The Wrexham (Gas Fired Power Station) Order
6.2.12 Volume 2: Environmental Statement Chapter 12: Historic environment
Planning Act 2008 The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009
PINS Reference Number: EN010055 Document Reference Number: 6.2.12 Regulation Number: 5(2) (a) Lead Author: Atkins
Revision: Date: Description: 0 March 2016 Submission version
SEC6-ES Vol1_A4 chapterTabs.indd 13 15/03/2016 10:49
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Chapter 12 Historic Environment
INTRODUCTION
12.1 This chapter assesses the potential effects of the Scheme on the historic environment. It assesses the significance of these potential effects on those heritage assets within the study areas (Study Areas) defined in this Chapter. The objectives of this assessment are to:
identify, describe, characterise the baseline historic environment within the Study Areas;
assess the significance of the Study Areas' historic environment resource;
identify the potential impacts of the on the historic environment resource;
identify and assess the potential cumulative impacts of the Scheme with other developments, including the Electrical Connection;
identify any specific mitigation measures to reduce any likely significant adverse effects; and
identify any residual effects of the Scheme.
12.2 This chapter is supported by a baseline assessment contained as a separate report in Appendix 12.2 of this ES. A gazetteer of known assets and findspots is contained in Appendix 12.1 of this ES. This identifies the distance from the Order Land to the identified feature / findspot. The following figures are also included:
Figure 12.1 illustrates the location of designated heritage assets within the Order Land and associated Study Areas, as defined below.
Figure 12.2 shows the non-designated heritage assets and findspots within the Study Areas.
Key Policies and Guidance
12.3 The WEC is located in Wales. However, due to the proximity of the national border, some designated assets within the 5km Study Area for the setting of designated assets (see Study Area section below) are situated in England. Therefore, Welsh and English legislation, policy and guidance relevant to this assessment have been reviewed.
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12.4 The relevant planning policy context is set out in Chapter 2. The following discussion provides further details on the relevant legislative and policy framework in relation to the historic environment.
Infrastructure Planning (Decisions) Regulations 2010
12.5 Section 104(2)(c) of the PA 2008 provides that in deciding an application under the PA 2008, the SoS must have regard to any "any matters prescribed in relation to development of the description to which the application relates".
12.6 Regulation 3 of the Infrastructure Planning (Decisions) Regulations 2010 sets out such a prescribed matter. It provides that:
(1) When deciding an application which affects a listed building or its setting, the decision-maker must have regard to the desirability of preserving the listed building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.
(2) When deciding an application relating to a conservation area, the decision- maker must have regard to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area.
(3) When deciding an application for development consent which affects or is likely to affect a scheduled monument or its setting, the decision-maker must have regard to the desirability of preserving the scheduled monument or its setting.
12.7 In carrying out this assessment, WPL has had regard to these considerations.
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
12.8 Section 66(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 provides that:
In considering whether to grant planning permission for development which affects a listed building or its setting, the local planning authority or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.
12.9 Section 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservations Areas) Act 1990 applies in relation to a consideration of whether to grant ‘planning permission’. ‘Planning permission’ is defined under section 91(2) of that Act as having the same meaning as in the principal Act (which is defined as the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990)). ‘Planning permission’ is defined under the TCPA 1990 as a permission under
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Part III of that Act. Under Part III of that Act, planning permission is required for the carrying out of any development of land (section 57). Section 33(1)(a) of the PA 2008 provides that, to the extent that development consent is required for a development, planning permission is not required under the TCPA 1990. Therefore, section 66 does not apply to decisions under the PA 2008.
12.10 Although WPL considers that section 66 does not apply to decisions under the PA 2008, it has taken into account the principles from the Barnwell Manor105 Court of Appeal case in undertaking this assessment (see Barnwell Manor Wind Energy Ltd v E. Northants DC English Heritage, National Trust & SSCLG [2014] EWCA Civ 137). This is because, pursuant to section 104(2)(d) of the PA 2008, the Secretary of State must have regard to “any other matters which the Secretary of State thinks are both important and relevant”.
12.11 In the Barnwell Manor case, the Court of Appeal held that decision makers should give 'considerable importance and weight' to the desirability of preserving the setting of listed buildings when carrying out the required balancing exercise pursuant to section 66(1).
