A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Dualling Scheme 6.4 Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary

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A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Dualling Scheme .0

6.4 Environmental Statement

Non-Technical Summary Volume 6

July 2018

Contents Introduction ……………………………………………………….. page 3 The Scheme ……………………………………………………….. page 6 Alternatives ……………………………………………………….. page 12 Likely Significant effects and mitigation …………………….. page 14 What happens next ……………………………………………… page 29

If you would like to view the Development Consent Order application (including the Environmental Statement) please go to the Planning Inspectorate website: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south - west/a303-sparkford-to-ilchester-dualling/?ipcsection=docs

A hard copy of the Environmental Statement is available to view at: • Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford, Yeovil, BA33 7LH; and, 2 • Yeovil Library, King George Street, Yeovil BA20 1PY.

Introduction We are proposing to develop a dual carriageway on the existing single carriageway section of the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester in Somerset. The new dual carriageway section of the road will connect to the existing dual carriageway sections of the A303 to the east and west. The scheme would also involve the removal of direct access junctions and construct new safer split-level junctions using slip roads to avoid disruption to traffic flows. The proposed scheme is classiﬁed as a Nationally Signiﬁcant Infrastructure Project and as a result requires an application for a Development Consent Order to the Secretary of State (a requirement of the Planning Act 2008) through the Planning Inspectorate. Information about the Planning Act 2008 and the Planning Inspectorate can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website: http://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk The scheme requires an Environmental Impact Assessment in line with the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (as amended) and an Environmental Statement has been submitted as part of the Development Consent Order application. The full Environmental Statement comprises four volumes in total, as follows: • The Environmental Statement main text setting out the environmental assessment in chapters (Volume 6.1). • The Environmental Statement figures, including drawings, photos and other illustrative material (Volume 6.2). • The Environmental Statement technical appendices (Volume 6.3). • The Environmental Statement non-technical summary (Volume 6.4).

This document forms the non-technical summary (Volume 6.4) of the Environmental Statement and presents a summary of the key ﬁndings to understand and report the effects of the proposals on the environment. It is intended to be easy to read and, free from jargon. The full Environmental Statement and supporting documents can be viewed online at https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/a303-sparkford-to- ilchester-dualling/?ipcsection=docs. Printed hard copies will be available to view at:

• Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford, Yeovil, BA33 7LH. • Yeovil Library, King George Street, Yeovil BA20 1PY.

Environmental impact assessment and consultation An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an assessment of the consequences of a major project which will affect the natural, built and social environment. The EIA Directive, which has been transposed into UK law through the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, forms the basis of the legal requirements for an EIA. The following environmental factors have been assessed as part of the EIA:

• Population and human health • Biodiversity • Land, water, soil and climate • Material assets, cultural heritage, and the landscape

Please see overleaf the Environmental features and constraints plan which details locations of environmental features and constraints included in the EIA for the scheme. The Environmental Statement is a key part of the application documents submitted by us in support of the Development Consent Order application. Its principal purpose is to assess the likely signiﬁcant effects of the scheme on the environment, to enable an informed decision to be made on whether or not to grant the Development Consent Order. The objectives of the EIA are to provide information and advice, and reports to describe the likely significant effects of the development on the environment resulting from: • the construction and existence of the development, including, where relevant, demolition works • the use of natural resources, land, soil, water and biodiversity, considering as far as possible the sustainable availability of these resources • the emission of pollutants, noise, vibration, light, heat and radiation, the creation of nuisances, and the disposal and recovery of waste • the risks to human health, cultural heritage or the environment (including major accidents and disasters) • the cumulation of effects with other existing and / or approved projects, taking into account any existing environmental problems relating to areas of particular environmental importance likely to be affected or the use of natural resources • the impact of the project on climate (for example the nature and magnitude of greenhouse gas emissions) and the vulnerability of the project to climate change • the technologies and the substances used.

The EIA considers both direct and indirect effects of the scheme. Direct effects are those caused by the scheme itself such as the removal of trees or shrubs to build the road. Indirect effects on the environment are not a direct result from the scheme but include effects such as from increased noise from cars on local roads due to diversions during construction. Best practice taken from guidance from the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), which covers environmental assessments for road schemes within Volume 11 Environmental Assessment, has been used to guide the EIA for the scheme. The output of the EIA is to report the likely significance of effects using established significance criteria, as presented within the DMRB Volume 11, Section 2, Part 5. The significance criteria for environmental effects are defined in terms of the amount of change from the existing environment (the baseline, which is how things look today, before construction works start), on a 5-point scale of ‘very large’, ‘large’, ‘moderate’, ‘slight’ or ‘neutral’. The environmental effects can be adverse or beneficial, for example Slight Adverse or Moderate Beneficial. Using the 5 significance categories for all environmental effects that are identified within the Environmental Statement allows different topic issues to be placed upon the same scale, to assist the decision-making process. Effects are considered significant if they are moderate adverse or beneficial or above. Within this document, the significance of effects is subsequently described as Significant or Not Significant. There are several beneficial impacts of the scheme which have been recorded. Where there are significant adverse effects, measures to avoid, reduce and where possible, remedy these effects have been included within the assessment.

28.9m Parsonage Farm 19.8m FB Pond Pond Pond Old Church Farm Tout Farm 24.8m Farm

Church Byres Ward Bdy Parsonage Farm House Pond MUSMOOR LANE Little Steart House Church Stables 25.5m Jasmine Cottage 19.8m Woodbine Cottage South Barrow

1.83m RH Church Barn

Pond Pond 48.9m St Peter's Church Orchard Mossmore

20.2m (Track) Villa Pond Pond Pond Filter Bed The Knapp Wakes Def Drain Byways Cott LB Ty-Newydd 19.7m 25.2m

45.4m 1 Mossmore TCB Pond Cottages Eastfields Issues Pond NEWLANDS LANE Alexwell 22.7m River Cary 2 Hope Cottage

Pond CHAPEL LANE 845 Iona

ED Bdy Church View 846 Pond Westwood Sinks 50.3m Three Gables TOUT LANE 25.8m Chapel Chapel Herons Pond Cott 14

Ferndale MP 133.5 Pond Hill 49.8m 21.5m Farm Tar-Wen Tank 21.4m CG 1.83m RH Saumerez Wolverlands 29.6m STEART LANE 23.5m CG Broadway 10

1.83m RH Ward Bdy

1.83m RH 4 46.8m 24.0m Pond Pond Ty-Llawen Bower's Farm Tennis Court Def New 1.83m RH 1.83m RH (Track) 26.7m Close Wrong-thorn Steart 26.4m 21.5m BILL'S LANE 1 Playing Field 44.6m 5 Pond Castle View Cottages 59.5m 28.8m 27.9m 26.9m Woodlands Farm 25.7m Track 1 Pond

2 Castle

1 View House

Ward Bdy 4 Pond

NIGHTINGALE LANE Track 28.9m 27.8m

CS ED and Ward Bdy 24.7m

41.0m Issues 20.3m Track Pond GP 27.4m Camel Leas 26.1m 1.83m RH 26.6m

Drain Pond ESS

Def 1.83m RH 58.3m F Nightingale Cottage Cadbury Business Park Ward Bdy

Pond 22.4m Def 20 Drain Manor Woodside Villa Drain Farm Ward Bdy Cottage Woodlands Lay-by 49.8m Issues Fortyacres Farm 29.9m GP TOUT LANE Sparkford Wood Def 32.0m FB Def 56.5m 33.8m Ponds

50.6m FB 25.2m Woodgate Cottage

Fosse Way Ponds SPARKFORD ROAD 1.83m RH King Arthurs Park River Cary Pond ROMAN ROAD Pond Ward Bdy

Track

MP 133.75

Track ED & Ward Bdy Newhaven Pond King Arthur's Hunting Causeway 21.0m

54.3m 1.83m RH

Track 49.1m 25.4m 37.2m Drain STEART LANE Lay-by

Def

Pond Sluice

19.5m

Pond

Pond 53.4m Pond

Pumping Station Issues Pond Tank Pond Pond Forty Acre Copse 1.83m RH Pond

River Cary Upper Wood 1.83m RH 1.83m RH Dairy House RAG LANE (Track) Issues 1.83m RH Pond 1.83m RH Trackside Farm Woodside Court 45.3m

Def Weir Westacre 23.3m FB Ward Bdy Pond Ppg Sta Def Issues Pond Pond 50.8m

Drain

Issues

Cary Fitzpaine Pump 17.3m House 45.8m 1.83m RH Cistern Drain The Chestnuts 1.83m RH Pond

MS Pond Ward Bdy

1.83m RH

1.83m RH Drain Pond Cary The Old Cottage Stables ESS Pond Issues FB 47.0m Middle Barn Pond Woodside Farm WB Silos West Side Barn Garden Cottage MP 134 Pond The Rookery Haynes Motor Bampfylde Museum A 37 Two Oaks LB A 359

Bastion Pond Cottage Eastmead Court Pond Pavilion View Rag Barn Tanks Pond 44.8mTk Cary Fitzpaine A 359 Pavilion Cottage Willow Lankester Cottage 15.8m Lodge Pond 1.83m RH Orchard Bungalow 1 2 The Shippens 18.1m

Cary Fitzpaine Cottages The Willows Hazlegrove 22.6m 2 16.5m 1 Cottages Tk D 43.2m Pond 25.9m EASTMEAD LANE

Orchard Cottage Sinks 49.3m

ED & Ward Bdy Pond Ward Bdy (Track) Saw Mills Hazlegrove Mill Cottage Preparatory Track School FF 42.7m

