2004); • PPS 25 - Flooding (2004); • Waste Strategy 2007.

PPS 1

1.77 PS1 states that planning should facilitate and promote sustainable patterns of urban and rural development by making land available for development in line with economic, social and environmental objectives and protecting and enhancing the natural environment. PPS1 also stresses the importance of ensuring high quality development through good design and the efficient use of resources.

1.78 The supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) ‘Planning and

Climate Change’ sets out how planning should contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stabilising climate change and also how new developments should be designed to reduce risk from climate change e.g. flooding.

1.79 SLR has completed a Life Cycle Assessment, using the Environment

Agency’s modelling tool ‘Waste and Resource Assessment Tool for the Environment’ (WRATE), to assess the environmental impacts, including global warming potential, of the proposed EfW plant compared to a number of other waste management technologies.

1.80 The WRATE assessment concluded that the proposed EfW facility will result

in a negative environmental footprint that is, an overall reduction in environmental impacts such as global CO2 emissions. In accordance with PPS1, the EfW facility has been designed to minimise energy use and carbon emissions during construction and operation. The site has also been designed to attenuate surface water runoff and not give rise to additional surface water runoff or down stream flooding;

1.81 The MRF will increase levels of recycling and consequently diversion from

landfill. The EfW facility will have the potential to provide heat and energy to existing and future development in a 5km area and a heat Plan has been



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prepared to demonstrate the potential for this, see Appendix 14.2, Volume 3. Having regard to the above, it is considered that the development proposals are not likely to have a significant effect on climate change and support the sustainable development objectives set out in PPS1.

PPS 9

1.82 PPS9 states that developments should conserve and enhance biological and geological diversity. Although the site is not covered by any statutory geological or ecological designations and the Ecological Assessment confirmed that the development will not have a significant adverse impact on the ecology of the area, a range of mitigation measures and enhancements are proposed to improve the biodiversity of the site. The site is close to the Severn Estuary which is designated as an SPA/SCA and SSSI.

PPS 10

1.83 PPS 10 – Planning for Sustainable Waste Management sets out the latest government policy on planning for waste management facilities and objectives for sustainable waste management. The proposed development has been considered against these objectives in order to demonstrate its compliance with national waste policy.

1.84 Annex E of PPS 10 considers the locational criteria for new waste

management facilities. Amongst criteria to consider are opportunities to co-locate facilities, the physical and environmental constraints on development, the cumulative effect of waste disposal facilities on the local community, the capacity of transport infrastructure to support the sustainable movement of waste and products from resource recovery.

1.85 The SRRRC will be located on a derelict industrial site with no significant

physical or environmental constraints. The site is well located in terms of the primary highway network and the facility will divert a significant proportion of waste from landfill.

PPS 23 1.86 PPS23 provides advice on planning and pollution control to land, air and

water and the potential impacts to human health. The assessments undertaken as part of the EIA found no significant adverse impacts on human health or the environment arising from the construction and operation of the SRRRC

PPS 25 1.87 The application site is within the floodplain of the river Severn. PPS25 states

that developments should take account of flood risk at all times in the planning process. A Flood Risk Assessment was undertaken and an appropriate surface water management scheme has been designed to protect the SRRRC from flooding and to ensure that its presence will not increase flood risk in other areas.



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Waste Strategy 2007 1.88 Finally, the Waste Strategy 2007 sets out the Government’s vision for

sustainable waste management. The strategy’s key objective is the diversion of waste from landfill and it recognises that Energy from Waste (EfW) is an essential component of a well balanced energy policy. EfW is expected to account for 25% of municipal waste treatment by 2020, compared to 10% today.

Regional Policy

Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (RPG10) 1.89 Section 9 of RPG10 sets targets for the recycling, composting and value

recovery from waste up to 2015. It recognises the historic dominance of landfill in the South West and that achieving the challenging waste targets will require a step change in waste management.

