Hammond Lane Metal CO, Ringaskiddy EIS
6.0 THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
6.7 MATERIAL ASSETS
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Section Contents:
6.7 Material Assets - The Existing Environment.
6.7.1 Introduction.
6.7.2 The Existing Environment. 6.7.2.1 Site Suitability. 6.7.2.2 Property Local to the Development. 6.7.2.3 Amenity and Areas of Natural Beauty. 6.7.2.4 Removal of Soil and Rock. 6.7.2.5 Power Consumption. 6.7.2.6 Water Consumption. 6.7.2.7 The Waste Metal Recovery Industry.
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6.7 Mate r ia I Assets .
6.7.1 Introduction.
The following are the relevant headings under which effects of the proposed development on the material assets of the locality may be considered. These headings are considered as additional to the impacts considered under specialist environmental section (Air, Soil, Water, Ecology, Noise, Traffic, Visual, Impacts).
Effects on Values of Property.
Effects on amenity and areas of natural beauty.
Effects of removal of soil and rock.
Effects on power consumption.
Effects on water consumption.
Effects on the waste metal recovery industry.
6.7.2 The Existing Environment.
6.7.2.1 Site Suitability.
The site, as the site of an existingFor inspection scrap purposes metal only. recovery business which is to be further developed withoutConsent acquisitionof copyright owner of additionalrequired for any lands other use.is considered as suitable for the development in its likelihood to produce lower impacts generally than relocation to another site.
6.7.2.2 Property Local to the Development.
Ringaskiddy Village is located more than 500m to the west of the Development. No impact on values is likely to arise from this development.
One domestic residence located 300m west of the western boundary of the development is the only domestic residence capable of being affected. This house is currently un-occupied.
All other developments close to the proposed development are either industrial or institutional / educational. No impact on value of these developments would arise.
Immediately adjacent undeveloped land has been the subject of application for development in the related activity of waste disposal. This possibility or any other industrial activity permitted within the current zoning of this land would not be affected by the proposed HLMC development.
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6.7.2.3 Amenity and areas of Natural Beauty.
The site is generally part of the landscape surrounding Cork Harbour.
The local attraction of the Martello Tower is sited to the south of the site.
A small local beach is sited to the east of the site.
6.7.2.4 Removal of Soil and Rock.
The existing north facing slope on which the site is located has in the past been used to some extent for the extraction of material used in local works of reclaiming land for Port development, north of the N28 roadway.
Excess material extraction from the site in the development carried out in 1991 was disposed of in raising of levels for lands north of the N28 roadway.
6.7.2.5 Power Consumption.
The site is served by a 110 KV overhead line which feeds and ESB transformer station adjoining the east of the site. This power is further stepped down to 380V in a consumer electrical compound on the site. Existing power consumption is approximately 2,000 kVA.
6.7.2.6 Water Consumption.
A 450mm watermain is located in the N28 roadway fronting the site. Pressure measured atFor yard inspection level purposes on the only. site (9m O.D.) was in excess of 6 bar. CurrentlyConsent the ofwater copyright consumption owner required forof anythe other site use. on an annual basis is estimated at 990,000 lit per annum.
6.7.2.7 The Waste Metal Recovery Industry.
The site currently provides metal recycling by fragmentation (mainly end of life vehicles) of between 40,OOOTe and 50,000Te per annum. This represents approximately 25% of the potential regional market for scrap metal in this category.
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6.0 THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
6.8 ARCHAEOLOGY
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Section Contents:
6.8 Archaeology - The Existing Environment.
6.8.1 Introduction. 6.8.1.1 Proposal for Site Development. 6.8.1.2 Purpose of Report. 6.8.1.3 No Archaeological Sites. 6.8.1.4 Archaeological Sites within 2km radius. 6.8.1.5 Author of Report. 6.8.1.6 Explanation of Terms.
6.8.2 Methodology. 6.8.2.1 Methods. 6.8.2.2 Legislation and Guidelines. 6.8.2.3 Desktop Study. 6.8.2.4 Site Inspection.
6.8.3 Cultural Heritage and the Existing Environment. 6.8.3.1 Landscape.
6.8.3.2 Prehistoric For inspection Period. purposes only. 6.8.3.3 EarlyConsent Medieval of copyright owner Period. required for any other use.
6.8.3.4 Medieval Period. 6.8.3.5 Post-Medieval Period. 6.8.3.6. Archaeological Investigations. 6.8.3.7 Buildings and Structures. 6.8.3.8 Cartographic Sources. 6.8.3.9 Site Inspection.
List of Tables and Figures
Table 6.8.1 Archaeological site included on the RMP and Sites and Monuments database within a 2km radius of the proposed development site.
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6.8 Archaeoloqv.
6.8.1 Introduction.
6.8.1.1 Proposal for Site Development.
Hammond Lane Metal Company is proposing to extend its plant at Ringaskiddy, CO Cork. The company currently carries out a metal fragmentation process on the site and is proposing to expand its facility to undertake end of life de-pollution of motor vehicles, reception, sorting, baling and dispatch of non-ferrous metals and the provision of a ferrous metal shearing facility.
6.8.1.2 Purpose of Report.
This report comprises an environmental impact statement of the land intended for this development. The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the potential impact such a development would have on the cultural heritage of the development site and surrounding area.
6.8.1.3 No Archaeological Sites.
There are no recorded archaeological sites within the proposed development site.
6.8.1.4 Archaeological Sites within 2km radius.
There are a total of twenty-three archaeological sites listed in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) For inspectionfor CO Corkpurposes within only. a 2km radius of the proposed Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. development. There are a further fifteen archaeological site recorded on the Sites and Monuments database of the National Monuments Service (www.excavations.ie) which are listed for inclusion in the RMP. These provide evidence for human settlement and activity in the area dating back to the Bronze Age.
6.8.1.5 Author of Report.
This section of the Environmental Impact Statement was carried out by Avril Purcell of Lane Purcell Archaeology, Deanrock Business Park, Togher, Cork at the request of Ray Keane & Associates, Consulting Engineers, 2 Clogheen Business Park, Blarney Road, Cork.
6.8.1.6 Explanation of Terms.
Some terms used in this report are explained hereunder;
Cultural Heritage: The phrase ‘Cultural Heritage’ is a generic term that spans thousands of years and covers a multitude of cultural, archaeological and architectural sites and monuments within the landscape. EPA Guidelines (2003), define cultural heritage as including history, landscape and garden design, folklore and tradition, geological
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features, language and dialect, religion, settlements, inland watetways (rivers) and place names.
Study Area: In order to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the Cultural Heritage Environment, a study area within a circa 2km radius of the proposed development site was examined.
6.8.2 Methodology.
6.8.2.1 Methods.
The methodology used to complete the Cultural Heritage section of this EIS comprised the following:
A review of the relevant Legislation and Guidelines A desktop assessment of the proposed development site and Study Area
0 A site inspection of the proposed development site.
6.8.2.2 Legislation and Guidelines.
In Ireland, the primary means of protecting Cultural Heritage are The National Monument (Amendments) Acts 1930 to 2004, The Heritage Act 1995, the relevant provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997, The Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) and Historic Monuments (Misc. Provisions) Act 1999 and the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 2000. The government’s policies for both the archaeological and architectural heritage are relayed in a series of specific published guidelines. This chapter is prepared having regard to the following guidelines: For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Guidelines on the information to be contained in Environmental Impact Statements, (Environmental Protection Agency, 2002).
Advice Notes on Current Practice in the Preparation of Environmental impact Statements, (Environmental Protection Agency, 2003).
Frame work & Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, (Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the islands, 1999).
Policy & Guidelines on Archaeological Excavation, (Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the islands, 1999).
Architectural Heritage Protection, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2004. (Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government)
6.8.2.3 Desktop Study.
The desktop study provides a cultural heritage overview of the proposed development site and study area.
Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) - This record was established under Section 12 (1) of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994. It
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lists all monuments and places believed to be of archaeological importance in the County. The numbering system consists of two parts: the first part is the county code (CO for Cork) followed by the Ordnance Survey map number (six-inch to the mile scale); the second part is the number of a circle surrounding the site on the RMP map, e.g. COO87-053 refers to circle 053 on OS sheet 87 for County Cork. The circle is intended to show the recorded monument or place and is sometimes referred to as the zone of archaeological potential or zone of notification but the circles do not define the exact extent of the monument or place. The diameter of the circle can vary depending on the size and shape of the site but it averages out at circa 180m. The RMP for County Cork was published in 1998. It is an offence to interfere with any of the sites or monuments listed in the RMP without first giving two months notice in writing to the National Monuments Service (NMS) at the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DAHG). Sites and Monuments Database of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland at the NMS - The purpose of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is to compile a base-line inventory of the known archaeological monuments in the State. The archive and database resulting from the survey are being continually updated. Archaeological sites which are added to the database are proposed to be included in the next published edition of the RMP and will then be afforded its protection. Sites previously listed in the RMP which, following investigation, are now considered to be of no archaeological potential are de-listed from the database and generally described as redundant records. This database, complete with maps is now available for consultation via the NMS webite at www .archaeoloav.ie
Archaeological Inventory - The inventories for each county are follow- ons by Duchas, to the RMPs. They give a written description of each archaeological site in the county. The study area for the proposed development site is included in the Archaeological Inventory of County Cork - East Cork, Volume 2 published in 1994 and a follow up volume, Volume 5, was published For inspection in 2009. purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Consultations - During the compilation of the EIS the following were consulted; Ms Mary Sleeman, County Archaeologist for Cork Ms Mairead Weaver, Planning Office, NMS
Files of the NMS, DAHG -The NMS was consulted to retrieve information on lists of RMP sites that have been afforded added protection such as;
National Monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the state - None in the Study Area
Monuments subject to Preservation Orders and Temporary Preservation Orders - None in the Study Area
Monuments listed in the Register of Historic Monuments - One in the study area Barnahely ringfort COO87-048 (date published July 1989).
The National Museum of Ireland Archives - These files were consulted for all townlands within the study area. The topographical files contain the reports, including correspondence, present location and occasionally, illustrations of archaeological material recovered throughout the country. There were no finds listed for the townlands within the study area.
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County Development Plan for Cork (2009) - The county development plan for Cork outlines the county council’s objectives with regard to the preservation of the archaeological and architectural heritage of the county. The plan outlines the Councils objectives regarding the protection of the archaeological heritage including the protection of all archaeological monuments listed in the RMP and also those archaeological sites discovered since the publication of the RMP. The zones of archaeological potential identified in the RMP are to be protected as well as underwater archaeology and industrial archaeology. The County Development Plan for Cork provides a Record of Protected Structures (RPS). This record lists structures or parts of structures which due to their special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific or technical interest warrant inclusion for protection on this record. There are five protected structures within the 2km study area. All are located outside the proposed development site.
NIAH Architectural Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH); East Cork - The work of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) involves identifying and recording the architectural heritage of Ireland, from 1700 to the present day, in a systematic and consistent manner. It is divided into two parts; The Building Survey and Historic Garden Survey. The main function of both is to provide a source of guidance for the selection of architectural heritage for protection and to supply data to local authorities, which helps them to make informed judgments on the significance of building stock in their functional area. The Building and Historic Garden Survey for County Cork is available online (www.buildinasofireland.ie). There are a number of buildings and gardens within the study area which are included in the inventories.
Database of Irish Excavation Reports (www.excavations.iel - This web site provides a database of summary accounts of archaeological excavations and investigations in Ireland undertaken from 1970 to 2008. The database was queried for any investigations undertaken in any of the townlands within theFor inspection Study purposes Area. only. A number of archaeological Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. investigations were undertaken which are discussed below.
Ordnance Survey letters, name-books/memoirs for County Cork - These consist of a collection of manuscript letters, mainly written by John O’Donovan as he carried out fieldwork during the Ordnance Survey six- inch mapping project in 1841. The letters deal with a range of antiquarian and folklore topics. There are no OS letters for County Cork, only OS Name Books. These were researched at Cork County Library.
Site-specific publications - The local history section of Cork County Library was consulted to obtain information on the Study Area. This would have included historical journals, local history publications etc., all of which are listed in the bibliography.
Cartographic Sources - The Down Survey Parish and Barony maps (1654-1659) and Candell’s map of Cork (1587) were consulted. The Taylor and Skinner (1778) Map of the roads of Ireland does not extend as far as the study area. The first (1841), second (1902) and third (1934) editions of the Ordnance Survey six-inch maps were consulted.
Aerial Photographs - Aerial photograph of the site taken by the Ordnance Survey of Ireland were examined (dates of photographs 1995, 2000 and 2005). The Hammond Lane Metal CO facility was present on all of the photos. Aerial photographs are useful in detecting potential archaeological
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features that may only be identified from the air. No new archaeological features were apparent on the photographs.
6.8.2.4 Site Inspection.
The primary purpose of a site inspection is to identify any possible features of cultural heritage significance, which have not been previously recorded. Current land use, local topography and environmental conditions are assessed to gain an overall picture of the area. The proposed development site was visited on the 23rd of February 201 2.
6.8.3 Cultural Heritage and the Existing Environment.
6.8.3.1 Landscape. The pace of landscape change in Ireland accelerated in the second half of the 20th century and many archaeological sites have been levelled by activities associated with modern development and progress such as agriculture, industry and infrastructural improvements. This has ensured that the present day archaeological landscape is not fully representative of the human occupation of this island, which has spanned some nine thousand years. While many archaeological sites survive today as partially upstanding structures, such as earthworks and stone monuments, many more survive only as subsurface remains, often forgotten and concealed from view. Subsurface archaeological remains are usually uncovered during archaeological investigations in advance of development. There are no recorded archaeological monuments listed in the RMP for CO Cork within the Hammond Lane property. The nearest recorded archaeological site is a Martello tower (COO87-053---) (Fig. 1). The ditch outside the tower is located 160m southwest of the site boundary For inspection but purposes the zoneonly. of archaeological potential or notification extends closerConsent toof copyrightthe site owner boundary, required for althoughany other use. outside it. The Martello tower is also listed in the RPS in the Cork County Development Plan, 2009 and is given the number RPS 00575. There are twenty-three archaeological sites recorded in the RMP for CO Cork within 2km of the proposed development site and there are fifteen other archaeological sites recorded on the Sites and Monuments database of the NMS (www.archaeoloav.ie) (Table 1 and Fig. 2). Of those fifteen sites five have no known locations within the townland. Many of these thirty-eight sites are recorded in detail in the Archaeological Inventory for County Cork: Volume 2: East and South Cork (Power et al. 1994) and in the follow-on edition, Volume 5 (2009 Ronan, Egan and Byrne). These sites provide evidence for human settlement and activity within the study area dating back to the Bronze Age. Since this time, human populations have organised and altered the landscape around them for a diversity of purposes, be it agricultural, social, political, or religious.