17.7m Sewage Pond Drain Track Pumping Station

Tk D

STEART LANE 1.83m RH

Ward Bdy 16.4m 16.2m 17.1m Tanks Fosse Way 18.8m 50.1m Dyke Brook ROMAN ROAD FBs FOSSE 1.83m RH

1.83m RH Pond

Drain

WAY Track Drain

Pond 1.83m RH Pond 50.0m FBs

Drain

CS 1.83m RH Pond Cattle Grid Pond 16.4m Track Path (um)

SPARKFORD ROAD

Weir FB The Bungalow CG 1.83m RH RIDGEWAY LANE RIVER CARY - SOURCE TO 18.1m Camelot Works Pond Sparkford FB Ponds Hall Pond Co Const, ED & Ward Bdy A 359

(Track) Track Track MP .25

CONFLUENCE WITH KING 1.83m RH Pond Yarcombe Wood 18.6m Path (um) 22.3m 16.1m Ward Bdy

Def A 303 Pond Pond SEDGEMOOR DRAIN Track Issues

1.83m RH CG A 37 Pond FB Dyke Brook CS

49.7m Drain 17 Pond (KSD) Ward Bdy Dyke Brook Drain CS

River Cary

Pond Steart Bridge Brooklands Barn 16

SS CR 18.6m Track Pond 17.1m 1.83m RH Willow Lodge

16.7m 10 Dyke Brook

Pond

Pond 8

4 Drain FB Pond CS Brooklands Farm

2 HANYTON CLOSE 22.1m 1

Co Const & Ward Bdy

6 3 Pavilion

STEART HILL The Lodge

A 359 Southdown 19Cricket Ground Brooklands DYKE BROOK 47.9m Dyke Brook 46.2m CS River Cam 21.5m A303 Path (um) Pond BRAINS LANE 17.1m The Entrance Lodge Sparkford 48.7m (Track) The Roundhouse FB 18.7m Inn (PH) Track Issues 1.83m RH Rose Cottage

Track Pond LB EASTMEAD LANE CELTIC WAY Works Co Const, ED & Ward Bdy The STEART HILL Woodbine Cottage Poplars THE AVENUE

Lay-by Home Farm Cottage MEAD LANE (TRACK) Car El Sub Sta Birchwood Park

Pond Carew Pond 4 Cottage 1

Pond 18.4m Track The 17.7m 2 1 Octagon Camway Emwood Wells House Splinters Pond The 4 44.7m Burrows Paddock HIGH STREET Lodge

1.83m RH 8

MEAD LANE

BENNETT CLOSE 1

Bramley Perrys Long Hazel 5 18 MP 134.5 19.6m Russet

Gala 47.4m Meadow View Fosse Way Caravan Site Rivello 5 Pippins CEDAR

ROMAN ROAD (Track) 40.8m Shelter COURT 7 Trevally Barley Cottage Pond Corner Cottage Drain 1 LB

1.83m RH Charltons CR CHERRY PIE LANE The 16.0m The TCB Finches Cherries

5 Hall Orchard Long Hazel Hardwarden The Old 4 Cottage 1 Dairy Farm Terrace Bakery Pond

5 SPARKFORD Cam Cottages 6

Longhazel 3 Duneagle Track Plot One 39.9m

A 303

Issues CHURCH ROAD Camelot View Longwhaite Pond Asheen

Withy 9 Bridge Cottage 47.7m Meadow WB 1 Pond 2 1.83m RH

Higher Tank New 15 Cottages 14 Farm 16 Sparkford 39.8m Def Wychwood 19.8m Castle View Sinks Cattle Grid

24.9m 3 ORCHARD 40.7m 21.0m 1 Oakley Steart Hill Farm Sparkford Bridge Pond 4 CLOSE The Laurels Co Const, ED & Ward Bdy 24.6m Pond River Cary Recreation Ground Track 23.7m DOWNHEAD LANE (Track) 2 Tamar CR DOWNHEAD LANE (Track) 22.3m Vale Tennis Court 10 Dunster Farm Track Issues 39.8m Annis Hill House TWINES CLOSE Beeches 2 1 48.5m Vale Farm 11

Cottages 17 MS

21.6m North Hill Farm Ellis Barn

A 37

A 303 1 9

5 7

21 Pond Collects 22

Pond 23 Vale Of Camelot Growers 40.9m 21.7m 44.2m The Track Coach House 40.1m The 47.4m Hazelgrove New House Adresia 15 Lodge SR Glebeside 24.1m 1 Longmynd Owl Cottage Ainstey Rewber Brake Marberry 1 to 6 Cottage House Orchard Corner Ainstey AINSTEY DRIVE 8 The GREEN CLOSE

1.83m RH House Greystones Steppes 22

Popple Bridge 1 10

11 1.83m Tk H 3 HIGH STREET MP 134.75 Sunnyside Mandeville Pond Steart Hill Copse MEAD LANE Cattle Grid River Cam Issues Pond 1 33.7m 2 Japonica 11

South View Cottage

Springs 15 9

Issues 3 Manor Farm (Track)

Track CAMEL HILL 6 35

MANOR 39.2m 14

Drain Spring Filling Station 45 Track 4 CHURCH 49.8m CLOSE

Steart Wood 1 Def Steart Hill Easter Cottage Home ROAD 47 Pond Cottage

39.9m Copse 1.83m RH 2 1.83m RH ESS

Sonlie 53 Bower Plantation DOWNHEAD LANEDOWNHEAD LANE (TRACK) MeadowViews

Drain A 359 Pond Newclose Farm

Onslow Track 44.6m Lyemoon Cottage Windrush Parson's Steeple 55

Pond Pond Newclose STEART HILL 1 Joss 24.1m House Path Pond Cottage 49.1m Drain 24.0m Cogberry Plantation Pepper Hill Copse FB

25.4m 6 Steeple Catalina Cottage Track Wolfester Terrace Weir Beech Sluice FB

Drain Ponds Lodge Pond FB Ponds 12 38.7m Drain Drain Path (um) Def

San Felice 63 Annhurst Mead Farm Gwynedd Camel 16.2m Drain Orchard House Hill Farm 11 Elfinsacre St Mary's Church Hayloft

Pond 6 Track Konkers Church Pen Hill Copse 10 Cottage Church View Cattle Grid Wolfester 28.5m Paddock 1.83m RH 40.3m Lone Pine Higher Farm Path (um) Spring 12 Cottage The Mill Cottage Old Mill Pepper Def Camel Hill House Hill The Mount 7 Cottage Issues 1 Track

1.83m RH Track 41.0m Ridge Copse 60.6m 3 Woodstock House Copper Bottom Filling Station Camel Hill Cottage 73.2m

Fletcher Moss (Track) A 303 Ruin Limekiln 51.1m Track 74.8m River Cam SLATE LANE (Track) Camel Hill CF Track 35.1m Service Area

HIGHER FARM LANE 1.83m RH EASTMEAD LANE Und RH

1.83m RH 76.2m

Farm Lane Plantation Path (um) Path Co Const & Ward Bdy 13

Lyndsay House 70.3m (um) 57.4m Knockdolian MP 135 GASON LANE

71.5m A303 El Sub Sta

SLATE LANE (Track) 1.83m RH RIVER CAM - UPPER DOWNHEAD Garage Mast (Telecommunication) Blue Haze 70.0m 65.9m FB GASON LANE 42.5m 4 63.0m 31.5m

Def Bromar 46.4m RH 15.4m Meadow 2

A 303 1 55.6m Cottages 55.8m Ridge Meledor Manor Farm Cottages Track 2

Pond 1 Sheira Leigh 9 Track WEST CAMEL 21 Pond A359 53.2m MS

Manor Cottage 8 38.1m 15.5m Upover

FW Sparkford Hill Copse EASTMEAD LANE Downhead Manor CONEGORE CORNER Downhead Farm HILL Chandratal 35.6m Silos Track MS 49.4m 42.4m FF Underwoods (TRACK) Higher Mead

Henderson's Cottage SPARKFORD HILL LANE Hill View 40.9m Eyewell House Pond Glebe Cottage TRAITS LANE PW 47.3m 16.2m Crusty Cottage Pond Lay-by 34.8m Jay's Bridge 47.6m 38.4m

The Spinney Lamorna Pond Glebe Farm Pond 16.9m Drain Mill Farm

Drain 8 A 37 Drain Glebe Barn

15 The Old Dairy

46.4m HILL HOWELL Coneygore Farm TRAITS LANE Spring 5 West View Lay-by Springfields Pond Townsend SPARKFORD HILL Weston Mill Conygore Pond 5 1 Collects CH A 303 45.4m 37.7m GP Drain Hill View 1 Park Cottage 8 33.7m

Drain Pond 30.7m

Blackwell Farm 8 Drain 1 Drain Pump 1.83m RH

Drain Pond Annis Hill Farm Sewage Works A 303 CELTIC WAY A 303 Def The Pig Sty 43.3m Eyewell Issues Drain Plowage Pond 15.3m Chaff House Lay-by

The The Gables Drain 1 Podymore Inn Em-Ty Pond 41.3m Mast Milton House Kingfisher Cottage (PH) 41.9m Lower Ponds Drain Farm LB MP 135.25 42.1m Garston 2 Track HOWELL HILL 15.2m River CamFB Shelter Drain Council Houses

Motel Icarus Barn 1 6 River Cam Track CR Greystones Pond GP Camel Bridge Barn Bridge Lower Farm Cottage Bridge House FB Riverside The Old Mill

6 36.7m Heatherdene 1 Track BLACKWELL ROAD A303 41.3m 31.3m FB 47.0m 15.9m Russet Stoneleigh Mill Lodge Lea Def Sludge Beds Bay Trees House Drain The Hollies Henshall Track Romach Brook Cottage 16.9m A 303