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
12.12 The principal legislation in Wales relating to archaeological heritage is the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) which provides statutory protection to Scheduled (Ancient) Monuments.
Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy: EN1 (July 2011)
12.13 Section 5.8 of NPS EN1 provides policy in relation to the historic environment. This section advises that the construction, operation and decommissioning of energy infrastructure has the potential to result in significant effects upon the historic environment. Its principles and approaches reflect those that have subsequently been set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England.
12.14 Further relevant parts of NPS EN-1 include:
paragraph 5.8.3, which sets out that some heritage assets have a level of significance that justifies official designation;
paragraph 5.8.4, which states that some heritage assets with archaeological interest are not currently designated as scheduled monuments, but are demonstrably of equivalent significance; and
105 Since considered in Mordue v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and others [2015] EWCA siv 1243
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paragraph 5.8.5 provides that the absence of designation does not indicate lower significance and that where an asset can be shown to be of demonstrably of equivalent significance to a designated asset then the same policy considerations should apply to that asset as if it were designated.
12.15 EN-1 indicates that the absence of designation for heritage assets does not indicate lower significance and that the applicant should ensure ‘…that the extent of the impact of the proposed development on the significance of any heritage assets affected can be adequately understood from the application and supporting documents’ (paragraph 5.8.10).
12.16 Paragraphs 5.8.11 to 5.8.18 of EN-1 provide guidance on how the decision maker should assess applications in relation to the historic environment. In terms of assessing harm, paragraph 5.8.14 states that:
“There should be a presumption in favour of the conservation of designated heritage assets and the more significant the designated heritage asset, the greater the presumption in favour of its conservation should be. Once lost heritage assets cannot be replaced and their loss has a cultural, environmental, economic and social impact. Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting. Loss affecting any designated heritage asset should require clear and convincing justification. Substantial harm to or loss of a grade II listed building park or garden should be exceptional. Substantial harm to or loss of designated assets of the highest significance, including Scheduled Monuments; registered battlefields; grade I and II* listed buildings; grade I and II* registered parks and gardens; and World Heritage Sites, should be wholly exceptional.”
12.17 Paragraph 5.8.15 goes on to state that:
“Any harmful impact on the significance of a designated heritage asset should be weighed against the public benefit of development, recognising that the greater the harm to the significance of the heritage asset the greater the justification will be needed for any loss. Where the application will lead to substantial harm to or total loss of significance of a designated heritage asset the IPC should refuse consent unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm to or loss of significance is necessary in order to deliver substantial public benefits that outweigh that loss or harm.”
12.18 These considerations are reflected in the assessment methodology set out below.
12.19 NPS EN-1 also recognises the contribution that the setting of an asset can make to the significance of that asset. In this context paragraph 5.8.18 provides advice in relation to proposals that may change the setting of a heritage asset:
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“When considering applications for development affecting the setting of a designated heritage asset, the IPC should treat favourably applications that preserve those elements of the setting that make a positive contribution to, or better reveal the significance of, the asset. When considering applications that do not do this, the IPC should weigh any negative effects against the wider benefits of the application. The greater the negative impact on the significance of the designated heritage asset, the greater the benefits that will be needed to justify approval”
Planning Policy Wales (Edition 8, January 2016)
12.20 Chapter 6 of Planning Policy Wales (PPW) provides Welsh Government policy in relation to the conservation of the historic environment. Objective 6.1.1 provides that the Welsh Government’s aims in this regard are to:
“preserve or enhance the historic environment, recognising its contribution to economic vitality and culture, civic pride and the quality of life, and its importance as a resource for future generations; and specifically to:
protect archaeological remains, which are a finite and non-renewable resource, part of the historical and cultural identity of Wales, and valuable both for their own sake and for their role in education, leisure and the economy, particularly tourism;
ensure that the character of historic buildings is safeguarded from alterations, extensions or demolition that would compromise a building’s special architectural and historic interest; and to
ensure that conservation areas are protected or enhanced, while at the same time remaining alive and prosperous, avoiding unnecessarily detailed controls over businesses and householders.”
12.21 Paragraph 6.5.1 sets out the following in relation to nationally important archaeological remains:
“The desirability of preserving an ancient monument and its setting is a material consideration in determining a planning application, whether that monument is scheduled or unscheduled. Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings are likely to be affected by proposed development, there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation in situ.”