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Table 6.8.1: Archaeological site included on the RMP and Sites and Monuments database within a 2km radius of the proposed development site
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The proposed development site is located circa 15km to the south-east of Cork city, in the townland of Ringaskiddy on the Ringaskiddy peninsula in the lower part of Cork harbour. Ringaskiddy townland is in the Parish of Barnahely and the Barony of Kerrycurrihy. Lewis (Cadogan, 1998) describes early 19th century Ringaskiddy as ‘a small village on the shore ... resorted to in summer for sea- bathing ...’ He also refers to the building of yachts and boats at Ringaskiddy and the fishing of yawls in the winter season. The land of Barnahely parish is described as good. The word ‘Rinn’ means ‘promontory’ or ‘point’ and the headland at Ringaskiddy was probably named after the prominent Cork Skiddy family. The nearest extant settlement to the proposed development site is the village of Ringaskiddy, located circa 800m to the west of the site. A village, known as Rock village, is known to have been located to the north-east of and adjacent to Rock Cottage circa 100m north-west of the proposed development site in the 19th century (Sweeney, 2007). The 1st edition (1841) of the Ordnance Survey (OS) map of the area shows a number of houses in the area (Fig. 3). Griffith’s valuation of 1851 named the residents of various houses in the village. By 1855 90% of the
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residents had disappeared. Local tradition suggests that a fire in one of the mud- walled thatched cottages in the village spread to nearby houses destroying them (Sweeney, 2007). Reclamation in 1979-80 of the area to the north of the proposed development site has altered the landscape in this area. The proposed development site was once adjacent to the shoreline. The road from Ringaskiddy only extended east as far as the Rock village in the mid 19th century (Fig. 3). Three offshore islands, to the north of Ringaskiddy and Rock village, were incorporated into the large tract of land which was reclaimed in 1979-80. An archaeological and historical overview of the study area provides evidence for human activity, both secular and ritual, dating from the Bronze Age to modern times. The archaeological timescale can be divided into the following; Prehistoric period: Mesolithic (circa 7000 to 4000BC), Neolithic (circa 4000 to 2400BC), Bronze Age (circa 2400 to 500BC), Iron Age (circa 500BC to 400AD). Medieval period: Early medieval period (also known as the Early Christian period) (circa 5th to the 12thcentury AD), High Medieval period (12th century to circa 1400), Late medieval period (circa 1400 to the 16'h century), Post Medieval Period (circa 1650 - onwards). The pace of landscape change in Ireland accelerated in the second half of the 20th century and many archaeological sites have been levelled by activities associated with modern development and progress such as agriculture, industry and infrastructural improvements. This has ensured that the present day archaeological landscape is not fully representative of the human occupation of this island, which has spanned some nine thousand years. While many archaeological sites survive today as partially upstanding structures, such as earthworks and stone monuments, many more survive only as subsurface remains, often forgotten and concealed from view. Such subsurface archaeological remains can be uncovered during archaeological investigations in advance of development. There are no recorded archaeological monuments listed in the RMP within the area of the proposed development site. A recorded Martello tower (COO87-053---) For inspection purposes only. stands circa 160m southwestConsent of copyrightof the proposed owner required development for any other use. site. The Martello tower is also listed in the Record of Protected Structures in the Cork County Development Plan, 2009 and is given the number RPS 00575. There are twenty- three archaeological sites and monuments listed in the RMP for CO Cork within the 2km study area. Fifteen other sites are included in the Sites and Monuments database of the NMS. Those with known locations will be included in the next RMP.
6.8.3.2 Prehistoric Period. The Prehistoric Period is well represented within the study area. Several sites, including a cairn, standing stones, shell middens, fulachta fiadh, pits and a settlement cluster have been identified. A number of these sites are new sites which were located during recent archaeological investigations in the study area. Shell middens are mounds or spreads of discarded shells, usually found along the coastline. Many date to the Mesolithic but the Cork harbour middens are generally thought to be much later and medieval dates have been recorded for some of the middens around the harbour. There are six shell middens located within the study area, two in Ringaskiddy townland (COO87-054--- and COO87-161) on the eastern shore of the Ringaskiddy peninsula. Three middens are recorded in Curraghbinny townland to the south of the proposed development site and these are strung out along the shore line at Lough Beg (COO87-055---) and on the northern shore of Curraghbinny hill (COO87-056---, COO87-057---). A sixth midden has been
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EPA Export 29-07-2014:23:46:50 Hammond Lane Metal CO, Ringaskiddy EIS identified in Barnahely (COO87-120---) to the west of the proposed development site. The term tumulus or cairn usually refers to a mound of stone or earth that covers either one or more burials. The construction of mounds of earth or stone over burials has a long tradition in Ireland and can date to the Neolithic period. The tumulus or cairn (COO99-023---) in the townland of Curraghbinny is situated in woodland on top of Curraghbinny hill, circa 2km to the south-east of the proposed development site. Excavation by O’Riordan (Power, et al, 1994, 52) exposed a cairn of stones with an enclosing dry-stone wall and some fragmentary cremated human remains. Standing stones are a common feature of the Irish countryside and had varied functions, from prehistoric burial markers to boundary markers along ancient routeways. They are generally thought to be of Bronze Age date, but may also be later. There may be one standing stone within the study area, in Raheens townland (COO87-096---)to the west of the proposed development site. The precise location of the stone is unknown) Power 1994, 22). Fulachta fiadh or burnt spreads are the most common prehistoric site type in the country and have been interpreted as cooking places, typically Bronze Age in date. They are recognisable as horseshoe-shaped mounds of heat-shattered stones, often located near a stream or in waterlogged areas. Water in a stone or wood- lined trough was brought to the boil by immersing hot stones in it. The stones were heated in a nearby fire and shattered on impact with the cold water in the trough. After each cooking session the stones were removed from the trough and thrown to the side, finally forming the characteristic mound of stones. Regular ploughing of the mound often reduces it to a spread of heat-shattered stones in the field. It has been suggested that the hot water in the trough was used for cooking or may have also been used to provide steam for a sweat house. There is one burnt spread in the study area (COO87-145---) which was located during archaeological testing in Barnahely townland in 2004 (Cummins, 2004). An enclosure (COO87-155---) which probably represents the remains of a Bronze Age or Iron Age settlement site was identified during investigations in Barnahely (Rossaveare and Rossaveare, 2004 and Ronan et al2009, 123) to the west of the For inspection purposes only. proposed developmentConsent site. of copyright Two pitsowner (COO87-132---)required for any other use. (O’Donovan, 2004 and Ronan et al 2009, 57) (COO87-148---) (Hanley, 2004 and Ronan et al 2009, 357) of indeterminate date were exposed during separate archaeological investigations in Barnahely townland. A third site which revealed a pit and a stakehole (COO87-147) was located nearby also in Barnahely townland (Ronan et a1 2009, 357). All of these may be of prehistoric date.
6.8.3.3 Early Medieval Period. There are a number of archaeological monuments, dating to the early medieval period within the study area. Christianity was introduced into Ireland during the late 4th century, becoming widely established during the second half of the sixth century. Archaeological excavation has ascertained that ringforts were enclosed farmsteads, used in early medieval times (Stout, 1997, 32). These monuments are often referred to as rath or lios. Ringforts are generally circular or sub-circular areas enclosed by an earthen bank, made up of material thrown up from a concentric fosse outside the bank. The diameter of the ringfort is normally between 25m and 50m. Some ringforts have associated souterrains, or man-made underground tunnels leading to a chamber or series of chambers. There is a ringfort in Barnahely townland (COO87-048---) almost 2km west of the proposed development site and a ringfort (COO87-06801-) and possible souterrain (C0087- 06802-) in Ballybricken townland. The location of the Ballybricken sites is unknown. Two corn drying kilns (COO87-146 and COO87-156---) were identified during archaeological testing adjacent to the Barnahely ringfort (COO87-048---)mentioned
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EPA Export 29-07-2014:23:46:50 Harnrnond Lane Metal CO,Ringaskiddy EIS above (Cummins, 2004). Corn drying kilns date from the early medieval period onwards and as with the Barnahely sites can sometimes be found in close association with ringforts. There are several church or possible church sites within the study area, some may have early medieval origins but documentary and upstanding remains suggest later dates. There is some documentary evidence for the presence of a church (C0087- 049---) in Ballybricken townland circa 1.7km to the north-west of the proposed development site. This area is now occupied by the Pfizer chemical plant. The graveyard at Barnahely, (COO87-05101-) circa 1.3km west of the proposed development site, encloses the site of the former parish church of Barnahely (COO87-05102-) of which there is now no visible trace. Documentary sources describe the church in 1700 (Power, 1994, 259). A potential site on Spike Island (COO87-06502-) has been reclassified and identified in the Sites and Monuments database as the ecclesiastical site of ‘Inispicht’. A map of 1625 appears to show ruined church remains on the island, this is not shown on Vallancey’s map which does not depict remains of a castle or tower house as shown on a map dated 1587 (ibid, 290).
6.8.3.4 Medieval Period. There are only two sites dating to the Medieval Period within the study area. The remains of a tower house and part of a bawn wall (COO87-05201-, COO87-05203-) are all that remain of a castle reputedly built in 1536 by Richard de Cogan in Barnahely townland circa 1.2km south-west of the proposed development site. The site is listed in the Record of Protected Structures in the Cork County Development Plan, 2009 as RPS NO. 01260. A two-storey gable-ended structure was added in the 16th/17th century. Castle Warren house, constructed in 1796, stands on the same site. Tower houses generally date to the 15th/16th century and were built as residences by both Gaelic and Old English families. They are not castles in the military sense but maintain many of the defensive features typical of castles such as battlements and narrow slit windows. In 1999 archaeological investigations were undertaken around the perimeter of the site in order to erect a security fence (O’Donnell in www.excavations.ie). For inspection No purposes features only. or find relating to the occupation of Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. the site were revealed. In 2004 extensive archaeological testing was undertaken in the general vicinity of the site to investigate a proposed re-routing of the N28 Cork Ringaskiddy Road (Hanley in www.excavations.ie). Geophysical and topographic surveys were initially carried out followed by test trenching across six discrete areas. The testing comprising 63 test trenches revealed the area to be largely devoid of archaeological remains. A number of garden, drainage and agriculturally derived features were revealed as well as one possible prehistoric pit. A sheela-na-gig (COO87-112---) has been recorded in Ringaskiddy townland. Sheela-na-gigs were medieval stone carvings of naked female figures exposing their genitalia and were probably for warding off evil. They are often found built into the walls of castles and churches. The Ringaskiddy stone is in Cork Public Museum.
6.8.3.5 Post Medieval Period. There are several sites dating to the Post Medieval Period within the study area. These include military structures associated with the defence of Cork harbour. Other post medieval features include the site of a possible 17th century settlement, country houses and associated structures, a lime kiln and a vernacular house. Although, there is no evidence at present for Viking or Anglo-Norman settlement around the harbour, it is quite likely it did exist. According to Fitzgerald (1992, 123) Spike and Haulbowline Islands were renowned refuges for pirates in former times. Spike Island was especially noted for smuggling as at high water small vessels
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EPA Export 29-07-2014:23:46:50 Hammond Lane Metal CO,Ringaskiddy EIS could land there unseen by the officers of Cork. Fitzgerald also refers to a ‘Gold Rock’ at the eastern extremity of the island where smugglers were said to have buried a crock of gold along with the body of a black man whom they had slain. The existing rock on Gobby beach (at the eastern end of the peninsula) is named as ‘Golden Rock‘ on the 1st and 2nd editions of the Ordnance Survey (OS) maps of the area. The entrance to Cork Harbour is narrow and therefore relatively easy to defend. Early maps show that there were defensive fortifications on the east side of the harbour entrance at Carlislefort in 1571 and directly opposite this, on the west side of the harbour, at Crosshaven Hill circa 1690 (Power 1994, 288-9). During the Post Medieval period (17th - 19th century) the harbour became more heavily defended with a large number of military fortifications being constructed, which still stand today. Earlier fortifications at Carlislefort were replaced by Carlisle Fort (COO87-058---) in 1798 and this in turn was renamed Dun an Daibhisigh or Davis Fort when it was handed over to the Irish Government in 1938. Across the harbour from Carlisle Fort the fortifications at Crosshaven Hill were replaced by Camden Fort (COO99-024---)circa 1798. According to Lewis the excavations undertaken during the construction of this new fort are said to have destroyed ‘a nearly perfect tumulus’ (ibid. 290). Camden Fort was likewise handed over to the Irish Government in 1938 and renamed Dun Ui Mheachair or Fort Meagher. It is no longer in use. Closer to the Ringaskiddy peninsula, star-shaped forts were built on Haulbowline Island (COO87-05903-) and on Spike Island (COO87-06503-). Star-shaped forts in Ireland date to the 17th century and were designed as a defence against an artillery attack with angled bastions at the corners to provide flanking fire and sloping earthen embankments or glacis to absorb artillery fire (ibid, 287). The fort on Haulbowline Island (COO87-05903-) was begun in 1602 but abandoned in 1624 and remained out of use until 1813-15 when a Martello Tower (COO87-05902-) was constructed to the north of the old fort. Other military buildings, including barracks (COO87-05901-) and large warehouses, were erected in the 18th and early 19th centuries and survive today. The limestone warehouses and offices on Haulbowline are listed in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) in the Cork County Development Plan, For 2009 inspection as RPSpurposes 01272. only. The island and buildings are occupied by the Irish ConsentNaval of Service copyright ownerand requiredthe island for any is other a use.naval base. Spike Island was first used as a prison some time in the 17th century when it was used to hold mainly women and children of the families of exiled Irish troops until they were transported as slaves to the West lndies (Report of the Inspection of Fort Mitchell Place of Detention by the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention 2003-2004: www.iustice.ie). A more defensive star-shaped fortification, Westmoreland Fort, was built under the direction of Colonel Vallancey in 1790. The fort had reached its present form by 1842, although work continued until at least 1860 (ibid, 290). The fort is listed in the Record of Protected Structures in the Cork County Development Plan, 2009 as RPS 01272. At this time also, between 1808 and 1818, a magazine (COO87-105---) was built on Rocky Island, to the north of the proposed development site, for use as a store for gunpowder for the naval base on Haulbowline Island. The magazine on Rocky Island has been conserved and is now in use as a crematorium. An excavation carried out during the course of conservation works in 2006 recovered the some disarticulate human remains (Purcell, 2007). The location of a military graveyard (COO87-06501-) is recorded at the northwest corner of Spike Island. There is currently no visible surface trace of the graveyard. There are five Martello towers in Cork Harbour, two of which are in the study area. Martello towers were constructed along the English and Irish coasts to a roughly uniform design. They are generally oval or circular in plan and two storeys high. Their function was defensive and they contained a magazine and could accommodate a small garrison. The roof of a Martello tower contained one or a pair of 32-pounder muzzle-loading guns mounted on traversing carriages. The
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Martello tower at Ringaskiddy (COO87-053---) is constructed on the highest point of the Ringaskiddy peninsula. At its closest point the actual tower stands 200m southwest of boundary of the proposed development site while the walled enclosure is 160m to the southwest. It is the largest of the Cork harbour Martello towers and is in IDA ownership. It is the only one of the Cork harbour towers to be enclosed by a ditch. A walled circular enclosure, lOOm in diameter, and marked by 4 ordnance stones, encloses the tower and ditch. The 1’‘ and 2”d edition and RMP OS maps for the area all show a path leading north-east from the tower to Gobby beach (Figs. 3 and 4). The path shown on the 1st edition map leads to an ‘Ordnance Stone’ at Gobby beach and the path appears to have been laid out at the same time as the construction of the Martello tower, although there is no documentary record of this path. The tower is listed in the RPS in the Cork County Development Plan, 2009 and is given the number RPS 00575. The Martello tower on Haulbowline (COO87-05902-), circa 1.2km to the north of the proposed development site, was constructed in 1813-1815 on the high ground of the island and overlooks the entrance to the upper harbour. The tower is listed in the RPS in the Cork County Development Plan, 2009 as RPS 00578 and is in the ownership of the Irish Naval Service. All of the Martello towers in Cork Harbour are shown located on ground marked as ‘Ordnance Ground’, and defined by ‘Ordnance Stones’ in the case of the Ringaskiddy, Belvelly and Rossleague towers, indicating the military ownership of the sites. The Ringaskiddy Martello tower is the only tower in Cork harbour to have a path marked by ordnance stones. There is no legal registered right-of-way along this path, much of which appears to have been removed in the recent past. The path lies outside the Hamrnond Lane facility, at its closest point it is approximately 50m southwest of the southwestern corner of the facility. The country house and associated demesne was a prominent feature of the Irish landscape during the 18th and 19th centuries. At one time demesnes occupied nearly 6% of the country (Aalen, Whelan & Stout, 2000, 197). The typical demesne, consisting of the big house with associated buildings, ornamental grounds, landscaped gardens and woodlands, often enclosed by high walls and belts of trees, still remains the dominant man-made feature of the post medieval landscape in Ireland (Reeves-Smith, 1997, 552). The first edition OS maps, drawn up in the 1840% depict these For demesnes inspection purposes in great only. detail. Country houses and their Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. demesnes had many associated features such as demesne walls, walled gardens, gate lodges, ornamental towers, tree-lined avenues, tree rings, deer parks, ice houses and lime kilns. There is one country house within the study area, in Barnahely townland (COO87-111---) circa 1.5km west of the proposed development site. Barnahely House was demolished in 1981. An overgrown gate lodge (COO87-05002) survives. There is one ornamental tower listed in the RMP within the study area. The tower (COO87-05202-), in Barnahely townland, is not detailed in the Archaeological Inventory for East Cork (Power, 1994). The files of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland record that the tower has been demolished. There is a single storey vernacular house, formerly thatched and now with a corrugated iron roof, in Barnahely townland (COO87-060---) circa 1.4 km south- west of the proposed development site. The 1st edition of the OS maps for the area indicates that there was a small settlement at this location. A potential site has been identified on the Down Survey Barony maps (1654-1659) within the study area. A settlement (COO87-143---) is shown in the area of ‘Bernehery’ (Barnahely) church in Barnahely townland. There is no visible surface trace of the site. There is one site listed as a non-antiquity in the RMP. This is in Barnahely townland (COO87-05001-). It is listed as a redundant record in the Sites and Monuments database.