WILLOW TREE CLOSE Pond Countess Gytha

4 1.83m RH Primary School LB 3 A 303 The Mill House Tank 1 Mill Farm Track Filling 19.7m Pond Eyewell

FB 28.1m 1

Station 2 Cottages FB FB Ivy Cottage Reedley Eye Well 3 1.83m RH Orchard Park BLACKWELL ROAD Laurel Lane Mildmay House Cogbury 23.7m 39.7m (Spring) Orchard 18.5m (Mobile Home Site) Pack 31.3m 1 701 Cottages 17.6m Path (um) The Eye Well The TCB Bridge Grace Cottage Weston 703 Black Well Nook 51.7m Service Area Applecroft Grace Martin's Lane Tennis (FB) Bampfylde Court 35.3m (Sulphur) Milestone Church Pound CottageHenshall Brook Middle 1.83m RH 15.7m El Cottage Church Hall Appletree Caigers Cottage Manor River Cam Sub Sta Cottage

Cottage 9 Eyewell Corton View Ppg Sta Daoseva Wales Woodpeckers

29 Track St Peter's The Coppice 14 Mildmay 21.2m Dairy 1 2

Church 5 Arms 3

30 Shangri-La 6 LB 53.0m

Church Farm Barn The Cottage Co Const & Ward Bdy Dark Lane 4

8 St Barnabas Rectory 15 HOWELL HILL 29.7m Issues

Track Lay-by PH CHURCH PATH Church (Track) Def 20.9m 4 Manor Farm A 303 Banksia Yew Tree Holy Cross Church

20 LAUREL LANE Pound HIGHER FARM LANE

Rose Cottage Cottage 7 The Dring Cottage Field Pond Fern Orchard Corner Cott 15.7m Church View 1 Cottage Black Well Cottages2 Place RECTORY LANE Pump Green Lane The Lodge Lavenders

1.83m RH 32.1m 25 1 Esmond Cottage War Meml and Whitegates Park Brook The Barton Allington

remains of Pond COTTIS LANE Owl Cottage 2 Church Greenways 34 Gatehouse Church Path (um) Thrushes

BLACKWELL ROAD Place Cross Farm PLOWAGE LANE

21.5m The Bungalow Meadowbank Cottage Cottage 18 1 Pond Sirmoor The Podimore CAMEL CROSS (Track) Clouds End Anchorage Nightingale The Stepping Cottage House Orchard Hall Bowers Eyewell Farm The 52.3m Old Broomfield Stones Coach Broomfield Cottage Cottages Hall Morven

Smithy House House 21.9m 21 East Hawk 1 CHURCH STREET Lodge RIVER CAM - LOWER The Mayer's House ENGLANDS LANE Witches Slurry Bed Little Pennridge Plantation Sinks 6 Barton FB FB Camelot Mast (Telecommunication) House

Lesann's Weston Bampfylde

The Mulberries ENGLANDS MEAD England's Caerlyon

Fairfield Cottage

40 21 Tyrolean 12 Pond Side Vine Brook The Old Olway Cottage Greystones Pond House Cottage Post OfficeYard House 17

East Farm Alderley 7 Overton Broadclose Church Farm GREEN LANE House The Little Barn 26.0m Conifers House St Ives 34.2m Olcote Badgers Brook- 15 Higher Farm Playing Field The Lands 13 Higher Farm B 3151 West Winds Rectory Peacock 10 Cott

Roskilly FB Triscombe Play Area Orchard Newlands The Old Elm House Westover Applemead House Greystones Track The Stables 15.4m Windhover Sports Pavilion Caburn Barn

The Old Smithy HIGH STREET Anns Cottage Wales Bridge Primrose Cott Rowan Home Close 1.83m RH Bowling Middle Farm The Cottage Jasmine 11 The Walnut Play Area Green Cottage

Higher Reeves 4

Sparkford Vale 2 Beechfield Ho Pond 1 Tree (PH) Mill FORE STREET Chiltonvale Rosemount Farm Stables Old Vicarage The Lea-Ander River Cam Wales Tennis Courts 24 Cottage The Masons The Granary Cottage The Old Camillo 23.8m LB Lower Farm Ponds Vicarage 5 Barley Capenhurst Wales MILDMAY DRIVE Cottages Middle Def Allacombe Pond Orchard Cottis Croft (Camelot Hollands Cottage Track Farm House 32 Khaya Slurry Pit B3151 House The Cottage House Educational FB House GP Willows 1 KEEP STREET Laurelyvan CR 5 6

Karma Centre) 1 Lundy Cottage Havengarth FB Wales House Barnsfield Hectors 40 House Bridge Cottage Cottage Stable 1.83m RH 52.1m Woodside The Nutshell Montrose 35.4m Riverlease The Old Mill Chapel 16

15.1m Cottage 1 1.83m RH Honeystone 1 4 Court MS Knights House Pond The Old Barn House Crichel Bank PO

18 The Pines Pond 10

Coach House

Sludge Tanks Mead 31 7

Cottage FB Wales Cottage PATH 33 MP 135.5

Ashdell 35 ORCHARD PL Tykesmead 4 Camelot Wales Farm Drain CHURCH PODIMORE Riverside 2 Sewage Sawpit Ohm TCB Drain Cottage New LB Queen Camel Works 25.7m Vicarage Cottage Riverhurst Dairy Bungalow Little Rockleaze Wales QUEENTHE GLEBE Gardens CAMEL Ansteys Drain Court House

Pond Drain Catalan Old Wales Farmhouse Wales Barn Playing Field West Camel El Sub Sta Hayley 10 Camelot Tank Cottage

Greystones Cottage PO Shelter 17 SLOW COURT LANE Greystones Avalon 10 Old 25.0m Sunnydene Farm Cottage Amberley WEST OttersCAMEL Court Camway Vine Lambert House Greystones House FS Queen Camel Cottage TCB Cottage Ayres Cottage

1.83m RH 15 Lantern LELAND TRAIL House

Middle Farm Surgery

Willowbrook 13 Cottage 1.83m RH Sports Pavilion

Drain 1 Winning Post Weir FROG LANE Hall Hill View Parsons Barn Marvic River Cam Kerridge LELAND TRAIL Pightle End DEMELZA COURT Garrats-Hey Field 4 The Old Granary Cottage 6 4 All Saints'

Orchard Farm Wales Lodge 2 Jalna Church Path Path (um) 11 Manor House Old Church Church Walnut Path 8 Henshall Brook FB Cotes Path 2 The 51.4m BACK STREET BACK Thatch House Runrig Toads Parsonage Holm

Pond 15.4m 23.3m Old Cider Ho Farm The

WALES LANE House 1 Corton Ridge Pond Orchard Cott 1 Pond Cobblers Phillips Cottage 10 Kintalstone

WEST CAMEL Palomedes The Old

4 25.8m 18 Camelot Inn Glebe Cottage 9 Proteus CLEAVESIDE CLOSE Avalon Alymere Slow Court Manor FARM Deacons

Parsonage 1 Calleron

37 Cottage Cottages 1 17 The Farriers Bell Cottage

Pond Lay-by The Stables Hoopers B 3151 The Cobbles 19

Yarcombe Cottage Barn Downlands Naish's Farm 25 Pump

1.83m RH Carpenters Henshallbrook The Old Rectory 6 9 14 Drain Farm Brambles Beaumont HardimansCottage Cottage Drain 27 50.0m Slow Court Farm West 15.8m SOUTH STREET 21.2mLay-by South Street Camel Chapel Cottage 1 Track Farm House Rosemary Cottage RECTORY FARM CLOSE 1.83m RH Inglenook Cottage Henshall Brook

Track Flagstones Pond 40 5

Rectory Farm House Jorrocks ED & Ward Bdy CS

12 34 Collects Rectory Farm South 1.83m RH Medical

24 ROMAN FB Centre Path 6 3 LB Kings Farm The Stockwitch 30 Apple Cottage 20.9m 9 2 Rectory Barn House Ponds WAY 7 Drain Farm Track

Stockwitch 18 PARSONAGE ROAD Lodge 1 Old Farm South View Court The Tithe Barn 37.1m 16

14 FB 4

10 GP Pond 1 Queen 3 36.0m Camel GP

Pond 1 ESS House 2

Fordleigh Farm 1 Spring

2 16.1m 7 ESS 37.1m

Reservoir Stockwitch Court 28.9m 8 35.8m 49.0m 13 Path Def The Old Track Stockwitch

20.1m 20 Barn 35.3m Cross Pond WEST CAMEL ROAD36.1m SOUTHMEAD Drain The Barn FB 1 35.1m 2 Mast (Telecommunication) Countess Gytha Pond Pond Primary School Tank Runway Approach Lights 19.9m High Games Court Urgashay FarmTrees 36.3m Barn Pond PARSONAGE ROAD Sports Pavilion

CHANTRY LANE WEST CAMEL ROAD Def

Drain 20.0m 34.4m 33.0m GP CS Red CG MP 135.75 Willow 16.3m 35.5m

Runway Approach Lights 36.3m ED & Ward Bdy 19.6m 31.4m Urgashay 32.7m FB 20.0m

35.9m Tank Co Const & Ward Bdy GP 32.2m 19.4m El Sub Path (um) River Cam 31.6m Sta Co Const & Ward Bdy 31.7m Pond

Tank 1.83m RH Drain 1 3 31.3m 49.0m

Drain El Sub Sta 1.83m RH Drain Rectory Farm Locksley Farm House VIXENCLOSE 19.1m 5