12.22 In relation to other archaeological remains it states in paragraph 6.5.3 that “Where local planning authorities decide that physical preservation in situ of archaeological remains is not justified in the circumstances of the case, and that development
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resulting in the destruction of the archaeological remains should proceed, before granting planning permission the authority needs to be satisfied that the developer has made appropriate and satisfactory provision for the archaeological investigation and subsequent recording of the remains and the publication of the results. Archaeological investigations should be carried out before development commences, working to a project brief prepared by the planning authority.”
12.23 It also reinforces policy from Circular 61/96 (see below) in relation to the setting of listed buildings. In paragraph 6.5.9 it states “Where a development proposal affects a listed building or its setting, the primary material consideration is the statutory requirement to have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building, or its setting, or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses”.
12.24 Paragraph 6.5.12 notes that whilst it is an objective of the Welsh Government policy to secure the conservation and sustainable use of historic buildings, there will very occasionally be cases where demolition is unavoidable.
12.25 Technical Advice Note (TAN) 6 that supports PPW makes reference to the need to ‘protect and enhance the natural and historic environment’.
Welsh Office Circular 60/96: Planning and the Historic Environment: Archaeology, 1996
12.26 Circular 60/96 sets out advice on legislation and procedures relating to archaeological remains and supplements PPW and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. Paragraph 3 of the circular sets out the importance of archaeological remains to Wales stating that “Archaeological remains are a finite, and non-renewable resource, in many cases highly fragile and vulnerable to damage and destruction.... Their importance, as evidence of the past development of our civilisation and as part of our sense of national identity, is not necessarily related to their size or popularity. Some remains are small or barely visible while others form parts of large and complex historic landscapes...”
12.27 Paragraph 8, in relation to development plans, states that “Development plans should reconcile the need for development with the interests of conservation including archaeology. They should include policies for the protection, enhancement and preservation of sites of archaeological interest and their settings.”
12.28 Paragraph 10, in relation to planning applications, states that “The desirability of preserving an ancient monument and its setting is a material consideration in determining a planning application whether that monument is scheduled or unscheduled.”
12.29 Paragraphs 16, 17 and 18 provide guidance in relation to planning decisions. In this context, Paragraph 17 states that “Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, are affected by proposed development
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there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation in situ i.e., a presumption against proposals which would involve significant alteration or cause damage, or which would have a significant impact on the setting of visible remains.”
12.30 Paragraph 18 states that “There will be occasions, particularly where remains of lesser importance are involved, when planning authorities may decide that the significance of the archaeological remains is not sufficient when weighed against all other material considerations, including the need for development, to justify their physical preservation in situ, and that the proposed development should proceed.” Paragraph 18 goes on to state “Planning authorities will, in such cases, need to satisfy themselves that the developer has made appropriate and satisfactory arrangements for the excavation and recording, or other investigation, of the archaeological remains and the publication of the results.”
Welsh Office Circular 61/96: Planning and the Historic Environment: Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas, 1996
12.31 This circular sets out advice on legislation and procedures relating to historic buildings and conservation areas and conveys directions made by the Secretary of State. This guidance supplements PPW. The Circular, together with PPW, should be taken into account by Local Planning Authorities in the preparation of Development Plans and may be material to decisions on planning applications and should always be taken into account in the exercise of Listed Building and Conservation Area controls.
12.32 Paragraph 11 of the circular advises authorities of the requirements of Section 16 and 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to have special regard to desirability of preserving the setting of a listed building. It goes on to state that “setting is often a desirable part of a buildings character especially if a park, garden or grounds have been laid out to complement its design or function. Also the economic viability as well as the character of historic buildings may suffer and they can be robbed of much of their interest and of the contribution they make to townscape or the countryside if they become isolated from their surroundings, e.g. by new traffic routes, car parks or other development”. As set out in 12.8 above, WPL considers that section 66 does not apply to decisions under the PA 2008. It has, however, has taken into account the principles from the Barnwell Manor Court of Appeal case (Barnwell Manor Wind Energy Ltd v E. Northants DC English Heritage, National Trust & SSCLG [2014] EWCA Civ 137) in undertaking this assessment.
Cadw Historic Environment Strategy, 2013
12.33 This document primarily refers to the development of heritage assets themselves for tourism and other sustainable uses. It also refers to the need for locally important (but potentially unlisted) heritage assets to be protected.