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6.8.3.6 Archaeological Investigations. A number of archaeological investigations have been undertaken in the study area, some of which have being discussed above. In the adjoining land to the south of the proposed development site in Ringaskiddy an elongated mound was investigated in 2001 (Lane in www.excavations.ie). This was determined to be of no archaeological significance. Monitoring of the construction of a jetty and pontoon as part of the construction of the National Maritime College to the north also in Ringaskiddy was carried out in 2003 (Gleeson in www.excavations.ie). No features or finds of archaeological significance were revealed. An underwater assessment was undertaken at the ADM jetty and Oysterbank in Ringaskiddy in 2006 on 33 sea-bed anomalies identified by side-scan sonar survey in advance of development. None of the anomalies were of archaeological significance (Bangerter in www.excavations.ieJ. As mentioned above disarticulate human remains were identified during the course of conservation work on the former magazine on Rocky Island in 2006 (Purcell, 2007). An intertidal and metal detector survey were carried out on an area of the northwestern foreshore of the island at that time and no features or finds of archaeological significance were revealed (Purcell 2006). Archaeological investigations were carried out in 1996 in Barnahely in advance of the construction of the Merfin factory (O’Donovan on www.excavations.ie). One complete millstone and two broken examples were found on the site. Archaeological testing in 2004 on a land bank in Barnahely revealed no features or finds of archaeological significance (Cleary in www.excavations.ie). Archaeological monitoring was undertaken in three areas within the naval base at Haulbowline Island in 2004. No features or finds of archaeological significance were revealed (Gleeson in www.excavations.ie).
6.8.3.7 Buildings and Structures. There are five structures within the 2km study area which are listed in the Cork County Development Plan (2009) in the Record of Protected Structures. These are the Martello tower at Ringaskiddy (RPS No. 00575), the Martello tower at Haulbowline (RPS No. 00578), a range of limestone warehouses and offices on Haulbowline (RPS No. 00670), For inspectionthe Castlewarren purposes only. stronghouse at Barnahely (RPS No. 01260) and WestmorelandConsent of copyright Fort owner (Fort required Mitchell) for any other on use.Spike Island (RPS No. 01272). The Cork County Development Plan (2009) also lists Architectural Conservation Areas. These areas have been designated to allow for the preservation and enhancement of the built heritage in areas of special character. Haulbowline Island has been designated an Area of Architectural Conservation. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage building survey for east Cork includes a number of buildings within the study area. Of the five Martello towers in Cork Harbour four are listed in the survey, these are; Belvelly (Reg. No. 209075179), Rosslague (Reg. No. 20907582), Manning Tower, Belvelly (Reg. No. 20907592) and Haulbowline Island (Reg. No. 20908769). The Ringaskiddy Martello tower is not included in the NIAH. Of the townlands within the study area there are buildings listed in the survey from Haulbowline Island and Spike Island only. A total of 14 buildings and structures are listed from the former. This includes the aforementioned Martello tower, a number of dwelling houses, naval buildings, offices, warehouse, workshop, harbour and post box. A total of twelve buildings are listed from the latter including barracks, Westmorland Fort, dwelling houses, warehouse, graveyard, prison and a detached run room. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage garden survey for CO Cork includes two gardens shown on the first edition OS 6 map which are within the study area, these are Castle Warren and Prospect Villa both in Barnahely.
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6.8.3.8 Cartographic Sources. The Down Survey map of 1654-1659 for this area (the South Liberties of Corke) was consulted. Ringaskiddy (Reniskydy) and Barnahely (Bernehery parish) are indicated (Fig. 5). There are two structures shown in Barnahely. One appears to be a tower and is likely to be a depiction of the tower house and bawn (C0087-05201- and COO87-05203-) still extant in Barnahely townland today. Haulbowline (Howbowline fort) is also indicated. Candell's map of Cork Harbour, dated to 1587, shows the Ringaskiddy peninsula and names the castle located on the peninsula as Berneyele (Fig. 6). This is likely to be Barnahely castle. The Taylor and Skinner maps of the roads of Ireland, which date to 1778, were consulted but do not extend south as far as the area of the proposed development site. Cartographic sources from the nineteenth and early twentieth century show the area of the development site under agricultural use. The 1st edition of the 6" Ordnance Survey (OS) map, dated to 1841, shows the area of the proposed development largely occupied by a number of small fields. At the northern and northwestern end of the site there is an open area of ground which extended to the sea-front prior to reclamation (Fig. 3). The Martello tower and the path extending to it from Gobby Beach are both apparent to the south and southwest of the proposed development site. Many of the small fields had been amalgamated into larger units at the turn of the 20thcentury when the 2"d edition of the 6 OS map was compiled (Fig. 4). The proposed development site is shown occupied by just two larger fields with the open area of ground extending towards the sea-front remaining to the north. The road had been extended eastwards from the village to Gobby Beach along the sea front. The third edition 1934 OS map (onto which the RMP is superimposed) shows the areas of the proposed development site generally unchanged (Fig. 1). Recent mapping by the Ordnance Survey show substantial changes to the vicinity of the proposed development site. An extensive area of reclamation is apparent to the north and northwest of the site, the remaining fields have been amalgamated to For becomeinspection purposes quite only. large and a significant amount of Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. development has been undertaken. An examination of Ordnance Survey aerial photographs (1995, 2000 and 2005) shown the Hammond Lane facility broadly as it is today. No features of archaeological potential are apparent within the facility.
6.8.3.9 Site Inspection.
Hammond Lane Metal CO proposes to extend the metal processing facility within its existing site boundary. It is proposed that the working yard area will be expanded to the south, west and north. On the southern side at the western end it is proposed to excavate into the existing rock face on a plan area of 70m by 12m. On the western side it is proposed to excavate into the existing berm on a plan area measuring approximately 50m north south by 15m to 22m east west. On the northern side it is proposed to extend the yard slab by 9m. It is also proposed to expand the slab into the northward projecting area at the western end of the northern side. It is anticipated that 3000cu.m of existing fill material and soil will be excavated and 5000 cum of material will be make up these levels.
The primary purpose of the site inspection is to assess the physical environment in which the development is proposed. The proposed development site was inspected on the 23'd of February 2012 in dry overcast conditions.
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The site has been quarried from the hillside to the south and is defined by a steep rock face on that side with quarried ground on the west side declining to the north. The site is roughly L-shaped in plan with the entrance to the plant forming one arm of the L-shape. The northwestern corner of the site protrudes a short distance to the north and towards the centre of the southern end there is a small protrusion to the south. The entrance road extends south from the southern side the N28 road. A weight bridge, car park and reception building all open from the entrance road which slopes down to the N28 (Plate 1). There is a small garden area at the northern end of the entrance road on the eastern side (Plate 2). The working yard opens from the southern end of the entrance road and extends approximately 40m to the south and 180m to the west (Plate 3). The yard is a large level concrete area with the fragmentation plant surrounded by an acoustic screen located towards the south of centre (Plate 4). The feedstock stockpile for fragmentation is located to the east of the fragmentation plant with the fragmentation plant output stockpile to the west. A workshop stands at the eastern end of the yard (Plate 5) and there is a driving and parking area along the northern side of the yard (Plate 6).
The working yard forms a single level area with steeply sloping ground to the south, sloping ground to the southwest, generally level ground to the east and lower ground to the north. The site boundary is defined by a chain link fence which along the southern boundary extends 9m to 17m beyond the working yard incorporating steeply rising ground; at the western side extends 30m to 40 beyond the yard onto sloping planted ground. At the northern side the boundary extends approximately 15m beyond the yard incorporating a steeply falling embankment. At the eastern side of the yard the boundary is defined by a fence outside of which there is an ESB compound. From the southern edge of the yard to the site boundary the ground rises by approximately 6m to 16mover distance of 9m to 17m. The rock face from which the yard was quarried is visible in places and elsewhere the steep ground has been colonised by low scrub vegetation. All of this area appears to have been previously disturbed by quarrying at various levels. The southern end of the western site boundary stands approximately 12m above the level of the yard (Plate 7). This falls away to the north and at the northern end of the western boundary the ground has been cut 5m to 6m below the level of the existing yard. The entire northern boundary is between Im and 6m below the level of the yard and beyond the boundary For inspection the purposes ground only. continues to fall away to the N28 Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. road (Plate 8).
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Bibliography
Bennet, I. 1997-2003 Excavations Bulletin. Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Wordwell Limited.
Brunicardi, N. (1968) Haulbowline Spike and Rocky Islands. Cork Historical Guides Committee, Cork.
Cadogan, T. 1998 Lewis' Cork: A topographical dictionary of the Parishes, towns and villages of Cork City and County (First published in 1837.) The Collins Press, Cork.
Cork County Council. 2009. Cork County Development Plan 2009
Cummins, T. 2004 Archaeological Test Trenching at Novartis Site, Barnahely, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork in Bennet (ed.) Excavations 2004: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Wordwell.
Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the Islands, 1999. Framework & Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage
Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the Islands, 1999. Policy & Guidelines on Archaeological Excavation
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 2004. Architectural Heritage Protection, Guidelines for Planning Authorities.
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 2006. Wind Farm Planning Guidelines.
Duchas National Monuments For and inspection Historic purposes Properties only. Service, 1998. Record of Monuments and Places,Consent County of copyright Cork, owner Volumes required for 1 anyand other 2. use.
EPA (2002) Guidelines on Information to be Contained in an Environmental Impact Statement EPA March 2002.
EPA (2003) Advice Notes on Current Practice (in preparation of Environmental Impact Statements) EPA, September 2003.
Flanagan, D and L. (1994) Irish Place Names Bantry, County Cork.
Fitzgerald, P. (1992) Down Paths of Gold: A Portrait of Cork Harbour's Southern Shore Midleton.
Gleeson, C. (2006) Ringaskiddy. In: I. Bennet (ed.) Excavations 2003: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Wordwell.
J. F. L. (1912) Notes and Queries. Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. Vol. XVIII.Cork.
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Lane, S. (2003) Archaeological Testing at Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork. In: I.Bennet (ed.) Excavations 2001 : Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Wordwell.
Maccarthy, C. J.F. (1970) Vallancey’s Plan for the Defence of Spike Island. Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. Vol. LXXV.
Murray, P. (2005) Maritime Paintings of Cork, 1700-2000. Cork. ODonnell, M. 2001 Castle Warren, Barnahely. In: I.Bennet (ed.) Excavations 1999: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Wordwell.
National Monuments Service (in progress) Sites and Monuments Database of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (www.archaeolocrv,ie). Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
OLeary, K. V. (1919 The Placenames and antiquities of the Barony of Kerycurrihy, Co.Cork. Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. Vol. XXV.
O’Mahony, C. 1986 The Maritime Gateway to Cork: A history of the outposts of Passage West and Monkstown, 1754-1942. Tower Books, Cork.
0’ Murchu, D. 1979 Historic Ringaskiddy. Our Place, Vol 2. Power, D., Byrne, E., Egan, U., Lane, S. and Sleeman, M. 1994 Archaeological Inventory of County Cork Volume 2: East and South Cork. Dublin.
Pochin Mould, D. D. C. 1991 Discovering Cork. Brandon Books, Co. Kerry.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Power, P. 1923 Placenames and Antiquities. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Vol. 34C.
Power, D. et al. 1994 Archaeological Inventory of County Cork Vol I11, East and South Cork. Office of Public Works.
Purcell, A. 2006 Intertidal and Metal Detector Survey Rock Island, CO Cork. Unpublished report.
Purcell, A. 2007 Archaeological Excavations at Rocky Island. Unpublished report.
Reeves-Smith, T. 1997 The Natural History of Demesnes in Foster, W. eds. Nature in Ireland, A Scientific and Cultural History, Lilliput Press, Dublin.