Drain Drain 16.1m CR Pond Drain Courtry Farm 30.5m Tank 20.4m FB

The Clock House Sutton Bridge Drain 42.3m Museum ALB LB Def Def Wind Sock 1.83m RH CG Courtry Cottages 48.4m Camel 19.1m BINDWELL LANE Track 20.6m Rose Cottage Farm Rosemary Cottage

1.83m RH

Drain

El Sub Sta 1 SOUTHFIELD LANE 20.7m 2 Pond CG Track Car Park ED & Ward Bdy B 3151 OCEAN WAY 30.1m 34.2m 38.2m Def 18.8m Camel Drain (Track) Farm El Sub Sta Bridgehampton Cottages Southwinds 30.3m Mast (Telecommunication) 15.7m Water Twr FB Drain MS Henshall Brook Depot FB 40.2m Mast (Telecommunication) Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton Drain 49.3m 1.83m RH 1.83m RH 1 20.4m 31.2m Pond 39.4m ESS 2 SPECKINGTON LANE Chantry 21.2m Southfield Farm El Sub Sta Pond 17.6m Orchard Waverlands Cottage Farm View 1.83m RH Track Track Chantry House

A 359 43.2m LELAND TRAIL 1.83m RH 47.4m 17.1m GP Tank Pond 32.8m Silo Tank B 3151 Wingfield El Sub Sta

GP 16.8m 26.0m Bridge House 44.2m 22.4m 1.83m RH HEATHCOTE ROAD 29.5m 45.7m 28.1m CG 44.8m Drain El Sub Sta 44.8m Track Townsend 44.4m

16.1m Hollingthorpe ATLANTIC WAY Hollingthorpe 44.5m Lay-by Lodge 44.9m Podiwood Farm 15.1m Windsor Farm 31.2m Solar Farm Track

20.7m Slurry Pit Wind Sock MP 136

ALBION ROAD Solar Panels 1.83m RH TCB 29.5m

1.83m RH Track Solar Panels Helipad NANGA-GAT ROAD Pond Slurry Tanks 20.5m ED & Ward Bdy

16.3m GRANBY ROAD

1.83m RH TARANTO WAY FS Pond

17.1m FB

1 B 3151 Track CORPORATE ROAD TCB 2 MANTLE VC ROAD Farm Places of Worship Cottages 28.9m 16.6m 20.7m The Old

Granary 30.6m Chimney ESS Speckington Pond 1.83m RH (Track) 16.1m Manor TCB MALTA WAY Lay-by Speckington 2 Manor ROSEBUSH LANE Ward Bdy Cottages 1

Speckington Track

18.1m PYLE LANE SPECKINGTON LANE Ponds

KUCHING ROAD TCB

Tank

20.0m Drain

Pond

Drain ALB 27.7m Pond Wind Sock Def WESTERN APPROACHES Drain Pond Pond ROYAL NAVAL AIR STATION, ED & Ward Bdy Def Pond Collects Pond Drain 28.4m

Solar Farm Drain 1 Runway Approach Lights YEOVILTON 2 Tank 20.3m Pond 1.83m RH 1.83m RH Drain Snowdrops Lambrook Farm Cottages FB 1.83m RH

Drain Pond Track Tank Def Drain

1.83m RH Outfall Tanks River Cam The Hawthorns Spring Farm Sewage Works 24.0m

Northmead Brook 28.7m MP 136.25

FB Lambrook Farm Brook Co Const & Ward Bdy Drain Northmead 20.3m Drain Pond Sinks 1.83m RH Def

Wind Sock Drain

Lambrook Cottage

20.3m 23.2m 1.83m RH 1.83m Pond RH

Pond 1.83m RH ED & Ward Bdy Def

1.83m RH Lambrook TARGETBungalow NOTES: Pond

21.8m 29.3m Pond

22.2m

Def

22.4m Pond ST PETERS CHURCH GASONTrack LANE FIELD LWS HAZLEGROVE PARK LWS Pond 1 9 16

22.4m 22.3m Drain

FB Cattle Grid Def Lambrook Cottage Lambrook Bridge CS Weir Drain

26.9m Mast (Telecommunication) LAND ADJACENT TO HAZLEGROVE PARK Hornsey Brook River Cam THE PODYMORE INN PUBLIC HOUSE CAMEL HILL QUARRY EAST LGS KEY: 2 10 17 HISTORIC LANDFILL SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC LOCAL WILDLIFE SITE (LWS) PROPOSED RED LINE BOUNDARY REGISTERED PARK AND GARDEN INTEREST (SSSI) (SOMERSET ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS CENTRE, JUNE 2017) MEDIEVAL SETTLEMENT REMAINS 100M AND 250M NORTH 3 OF DOWNHEAD MANOR FARM SCHEDULED MONUMENT 11 RIDGE COPSE LWS 18 SPARKFORD INN PUBLIC HOUSE LONG DISTANCE FOOTPATH HISTORIC LANDFILL CONSERVATION AREA NATIONAL TRUST LAND MILESTONE ON A303 AT NGR ST57892538 (GRADE II) 4 LISTED BUILDING 12 CAMEL HILL QUARRY HISTORIC LANDFILL 19 SPARKFORD CRICKET CLUB ROMAN ROAD PONDS, LAKES AND RUNNING WATER SCHEDULED MONUMENT REGISTERED COMMON LAND WEST CAMEL METHODIST CHURCH SPARKFORD HILL COPSE LWS AND LGS SPARKFORD WOOD SSSI FOOTWAY 5 13 20 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IDENTIFIED LISTED BUILDING LOCAL GEOLOGICAL SITE (LGS) FOOTPATH IN THE SOMERSET DISTRICT COUNCIL HOUSING AND WEST CAMEL CONSERVATION AREA QUEEN CAMEL CONSERVATION AREA SPARKFORD REFUSE TIP ECONOMIC LAND AVAILABILITY ASSESSMENT 6 14 21

BRIDLEWAY ANCIENT WOODLAND FLOOD ZONE 2 ROMANO-BRITISH SETTLEMENT IMMEDIATELY SOUTH HAZLEGROVE HOUSE (GRADE II LISTED) 7 WEST OF CAMEL HILL FARM SCHEDULED MONUMENT 15 REGISTERED PARK AND GARDEN RESTRICTED BYWAY NOISE IMPORTANT AREA FLOOD ZONE 3 8 CAMEL HILL TRANSMITTER SITE LWS CYCLE ROUTE The Scheme

Scheme location The scheme would provide a dual-carriageway on the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester in the county of Somerset and in the district of South Somerset, in south west England. This would connect the existing dual-carriageway sections to the east and west, between Hazlegrove Roundabout and Podimore Roundabout as shown in the scheme location plan below. The route of the scheme is as follows:

• Travelling eastwards from Podimore Roundabout, the route would move north of the existing A303, allowing it to be retained for use as a parallel local road. • The road would then rise up West Camel Hill before crossing over the existing A303 at the junction with Steart Hill / Howell Hill. • The route would then take a southerly alignment briefly, before meeting up with the existing road again to pass between the Scheduled Monument at Vale Farm and the Ministry of Defence signal station at Eyewell / Traits Lane. • Finally, the route would then bypass the existing Hazlegrove Roundabout to the north through the Registered Park and Garden associated with Hazlegrove House, before tying into the existing A303 north of Sparkford village.

Scheme Location Plan

Need for the scheme

The single carriageway section of the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester suffers from congestion and queuing, particularly during the summer months and at weekends. It also suffers from higher than national average accident rates for single-carriageway A-class trunk roads. Five split level junctions and accesses, 5 non-motorised user (NMU) crossing points and limited space for road workers during maintenance create hazards for user groups (both motorised users and NMUs).

Dualling of the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester would overcome the existing traffic problems on this section of the road, improving safety, increasing capacity and supporting economic growth through improved connectivity and journey resilience. Description of the scheme

The scheme would follow part of the existing A303 very closely and has been deliberately aligned just to the side of the existing carriageway along most of the route, to allow re-use of the existing carriageway for local access, to avoid property or facilitate construction. The greatest distance that the scheme is located from the existing A303 is typically 100 metres either north or south of the existing A303. Key elements of the scheme are shown in the General Arrangement Plan below, which presents the overall layout of the scheme. The scheme includes: The provision of a new dual carriageway The scheme will be approximately 3.5 miles or 5.6 kilometres in length. A new junction at Camel Cross (Camel Cross Junction) This would be a ‘left in-left out’ junction and provide access to and from the new A303 westbound carriageway only. The junction would provide continued connection between the A303 westbound carriageway and the B3151, Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton and the Fleet Air Arm Museum. A new junction at Downhead (Downhead Junction) This would be a ‘left in-left out’ junction and provide access to and from the new A303 eastbound carriageway only. This junction would provide continued access to the settlement of Downhead and to Babcary via Steart Hill. It would also provide a connection, via the Steart Hill overbridge, to the B3151, RNAS Yeovilton and the Fleet Air Arm Museum and West Camel. A new junction at Hazlegrove (Hazlegrove Junction) This would provide an all-movements connection between the proposed A303 dual carriageway and the local road network through the provision of 4 slip roads. This junction would be positioned to provide continued access to local roads associated with the existing Hazlegrove Roundabout.