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Historic Environment (Wales) Bill 2015
12.34 This bill is intended to ‘to give more effective protection to listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments; to improve the sustainable management of the historic environment; and to introduce greater transparency and accountability into decisions taken on the historic environment.’
Welsh Assembly Government (Cadw): Conservation Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales
12.35 The Conservation Principles set out by the Welsh Government provides a guide as to considering the historic environment in decision-making processes and seeks to reconcile the protection of the historic environment with the economic and social needs of the people who live in it. The six conservation principles are based on the ones developed by English Heritage (2008).
12.36 The six Conservation Principles are:
Historic assets will be managed to sustain their values;
Understanding the significance of historic assets is vital;
The historic environment is a shared resource;
Everyone will be able to participate in sustaining the historic environment;
Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent; and
Documenting and learning from decisions is essential.
12.37 The methodology described below is designed to follow these principles in the evaluation of heritage assets against the impacts of the WEC.
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (March 2012) (England)
12.38 The NPPF is relevant to the application of NPS EN-1 as it provides successor policy to the now defunct Planning Policy Statement 5 Planning for the Historic Environment, which previously supported NPS EN-1. It is also of note that some assets within the 5km Study Area lie within England.
12.39 Conserving heritage assets is a core planning principle of the NPPF with the emphasis on the requirement ‘to conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of this and future generations’ (para. 17). Applicants are required to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their
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setting. The level of detail provided should be proportionate to the asset’s importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential effect of the proposal on their significance (para. 128).
12.40 The NPPF goes on to state in paras 132-134 that:
‘132. When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be. Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting. As heritage assets are irreplaceable, any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification. Substantial harm to or loss of a grade II listed building, park or garden should be exceptional. Substantial harm to or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance, notably scheduled monuments, protected wreck sites, battlefields, grade I and II* listed buildings, grade I and II* registered parks and gardens, and World Heritage Sites, should be wholly exceptional.
133. Where a proposed development will lead to substantial harm to or total loss of significance of a designated heritage asset, local planning authorities should refuse consent, unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm or loss is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweigh that harm or loss.
134. Where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal’
12.41 The key policy tests therefore relate to whether a proposal would cause less than substantial harm or substantial harm and whether the affected asset is designated (and if so at what level) or non-designated. This is reflected in the assessment methodology set out below.
12.42 The NPPF defines significance as ‘The value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. That interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic. Significance derives not only from a heritage assets’ physical presence, but also from its setting’
12.43 The NPPF defines the setting of a heritage asset as: ‘The surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral.’ This definition of setting is relevant to NPS EN-1 and hence underpins the assessment presented in this chapter. It also reflects the definition contained in Cadw’s Conservation Principles (2011).
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National Planning Practice Guidance: Conserving and enhancing the historic environment (Accessed June 2015)
12.44 The guidance advises that protecting and enhancing the historic environment is an important component of the NPPF related to the need to achieve sustainable development. The guidance affirms that the conservation of heritage assets should take place in a manner appropriate to their significance. This guidance relates to England only.
12.45 Potential impacts on heritage assets are described as either direct physical change or by a change in their setting. The guidance advises that ‘A thorough assessment of the impact on setting needs to take into account and be proportionate to, the significance of the heritage asset under consideration and the degree to which proposed changes enhance or detract from that significance and the ability to appreciate it’.
12.46 The guidance presents additional information in relation to assessing whether a development would result in substantial harm and also the issues around setting. The guidance states:
"Whether a proposal causes substantial harm will be a judgment for the decision taker, having regard to the circumstances of the case and the policy in the National Planning Policy Framework. In general terms, substantial harm is a high test, so it may not arise in many cases...It is the degree of harm to the asset’s significance rather than the scale of the development that is to be assessed. The harm may arise from works to the asset or from development within its setting.
While the impact of total destruction is obvious, partial destruction is likely to have a considerable impact but, depending on the circumstances, it may still be less than substantial harm or conceivably not harmful at all...Similarly, works that are moderate or minor in scale are likely to cause less than substantial harm or no harm at all. However, even minor works have the potential to cause substantial harm"
12.47 It is clear therefore that only considerable change to an asset’s significance has the potential to result in substantial harm. This has been reflected in the assessment methodology below.