Roseveare, M., Roseveare, A. (2004) Archaeological assessment of the N28 Bloomfield-Ringaskiddy scheme (Barnahely): geophysical survey report. Unpublished
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Rynne, C. (1993) The Archaeology of Cork City and Harbour from the Earliest Times to Industrialisation. Collins Press.
Shine, M. (2006) Cultural Heritage section of an EIS for Spike Island, Cork Harbour. Unpublished report.
Stout, M. (1997). The Irish Ringfort. Four Courts Press, Dublin.
Sutton, D. (February 2001) Archaeological Assessment - Spike Island, Co. Cork. Unpublished Report.
Sweeney, A. (2007) A History of Cork‘s Lower Harbour- ‘Beyond the Cut and Cover’. Litho Press, Midleton, Co. Cork.
Sweetman, D. (2000). The Man-Made Heritage: The Legislative and Institutional Framework in Buttimer, N., Rynne, CIRCA and Guerin, H. The Heritage of Ireland, The Collins Press, Cork.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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6.0 THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
6.9 ROADS & TRAFFIC
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Section Contents:
6.9 Roads & Traffic - The Existing Envi ronmen t.
6.9.1 Introduction. 6.9.1.1 Purpose of Report. 6.9.1.2 Terms of Reference. 6.9.1.3 Traffic Analysis Requirement. 6.9.1.4 Traffic Survey Locations. 6.9.1.5 Traffic Model Generation. 6.9.1.6 Temporary Site Access. 6.9.1.7 UCC Ringaskiddy Research Building Considered. 6.9.1.8 Proposed Ringaskiddy Bypass not relevant.
6.9.2 Receiving Environment. 6.9.2.1 Site Location. 6.9.2.2 Local Road Network. 6.9.2.3 Existing Traffic Conditions.
List of Tables and Figures Figure 6.9.1 Site Location Map. Figure 6.9.2 Access Junction, looking to the left & right For inspection purposes only. & 6.9.3 respectively.Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Figure 6.9.4 Site Layout. Figure 6.9.5 2012 Traffic Count Figures Morning Peak (08.00- 09.00) Figure 6.9.6 2012 Traffic Count Figures Evening Peak (17.00- 18.00)
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6.9 Roads & Traffic.
6.9.1 Introduction.
6.9.1 .I Purpose of Report.
This chapter of the EIS deals with the roads and traffic impact relating to the proposed development. A detailed description of the development proposed can be found in Chapter 5 of this EIS.
6.9.1.2 Terms of Reference.
The report has been prepared in accordance with the ‘Traffic and Transport Assessment Guidelines, NRA 2007, “Guidelines for Traffic Impact Assessments 1994“ as published by the Institution of Highways & Transportation U.K and EPA EIS Guidelines 2002. The purpose of a this chapter is to assess the traffic impact of the development on the existing road network and mitigate its impact, if necessary, to best accommodate the expected traffic volumes generated by the proposed development.
6.9.1.3 Traffic Analysis Requirement.
The base year for the study is the year of expected completion for the development and is taken to be 2014. In accordance with the “Traffic and Transport Assessment Guidelines, NRA 2007, a traffic analysis is required to be undertaken for the Base Year - 2014 and ten years from this date i.e., the Design Year - 2024. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
6.9.1.4 Traffic Survey Locations.
As part of this study a manual classified traffic survey was carried out on the N28 at the nearby junction of the N28lLoughbeglFerry Port and also at the site entrance.
6.9.1.5 Traffic Model Generation.
Traffic models were generated for both junctions for the current year and the design year. The future year models incorporate the projected traffic volumes on the public roads, as described in section 6.9.2 and also predicted development traffic as described in Section 6. The models were created using the PICADY junction modelling package.
6.9.1.6 Temporary Site Access.
A temporary construction access junction is proposed for the construction stage period. An assessment of the operation of the temporary construction access junction for the base year, 2014 is also included in section 6.
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6.9.1.7 UCC Ringaskiddy Research Building Considered.
Subsequent to discussion with the Local Area Engineer cogniscance of traffic levels related to the UCC Ringaskiddy Research Building, recently granted planning permission, is also included.
6.9.1.8 Proposed Ringaskiddy Bypass not relevant.
Discussions with the Cork National Road Design office (NRDO) advised that the proposed N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Road Scheme is officially suspended and its impact was therefore not investigated in detail. It is likely that the impact of its construction would be positive for traffic levels in the area. The analysis of the existing road infrastructure showed it operating below capacity for the existing, construction and design year scenarios.
6.9.2 Receiving Environment
6.9.2.1 Site Location
6.9.2.1.1
The site has an area of 1.86Ha and is located east of Ringaskiddy village just off the N28. Figure 6.9.1 shows the site location.
Figure 6.9.1 Site Location For Map inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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6.9.2.1.2 The site is the existing Hammond Lane Metal Co. metal fragmentation plant. It is located just south of the local road to Haulbowline, east of the N28 which runs to the nearby Ferry Port.
6.9.2.1.3
The site is accessed from the public main road via a simple priority T-junction entrance. There is an existing footpath on the northern side of the public road.
6.9.2.1.4
The site is located in a predominately industrial/pharmaceutical area, but with the National Maritime College of Ireland also nearby. The site extends to the local public road along an access roadway, running northlsouth to the main yard. There is an existing ESB transformer compound located to the south east of the site. The lands between the site and the public road to the north-west is under the ownership of a third party.
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Ir
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Figures 6.9.2 & 6.9.3 Access Junction, looking to the left & right respectively 1 6.9.2.2 Local Road Network
6.9.2.2.1
Road access to the development is proposed via the existing access road, which runs northlsouth from the public road. The access junction is a priority T-junction.
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6.9.2.2.2
The adjoining public road is approximately 9.0m wide in the vicinity of the development.
6.9.2.2.3
The site entrance lies within a 50kph urban speed limit zone.
6.9.2.2.4
During the Construction Phase of the development improvement works are planned for the access road. It is intended that the plant remain operational throughout the duration of the works. It is proposed to use the third party site between the subject site and the local road as a construction stage site compound. Consequently it is planned to open a temporary accesdhaul road for the construction phase into this compound. It is intended that construction related traffic traveling to the site during the construction phase will use this haul route. This access route junction is to be located just west of the existing entrance as shown in figure 6.9.4 below.
Figure 6.9.4 Site Layout
Lonstrucuon stage - entranp-
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L
6.9.2.2.5
All construction traffic will travel to and from the site from the Cork City/Ringaskiddy direction.
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6.9.2.3 Existing Traffic Conditions
6.9.2.3.1
As part of this study traffic surveys were carried out on the N28. The traffic counts were conducted from 12'h January 201 2 in both directions.
6.9.2.3.2
The junctions examined in this study are highlighted in figure 6.9.1 and 6.9.4. The junctions are: 1) Junction 1 - N28 to CorWFerry Port/Loughbeg/Haulbowline Local Road eastwards towards the development. 2) Junction 2 - access to the Hammond Lane Co. site. 6.9.2.3.3
Figures 6.9.5 and 6.9.6 in the following pages summarize the recorded traffic flows on Thursday January 26'h. The hourly flows were recorded for the morning and evening peak hours for the present year, 2012.
Figure 6.9.5 2012 Traffic Count Figures Morning Peak (08.00-09.00)
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6.0 THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
6.10 NOISE
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Section Contents:
6.10 Noise - The Existing Environment.
6.1 0.1 Summary.
6.1 0.2 Introduction. 6.10.2.1 Terms of Reference.
6.1 0.3 Existing Receiving Environment. 6.10.3.1 Location. 6.1 0.3.2 The Site. 6.10.3.3 Condition on Boundaries. 6.1 0.3.4 Industrial Zoning. 6.10.3.5 Industrial Development in Vicinity. 6.10.3.6. Road Traffic affects Local Noise Environment. 6.1 0.3.7 Local Noise Sensitive Locations. 6.1 0.3.8 Summary of Existing Environmental Conditions. 6.1 0.3.9 The NMCI considered as four relevant zones. 6.1 0.3.10 Selection of Monitoring Location. 6.10.3.1 1 The General Noise Environment. 6.1 0.3.12 Road Noise. 6.1 0.3.13 The future noise environment without HL development. 6.10.3.14 Summary of future trends. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 6.1 0.4 Existing Hammond Lane Facility. 6.10.4.1 The Hammond Lane Site. 6.1 0.4.2 The Fragmentation Process. 6.1 0.4.3 Noise sources on the site. 6.1 0.4.4 PIant Operating Times. 6.10.4.5 Existing Noise Mitigation Measures.
6.10.5 Existing Noise Levels. 6.10.5.1 Noise Surveys. 6.1 0.5.2 Details of Noise Surveys. 6.10.5.3 Noise Levels Currently. 6.1 0.5.4 Noise Levels at NMCI. 6.1 0.5.5 Sign if icance of Existing Fragmentation Plant. 6.10.5.6 Cyclic nature of Fragmentation emissions. 6.1 0.5.7 Emissions are continuous, non-impulsive and broadband.
List of Tables & Figures. Figure 6.10.1 Study Site Location. Figure 6.10.2 Study Site and NSLs. Figure 6.10.3 Existing HL Site Layout. Table 6.1 0.1 Noise Data Summary.
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Appendices List
Appendix 6.10.1 Noise Survey Details Appendix 6.10.2 Noise Survey Data. Appendix 6.1 0.3 Rock Breaking Emissions. Appendix 6.1 0.4 Western Boundary Noise Screening. Appendix 6.10.5 Glossary.
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6.10.1 Summary.
The industrial bias of the local area is reflected in the scarcity of noise sensitive locations (NSLs) around the Hammond Lane site. There are no NSLs located immediately adjacent to the facility. The nearest NSLs are a single detached dwelling situated 200 m west (currently unoccupied), and the NMCI to the north, opposite the site gate. The nearest dwellings at Ringaskiddy village lie 320 m west of the site.
0 The noise environment in the vicinity of the study site is dominated by two sources: industrial activities and road traffic. Existing operations at the Hammond Lane facility also give rise to emissions. Surveys indicate noise levels are currently in the order of 37-43 dB at the dwelling 200 m west. These emissions are generally slightly audible at N1 when present, with the local noise environment being dominated by passing road traffic. At the NMCI, site emissions give rise to levels of 48-54 dB. These levels are lower than the 55 dB limit included in waste facility permit WFP-CK-10- 0077-02 in force at the site. The chief contributor to these emissions is the existing fragmentation plant, and all other onsite sources are negligible in comparison.
0 Noise emissions arising throughout most of the construction phase will be satisfactory, with levels generally remaining below the identified target limit of 65 dB at the nearest receptors. Certain mitigation measures will be required with respect to rock breaking, the only noise source of potential significance. Construction works will not give rise to ground borne vibration of significance, although a period of initial monitoring is recommended with respect to the Martello tower 200 m southwest of the site. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 0 With respect to the three processes which it is proposed to introduce (vehicle de-pollution, non-ferrous metal processing, and ferrous metal shearing), no increase in overall average noise levels offsite is expected, due chiefly to masking provided by the existing fragmentation plant emissions. These emissions will remain unchanged. There will be no changes in offsite average levels at the NMCI. However, a requirement to attenuate impulsive noise emissions from the shears output chute by 15 dB has been identified.
0 Modifications to the western boundary will include a reduction in the height of the embankment by 2 m, resulting in a calculated loss of 4 dB in noise attenuation provided by the embankment with respect to the detached dwelling to the west. Despite a 4 dB increase in noise levels at the dwelling, levels will remain significantly lower than the 55 dB daytime noise limit included in the waste permit.
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6.10.2 Introduction.
6.1 0.2.1 Terms of Reference.
Dixon Brosnan noise consultants were instructed by Cuthbert Environmental, on behalf of Ray Keane & Associates and their client Hammond Lane Metal Company (referenced HL in this report), to undertake a noise and vibration impact assessment with respect to a proposed expansion of the existing HL metal processing facility at Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.
A review of HL history and their rationale for the proposed development is given elsewhere in this environmental impact statement. A glossary of noise and vibration terms is provided at the end of this chapter.
6.10.3 Existing Receiving Environment.
6.10.3.1 Location.
The existing HL metal processing facility is located 320 m east of the eastern end of Ringaskiddy village, Co. Cork. The site, measuring 1.86 ha in area, lies adjacent to national route N28 which runs on an east-west axis through Ringaskiddy. The N28 serves the large concentration of industry which has developed in the lower Cork Harbour area. The route terminates at the entrance to Haulbowline Island approximately 230 m beyond the HL gate. The site location is shown in Figure 6.10.1.
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.Ringaskiddy ? village Hamniond Ida site T -I
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6.10.3.2 The Site.
The HL facility lies on an approximately rectangular plot on the southern side of the N28, set back 80 m from the road and separated from same by a field. From the eastern end of this rectangle, a short corridor runs northwards to meet the N28. The site gate, carpark, weighbridge and offices are located on this corridor. All metal processing infrastructure is laid out in the main rectangular area. The existing HL operation is discussed in more detail in Section 6.10.4. The site is shown in Figure 6.10.2 below.
6.10.3.3 Condition on Boundaries.
The northern, eastern and western boundaries of the HL rectangle adjoin agricultural land, which is bisected by the short corridor discussed in the previous paragraph. This agricultural land is separated from agricultural land to the south of the facility by an overgrown incline which runs on an east-west axis parallel to the N28. The existing HL facility has cut into the incline such that the southern boundary of the facility now consists of a rocky escarpment. Spoil removed from the cut was used to create an embankment on top of the original incline at the western boundary of the site. The embankment is now overgrown and screens the site from the west. The northern boundary of the main rectangular area is separated from a field by a row of trees with several gaps. The site lies several metres above the field elevation.
6.10.3.4 Industrial Zoning.
While the HL facility is surrounded by agricultural land on all sides, the land is zoned industrial in Cork County Council's development plan of 2009. It is likely therefore that the facility will For inspection become purposes surrounded only. by industrial development at Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. some later stage. Indeed, the fields immediately adjoining the HL entrance corridor have been subject to some recent planning history. The conspicuous industrial nature of the local area is unlikely to significantly change in the future.
6.10.3.5 Industrial Development in Vicinity.
Land use in the vicinity of the HL facility reflects the industrial bias of the Ringaskiddy area. While land use immediately outside the facility boundary is currently agricultural, land use further afield is predominately industrial. The Port of Cork dock facility and an adjacent vehicle storage area dominate the northern side of Ringaskiddy village. An animal feeds distribution company occupies a site immediately north of the HL facility. The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) also lies to the north of the facility. Haulbowline Island lies to the northeast, and facilities here include a naval base and the former Irish Steel site. Several pharmachem and other commercial premises lie within 1000 m of the HL facility to the south and southeast.
6.10.3.6 Road Traffic affects local noise environment.
All industrial premises identified above are served directly or indirectly by the N28. The N28 also serves residential areas in and surrounding Ringaskiddy village.
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Road traffic therefore forms a significant feature in the local noise environment. As several of the local industries operate outside of daytime hours or utilise shift patterns, the N28 tends to be busy from early morning to late evening.
6.1 0.3.7 Local Noise Sensitive Locations.