Changes to the local road network Several existing junctions between local roads and the A303 will be closed to improve road safety. These roads are the A303 Westbound off-slip at Podimore an un-named road at Camel Cross, Traits Lane and Gason Lane. Impacts of these closures will be minimised by

the creation of new local roads that will enable local travel to continue broadly as it currently does. These are as follows:

• New local road connecting Downhead Junction to West Camel • New local road connecting Downhead Junction with Steart Hill • New local road connecting Steart Hill retained A303 near Steart Hill Roundabout to Howell Hill • New local road connecting Steart Hill to retained A303 for Blue Haze and the quarry • New local road connecting Camel Hill Roundabout to Camel Hill Farm and Vale Farm • New local road connecting Camel Hill Roundabout to Hazlegrove Roundabout • New local road connecting Hazlegrove Roundabout to retained A303 for Camel Hill services

Changes to the local rights of way network The new A303 dual carriageway would sever 10 existing rights of way, these include Bridleway Y30/28 and Footpaths Y27/21, WN23/32, WN23/10, WN23/33, Y27/UN, Y27/10, Y27/29, Y27/9 and WN23/12 (as depicted on the Somerset County Council’s Rights of Way map, which is available at https://roam.somerset.gov.uk/roam/map#). A west to east non- motorised user link will be provided. This west-east route would intercept each of the severed routes and enable users to travel to the nearest bridge crossing of the new A303.

Two new bridges Two proposed road bridges will be provided to facilitate safe crossing of the proposed A303 dual carriageway by vehicles and non-motorised users. The new bridges will be Steart Hill overbridge and Hazlegrove underbridge. The provision of road lighting The Hazlegrove Roundabout will continue to be lit as it currently is. Day-time lighting will be provided in the Hazlegrove Junction Underbridge for safety reasons. The provision of drainage systems to drain the proposed carriageways and adjacent land Water runoff from the proposed A303 will be collected in channels alongside each carriageway. These channels will be constructed from concrete or grass depending on their location. Runoff from the new proposed local road carriageways will be collected in gullies at the carriageway edge. The A303 and local road drainage systems will pass through attenuation ponds, which will reduce the flow of water before it reaches the watercourses. Five proposed attenuation ponds will be provided, along with the modification of an existing drainage pond. Updated traffic signs and road markings New road signs will be provided to reflect the new A303 layouts. However, the overall signing strategy and the destinations that are signed at any given location will not change substantially from the existing road signs. Road markings will be provided on all new carriageways.

Safety barriers Safety barriers or ‘vehicle restraint systems’ as they are otherwise known, will be provided alongside carriageways where they are deemed necessary for road safety. In particular, a concrete safety barrier will be provided in the central reserve along the full length of the scheme. Earthworks Earthworks would be required as part of the scheme in order to establish the road foundation (including where the road is cut into the landscape and where the road would be on a raised bank (an embankment) to carry the road over a lower lying area) and also to provide visual screening and noise reduction. Noise reduction fencing will be provided to supplement the earthworks screening where space is limited. Boundary treatments alongside the proposed roads The edge of the area of land to be owned and managed by Highways England once the scheme has been built is called the highways boundary. To mark this edge, “boundary treatments” will be put in place. These will include boundary fencing, hedgerow planting, tracks to provide access to adjacent land, and perimeter drainage ditches. For further details and a detailed description of all elements of the scheme, refer to Chapter 2, The Scheme, of the full Environmental Statement Volume 6.1. Environmental design The environmental design for the scheme has been produced to ensure that the new road would fit in with the existing and retained landscape pattern, and to reduce adverse effects from the construction of the new A303. The environmental design ensures that field and hedgerow networks would be replaced or reformed to provide habitat networks for wildlife, along with native woodland planting which would be provided along the new A303. This would fill in gaps in the existing vegetation, provide wildlife connections and would also screen the road from sensitive viewpoints. The Environmental Masterplan can be found in Figure 2.5 of Volume 6.2 of the full Environmental Statement. Construction The construction phase is due to begin in Spring 2020 and is expected to take 2.5 years to complete. Construction work would take place between 07.00 and 18.00 on weekdays and from 07.30 to 13.00 on Saturdays, with no working on Sundays and Public Holidays. There may be exceptions to these hours to accommodate elements such as oversize deliveries and tie-in works where bridges and junctions would be connected to the new A303, which are likely to involve full weekend closures (approximately 2 full weekend closures for each of the 2 tie -in areas) throughout the duration of the construction works. An Outline Traffic Management Plan has been produced for the scheme. This would be developed into a full Traffic Management Plan (TMP), which would be implemented during the construction phase of the scheme to ensure there is a safe environment for those travelling along the route, and for those delivering the construction works. Full details of how the scheme would be built are contained within Chapter 2 The Scheme of Volume 6.1 of the full Environmental Statement.

General Arrangement Plan

New A303 dual carriageway

New slip roads Yarcombe Wood A303 Former A303 (detrunked) DykeDyke BBrookrook Existing road to be closed Hazlegrove Junction A359 Proposed local roads Steart Hill Overbridge Proposed non motorised user route SparkfordSparkford

Selected existing non motorised user route Steart Hill Steart Wood CCamelamel HHillill Annis Hazlegrove Hill Downhead Roundabout Junction DDownheadownhead Gason Ln. A359 Traits Ln. Howell Hill River Cam Podimore Plowage Ln. A303 QQueenueen CCamelamel WWalesales

B3151 WestWest CamelCamel Camel Cross Junction River Cam Heathcote Rd. BBridgehamptonridgehampton

RRoyaloyal NavalNaval AAirir SStation,tation, YeoviltonYeovilton

0500m DDIAGRAMMATICIAGRAMMATIC © CrownCrown ccopyrightopyright aandnd ddatabaseatabase rrightsights 22018018 OOSS 110003064900030649 Future baseline The potential changes to the existing environmental baseline (which is how things look today before construction works commence) due to natural changes have been considered in the EIA over both a 15 and 60-year period. This is termed the future baseline and assumes that the dualling scheme is not constructed, and instead, the existing A303 is maintained in its current state.

Future changes to the baseline without the scheme, could result from both natural events and from other human activities. This could include development (homes and businesses), changes to greenhouse gas emissions (such as from changes in traffic flows) and climate change (resulting in increased flood risk and severe weather). These changes could impact on population and human health, material assets, cultural heritage and the landscape, land, soil, water, air and climate and biodiversity. In the next 15 years, no substantial baseline changes are anticipated for air quality, biodiversity, noise and vibration and climate topics. For other environmental factors, fluctuations to the environmental baseline are anticipated within the 15-year period. These changes include alterations to localised and long-distance views that may occur due to new houses being built, as well as the potential for pollution events for soils and water due to new developments including housing, increased flood risk as a result of new developments and the depletion of primary materials from these residential and also commercial building. A positive impact from increased opportunities of employment due to development may also occur. Within a 60-year period, both positive and negative changes to the environmental baseline are anticipated on all topics. Positive changes include improvements to air quality as a result of the increase in the number of electric cars, and improvements to water quality and aquatic ecology due to implementation of waterbody mitigation such as removal of silts and river clean-up measures, in line with national River Basin Management Plans, which set out how organisations, stakeholders and communities will work together to improve the water environment. However, negative changes are likely to include a range of impacts from new development within the study area, including impacts and interruptions to views, impact on the wider landscape from the introduction of new buildings, increase risk of flooding and negative impacts on biodiversity due to a reduction in habitats for wildlife to make space for new buildings. In addition, the increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions due to increased development and vehicle movements will have an impact on climate, which may result in increased frequency of extreme weather events. A description of these changes is provided within Chapter 2 The Scheme contained in Volume 6.1 of the full Environmental Statement.

Photomontage: View representative of southern extent of PROW WN 23/33 in 15 years

Alternatives Consideration of alternatives We have worked closely with local authorities, environmental bodies and other stakeholders such as landowners, business owners, tenants and people with other land interests located within or around the scheme area, to better understand local concerns and consider how to reduce environmental effects through carefully considered design. Thirteen potential route options were originally identified with a broad range of possibilities considered, including online solutions and central, northern and southern offline solutions, as shown in the route options drawing below. These 13 options were put through an option sifting process to compare and evaluate them against a number of criteria including economics, environment, management, financial and commercial criteria.

The 13 route options

On completion of the sifting process 4 short-listed options were then taken forward for further assessment. The 4 shortlisted options were A2, B4, E4 and F1. The 4 shortlisted options were subject to a further technical appraisal including an environmental appraisal, which concluded that 1 central and 1 northern route option should be taken forward to the first (non-statutory) public consultation which was held in February and March 2017. These 2 options were then subject to further environmental, economic, and technical assessment in 2017. The results of these assessments, along with the outcomes of the consultation, helped to identify the preferred route which was announced in October 2017. The principal reasons for the decision to proceed with Option 1 over Option 2, were as follows: • Option 1 minimises land-take. • Option 1 is the shortest of the 2 options, reducing journey time and carbon emissions. • The route of Option 1 follows existing corridor very closely, minimising construction in an unspoilt rural setting. • Option 1 has less of an impact on Hazlegrove Registered Park and Garden. • Option 1 has slightly less impact on biodiversity. • 64% of those who responded to the consultation favoured Option 1 (compared to 29% who favoured Option 2).