1.90 Policy RE5 - Management and Transportation of Waste states that in order to

achieve sustainable waste management, the Region should aim to;

• recycle and compost 33% of household waste by 2015;

• recover value from 45% of municipal waste by 2010 and 67% by 2015; and

• reduce landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste to 75% of the 1995

production level by 2010; and 50% by 2013. 1.91 Policy RE6 - Energy Generation and Use supports and encourages the

Region to meet national targets for a 20% reduction (from 1990 levels) in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010 and a minimum of 11-15% electricity production to be from renewable energy by 2010.

1.92 It is considered that the SRRRC is in accordance with these policies as it will

provide significant capacity for recycling and recovering energy from waste, and will generate electricity.

1.93 RPG10 will be superseded by The South West Plan in due course.

The Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West (RSS) 1.94 The Draft RSS identifies managing waste as one of the greatest challenges

facing the Region. By 2026, up to 117,000 new homes and 122,000 new jobs are identified in the Secretary of State’s proposed changes to the RSS. This growth will have consequences for waste disposal and energy use. Energy from Waste is identified in the RSS as a source of ‘renewable heat’. The target for renewable heat in the South West is 100MW by 2010 and 500MW by 2050.



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1.95 The West of England generates around 1.1 million tonnes of household, industrial and commercial waste each year. Of this, approximately 618,000 tonnes is landfilled, the majority of it outside of the region due to insufficient landfill void and an absence of strategic recovery facilities in the Region. If the Region is to meet targets for diversion of waste from landfill and avoid Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) financial penalties, significant recovery and treatment facilities must be developed.

1.96 Relevant RSS policies which have been considered in relation to the Severn

Road Resource Recovery Centre are set out below: • Policy F1: Flood Risk • Policy RE1: Renewable Electricity Targets:2010 and 2020 • Policy RE5: Decentralised Energy to supply New Development; • Policy RE6: Water Resources • Policy RE9: Air Quality • Policy W1: Provision of Waste Sites • Policy W2: Waste Facilities and the Waste Hierarchy

The relevance of these policies to the proposed development are considered in more detail in Chapter 4 of the Environmental Statement.

Local Policy 1.97 Although work is progressing on the range of documents which will

eventually replace the old style Development Plan i.e. Local Plan and Structure Plan, for the purposes of this application, the relevant policies are contained in the adopted Bristol Local Plan 1997 and Joint Replacement Structure Plan 2002.

1.98 The ‘2003 Proposed Alterations to the Bristol Local Plan’ are material

considerations but should not be attributed the same weight as adopted policy. Similarly, the Bristol Development Framework Core strategy is at the Preferred Options stage and thus not yet adopted.

The West of England Partnership Preferred Options (consultation document) January 2009. 1.99 This document states that by 2020, the West of England will need to have

annual capacity to recover 775,000 tonnes of non inert waste and that there are currently no waste recovery facilities in the West of England. Policy 3 of the Preferred Options document ‘Recovery’ states that ‘the proposed policy for recovery is; to identify suitable sites at North West Bristol, Weston-super- Mare, Keynsham and Yate. Recovery will include Energy from Waste facilities.

1.100 Table 5 of the Preferred Options document identifies ‘Potential Strategic

Waste Management Sites for Waste Recovery Facilities’. The Sevalco site is included as a potential strategic site and is also considered suitable to deliver Option A (2 recovery Facilities at 400,000 tonnes per annum each).



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1.101 A Development Plan Document is being prepared by the four West of England Unitary Authorities of Bath & North East Somerset (BANES), Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils. The Document will be known as the Joint Waste Core Strategy and will identify where the large scale management facilities required by the strategy should be located. When adopted, the Joint Waste Core Strategy will replace waste policies in current development plans. The timetable for the adoption of the document is September 2011.

1.102 The Core Strategy states that by 2020, the West of England will need to have

the annual capacity to recycle 735,000 tonnes of non inert waste and 220,000 tonnes of inert waste. It will also need facilities to recover 775,000 tonnes of non inert waste and dispose of 265,000 tonnes of non inert waste and 380,000 of inert waste.