Wrexham Unitary Development Plan (UDP) 1996 – 2011 (February 2005)
12.48 Wrexham Unitary Development Plan (UDP) 1996 – 2011 contains policies with regard to the protection of cultural heritage (EC7-EC11) and remains in place while Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) is preparing the Local Development Plan (LDP2) which will replace the UDP when completed. WCBC published a consultation document for stakeholders in March 2015 in relation to the proposed vision, objectives and strategic
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growth and spatial options for the preparation of the LDP2. This document includes a list of suggested objectives, growth and spatial options for the new LDP. A topic paper on Heritage was published in draft form in 2016, and refers back to the policy notes and guidance listed above to support the proposed LDP2.
12.49 Policy EC9 of the UDP provides guidance in relation to listed buildings and their settings and, in accordance with statute, seeks to preserve listed buildings and their settings. Policy EC11 provides guidance on the treatment of scheduled monuments and their settings, indicating that development that harms the setting of a scheduled monument will not normally be permitted. It also provides guidance in relation to the treatment of non-scheduled archaeological remains.
The Setting of Heritage Assets: English Heritage Guidance (English Heritage, 2015
12.50 In the absence of any specific guidance on setting in Wales, Historic England’s ‘The Setting of Heritage Assets’ (Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning: 3), published in 2015, provides clear guidance on the issues surrounding the definition of setting. It is founded on the terminology and policy guidance contained in the former PPS5, which was taken forward into the NPPF and also informed NPS EN-1.
12.51 It outlines a staged approach to the assessment of an asset’s setting and change to that setting. The guidance also includes a non-exhaustive check-list of potential attributes that can be relevant to understanding the setting of an asset. The checklist has been used to inform the assessment of setting undertaken in this ES.
Realistic worst case scenario for assessment
12.52 To ensure that the potential worst case is taken into account when assessing impacts on the different aspects of the historic environment the following assumptions have been made:
All land within the Order Land, including the Power Station Complex Site and the Gas Connection Route, would be subject to a level of disturbance that would result in the maximum potential impact on buried heritage assets and archaeological remains.
The physical form of the Power Station Complex, including Stacks, would occupy its maximum form, height, footprint and extent as represented by the 2+1 arrangement with 2 stacks described in chapter 4 of this ES (The Proposed Development). This ensures that the potential maximum visual impact on the setting of heritage assets is assessed.
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ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
12.53 This assessment addresses all known and potential heritage receptors that could potentially be impacted by the Scheme. These are Scheduled Monuments, archaeological remains, listed buildings, conservation areas, Registered Historic Landscapes, registered parks and gardens, non-listed buildings of historic or architectural value, and the wider historic landscape. The assessment also considers the potential of the relevant Study Areas to contain unknown archaeological remains i.e. archaeological potential.
12.54 No World Heritage Sites or candidate World Heritage Sites would be affected by the Scheme as none of these receptors are located within the identified study areas.
Study area
Power Station Complex Site
12.55 For the assessment, different study areas for the various aspects of the cultural heritage resource were utilised as set out below (also see Figures 12.1 and 12.2) as specified and agreed at scoping:
a 1 km radius from the centre of the Power Station Complex Site was used to provide information that would inform an assessment of potential physical impacts on designated and non-designated known heritage assets and unknown buried remains; and
a 5 km radius from the centre of the Power Station Complex Site with regard to potential impacts on the setting of designated heritage assets.
Gas Connection Route
12.56 The study area for the Gas Connection Route was defined as being 500m on either side of the Gas Connection Route (see Figures 12.1 and 12.2). This was used with regard to potential physical impacts on designated and non-designated known heritage assets and unknown buried remains.
12.57 Distances from the Order Limits to the identified assets are included in Appendix 12.1.
Data sources
12.58 Data sources reviewed for the assessment have included (see also “Difficulties encountered compiling information” section below):
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Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust Historic Environment Record (CPAT HER);
National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) maintained by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW);
Cadw/ICOMOS; data on scheduled monuments, listed buildings, and Registered Historic Landscapes and registered Parks and Gardens of Historic Interest;
Historic Ordnance Survey maps;
National Heritage List for England maintained by English Heritage;
The Landscape and Visual Impact assessment undertaken as part of this ES, including photomontages and theoretical zones of visual influence; and
relevant secondary sources to inform the archaeological and historic background of the assessment; as per Appendix 12.2.