A 6-week statutory public consultation which presented the preferred route, was held between 26 January to the 9 March 2018 to gather feedback from interested parties and statutory stakeholders. Some 400 people attended the local consultation events and a total of 241 people responded to the consultation by completing a questionnaire or submitting written feedback. The scheme design has evolved as a result of the consultation feedback received, as well as the ongoing consultation with statutory consultees (including Statutory Environmental Bodies). This is to ensure that a ‘good design’ is developed to meet the requirements of the National Policy Statement for National Networks. The main changes made to the design include the following:

• Change to the Hazlegrove Preparatory School access road, which will reduce adverse effects to the Hazlegrove Registered Park and Garden. • The access road to Ridge Copse and Camel Hill Services now connects to the local road network. This has reduced the need for lighting and has reduced habitat loss in this area. • The angle of the Steart Hill Overbridge has been reduced, moving vehicles further away from properties and sites sensitive to noise and air quality effects. • The priorities between local roads at the junction to the north of Steart Hill overbridge have changed, moving vehicles further from the residential property in this area, reducing adverse effects on air quality, noise, landscape, heritage and people and communities. Further details are provided within Chapter 3 Assessment of Alternatives contained in Volume 6.1 of the full Environmental Statement. 13

Likely significant effects and mitigation Air quality cover, seed or fence) to minimise the potential for dust generation. Maintaining a The scheme has the potential to cause low speed limit on site to prevent the changes to both local air quality and generation of dust by fast moving vehicles, regional air quality during construction and damping down surfaces in dry conditions once the scheme is open to traffic. and switching off all vehicle engines and plant motors when not in use will also help Method of assessment to reduce dust and fumes. These controls Construction dust has been assessed would be implemented through the based on a review of likely dust raising Construction Environmental Management activities and identification of sensitive Plan. With this mitigation in place no human health receptors (residential significant effects would be anticipated. properties) within 200 metres of these construction activities. No ecological Operation designated sites have been assessed as During operation, traffic related pollutants there are no designated sites within 200 have been predicted at sensitive metres of construction activities. properties, schools and designated sites (Whitesheet Hill SSSI) which represent the Operational air quality emissions have locations most likely to be affected from been assessed by modelling the change in changes to air quality once the scheme is concentrations of likely air pollutants at open to traffic. sensitive residential properties, schools and designated ecological sites For sensitive residential properties, (Whitesheet Hill Site of Special Scientific schools and designated ecological sites Interest (SSSI)). Traffic data was used to the predicted change in traffic related model the change in concentrations pollutants would not be significant. because of the new carriageway The scheme would cause an increase in alignment and the change in traffic the number of vehicles travelling along the characteristics associated with the A303 between Exeter and London, and proposed scheme. therefore is predicted to cause small Construction changes in regional emissions once open. During construction, the scheme could Compared to national emissions, the affect local air quality because of increase would not be significant. No construction traffic management measures mitigation is required during operation as and from construction dust arising from no significant air quality impacts are construction activities. Well established anticipated. industry best practice controls would be Further details are provided within Chapter employed which would reduce the impact 5, Air Quality, of Volume 6.1 of the full of fumes and dust on residents and the Environmental Statement. local area and prevent nuisance for them. Such controls would include minimising the height of stockpiles to reduce wind- blown dust emissions and the risk of pile collapse creating more dust, as well as locating stockpiles out of the wind (or

Cultural heritage

A diverse range of heritage features have been identiﬁed in the study area, including screening in the form of earth mounds), 2 Scheduled Monuments within 1km of the woodland planting and reinstatement of scheme, archaeological remains, several parkland grazed grass land and specimen listed buildings, historic buildings and tree planting in an area which is currently Hazlegrove Registered Park and Garden. arable farmland, and detracts from the character of the park and garden. Method of assessment However, the scheme would still result in a The cultural heritage assessment draws permanent loss of approximately 14% of upon information gained from desk-based the Registered Park and Garden. sources, a search of archaeological records from the Somerset Historic Therefore, after mitigation there would be Environment Record database, site residual significant adverse effects for the inspections, and archaeological ﬁeld grade II listed Evewell House and surveys. outbuildings, grade II Hazlegrove House Group and Hazlegrove Registered Park Construction and Garden, grade II listed Milestone of The scheme is in an area of high historic Ham stone with a cast iron plaque and and cultural value due to the diverse range Camel Hill Scheduled Monument. of heritage features in the area. As a result, the setting of several historic buildings, including listed buildings, would suffer from noise and visual intrusion Milestone on A303 during construction. The Construction Environmental Management Plan would include measures to ensure that key features are protected during works. Measures are likely to include temporary fencing and exclusion areas. In addition, a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) would be produced to ensure the preservation of archaeological remains. For example, a grade II listed milestone of Ham stone within the scheme footprint would be removed to enable construction. The current location of the milestone would be recorded, photographed and relocated to an alternative point on the A303 once construction works are complete. Around Hazlegrove House Registered Park and Garden where likely significant effects have been reported, mitigation includes screening designed to reflect the character of the park, with false cuttings (manmade

Operation Landscape During operation an increase in traffic noise and an increase in lighting columns The surrounding landscape is principally both have the potential to have negative rural and land use is predominantly impacts on the setting of heritage assets. farming. Residential areas are Mitigation has been included into the concentrated to the south of the A303, scheme design to avoid significant including the historic villages of Sparkford, operational impacts. This includes Queen Camel and West Camel. To the north of the A303, residential properties screening the route of the A303 from are mostly farm houses. Hazlegrove historic views from the northern parkland House Registered Park and Garden and and Hazlegrove House with earth mounds Hazlegrove School adds to the make-up of and planting. In addition, new junctions and moving traffic would be screened by the north-eastern section of the area likely landscape planting and earth mounds. to be affected by changes to the However, during operation there is the landscape as a result of the scheme potential for significant effects on Queen Camel and West Camel are Hazlegrove House Group and Hazlegrove designated as Conservation Areas. The House Registered Park and Garden Landscape Character Areas of West Group due to traffic noise and the Camel Hill, Hazlegrove, Sparkford, installation of lighting columns. In Weston Bampfyde, Queen Camel, West addition, there is the potential for Camel and Wales and Yeovilton are within permanent signiﬁcant adverse effects on the scheme study area. unknown buried archaeological remains if Method of assessment discovered once construction starts. A Landscape and Visualisation Impact Assessment has been conducted for Further details are provided within Chapter construction and operation, considering 6, Cultural Heritage, of Volume 6.1 of the effects to the Landscape Character Areas full Environmental Statement. noted above, visual receptors (views from houses and public rights of ways), elevated viewpoints and the surrounding

Hazlegrove House landscape within 1km of the scheme.

Construction During construction, vehicles, material This is a result of implementation of native stockpiling, heavy plant and machinery tree and shrub planting along the A303, would change the view from residential restoration of hedgerow boundaries, buildings, public rights of way (PRoW), construction of screening bunds (earth and road users and impact the Landscape mounds), reducing the visibility of traffic Character Areas. and infrastructure on the road and of To mitigate this, we will carefully consider reduction in traffic on the retained section the way that temporary construction of the existing A303, where existing traffic buildings are blended into the local is present in the baseline view. environment, doing what we can to keep In Year 1 only Landscape Character Area lighting to a minimum and using motion 2 Hazlegrove would experience significant detector lighting to make sure lights are effects during operation, this is due to the not on when they are not needed. Material sense of space being adversely effected stores would be kept to a minimum height and material would be delivered to site as by construction. All other Landscape Character Areas would experience non- required. These measures would all be significant effects with the majority detailed within the Construction experiencing no effects. Over time (15 Environmental Management Plan. years) the likely significant effects After this mitigation there would be a experienced in Landscape Character Area significant but temporary impact upon the 2 (Hazlegrove) would be reduced to non- Landscape Character Areas of West significant effects. Once the scheme is Camel Hill, Hazlegrove, West Camel and open to traffic, 7 visual receptors (views Wales. Sixteen visual receptors (including and houses) would experience significant views from public rights of way, elevated adverse effects due to a reduction of viewpoints, residential, heritage and vegetation opening up views of traffic 1 commercial receptors), would also year after opening. Over time (15 years) experience significant effects during there would be no visual receptors construction due to changes in views and experiencing significant effects once new presence of construction material. planting has grown. 12 visual receptors would experience beneficial effects 15 Operation years after opening due to the planting Planting of new trees, hedgerows and described earlier. shrubs would connect the road with the rural landscape, creating beneficial Further details are provided within Chapter effects. 7, Landscape, of Volume 6.1 of the full Environmental Statement.

Existing view from Cadbury Castle looking south towards Parrock Hill

Biodiversity Construction The natural environment around the Best practice measures would be applied scheme comprises of a variety grasslands, during construction to minimise the air hedgerows and woodland. Extensive ﬁeld pollutants during works, as described surveys of these habitats found wildlife above under Air Quality and Construction. including badgers, bats, numerous bird To mitigate habitat loss, replacement species including barn owls, reptiles, otter, planting and habitat enhancement water voles and Great Crested Newt, all of measures would be provided to ensure which are protected by UK and EU laws. that the land taken is replaced with land of better quality for wildlife. Reptiles and Method of assessment Great Crested Newts would be moved in Valued ecological receptors (including accordance with best practice. Water designated sites and protected species) voles would be dispersed from works were identified within 1km of the scheme areas by phased vegetation clearance. and assessed for construction and Vegetation clearance and earthworks operation impacts. Surveys have taken would be supervised by a suitably place over several seasons. These have experienced ecologist. In accordance with enabled an understanding of the the Construction Environmental populations within the area in which the Management Plan, lighting and noise scheme could potentially impact on disturbance would be minimised. ecological features. Desk based studies into designated sites and protected areas To facilitate the proposed works, a small have also been carried out. amount of habitat within Hazlegrove Park local wildlife site (LWS), would be Great Crested Newt temporarily affected during construction due to a small area of habitat loss and removal of 1 veteran tree. In addition, it is anticipated that there would be an adverse effect during construction on Gason Lane Field LWS due to small amount of land being converted into part of a public right of way. Both effects on LWS would not be significant. The scheme would require some land take from semi natural habitats including hedgerows and would cause damage to bordering working areas because of site compounds, material storage, access and temporary construction traffic routes. This would have a short term significant adverse effect. The priority habitats of broadleaved semi- natural woodland, broadleaved plantation woodland, parkland and chalk grassland would also suffer some land loss, however this would not be significant.