1.103 The latest consultation document, - the Preferred Options document has

identified three different options for meeting the future waste management requirements for the West of England:

Option A: Two recovery facilities which will each handle 400,000 tonnes annually; Option B: Eight recovery facilities each handling 100,000 tonnes annually; and Option C: A combination of different scale facilities suiting the density of the surrounding area.

1.104 Option C (the combination of small, medium and large scale facilities) is the

preferred option of the West of England Partnership. It is proposed that the large scale facility identified by this Option will be located in Avonmouth. The document also identifies specific sites that are considered suitable sites for these strategic waste management facilities. The Sevalco site subject to this planning application is identified as one of the sites considered suitable for this strategic waste management facility.

Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Joint Replacement Structure Plan: Adopted September 2002 (Saved Policies)

• The Joint Replacement Structure Plan requires the Waste Planning Authorities in the ex Avon area to make provision for the safe management, recycling, treatment and disposal of forecast waste arising in the area. The emphasis is on sustainable waste management and the use of previously developed land in preference to greenfield sites.

The relevance of the Structure Plan to the proposed development are considered in more detail in Chapter 4 of the Environmental Statement.

Bristol Local Plan 1997 (Saved Policies)



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1.105 The Local Plan is broadly supportive of renewable energy technology, providing that there are no unacceptable impacts on local communities and the natural environment. The policies are as follows;

• ME1 Renewable Energy Initiatives

• ME2 Pollution – location and design of development

• ME4 Controlling the impact of noise

• ME5 Protection of groundwater supplies

• ME6 Contaminated Land

• ME8 Watercourses • ME9 Development and Flood Risk

• E5 Sites of Nature Conservation Interest,

• NE8 Protected Species

• A5 Regeneration – Existing industrial development

• EC7 Industrial and Commercial Regeneration

The relevance of these policies to the proposed development are considered in more detail in Chapter 4 of the Environmental Statement (Volume 2).

First Deposit Proposed Alterations to the Bristol Local Plan Feb 2003 (Draft for Consultation). 1.106 As Bristol City Council has responsibilities for the disposal as well as the

collection of waste, this document includes policies for waste. 1.107 Since the closure of the Council owned Avonmouth incinerator in 1996, the

limited waste management capacity of the City has been under ever greater pressure. Most of Bristol’s waste is currently landfilled outside of the Region. However, this is an expensive and unsustainable solution to waste management and the document recognises that alternatives must be found.

1.108 The document states that Avonmouth supports a mix of manufacturing and

distribution activities and includes substantial areas of redundant and derelict land in need of re-development. One of the opportunities identified for Avonmouth is the development of renewable energy and recycling facilities.

1.109 The document recognises the constraints of the floodplain and the significant

ecological resources in the area. Access is also recognised as a potential constraint. The document states that no further significant employment growth in the area, over and above that already permitted could be supported without major infrastructure, including an intermediate junction on the M49,



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the spine road proposal forming the realigned A403 and enhanced public transport. The SRRRC Resource Recovery Centre will redevelop an existing industrial site thus will provide replacement employment rather than significant employment growth.

Bristol Development Framework Core Strategy – Preferred Options Review Paper February 2009. 1.110 Once adopted, the Core Strategy will set out the key elements of the

planning framework for Bristol up to 2026 and beyond. Although the policies in the Core Strategy are not yet adopted, a number are relevant to the proposal and will be material considerations if adopted in the future.

Policy BSC7 identifies Avonmouth and Bristol Port as a priority area for industrial and warehousing development including waste management and environmental technologies.

Policy BSC3 ‘Regeneration’ encourages development in the Avonmouth area

which will secure social, economic and physical regeneration. 1.111 If adopted, it is considered that these policies will be supportive of the

proposed Resource Recovery Centre.

Joint Residual Municipal Waste Management Strategy Preferred Options Draft Consultation Document – Strategic Waste Management Issues August 2008 Version 11; 1.112 This Strategy defines a way to manage the residual waste managed in the

Region for the next 20-30 years. It sets out a vision of a range of facilities for the treatment of residual municipal waste and a long term commitment to achieving zero waste.