12.59 Gazetteers of known sites for each study area are set out in Appendix 12.1 and these are illustrated in Figures 12.1 and 12.2. All gazetteer entries have been accorded a unique gazetteer number which is used for reference throughout this section.
Significance criteria
12.60 The assessment methodology for assessing and scoring effects is based on the principle that the environmental effect of the Scheme, in relation to an individual heritage asset, should be determined by identifying the sensitivity or value of the heritage receptor, assessing the magnitude of the Scheme's effect on the receptor and then combining these two elements to identify the significance of effect. The following text and tables provides further detail on the process of scoring effects.
12.61 This approach also reflects the principles laid out in Section 5.8 of NPS EN-1 which identify that different scales of impact on assets of differing importance have a different weighting in policy terms. Furthermore, it reflects other common approaches such as the Highways Agency Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Volume 11, a recognised methodology in the heritage professions for assessing the significance of and impact to heritage assets
Importance criteria
12.62 The importance or value of each heritage feature was determined according to the criteria set out in Table 12.1 below.
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Table 12-1: Importance / value criteria for heritage assets Criteria for establishing importance / value of heritage features
Very high Structures inscribed as of Outstanding Universal Value as World Heritage 'Sites. Other buildings or assets of recognised international importance. High Scheduled Monuments Grade I and Grade II* Listed Buildings Grade I and Grade II* Registered Parks and Gardens Other Listed Buildings that can be shown to have exceptional qualities in their fabric or historical associations not adequately reflected in the Listing grade. Registered Historic Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest Conservation areas containing very important buildings. Undesignated structures of clear national importance. Undesignated assets of schedulable quality and importance. Assets that can contribute significantly to acknowledged national research objectives. Medium Grade II Listed Buildings Grade II Registered Parks and Gardens. Historic (unlisted) buildings that can be shown to have exceptional qualities in their fabric or historical associations. Registered Historic Landscapes of Special Historic Interest Conservation areas containing buildings that contribute significantly to its historic character. Historic Townscape or built-up areas with important historic integrity in their buildings, or built settings (e.g. including street furniture and other structures). Designated or undesignated assets that contribute to regional research objectives. Low ‘Locally Listed’ buildings. Historic (unlisted) buildings of modest quality in their fabric or historical association. Historic Townscape or built-up areas of limited historic integrity in their buildings, or built settings (e.g. including street furniture and other structures). Assets compromised by poor preservation and/or poor survival of contextual associations. Assets of limited value, but with potential to contribute to local research objectives Minimal Buildings of no architectural or historical note; buildings of an intrusive character. Features with very little or no surviving archaeological interest. Unknown Features with some hidden (i.e. inaccessible) potential for historic significance.
Magnitude of impact
12.63 The magnitude of impact is defined using terms developed by Atkins based on professional judgment and experience of other projects. These reflect guidance on ‘substantial harm’ and something that is less than substantial harm as set out in NPS EN-1 and established methodologies such as DMRB. The methodology was presented in
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the Scoping Report (May 2014), and no objections to these criteria was raised by consultees. The criteria for assessing the magnitude of an impact is set out in Table 12.2 below:
Table 12-2: Broad Criteria for Assessing the Magnitude of Change/Impact
Magnitude of Impact Description and Nature of Change/Impact Major Adverse Substantial harm to, or total loss of, an asset’s significance as a result of changes to its physical form or setting For example, this would include demolition, removal of physical attributes critical to an asset, loss of all archaeological interest or the transformation of an asset’s setting in a way that fundamentally compromises its ability to be understood or appreciated. The scale of change would be such that it could result in a designated asset being undesignated or having its level of designation lowered Moderate Adverse Less than substantial harm to an asset’s significance as a result of changes to its physical form or setting For example, this could include: physical alterations that remove or alter some elements of significance but do not substantially alter the overall significance of the asset; notable alterations to the setting of an asset that affect our appreciation of it and its significance; or the unrecorded loss of archaeological interest Minor Adverse Limited harm to an asset’s significance as a result of changes to its physical form or setting (Less than Substantial Harm) For example, this could include: physical changes that alter some elements of significance but do not noticeably alter the overall significance of the asset; and small-scale alterations to the setting of an asset that hardly affect its significance Negligible/Neutral No appreciable change to an asset’s significance Minor Beneficial Limited improvement of an asset’s significance as a result of changes to its physical form or setting For example, this could include: physical changes that reveal or conserve some elements of significance but do not noticeably alter the overall significance of the asset; or small-scale alterations to the setting of an asset that improve our ability to appreciate it Moderate Beneficial Notable enhancement of an asset’s significance as a result of changes to its physical form or setting For example, this could include: physical alterations that conserve or restore elements of significance; notable alterations to the setting of an asset that improve our appreciation of it and its significance; or changes in use that help safeguard an asset. Major Beneficial Substantial enhancement of an asset’s significance as a result of changes to its physical form or setting
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Magnitude of Impact Description and Nature of Change/Impact For example, this could include: major changes that conserve or restore elements of high significance; alterations to the setting of an asset that very substantially improve our appreciation of it and its significance; or changes in use that safeguard an asset, e.g. by taking it off the At Risk Register
Significance of effect
12.64 By combining the magnitude of the impact (or change) on the significance of an asset as a result of the Scheme and the importance of each heritage asset, an assessment will be made of the significance of the effect, taking into account the possibility and nature of available mitigation options. The resultant significance of the effects can be positive (beneficial) or negative (adverse) or neutral.