The industrial bias of the local area is reflected in the scarcity of noise sensitive locations (NSLs) around the HL site. There are no NSLs located immediately adjacent to the facility. The nearest NSLs are as follows:
To the north, the nearest residential NSLs are located at Whitepoint, Cobh, over 1500 m from the HL site. The nearest NSLs to the east are situated several kilometres distant, across the harbour at Whitegate. The nearest NSL to the south consists of a detached dwelling 740 m from the site. To the west of the site lies Ringaskiddy village, which includes several small residential estates. The nearest dwellings here are situated 320 m from the HL facility. A single detached dwelling situated 200 m west-northwest of the HL facility constitutes the nearest NSL. The dwelling is currently unoccupied. The NMCl to the north of the HL site may be considered to be a noise sensitive location, being an educational facility.
6.10.3.8 Summary of Existing Environmental Conditions.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that the existing HL facility lies in an area with an abundance of industrialkommercial operations and with few NSLs within audible distance. None of the residential NSLs to the north, east or south lie within earshot of the site. All receptors towards the south are significantly screened by the escarpment which forms the For inspection southern purposes boundary only. of the site. To the west, a detached dwelling at 200Consent m of lies copyright between owner requiredthe site for andany other Ringaskiddy use. village. For the purpose of this assessment, this dwelling may be used to represent the village. The assessment of noise impacts at the dwelling, and the application of identified noise limits here, may be used to represent the village, thus resulting in the provision of a safety margin of 130 m to the village beyond. The dwelling therefore becomes the sole residential NSL for the purposes of this report, and is designated Nl in Figure 6.10.2 below.
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Figure 6.10.2: Study site & NSLs.
N.
6.10.3.9 The NMCl consideredFor inspection purposes as only. four relevant zones. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
As noted above, the NMCl to the north may be considered to be an NSL for the purposes of this assessment. Unlike a residential premises, however, it is arguable that the external grounds of the NMCl complex do not warrant strict noise protection. Whereas the occupants of a dwelling will require noise levels to be controlled so as to allow enjoyment of external areas in the curtilage of that dwelling, such protection may be less important at a non-residential NSL. In this respect, the NMCl may be divided into four zones:
The main NMCl building requires satisfactory noise levels to allow internal activities proceed without interference. In this regard, environmental noise impacts may be assessed outside the nearest vulnerable faqade. The nearest faqade of the NMCl consists of the southern gable of the western block (which runs on a north-south axis). There are no windows or openings on this faqade, and the faqade is not considered vulnerable, particularly given its recent construction and the likelihood that the cladding selected offers reasonable acoustic performance, bearing in mind the architect’s awareness that the building is situated in an industrial area and that future industrial development is likely. In contrast, much of the southern faqade of the eastern wing consists of glass. As glass walling may not offer satisfactory acoustic screening, depending on the glass used and the supporting method, this faqade is considered the most vulnerable, particularly as the glassed area includes the main pedestrian entrance. The second zone consists of the external NMCl grounds between the main building and the HL facility. Most of this zone is given over to car and coach
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parking. While students were observed relaxing on fine days at a grassed and paved area close to the building entrance (while HL operations were in progress), inspections indicate that this area is not used for educational purposes. The third zone consists of external grounds located to the rear of the NMCl complex. Unlike the second zone, the rear grounds may be used for educational instruction from time to time, particularly in relation to water craft management. In contrast to the second zone, however, this area benefits from acoustic screening provided by the NMCl building itself. In addition, the zone lies relatively distant from the HL facility. A pier included in this area lies almost 500 m from the facility. The proposed extension of the NMCl campus into land immediately to its east constitutes the fourth zone. A review of the proposed UCC Beaufort Building indicates that the separation distance between the campus buildings and the HL site will not be reduced, and no further account needs to be taken of same in this assessment.
6.10.3.10 Selection of Monitoring Location.
Of the four NMCl zones identified above, the nearest noise sensitive zone is the southern faqade of the eastern wing which includes the main entrance. This gable lies 270 m north-northeast of the main HL waste processing area, and 190 m north-northeast of the HL entrance. A monitoring position selected to represent the faqade for the purposes of this report is shown in Figure 6.10.2 above, and designated N2.
6.10.3.1 1 The General Noise Environment.
Existing noise levels measured at NI and N2 are discussed in Section 6.10.4 below. The noise environment in the vicinity of the study site is dominated by two sources: industrial activities and road traffic. Industrial noise emissions typically arise from mobile plant, fans and condensers at industrial installations. Emissions also arise from cranes and ships at the nearby docking terminal. Existing operations at the HL facility Forgive inspection rise to purposes emissions. only. Most industrial emissions are Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. generally audible only in close proximity to their source sites, and attenuate rapidly with distance.
6.10.3.12 Road Noise.
The N28 sees an almost continuous stream of traffic throughout the day. As noted in paragraph 6.10.3.6, shift working patterns at several local industrial premises result in road traffic from early morning until late evening. While much of the traffic turns off the N28 before reaching the HL facility, a significant proportion continues eastwards to access the NMCl and Haulbowline. The large heavy goods vehicle (HGV) fraction seen further west on the N28 tends to decrease before Ringaskiddy village. Unlike industrial noise, road traffic noise tends to remain audible for significant distances, particularly from straighter sections where traffic speeds are higher. Such sections include the stretch in the immediate vicinity of the HL facility.
6.10.3.13 The future noise environment without HL development.
A comprehensive noise impact assessment will include a brief discussion on future trends in the local noise environment in the absence of the proposed development.
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Should the proposed development not proceed, the following progression may be expected:
Operations will most likely continue at the existing HL facility. Noise levels emanating from the facility may change upwards or downwards slightly depending on tonnages processed and equipment replacement. Industrially zoned lands surrounding the HL facility will most likely see development at some point in the future. Given the strategic location of the study site close to a national route, industry and a shipping port, it is likely that any industrial operations locating here will be of significant scale. Two plots adjacent to the HL facility have previously been the subject of an intensive planning proposal. Any such industrial development in the future is expected to result in a gradual upward increase in local noise levels.
0 The expected increase in industrial activity arising from industrial zoning status will also result in increased traffic volumes, thereby giving rise to additional noise emissions. The development of the NMCI opposite the HL facility has generated a recent increase in traffic movement. The increase is expected to continue given the current proposal to extend the NMCI. Any long term proposals to return the former Irish Steel grounds at Haulbowline to industrial use or to the public domain will most likely see a further increase in traffic. In addition, any eastwards expansion of the Port of Cork's shipping terminal will give rise to an increase in traffic. Cork County Council has previously indicated a tentative proposal to reroute the N28 to the south of the existing route, including a bypass of Ringaskiddy village. The proposed bypass will run immediately outside the western boundary of the HL facility, rejoining the existing N28 at a roundabout near the northwest corner of the site. While reducing traffic noise through Ringaskiddy village, the proposal may be expected to increase traffic noise close to the HL site due to vehicle acceleration and deceleration at the proposed roundabout. The proposal will have obvious implications for the NSL designated N1 shown in Figure 6.10.2 above.
6.10.3.14 Summary of For futureinspection purposestrends. only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
In summary, local noise levels are expected to gradually increase in the long term in the absence of the proposed development. The increase may be significant at N1 due to the proposed rerouting of the N28.
6.10.4 Existing Hammond Lane Facility.
6.10.4.1 The Hammond Lane Site.
The existing HL metal processing facility occupies an approximately rectangular plot measuring 1.86 ha. A short corridor extending northwards from the rectangle to meet the N28, as shown in Figure 6.10.3 below, includes a weighbridge, carpark and offices. No noise emissions arise from this corridor other than from vehicle movements. All vehicles entering and leaving the site, including trucks, currently travel to/from the west through Ringaskiddy village.
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Figure 6.10.3: Existing HL site layout. No
Frag plant output Frag plant input Workshop
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Metal processing is carried out in the rectangular area which measures 180 m on an east-west axis. The operation consists solely of pulverisation using a stationary fragmentation plant which breaks scrap metal pieces down into smaller and more manageable fragments for further offsite processing. Site operations consist of the following:
Scrap metal, chiefly consisting of de-polluted and crushed cars, is imported by articulated truck, and tipped in the yard adjacent to the input stockpile shown in Figure 6.10.3 above. The unloading process is assisted by use of a wheeled mobile grab. Unloaded metal is manipulated onto the input stockpile using the grab. The grab periodically transfers metal from the input stockpile into the fragmentation plant hopper. The fragmentation plant shreds the metal, and forwards same to the output stockpile using a conveyor. Waste from the output stockpile is loaded using a wheeled front end loader into articulated truck trailers at intervals for export offsite.
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6.1 0.4.3 Noise sources on the site.
The above operation constitutes a relatively straightfonvard process, and no plant is required other than the fragmentation plant and the mobile grab. Two more grabs are maintained on the site to allow uninterrupted operation in the case of grab breakdown and to assist during busy periods. A small forklift truck is also used on occasion in the workshop, wherein plant is maintained and repaired. The chief noise sources onsite are as follows:
The fragmentation plant, which constitutes the main noise source. Emissions here arise from the spinning plant rotor which carries out the fragmentation, from the associated plant room, from the output conveyor, and from metal undergoing fragmentation. The plant is surrounded on three sides by cladding, extending to 12 m height, which acts to reduce noise, dust and visual impacts. The east side remains unscreened to allow loading of the hopper. Three mobile grabs, although only one or two are generally used. Manipulation of metal by the grabs, when managing stockpiles, loading the fragmentation plant hopper and unloading trucks. Front end loader used to load fragmented metal into trailers for export. Forklift truck used around workshop area. Trucks used to import and export metal. At present, approximately 3300 inward and 2600 outward truck movements arise per year, equivalent to 11 and 8-9 movements per day respectively. Outbound trucks deliver the processed metal to the Port of Cork shipping terminal for export. Cars and light commercial vehicles, of which there are approximately 4000 movements per year, averaging 13-14 movements per day.
6.1 0.4.4 Plant Operating Times.
Current shift times at the HL facility are 0800-1630 hours from Monday to Thursday, and 0800-1530 For hours inspection Friday. purposes only. Plant operations generally do not commence until 0845Consent hours, of copyright and usually owner required cease for any30 other minutes use. before site closure. Operations are halted during lunch, 1245-1330 hours. The facility currently remains closed at weekends.
6.10.4.5 Existing Noise Mitigation Measures.
Noise mitigation measures in place at the existing site consist of the following:
A vegetation belt approximately 10-15 m thick along the northern boundary of the main site rectangle. The belt consists of an inner row of conifers such as leyland cypress up to 10 m high, an outer row of shrubbery such as gorse and bramble, and an intervening row of deciduous trees including birch, sycamore and ash. While the vegetation belt is of some visual importance, it provides little or no acoustic value for several reasons: (a) the belt does not include any solid barrier at the base, and therefore any attenuation is provided only by scattering through the leaves, which is likely to be negligible, (b) acoustic masking generated by vegetation rustling applies only when near the listener, and is therefore of no benefit here, (c) in any case, these benefits are reduced in winter when the deciduous trees are bare, (d) there are significant gaps along the belt, and (e) the height of the fragmentation plant, which is the loudest source onsite, renders the vegetation belt useless in this regard. The only acoustic value provided by the vegetation belt is psychological, whereby a noise source may be deemed less intrusive when visually screened. The psychological screening value of the belt is
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of reduced importance here due to the absence of any residential NSLs to the north. The western boundary of the HL facility is marked by an overgrown embankment, created when the site was excavated into the existing incline. The embankment, 30-40 m wide at its base, extends to a height of 8-10 m above the HL yard at the southwest corner. Although the embankment gradually falls away northwards, it still remains a significant feature at the northwest corner of the site where it has become overgrown with willow. The embankment extends 12 m further north beyond the northern boundary of the site as seen in Figure 6.10.3 above. The embankment provides significant acoustic attenuation with respect to noise emissions propagated towards the nearest receptor (NI discussed previously, located 200 m west) and Ringaskiddy village beyond. Analysis of noise data recorded in the vicinity of the site suggests that the embankment provides a screening factor of about 5-7 dB at N1. The excavation of the HL yard area into the existing incline resulted in the exposure of an escarpment along the southern boundary of the site. The escarpment consists of rock cutting along much of the boundary's length. In some areas, the cutting is replaced by a steep embankment. The site boundary runs atop this escarpment as is evident in Figure 6.10.3, and generally lies at an elevation approximately 10 m higher than the yard below. The topography continues to rise steeply southwards for almost 100 m. The overall effect is the creation of a natural, and very effective, noise barrier. The most significant noise source onsite, the fragmentation plant, is surrounded by a screen on the north, west and south sides. The screen consists of single skin metal cladding on a steel frame, with a secondary insulation layer in places. Although initially appearing rather worn and aged, the screen remains generally sound, and provides some acoustic attenuation with respect to emissions propagated towards the north, west and south. The requirement to load the fragmentation plant from the east side precludes the possibility of extending the screen here. However, there are no NSLs to the east of the site, although an east side screen may partially benefit the NMCl to the north-northeast. The working hours currently in force at the HL facility may be considered part of the existing noise mitigation programme. The hours employed result in the absence of noise emissions before 0830 hours, and after 1630 hours (1530 hours on Friday). Emissions For inspectionfrom the purposes fragmentation only. plant generally cease by Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 1600 hours (1500 hours on Friday). In addition, there are no emissions on weekends or public holidays.
6.10.5 Existing Noise Levels.
6.1 0.5.1 Noise Surveys.
Several noise surveys have been undertaken in the vicinity of the HL facility to assess background noise levels in the absence of site activity, and to assess the noise output from existing site operations. Survey data have also been used to assess compliance with condition 6.12 of the waste facility permit currently in force at the site as discussed in Section 6 below.
6.1 0.5.2 Details of Noise Surveys.
During each survey, noise levels were recorded at locations N1 and N2 discussed in Section 6.10.3 and shown in Figure 6.10.2 above, these being the nearest vulnerable receptors to the HL facility. Survey details are outlined in Appendix 6.10.1, and recorded data are presented in Appendix 6.10.2. Data are summarised in Table 6.10.1 below.
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6.10.5.3 Noise Levels currently.
The data indicate that noise levels attributable to HL operations are currently in the order of 37-43 dB at NI (dwelling 200 m west-northwest of facility), with the variation due to wind direction and fragmentation plant loading. This range is lower than local LAeq15 levels, and only marginally higher than background noise levels (as defined in appendix 5). Site inspections indicate that emissions from the fragmentation plant are generally slightly audible at NI when present, with the local noise environment being dominated by passing road traffic.
Table 6.10.1: Noise data summary.
Location HL facility shut down HL facility operating During 0800-1630 Before 0800 / After 1630 NI (dwelling LAeq 15 min: 58-60 dB LAeq 15 51 -56 dB Site specific 15 mln: 37- west) LAFgO 15 mln: 36-38 LAFgO 15 30-34 dB 43 dB dB N2 (NMCI) LAeq75 mln: 43-57 dB LAeq15 mln: 46-51 dB Site specific LAeq15 mln: 48- LAF~O15 mln: 36-44 LAF~O15 mln: 28-45 dB 54 dB dB
6.1 0.5.4 Noise Levels at NMCI.