Summary 1.113 The proposed site is brownfield industrial land in an area identified as a

target area for regeneration, including regeneration through the development of waste management and energy production industries. National, regional and local planning policies support renewable energy and the diversion of waste from landfill. Whilst the site is in close proximity to ecologically sensitive areas and within the floodplain, the assessments undertaken as part of this application have demonstrated that the proposal will not have an unacceptable impact on these sites. The ecological, air quality, land quality and flood risk assessments have confirmed that the potential impacts can be mitigated.



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NEED 1.114 A comprehensive review of existing waste management capacity and future

requirements has recently been undertaken on behalf of the West of England Partnership by independent consultants ERM3. This is considered to provide the most up to date baseline information on waste in the West of England and its findings are reviewed below.

1.115 The above report contains forecasts on future waste growth and gives low

and high estimates based on assumptions made regarding future waste growth, these are set out in Table 1 below.

Table 1 – Future Waste Growth Forecasts (tonnes) 2019/20 Low 2019/20 High

Commercial and Industrial 932,734 1,134,959 Municipal 499,558 652,312

Total 1,432,292 1,787,271 1.116 Table1 illustrates that total non hazardous (municipal, commercial and

industrial) waste arisings in the West of England will be between 1.43 and 1.79 million tonnes by 2019/20 and that the split will be roughly two thirds commercial and industrial and one third municipal.

1.117 Targets for the West of England in 2019/20 are that 50% of non hazardous

waste should be recycled or composted, however even if these ambitious targets are met this will still leave between 0.72 and 0.85 million tonnes of residual waste a year which could potentially be available for energy recovery.

1.118 The ERM report then considers what the existing energy recovery capacity is

in the West of England and identifies 7 facilities with an estimated combined capacity of 159,333 tonnes. However the report goes on to acknowledge that these existing facilities only offer specialist treatment to very specific types of industrial waste, such as chemicals, and are not available or suitable for general non hazardous waste. Also because of the specialist nature of the waste streams they manage it is highly probable that they manage wastes from outside of the West of England.

1.119 Because of the uncertainty over the availability and suitability of this existing

capacity the ERM report provides two estimates of the future recovery capacity needed within the West of England, one which takes account of this existing capacity and one which does not. For the purposes of this ES the figures which do not take account of this existing capacity have been used because the concerns expressed by ERM over the availability and suitability of this capacity are considered to be valid. However since the work by ERM has been completed planning permission has been granted for a 100,000

3 West of England Waste Management Capacity Needs Assessment. Final Report June 2009.



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tonne per annum (tpa) recovery facility by Bristol City Council and this capacity has been taken into account in this ES as it is considered applicable to the general non hazardous waste stream being considered. However, it should be noted that this development has yet to be implemented.

1.120 Having regard to the high and low waste growth forecasts set out in Table 1

the ERM report looks ahead to identify the likely waste recovery capacity gap in the West of England up to 2028/9 and identifies that between 460,000 and 775,000 tpa of new capacity will be required by that date. Having regard to the permitted capacity this means that between 360,000 tpa and 675,000 tpa of new capacity is still required.

1.121 This illustrates that whether use is made of the high or low waste growth

forecasts, undertaken by ERM, there is still a need for the additional recovery capacity proposed by the RRC of 350,000 tpa and that this is considered to be the minimum that is required in order to meet the future waste management needs of the West of England.



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ALTERNATIVES

Alternative Sites 1.122 The Alternative Site Assessment (ASA), set out in Chapter 5 of the ES

(Volume 2) allowed Viridor to demonstrate the benefits of the Severn Road site and also how a facility in this location can make a significant contribution to the effective management of residual waste in the West of England.

1.123 The ASA takes into account regulatory issues including planning policy,

commercial opportunities, the availability of land, amenity and environmental constraints and opportunities.

1.124 The ASA has used the above criteria to assess all the sites against each

other in terms of their suitability for a strategic waste management facility for residual waste.