Bats, badgers and Barn Owls would be subject to fragmentation of foraging and Volume 6.2 of the full Environmental commuting routes, due to vegetation Statement. This includes new planting for clearance and lighting and noise wildlife to provide new and improved disturbance, this would be significant for habitat. The habitat strategy is based on bats and barn owls in the short term, but the principles of more gain than loss in not for badgers or breeding birds. habitats of biodiversity value, which are of Great Crested Newts and reptiles would benefit to a wide range of protected suffer from loss of terrestrial habitat due to species. vegetation clearance, this would also not During operation there is the potential for be significant. pollution incidents and changes in No other species would be subject to any airborne pollutants at Hazlegrove Park adverse effects during construction. LWS, Camel Hill Transmitter LWS, Ridge Copse LWS and Downhead Manor Farm Grass Snake LWS, however, this would not be significant. Habitats are not likely to be significantly affected during operation due to the provision of replacement land and mitigation in the scheme design. Bats and

Barn Owls would potentially suffer noise disturbance and the road would act as a barrier to movements, but these impacts are not anticipated to be significant with the mitigation in place. No other species would be subject to any adverse effects Operation during operation. The scheme design has sought to avoid and minimise habitat loss in the long term Further details are provided within Chapter wherever possible. This has included 8, Biodiversity, of Volume 6.1 of the full designing structural features around key Environmental Statement. habitats to avoid loss; for example, by positioning the drainage ponds to maximise preservation of mature trees Bloody Nosed Beetle and hedgerows. A badger tunnel would be installed at a location where badgers have been identified crossing the A303. Nesting bird boxes, bat boxes and 1 bat house would be installed. Much of the mitigation for the operational phase is included in the environmental design for the scheme. More detail can be found in the Environmental Masterplan, which can be found in Figure 2.5 of

Geology and soils A full Soils Management Plan and There are 2 designated local geological Materials Management Plan would also be sites within 250 metres of the scheme prepared outlining mitigation measures boundary. There are no sensitive including the storage, handling and groundwater areas within the scheme disposal of contaminated soils. boundary. The scheme would however cross or pass close to sites which may be Such measures would include the contaminated with hazardous substances protection of the soil structure and quality such as fuels, chemicals and waste by using best practice procedures, historical activities and / or be sources of minimisation of waste generation, dust waste. suppression, protection of controlled waters, prevention of contamination Method of assessment through use of suitable personal protective The methodology included assessing the equipment and industry best practice sensitivity of the geology and soils guidelines. (including underground water and contaminated land) located in the vicinity In addition, following the receipt of full of the scheme that have the potential to be ground investigation results, a affected by the construction of it. Contaminated Land Risk Assessment will be produced which will enable the Construction selection of any additional mitigation To avoid any adverse impacts upon measures required, to ensure the geology, soils and contaminated land protection of human health (people and during construction, all works would be communities) and environmental receptors carried out in accordance with the (designated sites and protected species) Construction Environmental Management during construction. Plan.

Photomontage: View looking southeast after 15-years

Any mitigation measures required will then assessing the material be incorporated into the Construction resource usage and generation of waste Environmental Management Plan prior to associated with construction of the construction. scheme. Construction activities with the potential to Construction result in adverse effects on geology and Mitigation measures to reduce the impacts soils include excavation works, earthworks associated with the construction of the and general construction works. Without proposed scheme include ensuring that mitigation these activities may lead to the recycling and disposal sites have permanent removal or worsening of appropriate waste disposal permits and agricultural soils, potential risks to human the re-use of materials excavated on site health and the potential for the into construction. In addition, opportunities contamination of soils, groundwater and for reduction, reuse and recycling have surface water because of accidental spills been considered where possible, such as and leaks relating to construction plant the consideration of local materials and fuels / oils. However, with the suppliers and using materials with a high mitigation detailed above, effects on recycled content. A Site Waste geology and soils during construction Management Plan and a Materials would not be significant. Management Plan would be produced to detail how waste would be reduced, re- Operation used and disposed of on site. No impacts are identified for geology and soils for the operation scheme since all the During construction, site remediation effects would occur whilst it is being built. (removal of pollutants), earthworks Therefore, once operational, the scheme preparation and the demolition of existing is not expected to result in any significant structures has the potential for impacts adverse effects on geology or soils. associated with the transportation of Further details are provided within Chapter materials and the unnecessary 9, Geology and Soils, of Volume 6.1 of the introduction of primary aggregates (new full Environmental Statement. materials) and exportation of excess waste materials. In addition, the Material assets and construction would require a large amount of materials, however with the mitigation waste described above, effects on materials and waste during construction are not The construction of the scheme would anticipated to be significant. require large amounts of materials and would generate waste that would need to Operation be recycled or disposed of. The treatment Although operation would give rise to and / or disposal of these materials would some material resource usage and typically cause environmental impacts, generation of waste, this would be such as contributing to landﬁll waste, minimal, and any effects would not be damage to local hydrological systems and significant. emissions associated with the transport required for disposal. Further details are provided within Chapter 10, Material Assets and Waste, of Volume Method of assessment 6.1 of the full Environmental Statement. The material assets and waste assessment involves reviewing and

• Moving of earth to include stripping of soils, building Noise and vibration bunds and creating cuttings • Drainage works Construction and operation of the scheme • Roadworks, including road pavement has the potential to give rise to both construction temporary and permanent noise and • Construction of new structures, vibration at the sensitive receptors including Downhead Junction (residential and commercial properties) in overbridge, Steart Hill Overbridge, the area. Traits Lane underbridge, Hazlegrove Junction underbridge Method of assessment • Construction of works compound and A noise and vibration assessment has compound operation) been undertaken to establish significant temporary and permanent effects (noise Road works would have the potential to and vibration increases) associated with adversely affect a small number of the construction. The study area is 300 properties (some residential properties, a metres of the scheme boundary for bed and breakfast, a church and 2 construction and within 1kilometre for commercial properties within 50 metres) in operation. Part of the assessment process the area. The assessment identified that is to identify measures to reduce and with the construction works taking place eliminate significant adverse effects. Prior within the suggested work duration limit to the assessment, noise monitoring was hours the effects would not be significant. undertaken across the area. Other construction activities including Construction overbridge and underbridge construction, To mitigate and minimise adverse effects, temporary construction traffic routes, and the limits for normal working hours and site compound works, were assessed and levels of noise at nearby properties would we concluded that existing noise levels be agreed in advance of the works in would not increase significantly during the consultation with South Somerset District construction works. There would be no Council’s Environmental Health Officers. significant adverse effects due to vibration, Everything possible will be done to reduce providing piling takes place for no more noise and vibration during construction. than 10 days of working in 15 consecutive Measures incorporated into the design days or 40 days of working in 6 months. and environmental management Operation requirements of the scheme include Four noise barriers and 7 noise screening screening of noisy machinery, and bunds (earth mounds) would be provided appropriate location of noisy plant items, along the scheme to mitigate operational and site maintenance, as well as noise. New road surfacing would be a thin monitoring of noise levels during (low noise) surface, and acoustic barriers construction. and bunds would be provided in sensitive Construction activities which would locations. The noise barriers will be generate noise and vibration include: located along the alignment of the A303, 1 located at a property known as The • Enabling works including tree / Spinney, 1 located at Steart Hill and 2 hedgerow clearance located near Camel Hill.

Operational Noise Model

Two bunds would be located towards the western end of the scheme, where the People and communities B3151 joins the A303 near Hawk House, (including population and another would be located to the east of Downhead junction, a false cutting would health) be provided between Howell Hill and Traits Lane, and 3 false cuttings would be The assessment of effects on People and provided at Hazlegrove Junction. There Communities identifies impacts associated would be 2 residential receptors (houses) with non-motorised users (NMU), driver that would experience significant effects stress, Amenity, private property, associated with operational noise once the community land and community facilities, scheme is open to traffic. Secondary severance, local economy, human health glazing will be offered to the owners of and wellbeing and agricultural land. these properties, to reduce the adverse Method of assessment effects. Other houses may be subject to The assessment of effects on population minor increases in noise once operational, and health comes from a mixture of desk- but these are not considered to be based assessment (reviewing online significant because of the little change information) and site visits using expected in these localities. appropriate guidance and professional Further details are provided within Chapter judgement of qualified professionals. The 11, Noise and Vibration, of Volume 6.1 of study area for this assessment is 250 the full Environmental Statement. metres in addition to views from the road and the District of South Somerset for Local Authority impacts. 23

Construction Amenity Non-motorised users Amenity is defined as the relative Works would be phased during attractiveness or pleasantness of a route construction to minimise effects on non- such as a public right of way, or place motorised users (NMUs). All temporary such as a playing field or park. Mitigation diversions for NMU’s around the work site measures to ensure that the amenity value would be clearly signed, with alternative of a route or place is not reduced during access arrangements maintained construction would involve careful throughout the construction period, as planning of the construction including required. Most existing crossings would adherence to the national Considerate only be closed once diversions are in Constructors scheme as well as place or the new arrangement has been implementing a construction strategy. established. Due to the presence of construction Temporary closures and diversions of material there would be adverse effects on public rights of way during construction the amenity value of some public rights of would result in increases to journey length way for non-motorised users. However, time for NMUs, until the scheme is open to with mitigation in place the effects are not users. considered to be significant. The only designated A303 crossing for Private property NMU’s that would remain open during There would be no demolition of private construction, would be Higher Farm Lane property required for the scheme however, bridge. All other routes would need to be permanent land take would be required diverted with the alternatives clearly from 3 private houses. signposted. This means that the impact Consultation with the owners of land on NMUs during construction would be affected by the scheme has been an minimised, resulting in no significant ongoing process through the development effects for them. of the scheme. Negotiations about Driver stress compensation and land purchase have A traffic management plan would be put in commenced between the District Valuer place during construction to manage driver and landholders. stress including diversion routes and Community land and community facilities signs. During construction, vehicles During construction, Hazlegrove travelling along 10 of the 13 roads located Preparatory School access route would be in the vicinity of the scheme, are predicted permanently changed, as the only private to experience temporary but not significant access is currently via the Hazlegrove increases in driver stress due to delays to Roundabout. Provisions would be made journey time, road closures, diversions and the presence of construction plant. for an alternative access route to the school. These include the existing A303, an unnamed road through Podimore between Severance A303 at Eastmead Lane and Podimore A small number of public rights of way roundabout, the B3151, an unnamed would be affected by the scheme Downhead local roads between Plowage however, those affected are not used for and Camel Cross, Plowage Lane, Howell access to community facilities. Hill, Steart Hill, Traits Lane, Gason Lane Construction of the scheme would also and the A359. require several temporary road closures,

resulting in severance for those who rely • 15 not significant on those roads to access residential effects properties, businesses or community • a significant adverse effect for 4 farms resources. Alternative access with 2 reducing to not significant arrangements would be made available in permanently all instances. Therefore, it is not • a significant adverse effect for 4 farms, anticipated that there will be any considering temporary and permanent significant adverse effects during land acquisition required for the scheme. construction.