Due to the proximity of N2 (NMCI) to the HL facility, and the clear line of sight present, existing noise levels arising from the facility are louder than measured at NI. The range observed, 48-54 dB, is again dependent on wind direction and fragmentation plant loading. Noise levels at N2 in the absence of HL operations exhibit a wider range than at For N1. inspection The position purposes only. of N2, set 170 m back from the N28, Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. results in reduced traffic noise intrusion here, allowing 15 min levels to fall towards 43 dB, and LnFgo 15 min levels to fall to 36 dB between 0800 and 1630 hours. However, noise levels within the NMCI site increase from time to time due to local onsite activities as described in Appendix 6.10.2. These activities account for the wide range of noise levels observed at N2, with 15 and LAFgO 15 levels rising to 57 and 44 dB.
6.10.5.5 Significance of existing Fragmentation Plant.
During the noise surveys discussed above, inspections of the HL facility were undertaken to assess the various noise sources onsite. The inspections indicate that the fragmentation plant constitutes the only noise source of significance, and all other onsite sources are negligible in comparison. Site specific noise levels presented in Table 6.10.1 are entirely attributable to emissions from the fragmentation plant, and the levels recorded (37-43 dB at N1 and 48-54 dB at N2) were not influenced by any other HL noise sources.
6.1 0.5.6 Cyclic nature of Fragmentation emissions.
It is noted in Paragraphs 6.10.5.3 and 6.10.5.4 above that measured site specific noise levels exhibit a range due to the influence of wind direction and
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fragmentation plant loading. The latter was observed to be relatively significant. Noise emissions from the fragmentation plant increase and decrease cyclically according as the plant processes each hopper of waste metal. In this regard, the plant may be considered to follow a batching regime rather than a continuous process. Each cycle lasts approximately one minute, beginning when the hopper tips its contents onto the plant rotor, and ending when the last of the metal exits the rotor. Noise levels rise and fall through a range of approximately 10 dB during the cycle. Noise emissions are highest during the first 10 seconds of each cycle, as the new batch falls on the rotor. The emissions reduce gradually as the rotor clears the batch, and the plant returns to idle status.
6.10.5.7 Emissions are continuous, non-impulsive and broadband.
Site inspections indicate that noise emissions from the fragmentation plant are continuous and uninterrupted when the plant is operating, with the only feature being the cyclic pattern discussed above. The emissions do not include any impulsive components. Importantly, the emissions are not tonal, and are entirely broadband in character (see Appendix 6.10.5 glossary).
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7.0 IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
7.1 HUMAN BEINGS
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Section Contents:
7.0 Human Beings - Impacts of the Proposed Development.
7.1 .I Construction Programme.
7.1.2 Construction Impacts on Human Beings. 7.1.2.1 Population. 7.1.2.2 Employment. 7.1.2.3 Residential Amenity. 7.1.2.4 Health and Safety 7.1.2.5 Tourism & Recreational Amenity. 7.1.2.6 Land Use, Zoning and Property. 7.1.2.7 Visual Effects.
7.1.3 Operational Impacts on Human Beings. 7.1.3.1 Population. 7.1.3.2 Employment. 7.1.3.3 Residential Amenity. 7.1.3.4 Health and Safety 7.1.3.5 Tourism & Recreational Amenity. 7.1.3.6 Property. 7.1.3.7 Visual Effects. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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7.1 Human Beings.
7.1 .I Construction Programme.
A detailed construction programme is set out in Section 5.4 of this EIS.
In summary, a 46-week (10-11 month) construction period is proposed, with the main excavation works to occur over a 9-week period, during which time 11,000m3 of rock will be excavated from the southern and western boundaries (of which 3,000m3 is to be retained for re-use on site, with the remainder (8,000m3) to be disposed of off-site. During this period, 7,500m3 of the 14,299m3 soil to be excavated to facilitate the proposed development will be removed. This 9-week period will see up to 201 HGV movements and 40 LGV/car movements per week.
7.1.2 Construction Impacts on Human Beings.
7.1.2.1 Population.
There may be a slight increase in local population as a result of the construction of the proposed development, with some contract workers choosing to stay in the vicinity of the proposed development site during the construction phase, however, this will be on a temporary basis.
7.1.2.2 Employment.
The proposed development will result in the requirement for up to 35 additional construction workers across all skill levels over the 10-1 1 month construction period. This will also have a positive indirect impact on local services in the For inspection purposes only. Ringaskiddy area. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
7.1.2.3 Residential Amenity.
Section 7 of this EIS sets out in detail the predicted noise impacts arising from the proposed development, focused on two nearest noise receptors, the vacant residential property to the west of the site (Nl) and the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) (N2).
The Noise Assessment indicates that most construction noise will be entirely masked by the existing fragmentation plant emissions, as existing operations will proceed as normal during construction.
Assuming two 78dB tracked excavator machines are used during the main excavation and civil work, the sound pressure level will be 55 dB at 200m which is significantly lower than the 65dB limit. Simultaneous emissions will not increase total noise levels above 65 dB.
Rock breaking during the main excavation phase will give rise to a noise level of 57 dB at N1 and 65 dB at N2, with levels predicted to be less than 65 dB at N1 and N2 during the works to the yard.
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There will be an average of 17 HGVs and 22 cars/LGVs per day during the construction period, rising to a maximum of 56HGVs and 32 cars/LGVs per day during the excavation works.
The construction period is temporary. Construction will not commence before 08.00am and will stop at 4.30pm Monday to Friday. There is likely to be a requirement for construction work at weekends, but this will be limited to the 08.00am-1.00pm period, and rock breaking will not occur at weekends. In this regard, the impact of construction work at weekends is expected to be negligible. No construction work will occur on bank or public holidays.
The temporary increase in truck movements during the construction phase is determined to be negligible in noise terms. Strict delivery timetables will be established for the Construction phase to reduce any possible congestion / delays for the public accessing the nearby NMCl or the Haulbowline Naval Base.
No ground borne vibration will arise from the proposed development during the construction phase.
A wheel wash facility will be provided at the construction entrance to the proposed development. During periods of inclement weather, the use of a road sweeper to clean and wash the road may be required. All control measures will be implemented by the appointed contractor and monitored by the appropriate safety advisors for the project.
7.1.2.4 Health & Safety
During the construction phase, there may be health and safety impacts arising for human beings. In addition to noise, dust and traffic, there is the potential risk of fire.
During the proposed construction phase standard fire risks arise in the form of an item of on-site plant / equipment having a mechanical /electrical fault causing a fire or some temporary site accommodation having an electrical fault. These incidents during construction are a rare For occurrence. inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
As most of the construction activity involves excavations and concrete placement there is a negligible risk of a materials fire. The minor sources of fire risk arise during the finishing stages of the office building construction and during electrical commissioning of the new shears equipment. These risks will be reduced by safety inspections & implementation of safe operating procedures during construction.
All necessary Health & Safety Documentation will be prepared by the Design Team and any issues identified as having health and safety concerns will be addressed I eliminated as much as is reasonably practicable during the design phase. This will be completed in compliance with the Safety, Health & Welfare at work Act 2006 (& 201 0).
7.1.2.5 Tourism and Recreational Amenity.
There will be no direct impact on tourism, including Spike Island, as a result of the construction of the proposed development.
There will be no direct impact on recreational amenity as a result of the construction of the proposed development.
There may be an indirect impact on users of Cork Harbour in the vicinity of the site and walkers and runners along the public road during the construction period, as a
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7.1.2.6 Land Use, Zoning and Property.
The proposed development supports the existing built up zoning objective pertaining to the proposed development site, and the proposed development also supports the primary industrial function of Ringaskiddy.
Given the location of the proposed development relative to population centres, it is not anticipated that the construction phase will have any impact on property values.
7.1.2.7 Visual Effects.
The views that give rise to the ‘scenic’ designation are those to the north over Cork Harbour - the site lying to the south of the N28 and does not affect the value of the 554 scenic route during the construction phase of the proposed development.
A number of existing trees and part of the landscaped berms to the north and west of the site will have to be removed during the construction phase to facilitate the proposed development. This will have a negative impact on the immediate vicinity of the proposed development in particular the on existing house to the west of the site, and the National Maritime College to the north.
The rock breaking of the southern boundary will also incur negative visual impact from these locations.
In the absence of appropriate mitigation measures the proposed development would be expected to have a significant negative landscape/visual impact during construction and an on-going significant negative landscapehisual impact following completion of construction.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 7.1.3 Operational Impacts on Human Beings.
7.1.3.1 Population.
The Carrigaline Electoral Area Local Area Plan 201 1 states that in relation to future population growth, neither the Cork County Development Plan 2009 nor the CASP Update 2008 envisaged any significant population increase in Ringaskiddy. Accordingly, the Carrigaline Electoral Area Local Area Plan 201 1 will not provide for additional growth.
There will be no direct impact on population as a result of the proposed develop ment .
7.1.3.2 Employment.
The proposed development will result in the safeguarding of 8 existing jobs at the site, and the creation of a further 4 positions. As all 8 current employees are from the Cork area, it is likely that all 4 new posts will be sourced from the Cork area. The safeguarding of existing jobs and the creation of new positions will also have a positive indirect impact on the local services in the Ringaskiddy area.
No economic activity will be displaced as a result of the proposed development.
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7.1.3.3 Residential Amenity.
The Noise Assessment in Section 7 of the EIS notes that noise emissions from the proposed de- pollutant facility wi II be negligible.
Noise emissions from the proposed non-ferrous metal processing building will not be audible outside the building.
The main source of noise from the proposed Vezzani shears plant will be chopped metal falling from the guillotine into a metal chute. This will give rise to impulsive noise emissions at N1 and N2 that will warrant mitigation.
The proposed reduction to the western boundary buffer will have the effect of increasing noise levels at N1, but will still be lower than the 55 dB daytime limit. There will be no change at N2, as a result of the reduction in the northern boundary buffer, and noise emission levels will continue to be operate below the 55 dB daytime limit.
The proposed development will result in an increase in all traffic movements (trucks, cars and vans) from the current level of 41 vehicledday to 82 vehicles per day.
The proposed development will result in up to 6,000 light commercial deliveries to the non-ferrous metal processing facility, of average load of 0.5 Te, equivalent to 24 deliveries per day, travelling through the village of Ringaskiddy, which will require the removal of condition no. 26 of parent permission, 770/90, will need to be removed.
While this will result in a greater duration of truck noise emissions per hour, the overall noise level at any time will not increase significantly. The Traffic Assessment chapter notes that the annual average daily traffic level between the proposed development and Ringaskiddy village will increase from 6,420 to 7,523, which, in noise terms, will be imperceptible. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. No ground borne vibration will arise from the proposed development during the operational phase.
7.1.3.4 Health & Safety
In relation to the potential impacts on human beings arising from health and safety during operations of the proposed expanded facility, particularly in relation to fire and explosions.
As noted above, on occasion there have been a number of infrequent fire incidents on site when the existing Feed Stockpile for the fragmentation plant has partially ignited. These incidents will be curtailed further by the proposed redevelopment work and plant expansion for a number of reasons:
a The walls constructed around the current feed stockpile will allow stockpile capacity to be maintained on a smaller footprint, thereby creating a larger area for pre-inspection of feed material prior to insertion into the fragmentation plant or the feed stockpile. This will allow closer inspection and removal of observed flammable materials.
The new surface yard will have additional drainage to contain storm water that can be diverted to enhanced storm water attenuation tanks.
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These will facilitate storage of additional cooling water for the fragmentation plant and reduce the sources of fire ignition.
The new drainage will also contain firewater runoff in the event of a fire occurring and the feed output stockpile location is also designed to act as fire water storage tank.
The Proposed Ferrous Metals Shears facility does not generate heat during the shearing process so the expanded facility does not increase the fire risk from the expanded facility.
The Non Ferrous Metals Processing Facility does not pose any additional fire risk for the site.
The End-of-Life Vehicle de-pollution facility will be similar to most garage workshops and will be controlled as a ‘Hot Works’ restricted area. Normal decontamination removing fluids, batteries, tyres, etc do not pose a fire risk and storage facilities for decanted fluids will be in a separate enclosed compartmentalised storage bund. The quantities of stored oils, etc will be minimised by regular scheduled collections by a licensed waste disposal contractor.
As also noted above, on occasion there have been a number of minor explosion incidents on site. These incidents will be curtailed further by the proposed development for a number of reasons:
The proposed expanded facility will also have a larger inspection area to allow for a greater degree of inspection of the feed material.
8 The Vezzani shears will only be utilised to shear large components into transportable sizes for shipping, (i.e. for materials that are not shred- able.)
For inspection purposes only. As mentionedConsent of above,copyright owner the requiredEnd offor anyLife other De-pollution use. area will be designated a ‘Hot Works’ exclusion zone to ensure any work during de pollution process will not create an explosive environment.
All necessary Health & Safety Documentation will be kept and maintained by Hammond Lane Metal Company, and operations carried out in compliance with the Safety, Health &Welfare at work Act 2006 (& 2010).
7.1.3.5 Tourism and Recreational Amenity.
There will be no direct impact on tourism as a result of the operation of the proposed development.
There will be no direct impact on recreational amenity as a result of the operation of the proposed development.
7.1.3.6 Property.
Given that the proposed development represents the expansion of an existing facility, it is not anticipated that the operational phase will have any impact on property values.
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7.1.3.7 Visual Effects.
Taking into account the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures, including design modifications, retention of existing trees and soil berm together with additional tree planting and subsequent monitoring and management it is anticipated that visual impact of the proposed development will reduce to a moderate to slight negative visual impact in the short to medium term and a neutral visual impact in the medium to long term as the existing trees and woodland are responsibly managed and the additional planting becomes established and matures.
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7.0 IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
7.2 FLORA & FAUNA
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Section Contents:
7.2 Flora & Fauna - Impacts of the Proposed Development.
7.2.1 Impact Magnitude. 7.2.1.1 Impact Significance.
7.2.2 Do Nothing Impact.
7.2.3 Predicted Impacts of the Proposed Deve Io pme nt . 7.2.3.1 Construction Phase Impacts. 7.2.3.2 Impacts to Designated Conservation Areas. 7.2.3.3 Impacts to Terrestrial Habitats. 7.2.3.4 Impacts to Coastal & Marine Habitats. 7.2.3.5 Impacts to Fauna. 7.2.3.6 Operation Phase Impacts. 7.2.3.7 Impacts to Fauna.
List of Tables & Figures. Table 7.2.1 Impact Significance Criteria. Table 7.2.2 Potential Construction Phase Impacts to For inspection purposes only. TerrestrialConsent of copyrightHabitats owner occurring required for withinany other theuse. footprint of the Proposed Development.
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7.2.1 Impact Magnitude.