1.125 The top scoring sites were the application site (Sevalco site north) and the

Terra Nitrogen site at Severn Beach which both scored 15 points out of a possible 22. In terms of environmental issues, residential amenity and planning policy, there is little to differentiate the two sites. The Terra Nitrogen site is located closer to a trunk road than the Sevalco site and is further from an AQMA. The major advantage the Sevalco site has over the Terra Nitrogen site is land deliverability, which is key to achieving this development. The Terra Nitrogen site is not owned by a Local Authority or a waste management company, therefore, it is not certain that a strategic waste management facility will be deliverable at this site within the relative short term.

1.126 The conclusion has therefore been reached that the most appropriate site of

those considered as part of the ASA, is the Sevalco site.

Alternative Technologies 1.127 The Environment Agency life cycle assessment software ‘Waste and

Resource Assessment Tool for the Environment (WRATE) was used to model the environnmental impacts of the EfW facility, see Chapter 5 of the ES (Volume 2).

1.128 The environmental burden of processing 350,000 tonnes of waste through

the following waste treatment processes was calculated;

• Landfill; • Energy from Waste; • Advanced Thermal Treatment; • Mechanical Biological Treatment with refuse Derived Fuel to EfW and; • Mechanical Biological Treatment with refuse Derived Fuel to landfill.

1.129 The treatment processes are assessed in terms of their potential impacts on

the following;



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• Abiotic Resource Depletion; • Global Warming Potential (GWP100); • Human Toxicity (HTP inf.); • Freshwaster Aquatic Ecotoxicity (FAETP inf.); • Acidification (AP); and • Eutrophication (EP19912).

1.130 The WRATE modelling results indicates that when considering the six

environmental impact criteria in WRATE, the best performing options are Energy from Waste and Advanced Thermal Treatment. Energy from Waste scores highest on 3 criteria (abiotic resource depletion, global warming and freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity) and ATT scores highest on 1 criterion (eutorphication), but close to the top scoring technology on two other criteria (abiotic resource depletion, human toxicity).

1.131 In conclusion, through the use of the WRATE life cycle assessment software,

it can be demonstrated that most residual treatment technologies result in an environmental benefit when compared to the continued landfill of waste. Energy from Waste, preferably with Combined Heat and Power, yields an environmental impact that is better than other competing technologies. On this basis it is concluded that the proposed Severn Road Resource Recovery Centre will result in an overall reduction in environmental impacts such as global CO2 emissions.

1.132 The assessments carried out for the proposed SRRRC have not identified

any significant effects that cannot be mitigated and the review of alternative sites and technologies which are potential alternatives for this development has not identified any significant benefits to indicate that they will be a more suitable alternative.



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POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

Highways 1.133 An assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed development on the

local highway network has been undertaken. 1.134 The proposed SRRRC is designed to deal with around 500,000 tonnes of

waste per annum. It is estimated that the operation of the EfW will generate 64 HGV trips a day (128 two way movements) and 26 RCV (52 two way movements) a day. This figure is based on an average of 8 tonne loads for RCVs, 20 tonne loads for bulk imports and a 5 and a half day working week. Waste is likely to be brought into the site consistently throughout the day and will not peak in line with traffic on the surrounding roads. The EfW facility would operate continuously on a 24-hour, seven days per week basis. However, it is anticipated that waste will mainly be delivered to the site between 6am and 8pm.

1.135 The MRF will generate a maximum of 142 RCV movements and 56 HGV

movements per day daily vehicle trips with a similar pattern to the EfW. Of the 150,000 tonnes imported to the MRF, 60,000 tonnes of waste imported to the MRF will be transferred to the EfW and this accounts for the relatively low number of lorry movements to the EfW when compared to the MRF. In total, the SRRRC will generate an estimated 378 HGV and RCV movements per day.

1.136 The Transport Assessment undertaken, see Chapter 6 of the ES (Volume 2),

concludes that following mitigation, the proposed development will not have significant impacts on the highway network. Mitigation is primarily provided by the proposed highway improvements and a Travel Plan, including a ban on all traffic associated with the development going through Hallen.