Local economy Operation The scheme would require a new Non-motorised users construction workforce (sourced locally, During operation new routes would be where possible), which could have a provided for NMUs as mitigation for beneficial effect on employment rates in diversions. The scheme would require the the local area although the number of permanent diversion of crossings of the workers required is likely to be relatively A303 between Hazlegrove and Podimore small. resulting in journey length increases for 7 NMU journeys, and journey length Human health decreases for 3 journeys. A total of 14 PRoW would be affected, either by land take or by being severed Driver stress because of new roads built as part of the Once open to traffic, the scheme would scheme. Diversion routes would be put in provide a high quality free flowing dual place as appropriate and would be clearly carriageway between the Sparkford signposted, which would minimise effects Roundabout and Podimore. This would to non-motorised user (NMU) journeys. result in improved flows and speeds during busy periods and would be a As the majority of PRoW are used significant benefit resulting in reduced infrequently and with mitigation in place, driver stress. the effect of the scheme on human health and wellbeing as a result of changes to Amenity PRoW, would not be significantly adverse. During operation, effects are considered to be significant beneficial as a result of the Agricultural land improvements to the amenity value of Consultation with individual landowners certain footpaths and routes, through the has been undertaken. Land required for provision of safer crossings of the A303, temporary use only would be restored and changes in traffic flows for journeys following construction and permanent land where NMUs cross or are alongside the take would be fully compensated. road network. The scheme would result in temporary and Local economy permanent land-take from high grade Once the scheme is in operation, there is agricultural land. There would be the potential for beneficial effects as the additional impacts for individual farm scheme could improve access to future businesses relating to access, severance, development in the local area. agricultural land classiﬁcation and husbandry. The assessment of potential Human health effects of the scheme on individual farm During operation, the provision of the businesses has identified; scheme is anticipated to result in an overall improvement for NMUs, as 25

although journey lengths may increase for the scheme associated some routes, new and improved routes with vulnerability to climate. would be provided as replacements. The Due to the temporary nature of the scheme would also improve amenity by construction works it is anticipated that the separating NMUs and vehicular traffic. scheme’s effect on climate from Improvements to facilities and amenity as greenhouse gas contributions would also a result of the scheme, has the potential to not be significant during construction. increase usage of NMU facilities within the local area and therefore the physical activity of people using the routes. Operation Mitigation would include appropriate Climate design of the road to ensure low carbon materials are used which would reduce It is now established that as a result of greenhouse gas contributions because of rising concentrations of Carbon Dioxide the scheme, including climate resilient (CO2) and other greenhouse gases features of design. The scheme design (GHG) in the atmosphere, a degree of also includes allowances for the effects of climate change is inevitable and is climate change in terms of drainage and expected to have significant implications grass features to increase resilience to for infrastructure assets in the future, flooding, and the use of structures to particularly those with long operational reduce the risk of failure caused by lifetimes. Therefore, a climate assessment increases in temperature. has been undertaken for the scheme. During operation, there is the potential for Method of assessment the road and surrounding area to be For the climate assessment the scheme’s adversely affected by changes in climate effect on the climate (looking at changes however, these are not likely to be to greenhouse gas emissions for significant. example), and the scheme’s vulnerability to climate (such as how the new road will During operation, there would be no react to extreme weather events) have impact on the road and associated been assessed. infrastructure or emissions during the roads life therefore effects on climate are Construction also not anticipated to be significant. Plant equipment and vehicles to be used on the scheme would be selected based Combined and on their relative environmental performance taken from a technical cumulative effects specification. Construction works would be carried out in accordance with the best Combined and Cumulative effects look at practicable means to reduce fumes or both the total combination of all emissions. Mitigation measures would environmental topics assessed, as well as also ensure that the construction of the the cumulation of effects from nearby scheme allows for adaptation to changes developments. These are assessed in climate. separately and discussed below. Due to the short-term nature of Combined effects construction and limited changes in Method of assessment climate over the 2.5-year construction The assessment methodology for period, no significant effects are likely for combined effects involves the 26

identification of interactions between scheme. The environmental topics, to better understand developments are Haynes Publishing the overall environmental effect of the development and a proposed Solar Farm proposed scheme. in Queen Camel. Construction Construction The proposed scheme would have an We have looked at the cumulative effect of overall significant adverse combined effect the 2 developments (Haynes Publishing during construction. This is due to the proposed development in Sparkford and a significant adverse effects anticipated on proposed Solar Farm in Queen Camel) cultural heritage and landscape, the alongside the proposed scheme to see if combined significant adverse effects on there will be any significant cumulative geology and soils, and the not significant effect during construction. The adverse combined effects on the other assessment has concluded that there environmental topics. would not be any significant adverse effects. The combined significant adverse impact on cultural heritage and landscape would Operation be temporary in nature. Therefore, During operation the 2 developments mitigation included under the cultural (Haynes Publishing proposed heritage and landscape topic is development in Sparkford and a proposed considered and no additional mitigation is Solar Farm in Queen Camel) have been needed. assessed in conjunction with the proposed scheme to identify if the impacts will be Operation significant when taken together. During The proposed scheme would have an operation, cumulative effects for the overall adverse but not significant proposed scheme would not be significant. combined effect during operation. This is due to the combination of adverse effects on cultural heritage, geology and soils, landscape, material resources, and biodiversity, neutral effects on communities, human health and climate, and the beneficial effects on vehicle travellers. Cumulative Method of assessment When proposed developments have an overlapping zone of influence for environmental effects there is the potential for a cumulation of impacts. For cumulative effects, changes likely to be caused by other developments together with the proposed scheme are identified. Two other developments were identified within the vicinity of the scheme (2 kilometres) as having the potential to coincide with the construction and operational phases of the proposed 27

Road Drainage and Water Environment of the drainage design for the scheme. This includes a multi-stage treatment The EIA Scoping Report concluded that process, including filtration drains, ponds there would be no significant effects on and manually operated sluices to reduce the drainage and the water environment water pollution from road runoff. The flood and therefore this topic was scoped out of risk assessment has been completed the Environmental Statement. However, alongside the drainage design to ensure water and road drainage were assessed that potential risks of changes to flooding through the Highways Agency Water Risk are understood and then avoided through Assessment Tool, a Water Framework the drainage design. Directive screening and scoping assessment, a Flood Risk Assessment Construction activities would be managed and a Drainage Strategy Report. With the by best practice construction measures to supporting evidence provided in these be included within the full Construction assessments, it was concluded that there Environmental Management Plan for the are unlikely to be any significant effects on scheme in accordance with best practice road drainage and the water environment in relation to pollution prevention and because of the scheme. water management is set out in CIRIA’s ‘Environmental good practice on site’, Conventional drainage systems to reduce CIRIA’s ‘Control of water pollution from pollution have been incorporated as part linear construction projects; Technical Guidance’ and the Environment Agency’s

‘Protect groundwater and prevent groundwater pollution’.

What happens next?

The Environmental Statement and supporting documents can be viewed online at https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/a303-sparkford-to- ilchester-dualling/?ipcsection=docs. Printed hard copies will be available to view at:

• Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford, Yeovil, BA33 7LH. • Yeovil Library, King George Street, Yeovil BA20 1PY.

We have submitted the Environmental Statement to the Planning Inspectorate as part of our application for a Development Consent Order (DCO). The Planning Inspectorate has been appointed by the Secretary of State to examine the application. Granting of the order wo uld give us the legal power to proceed with the scheme. At the time of publication of this Non-Technical Summary, the DCO application has just entered the acceptance period, which has a maximum period of 28 days. On receipt of the application, the Planning Inspectorate will upload documents to its website and will contact local authorities for conﬁrmation of the adequacy of the pre-application consultation. If satisfactory responses are received and all the necessary documents have been provided, the Planning Inspectorate will accept the application and the pre-examination stage will begin. Registered interested parties can send written comments to the Planning Inspectorate and can ask to speak at a public hearing. The examination will last a maximum of 6 months. The Examining Authority will then have 3 months to consider its recommendation. This recommendation and a supporting report will then be passed to the Secretary of State for Transport, who will have 3 months to decide whether to grant a Development Consent Order. Finally, when the Secretary of State’s decision is published, there will be a 6-week High Court challenge period. If there are no High Court challenges, the decision will be ﬁnal.

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