Impact magnitude refers to changes in the extent and integrity of an ecological receptor (Table 7.2.1). Integrity is defined as “the coherence of the site or population’s ecological structure and function across its whole area that enables it to sustain the complex of habitats and/or the levels of populations of the species for which it was classified”. For non-designated sites this can be amended to: “the coherence of ecological structure and function, that enables it (the site or population) to be maintained in its present condition’. For the purposes of this assessment the impact magnitude is influenced by the intensity, duration, frequency and reversibility of a potential impact and is categorised as follows:
High magnitude impact: that which results in harmful effects to the conservation status of a site, habitat or species and is likely to threaten the long-term integrity of the system. Moderate magnitude impact: that which results in harmful effects to the conservation status of a site, habitat or species, but does not have an adverse impact on the integrity of the system. e Low magnitude impact: that which has a noticeable effect but is either sufficiently small or of short duration to cause no harm to the conservation status of the site, habitat or species. e Imperceptible: that which has no perceptible impact. 0 Positive: that which has a net positive impact for the conservation status of a site, habitat or species.
7.2.1.1 Impact Significance.
The significance of impacts is determined by evaluating the nature conservation value of the site, habitat or species concerned together with the magnitude of the impacts affecting the system. The more ecologically valuable a receptor and the greater the magnitude of the For impact, inspection thepurposes higher only. the significance of that impact is Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. likely to be. Table 7.2.1 outlines the levels of impact significance to be used during the assessment of impacts. The probability of occurrence as outlined above will also be used when defining the significance of impacts.
Table 7.2.1 : Impact Significance Criteria
7.2.2 Do Nothing Impact.
In the absence of the proposed project the site and the available land holding will continue to be used as a ferrous metal fragmentation facility.
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7.2.3 Predicted Impacts of the Proposed DeveI o pment .
Potential impacts associated with the proposed development will arise during both the construction and operation phases. The expansion of industrial facilities within the proposed site to accommodate the shearing and non-ferrous metal storage areas will result in direct habitat loss within the site. A further temporary loss of habitat associated with areas for construction work will arise during the construction phase.
7.2.3.1 Construction Phase Impacts.
Activities associated with the construction phase of the proposed development will consist of:
The installation of a temporary construction access route and temporary construction compound; The grubbing up and removal of trees and vegetation from the northern, western and southern areas of the site. The removal of soil and excavation of bedrock from the western and southern areas of the site by conventional rock ripping. Rock chisels may be required for the final removal of any areas of tougher rock. The demolition of the existing site offices; The transfer of the facility goods access to a temporary access roadway along the eastern extremity of the site; The construction of a permanent access road within the site; The removal existing yard slabs and the installation of new yard slabs; The construction of retaining walls; The construction of the shears pit and its surrounding walls using precast concrete walls; For inspection purposes only. The installationConsent of the of copyrightnon-ferrous owner requiredmetal forbuilding; any other use. The installation of new drainage, water and utilities ducting; The concreting of much of the yard area
7.2.3.2 Impacts to Designated Conservation Areas.
The proposed development will not result in direct or indirect impacts to the conservation status or integrity of Natura 2000 sites or any other designated conservation areas occurring within the sphere of influence of the proposed site. An assessment of the likely implications of the proposed development to the Cork Harbour SPA and any other designated conservation area occurring within the sphere of influence of the proposed development is present in Appendix 8.2.1 Natura Impact Statement.
7.2.3.3 Impacts to Terrestrial Habitats.
The potential impacts to terrestrial habitat likely to arise during the construction phase of the proposed development are outlined in Table 7.2.2 below.
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Table 7.2.2: Potential Construction Phase Impacts to Terrestrial Habitats occurring within the footprint of the Proposed DeveI o p ment
Habitat Type Predicted Impact Amenity Grassland This habitat will be lost as a result of the proposed (GA2) development. The area of the site currently supporting amenity grassland will be developed to accommodate the non-ferrous metal building.
While the amenity grassland habitat will be lost from the proposed development site this will not represent alter the conservation status of the site and will thus result in a low magnitude impact. A low magnitude impact to a habitat of low ecological value will result in an impact of negligible significance.
Buildings and Artificial The reception buildings will be demolished and rebuilt Surfaces (BL3) as part of the proposed development. The permanent loss of the existing building, which is of low conservation value, will represent an imperceptible magnitude effect resulting in an impact of negligible significance.
Mixed Broadleaved The eastern section of the raised berm at the western Woodland (WDI) end of the site will be excavated to increase the available area of the site and accommodate the shears and the shearing output stockpile. While the majority of the mixed woodland will be retained, vegetation associated with the eastern limits of this habitat will be lost during the excavation of the berm. The loss of a portion For inspection of this purposes habitat only. which is considered to be of Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. moderate ecological value will represent a low to moderate magnitude effect. Such an effect will result in a permanent impact of minor negative significance.
Scrub (WS1) Scrub habitat occurring along the southern boundary of the site will be lost as a result of the extension of the site in a southerly direction along this boundary.
Only a linear section of this habitat will be lost to the footprint of the excavated area. The majority of the scrub habitat occurring within and immediately adjacent to the site will not be affected by the proposed development.
The loss of a small area of scrub habitat will represent a low magnitude impact. A low magnitude impact to this habitat of moderate ecological value will result in an impact of minor significance.
Hedgerows & Treelines The Leyland cypress hedgerow occurring along the (WL1 & WL2) northern boundary of the site will be the only hedgerowltreeline affected by the proposed development.
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The width of the existing treeline along this boundary will be reduced from 15m to 6m. The reduction in the extent of this treeline will represent a low magnitude impact. A low magnitude impact to this treeline, which is of low ecological value will results in an impact of negligible significance.
Arable Crops (BCI) Arable land to the north of the proposed site will be temporarily impacted during the construction phase of the proposed development. It is proposed to install a temporary construction access route and construction compound within this habitat.
The temporary loss of a small area of this habitat to the footprint of the construction access route and construction compound will represent a low magnitude effect. A low magnitude impact to this habitat of low ecological value will result in an impact of negligible significance.
It is also noted that the hawthorn treeline bounding the western side of the current access track will be retained during the installation of the temporary construction access track and compound.
Other terrestrial habitats occurring outside the development footprint as outlined in Section 6.2.4.4 previously will not be negatively affect during the construction phase of the proposed development.
7.2.3.4 Impacts to Coastal and Marine Habitats (including For inspection purposes only. SurfaceConsent Water of copyright Bodies). owner required for any other use.
The proposed development site is buffered from the nearest coastal habitats (i.e. shingle and gravel shore (LS1) and sedimentary sea cliffs (CS3) by 240m. This separation distance will ensure that the construction phase of the proposed development will not result in direct impacts to coastal habitats. Potential indirect impacts to coastal habitat that could arise during the construction phase of the proposed development include the emission of contaminated water and air from the development site. As outlined in Section 4.5.1, without the implementation of adequate mitigation, there is a potential for the construction stage to have a temporary, negative, minor impact on surface waters.
7.2.3.5 Impacts to Fauna.
7.2.3.5.1 Terrestrial Mammal.
There will be no loss of habitat for ground dwelling mammals during the construction phase of the development. As the field surveys recorded no evidence of mammals using the habitats which will be lost as a result of the proposed development there will be no loss of habitat for mammals.
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An established badger sett is located over 40m to the west of the sections of the raised berm which is to be excavated as part of the proposed development. While the excavation of the raised berm will not require blasting or piling activity a limited amount of bedrock excavation by conventional rock-ripping using hydraulic rock breakers will be undertaken. As noted in Section 7.10.3 Noise and Vibration the vibration caused by rock breakers contains relatively little energy in the lower frequencies which are generally considered to be most disturbing to humans and animals. Table 7.10.3 of Section 7.10.3 of the EIS outlines the typical level of vibration (in terms of peak particle velocity) resulting from rock breaking. As the badger sett is located 40m from the nearest area of rock breaking, the 50m value of 0.1 - 0.3mm/s is likely to most closely represent the vibration levels in the vicinity of the sett. This is considered to be a very low level of vibration and compares favourably to typical vibration levels generated by everyday activities such as walking on a wooden floor (which records a typical level of 1.O - 2.5mm/s) (EPA, 2006). Furthermore it is noted that as the badger sett and associated sett chambers are situated in soil, it is likely that the vibration levels experience at the sett chambers will be attenuated by the soil medium surrounding the sett. This attenuating effect will further reduce the predicted vibration levels at the sett when compared to the bedrock below. In light of these low levels it is likely the predicted magnitude of impact associated with vibration disturbance to badgers will be low. A low magnitude of impact to badgers, which are considered to be of high ecological value, will result in an impact of minor significance. It is also noted that any effects associated with the rock breaking will be temporary, lasting less than 8 weeks. Specific guidelines for minimising disturbance to badgers during construction activities have been outlined by the NRAs guideline document Guidance for the Treatment of Badgers prior to For the inspection Construction purposes only. of National Road Schemes. This Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. guideline recommends that: The use of heavy machinery should be avoided within 30m of badger setts (unless carried out under licence); Lighter machinery (generally wheeled vehicles) should not be used within 20m of a sett entrance; Light work such as digging by hand or scrub clearance should not take place within 10m of sett entrances; During the breeding season (December to June inclusive) none of the above works should be undertaken within 50m of active setts nor blasting or pile driving within 150m of active setts. The separation distance of 40m from the badger sett to the excavation areas satisfies the construction buffer distances outlined in the NRA’s guidelines for site works in the vicinity of badger setts.
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7.2.3.5.2 Other Ground-dwellingMammals In general disturbance associated with the construction period will be temporary and the levels of disturbance will be minimal due to the absence of active mammal restingfbreeding places within the proposed site and the nocturnal foraging behaviour of the majority of Irish mammals. The significance of disturbance impacts to mammals will be minor and of a temporary duration.
7.2.3.5.3 Bats.
The construction phase of the proposed development will result in the temporary loss of the northern treeline boundary. While common pipistrelle bats, which have previously been recorded in the vicinity of the site, are likely to use this field boundary as a commuting and /or foraging route, more important foraging habitat is located to the west and east of the proposed site. Also bats are likely to use alterative vegetated commuting routes such as the earth bank to the north and the scrub habitat to the south of the site during the temporary absence of the treeline along the northern field boundary. The loss of the northern treeline will have the potential to result in a temporary impact of low magnitude for bat species. A low magnitude impact to bat species, which are considered to be of high ecological value, will result in an impact of minor significance. As no high potential roost sites were identified within the immediate vicinity of the proposed site noise and vibration associated with the construction phase are unlikely to disturb roosting bat species.
7.2.3.5.4 Birds.
For inspection purposes only. The loss of small areasConsent of scrub of copyright and treelineowner required vegetation for any other will use. represent a negligible impact to the future breeding status of birds occurring in the vicinity of the site. Noise associated with the construction phase will result in a temporary disturbance to bird species. This disturbance will constitute, at most, a temporary, low magnitude effect on bird species representing an impact of negligible to minor significance. It is noted that high levels of noise disturbance are currently associated with the site and the construction phase of the proposed development will not represent a significant change in baseline noise levels for bird species.
7.2.3.5.5 Other Fauna.
The site does not contain habitats with the potential to support amphibians, reptiles or significant populations of invertebrates. Therefore it is predicted that the construction of the proposed development will not result in significant impacts to this fauna.
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7.2.3.6 Operation Phase Impacts.
7.2.3.6.1 Activities during Operation Phase.
Activities during the operation phase of the proposed development will consist of:
Ongoing metal fragmentation, the delivery of metal feed stock and the dispatching of processed material: The introduction of a metal shearing facility, the delivery and shearing of shearing feed stock and the dispatching of processed material; The introduction of a non-ferrous metal processing facility, the delivering and processing of non-ferrous metals and the dispatching of processed material: and The introduction of an End of Life Vehicle de-population facility, the de- pollution of ELVs which will undergo metal fragmentation on site.
7.2.3.6.2 Impacts to Designated Conservation Areas.
Operational activities associated with the proposed development will not result in likely significant effects to Natura 2000 Sites or any other designated conservation areas occurring within the sphere of influence of the proposed site.
Appendix 8.2.1 Natura Impact Statement provides a detailed assessment of the implications of the proposed development to Natura 2000 Sites, NHAs and pNHAs.
7.2.3.6.3 Terrestrial Habitats.
The operation phase of the proposed development will not cause additional direct or indirect impacts to the habitats occurring within or adjacent to the proposed site. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
7.2.3.6.4 Coastal & Marine Habitats.
The operation phase of the proposed development will not cause additional direct impacts to the habitats occurring within the proposed site. Indirect impacts that could have the potential to negatively affect coastal and marine habitats, including Cork Harbour are associated with surface water runoff and wastewater emissions from the site. As outlined in Section 7.4.3 of this EIS activities with the potential to impact on Cork Harbour during the operational stage include: Run-off from open yard areas that may be contaminated with silt and small Amounts of oil from leaks from road vehicles and mobile site plant, Spills and leaks of materials, for example diesel and oils and fluids removed From the ELVs, that have the potential to cause pollution, and leaks from Waste oil storage tanks. Leaks from waste oil storage tanks. Firewater run-off.
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The ending of the use of the on-site septic tank will have a positive long term impact as it will eliminate the risk to surface water and groundwater quality from this source. There is the potential for waste activities in the Operational Stage to have negative, moderate, long term, impacts and these will require the implementation of effective mitigation measures. The results of modeling (see Section 7.5.1.2 of this EIS) for air pollution associated with the proposed development has not identified a significant difference between the do nothing scenario and the operation of the proposed development.
7.2.3.7 Impacts to Fauna.
7.2.3.7.1 Terrestrial Mammals.
While average noise emissions associated with the operation phase will rise to the west of the site, due to a slight lowering of the raised berm, the predicted levels will remain within acceptable levels and are unlikely to result in significant disturbance to badgers. Impulsive noise emissions arising from shearing operations will be restricted to the daytime. Impacts of daytime impulsive noise on badgers using the sett to the west of the site will not result in significant impacts as the interior of the sett which will be buffered from the noise impacts. The operation phase of the proposed development will not cause significant impacts to other ground dwelling mammals.
7.2.3.7.2 Bats.
The augmentation of existing woodland to the west of the site will represent a positive impact for foraging common For inspection pipistrelles purposes only. in the vicinity of the proposed site. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. A reinstatement of a treeline along the northern boundary of the site ensuring no net loss of potential commuting routes surrounding the site.
7.2.3.7.3 Birds.
Due to existing high levels of industrial noise the operational noise generated by the proposed development is not predicted to have a significant adverse impacts to bird species within and adjacent to the proposed site. The reinstatement of a treeline along the northern site boundary and the augmentation of the existing woodland along the western boundary of the site will ensure no net loss of habitat with the potential to support breeding birds.
7.2.3.7.4 Other Fauna.
The operation phase of the proposed development will not cause additional impacts to other fauna such as amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates.
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7.0 IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
7.3 SOILS & GEOLOGY
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Section Contents:
7.3 Soils & Geology
7.3 Soils & Geology. 7.3.1 Construction Stage. 7.3.2 Operational Stage.
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7.3 SOILS AND GEOLOGY.