Noise 1.137 A noise assessment was undertaken to determine the following;

• the existing noise levels at noise sensitive receptors around the site; • the impact of site clearance, preparation and construction and

potential impact on the noise sensitive receptors; • the noise impact of the operation of the SRRRC.

1.138 The noise levels from on site noise sources have been assessed against

standards appropriate for each noise source. The predicted operational noise levels were then assessed against the existing noise levels at each noise sensitive receptor. It is predicted that there will be no increase in noise at each noise sensitive receptor, therefore, no mitigation measures are necessary.

Air Quality



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1.139 The potential air quality impacts of the proposed development have been rigorously modelled and assessed, see Chapter 7 of the ES (Volume 2). However the site is well separated from sensitive receptors and is located on former industrial land within an established industrial area.

1.140 To ensure there are no significant effects on the environment or local

communities as a result of the proposed development the following mitigation measures are proposed:

• All materials entering and leaving the site will be transported in

enclosed or sheeted vehicles; • All waste reception, processing and storage activities will be

contained within the proposed building; • All vehicle movements will take place on surfaced roads and

hardstanding; • The air pollution control system will form an integral part of the EfW

and will ensure the plant complies with the requirements of the Waste Incineration Directive, as demonstrated by the detailed air dispersion modelling undertaken, see Appendix 7.1 of the ES (Volume 3);

• All storage and handling of air pollution control residues will be undertaken inside the building in enclosed vessels and silos; and

• Bottom ash will be quenched and moved by covered conveyor to a dedicated enclosed building for maturation and processing.

Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology 1.141 The potential impacts on the baseline hydrogeological and hydrological

environments have been identified and assessed and a flood risk assessment has been undertaken which concludes that the site is deliverable and sustainable in flood risk terms, see Chapter 9 of the ES (Volume 2) and Appendix 9.5 (Volume 3).

1.142 The assessments conclude that no significant effects are likely subject to the

following mitigation measures:

• Use of silt traps and temporary settlement arrangements during the earthworks phase;

• Appropriate storage of potentially contaminating materials during the construction phase in accordance with the Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidelines;

• Controlled demolition of existing plant with safe removal of potential pollutants;

• Proposed MRF and EfW to be built at a level of 7.8m AOD; • Safe refuge for employees provided by first floor accommodation

within the RRC offices; • Provision of attenuation lagoons and rainwater harvesting to manage

surface water run off; • Provision of groundwater drainage to minimise impact on

groundwater flow from the bunker; and



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• Potential for leachate generation from waste sources will be minimial as all handling and processing activities will take place inside buildings.

Land Quality 1.143 The land quality assessment, Chapter 10 of the ES (Volume 2) concludes

that the previous industrial use of the site does not pose an unacceptable risk to future development. The following mitigation measures are required to protect any new structures:

• Foundations should specify sulphate resistant concrete and new

water pipes should be protected; • Building requires a reinforced concrete slab with sealed joints and a

gas resistant membrane with a passive vented under floor sub-space provided; and

• The excavation of any shallow oil deposits from the former use for off site disposal.

1.144 In respect of the proposed development, the following mitigation is proposed

during the construction phase of the development:

• Site procedures to be in place for the handling of potentially contaminating materials in accordance with the Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidelines;

• Spill response kits are available; • Minimise the removal of vegetation and do not leave large areas of

bare soil exposed; • Long term stockpiles (if required) are grassed; • Water is directed away from slopes and siltation traps are installed in

local water courses; • Wide tyres are fitted to construction plant if required; • Construction road network is limited to a few main tracks; and • Compacted areas are tilled once construction completed.

Ecology 1.145 The proposed site is former industrial land with no nature conservation

designations within or immediately adjoining the site. A phase 1 habitat survey was carried out in 2009 along with additional species specific surveys for water voles, reptiles, amphibians, breeding birds and invertebrates. This survey work confirmed that there will be no significant direct effects of the proposed development going ahead, subject to appropriate mitigation measures prior to development commencing. These include:

• Implementation of Environment Agency Pollution Prevention

Guidelines and use of slit traps; • Timing of works to allow mobile invertebrate and reptile species to

disperse;



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• Recreation of similar habitat types as part of the landscaping scheme for the site and ongoing favourable management;

• Time works to avoid breeding bird season and checks prior to

vegetation removal;

• Destructive search for voles and reptiles prior to works commencing

1.146 Indirect air quality impacts on international and national nature conservation sites within a 10km radius have also been considered but it is considered that the use of modern pollution prevention control technologies will reduce emissions to acceptable levels.

Landscape and Visual Impact 1.147 The potential landscape and visual impacts of the development have been

assessed and are presented in Chapter 11 of the ES (Volume 2). A desk top review and site visit was undertaken to identify potential landscape and visual receptors, such as footpath users, residents, designated landscapes and landscape character areas. This information was used to inform early development design work.

1.148 The nature of the proposed development was reviewed as details emerged to

identify the aspects of the development likely to cause landscape and visual effects. Mitigations measures were formulated to limit or modulate these effects and used to develop the proposed landscape masterplan.

1.149 A landscape and visual assessment of the proposed development has been

completed in accordance with accepted guidance. A study of the landscape and visual components of the site and the local area was undertaken through desktop study and fieldwork. This study identified the main landscape and visual receptors and resulted in a baseline appraisal, against which landscape and visual impacts could be assessed. The main landscape and visual implications of the development and their potential impacts were identified, and mitigation was developed to minimise these impacts. The aim of the building design is to produce a high quality ‘landmark’ building that is capable of having a positive effect on views and the landscape of the local area. Given the scale and size of the proposed buildings the design is successful in reducing the perceived mass of the building sufficiently to minimise landscape and visual effects.

1.150 The removal of the existing site structures and replacement by a high quality

modern building is considered positive. Combining this with the industrial context of the site means that the resultant effects are reduced further and to a level not considered significant. It is therefore considered that the proposed building will meet its aim of having a positive effect on the views and landscape of the area.

Socio - Economic Impacts



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1.151 This assessment is based on a 3km study area from the proposed development site. The main positive impact of the facility on the socio economic situation in the local area is the provision of 150-200 jobs during the 2 year construction of the facility. Upon operation, 65 permanent jobs will be created. The SRRRC may also create jobs indirectly, for example waste separation jobs in waste transfer stations and local haulage companies. The facility could also help Bristol and surrounding Local Authorities to meet their landfill directive targets and avoid costly penalties, which may otherwise have to be met by increasing council tax.

Cultural Heritage 1.152 The cultural heritage of the SRRRC application site was assessed in the

context of the surrounding area. Data was gathered from a variety of sources so that a model for the site’s historical development could be constructed, and its potential historic value understood.

1.153 There are no designated sites that will be impacted upon by the proposed

scheme and no known archaeological reasons why the proposed scheme should not be consented.

1.154 The proposed location for the SRRRC is, however, in a rich archaeological

landscape, and site investigation will be necessary before construction begins. The presence of a palaeochannel within the application site was identified in 2004 from borehole data. Although undated, from dating of comparative deposits in the vicinity, it is likely that this could date from the Bronze Age. Bronze Age saltworking has been found adjacent to a palaeochannel at Cabot Park, 1.5km to the south. To the north and west of the application site a concentration of archaeological evidence shows Roman and medieval settlement and probable activities related to the maritime economy along Chittening “Wharf”. In contrast to the post-medieval and modern landscape the application site has a high potential for earlier archaeological remains and related palaeoenvironmental deposits.

1.155 Mitigation is recommended in the form of a planning condition requiring a

watching brief. If archaeological or palaeoenvironmental deposits are found during site investigations an assessment will be made on whether the foundations and groundworks for the proposed SRRRC will impact on these remains. A programme of excavation, recording and reporting may therefore be required to complete the mitigation strategy.



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CONCLUSIONS 1.156 This supporting statement has been prepared in support of a planning

application by Viridor Waste Management Limited for a Resource Recovery Centre at Severn Road, Avonmouth. The development will comprise of materials recycling facility for recovering recyclate, an energy from waste facility for recovering energy from the waste that remains after recycling and a bottom ash facility to produce secondary aggregates from the residues of the energy from waste process.