It is proposed to expand the footprint of the existing operational area to the south, west and east. This will involve the excavation of subsoils and rock during the construction stage and the installation of metal shears, the construction of an End of Life Vehicle (EOL) facility, a non-ferrous metal sorting and reception building, new offices and new drainage layout and new and upgraded paved operational areas. The shears will be located in the south western corner of the expanded yard. The output from the shears will be discharged to a sunken storage area at 3m. below the level of the yard generally immediately north of the shears operational area. .
The impacts on soil and geology during the construction and operational stages are described in this Chapter in terms of their type, significance and duration based on the guidance in the EPA EIS Guidelines 2002.
7.3.1 Construction Stage.
The expansion to the south, from the location of the fragmentation plant westwards, will involve cutting into the existing rock face to gain an additional yard space of 840m2. The excavation will generate approximately 7560 m3 of rock.
To the west, the existing berm will be excavated into which will leave a residual berm of 15m wide and will increase the footprint area by 925m’. The excavation will generate an estimated volume of 9000m3 of materials of which 4550m3 will be rock.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. To the north, the yard will be extended in the northwestern area by approximately 9m to gain an additional area of 1685m‘. It is estimated that 3000m3 of existing fill material and soil will be excavated and the area brought to formation level using 5000m3 of the rock excavated in the southern and western areas the of site.
Soils
It is estimated that 7450m3 of soil/subsoiI will be excavated during the construction stage. The soils will include materials removed from the existing berm and in-situ natural soils overlying the bedrock. The soils used to construct the berm were won on site during the initial site development. There is no evidence that either the soils in the berms or the natural ground are contaminated.
The soils will be removed from the site. The soils are considered to be suitable for recovery. The soils removal and recovery will be undertaken in accordance with the Waste Management (Facility Permit & Registration) Regulations, S.I. No. 821 of 2007.
The soils will be excavated using mechanical excavators fitted with rock breakers and supporting haulage vehicles.
The economic importance of the soil underlying the site is “Low” and its removal, while permanent, will have an imperceptible impact.
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Geology
Approximately 12,l 10m3 of rock will be excavated. Once the soils have been stripped away, and where necessary battered back, the rock will be excavated using rock breaker equipment. It is estimated that 5,000m3 of the excavated rock will be used to form the sub base for the expanded working area. The remaining 7,110m3 will be removed from site for appropriate re-use.
The economic importance of the bedrock underlying the site is “Low” and its removal of the rock, while permanent, will have an imperceptible impact.
7.3.2 Operational Stage.
The removal of the soils and the bedrock will have an imperceptible impact on the environment during the operational phase of the project.
There is the potential for leaks from the drainage system to escape to ground via damage to the attenuation tanks and drainage pipework.
As part of the redeveloped site it is proposed to install a comprehensive new surface water drainage system. This will involve the renewal of the existing yard slab from the fragmentation plant westwards, together with the renewal of the roadway from the site entrance to the main yard.
The surface water run-off from the yard will be directed via silt traps and full flow oil interceptors through a series of three attenuation tanks. The first and largest tank is located in northern central section of the process area. Water from the Shears sump area other western parts of the siteFor inspection will be purposes collected only. in this attenuation tank. The sump area will be at a lower levelConsent and of the copyright water owner from required here for anywill other be use.pumped to the tank. Run- off from the eastern portion of the process area will be collected in the second attenuation tank located in the northeastern section of the process area. Surface water run-off from the non-ferrous metal building, offices and site access road will be collected in the third attenuation tank located to the east of the site entrance after it has passed through a silt trap and full retention oil interceptor. Surface water run-off will also be diverted as required to a 15m3 water storage tank located adjacent to the non- ferrous metal building for process use. The general yard gully traps (drainage channels) will be steel boxes measuring 1.Om. deep x 600mm. wide with perforated steel covers. A drainage channel has been positioned along the northeast section of the process area where run-off from the process area and where in the event of a spill of potentially polluting liquids or fire water run-off can be diverted back to the Shears sump area pending appropriate removal.
The mitigation measure will have a positive long term impact on the soils and geology by enhancing the level of protection as a result of the improvements to the paving and drainage system.
The proposed development envisages replacing the existing septic tank system by pumping to the Local Authority foul sewer which has a head manhole in the N28 roadway just west of the site. The ending of the use of the on-site septic tank will have a positive long term impact as it will eliminate the risk to soils from this source.
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7.0 IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
7.4 WATER & HYDROGEOLOGY
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Section Contents:
7.4 Water, Hydrology & Hydrogeology
7.4 Water, Hydrology & Hydrogeology. 7.4.1 Introduction. 7.4.2 Construction Stage. 7.4.3 Flood Risk 7.4.4 Operational Stage.
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7.4 Water and Hydrogeology.
7.4.1 Introduction.
It is proposed to expand the footprint of the existing operational area to the south, west and north. This will involve the excavation of soils and rock and the construction of new paving of the yard from the fragmentation plant westwards, together with the re-paving of the roadway from the site entrance to the main yard, the installation of metal shears, the construction of an End of Life Vehicle (EOL) facility, a non-ferrous metal sorting and reception building, new offices and new drainage layout and new and upgraded paved operational areas.
The shears will be located in the south western corner of the expanded yard. The output from the shears will be discharged to a sunken storage area at 3m. below the level of the yard generally immediately north of the shears operational area. .
The surface water drainage system will be upgraded as described in Section 4.4.2 above to include additional silt traps, attenuation tanks and a full retention oil interceptor. The discharge rate from the attenuation tanks will be to the Cork County Council Storm Sewer in accordance with the requirements of the facility trade effluent discharge license (WP (S) 39/08),
The existing septic tank will be decommissioned and sanitary wastewater will be discharged to the Local Authority foul sewer. On-site pre-treatment in an aeration treatment tank of the wastewater may be required in the period until the proposed new municipal wastewater treatment plant at Shanbally is constructed if so directed by the Local Authority.
The impacts on water and hydrogeology during the construction and operational stages are described in this Chapter in terms of their type, significance and duration. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
7.4.2 Construction Stage
Activities with the potential to impact on surface water and groundwater quality during the construction stage include:
Run-off from excavation and construction areas, including vehicle washes, that may be contaminated with either silt or oil from leaks from road vehicles and mobile site plant and elevated pH from mass concrete construction;
Spills and leaks of fuels and oils stored and used on site by the construction plant and equipment.
There is the potential for the Construction Stage to have negative, slight, short term, impacts and these will require the implementation of effective mitigation measures.
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7.4.3 Flood Risk
The Construction Compound will be located in the field to the north of the site. Because the northern portion of the field is liable to flood during periods of prolonged rainfall, primarily in the winter period, there is the potential for such flooding to impact on the construction compound. Design measures are required to mitigate such impacts.
7.4.4 Operational Stage.
The development will extend the impervious area of the site by approximately 30% from 11,192m2 -to 14,554m’This will increase the volume of rainwater water run-off to the Local Authority sewer and reduce potential groundwater recharge. Based on the annual average rainfall and evapotranspiration rates, the potential reduction in recharge will be 1,731 m3/year, which is derived from
Increase in Impervious area of Extension: 3,362m2
Annual Rainfall: 1060mm
Annual Evapotranspiration: 545mm
Potential Recharge 515mm (Annual Rainfall - Evapotranspiration)
Given the size of the Ringaskiddy Groundwater Body (17.616km2), the reduction in potential groundwater recharge (1,731 m3/year from a possible 9,072,240 m3/year) will have an imperceptible impact on the bedrock aquifer.
The additional run-off will increase the volume of rainwater discharged to the new storm drainage system. This runoff will include both existing and newly developed areas of the site. It is estimated that the runoff from the impermeable areas in a 1 in 30 year storm will require 705m3 of attenuation. Storage based For inspectionon a discharge purposes only. rate of 5 I/sec to the public surface water sewer. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
The attenuation tanks no’s 1, 2 & 3 which it is proposed to providekater for this volume of storage. In the event that a more intense storm than the 30 year design storm occurs, the drainage system will have the capability to discharge to storage in the pit provided for output from the shears process.
Activities with the potential to impact on surface water and groundwater quality during the operational stage include:
Run-off from open yard areas that may be contaminated with silt and small amounts of oil from leaks from road vehicles and mobile site plant, Spills and leaks of materials, for example diesel and oils and fluids removed from the ELVs, that have the potential to cause pollution, and leaks from waste oil storage tanks. Leaks from waste oil storage tanks. Firewater run-off.
The ending of the use of the on-site septic tank will have a positive long term impact as it will eliminate the risk to surface water and groundwater quality from this source.
There is the potential for waste activities in the Operational Stage to have negative, moderate, long term, impacts and these will require the implementation of effective mitigation measures.
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7.0 IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
7.5 AIR & CLIMATE
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Sect ion Contents:
7.5 Air & Climate Impacts of the Proposed Development.
7.5 Air & Climate. 7.5.1 Impacts on Air. 7.5.2 Climate.
List of Tables & Figures. Table 7.5.1 Impacts from Construction Sites (Source: National Roads Authority, 2006). Table 7.5.2 Predicted Contribution of Air Pollutants; Worst Case Construction Traffic. Table 7.5.3 Predicted Contribution of Air Pollutants as a result of existing baseline traffic in 201 1 - baseline existing. Table 7.5.4 Predicted Contribution of Air Pollutants as a result of existing baseline traffic in 2024 without expansion/intensification at the facility - do nothing scenario. Table 7.5.5 Predicted Contribution of Air Pollutants as a result of existing baseline traffic in 2024 with For inspection purposes only. expansion/intensificationConsent of copyright owner required at the for anyfacility. other use.
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7.5 Air and Climate.
7.5.1 Impacts on Air.
7.5.1 .I Construction Stage.
The aspects considered include:
Construction dust and its potential to impact on sensitive receptors and to cause an environmental nuisance, 0 Construction traffic related emissions and their potential for impacts on sensitive receptors.
Dust
Construction activities such as excavation, earth moving and backfilling can generate dust, particularly in dry weather conditions. The extent of dust generation depends on the nature of the dust (soils, peat, sands, gravels, silts etc.) and the location of the construction activity. In addition, the potential for dust dispersion depends on the local meteorological factors such as rainfall, wind speed and wind direction. Vehicles transporting material to and from the site also have the potential to cause dust generation along the selected haul routes.
Table 7.5.1 presents a list of distances within which dust could be expected to result in a nuisance from construction For sites inspection associated purposes only. with soiling (dust nuisance), PMI0 deposition and vegetationConsent effects. of copyright owner required for any other use.
Table 7.5.1. Impacts from Construction Sites (Source: National Roads Authority, 2006)’
Source Potential distance for significant effects (distance from source) Vegetation Scale Description Soiling PMlO effects Large construction sites with high Major 1OOm 25m 25m use of haul roads Moderate sized construction sites Moderate 50m 15m 15m with moderate use of haul roads Minor construction sites with Minor 25m 1Om 1Om minor use of haul roads
Using this screening assessment tool, at a minor to moderate construction site there is a risk that dust may cause an impact at sensitive receptors within 50m of the dust source All sensitive receptors are located more than 50m away from the areas of the site where construction works will be carried out and therefore impacts on these receptors will be imperceptible.
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Construction Traffic
Construction traffic can impact on local air quality due to exhaust emissions. In particular, the proposed routes used for deliveries and any sensitive receptors along those routes may experience the impacts to local air quality.
The information on projected traffic movements discussed in The Traffic Impact Section of this EIS was used to identify whether any significant impact on sensitive receptors will occur. An emission screening model using a worst-case scenario to estimate exhaust emissions was employed. Details of the model applied are presented in Section 5.1.3 of the OM1 report in Appendix 6.5.2 and the results are presented in Table 7.5.2. The impacts will be short term and not significant.
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7.5.1.2 Operational Stage.
Air quality impacts during the operational stage are associated with traffic and/or waste processing activities.
Traffic
Traffic lined impacts will be associated with increased traffic from additional deliveries and collections and greater numbers of employees working at the facility.
An emission screening model using a worst-case scenario to estimate exhaust emissions was employed. Details of the model and the methodology applied are presented in Section 5.2.1 of the OM1 report in Appendix 6.5.2.
The emission factors used for each pollutant were intentionally biased to overestimate the actual emission rate. Also, wind speeds are assumed to be 2 m/s (approximately 3.9 knots compared to a mean wind speed of between 4 to 5 m/s from nearest the Meteorological Station at Cork Airport). In addition to this, the background concentrations incorporated into the model are worst-case scenario concentrations.
The traffic data was derived from the Traffic Impact Assessment Section of this EIS. As the average speed of vehicles has a significant effect on the generation of pollutants, the modelling took into consideration a worst case traffic speed scenario of is 20 km/hr, to represent gridlock conditions. In addition, it was assumed within the model that the receptor was located within 5 m of the road centreline again to represent worst case conditions. The results of the modeling exercise are presented in Table 7.5.3. 7.5.4 and 7.5.5.
Table 7.5.3 presents the pollutants generated by the existing baseline traffic while Tables 7.5.4 and 7.5.5 present the data from the do nothing / do something scenarios. There is no significant increase Forin inspectionthe air qualitypurposes only. impacts as a result of increased traffic numbers between 2011Consent and of2024 copyright in owner the required ‘do fornothing’ any other use.scenario. This is due to improvements that are likely to occur in fuel and engine technology in the coming years.
In terms of the ‘do nothing’ versus the proposed development scenario for 2024 (Tables 7.5.4 and 7.5.5) there is no significant difference in predicted pollutant concentration. When the predicted levels are added to baseline data (Section 6.5.2) the concentrations all remain well below the relevant air quality limits.
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Table 7.5.3 Predicted contribution of air pollutants as a result of existing baseline traffic in 2011 - baseline existing
Particulate Matter 10um Carbon Monoxide Link location Benzene Annual Oxides of Nitrogen Annual mean (pg/m3) mean (pg/m3) Annualmean(lJg/m3)
I N28 to Haulbowline I <0.10 I <0.10 I 13.68 I 3.98 I 0.00
Table 7.5.4 Predicted contribution of air pollutants as a result of existing baseline traffic in 2024 without expansion / intensification at the facility - do nothing scenario
Particulate Matter 10um Carbon Monoxide Link location Benzene Annual Annual mean (pg/m3) mean (pg/m3)
I I N28 to Haulbowline I <0.10 I <0.10 10.06
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Table 7.5.5 Predicted contribution of air pollutants as a result of existing baseline traffic in 2024 with expansion / intensification at the facility.
Particulate Matter lOum Carbon Monoxide Link location Benzene Annual Oxides of Nitrogen Annual mean (pg/m3) mean (pg/m3) Annualmean(pg/m3)
1 N28 to Haulbowline 1 <0.10 1 10.14 1 2.19 I 0.00 I
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7.5.2 Climate.
The proposed changes to operations will not result in any impacts on either the climate or microclimate at the site.
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