1.157 The proposed SRRRC will make a fundamental contribution to waste

management in Bristol and the surrounding area and maximise the recovery of recyclates, energy and secondary aggregates from waste. The introduction of a MRF and an EfW plant into the area will result in a move away from reliance on landfill towards a solution by which the recovery of recyclates is maximised and residual waste (i.e. that remaining after recycling) is effectively and efficiently dealt with by means of a modern and proven industrial combustion process. This process will generate significant amounts of energy to be harnessed for use within the development and for surplus export to the National Grid. There is also the potential to utilise excess heat generated by the facility in local homes and businesses.

1.158 The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process has considered the full

range of environmental issues established during a comprehensive scoping exercise that included both formal scoping with the local planning authority and subsequent engagement with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders.

1.159 The findings of the EIA for the facility concluded that, having taken into

account the proposed mitigation, the effects of the development are not considered to be significant. The impacts which could be considered to be contentious (air quality, traffic and flood risk) have been fully mitigated as a result of an iterative design process and through careful consideration of emissions control and abatement techniques, site levels and proposed highway improvements.

1.160 In respect of landscape and visual impact the proposed development is

located within an established industrial area and replaces a redundant industrial plant. An Architect with an established track record of working on waste recovery buildings has ensured that a high quality design is proposed to ensure that the building enhances its location and reflects the emerging role of Avonmouth as a centre of excellence for recycling and energy recovery development. Additional mitigation in the form of on-site landscaping measures is offered to increase the visual interest of the building and establish it in its setting.

1.161 The potential impacts of the development on issues such as noise, site

conditions, nature conservation and cultural heritage were also subject to detailed assessments. The conclusion in respect of each of these is that the nature of the development and its location has ensured that there are no adverse impacts in respect of any of these issues.



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1.162 With regard to carbon footprint, the EIA has demonstrated that the facility will have a negative carbon footprint and this overall reduction in carbon emissions will make a significant contribution to reducing the emission footprint of waste management, especially in comparison to the current waste disposal route.

1.163 The benefits of the SRRRC include the following:

• The facility will provide much needed recycling and resource recovery capacity for local businesses and authorities to allow them to improve environmental performance and reduce costs through the avoidance of landfill and landfill tax;

• The facility will maximise the recovery of resources through recycling and the production of energy in the form of electricity and heat;

• The MRF will utilise latest sorting technology to help local authorities and businesses achieve their recycling targets;

• The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) design will present opportunities for additional commercial development through the availability of cost effective heat and “cold” energy;

• The facility will generate approximately 30MW of electricity for export to the National Grid, maximising the recovery of resources and contributing to energy security for the area;

• The facility will involve the re-development of brownfield land and bring former industrial land back into productive use;

• The facility is in compliance with national, regional and local planning

policies for siting waste management facilities and will enable national, regional and local targets on recycling and recovery to be met;

• Will satisfy the principle of sub-regional self sufficiency helping the West of England to be at the forefront of sustainable waste management;

• The facility will provide approximately 65 permanent jobs and in the region of 200 or more temporary jobs during the 3 year construction period; and

• Enable the local economy to benefit from additional employment and

be sustained by wages and salaries received and spent in the local economy by people directly employed on the operational side and through the use of local services.

1.164 It has been demonstrated that the facility will not have an adverse impact on

the environment and will make a significant beneficial contribution to moving



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the management of waste up the waste hierarchy in the Bristol and West of England area.

1.165 The proposal complies with national, regional and local policies to promote

sustainable methods of waste management and maximises the benefits of locating the complimentary activities of recycling, energy recovery and bottom ash recycling at a single location.

1.166 The Severn Road Resource Recovery Centre will drive forward sustainable

waste management both in Bristol and the West of England enabling communities and businesses to meet their obligations to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. In taking into account the minimal environmental impact and the benefits associated with the development, it is considered that the planning application should be supported.

Documents

PLANNING SUPPORTING STATEMENT - Viridor