12.65 The significance of effect is expressed in the manner set out in the matrix below (Table 12.3). The use of the matrix is not intended to lead to a purely formulaic assessment; the assessment is essentially qualitative and professional judgment is used at all stages in the process. Effects are defined on a nine-point scale (very large beneficial, large beneficial, moderate beneficial, slight beneficial, neutral, slight adverse, moderate adverse, large adverse or very large adverse).
12.66 Generally, moderate to very large adverse or beneficial effects are considered to be ‘significant’ in EIA terms.
Table 12-3: Significance of Effect Matrix Very High Neutral Slight Moderate or Large or Very Very Large
Large Large
High Neutral Slight Moderate or Moderate or Large or Very Slight Large Large Medium Neutral Neutral or Slight Moderate Moderate or Slight Large Low Neutral Neutral Neutral or Slight Slight or
Slight Moderate Importance/value Minimal Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral or Slight Slight No impact Negligible Minor Moderate Major
Magnitude of Impact
Note: where an effect could be either / or (e.g. slight or moderate) professional judgement will be used and a justification for the decision will be provided.
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Embedded mitigation
Power Station Complex Site
12.67 Mitigation embedded in the Scheme design is specified in chapter 4 of this ES (The Proposed Development) and further detailed in chapter 10 of this ES (Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment). Key aspects of this in relation to the historic environment include:
siting of the Power Station Complex within the extent of an existing industrial estate (Wrexham Industrial Estate), limiting its likely impacts on the setting of designated heritage assets; and
implementation of an illustrative landscape and ecological mitigation masterplan (Document reference 2.9.1 to 2.9.7).
Gas Connection
12.68 Embedded mitigation included in the Scheme design is specified in chapter 4 of this ES. This included routing the corridor away from designated assets and known concentrations of archaeological remains.
Cumulative developments
12.69 Three key developments are considered alongside the WEC with regard to the cumulative impacts of the development of the WEC in relation to potential noise and vibration impacts. The developments considered include:
the Kingmoor Park North development of B1 (office), B2 (General industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution) uses, immediately north of the proposed Power Station Complex Site;
the North Wales Prison on the former Firestone site;
the Electricity Connection required to connect the Power Station Complex to the existing local electrical distribution network, owned by SPEN; and
12.70 Pickhill Bridge Farm Solar Array. A proposed 4 MW solar photovoltaic array on 7.6 ha that is currently agricultural land at Pickhill Bridge Farm, Holt Road, Cross Lanes, Wrexham. Full details of the scope of the cumulative assessment are contained in Chapter 5.
12.71 The North Wales prison is located within the Wrexham Industrial Estate (WIE) boundary, on the former Firestone site, and the storage and distribution warehouse is
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immediately north of the Power Station Complex Site. Both developments are, along with the Scheme, within an existing industrialised landscape.
12.72 The anticipated Electrical Connection will require upgrades and reinforcement works to the existing 132KV local electrical distribution network, owned by SPEN.
Consultation on methodology
12.73 Consultation was undertaken with English Heritage (whose statutory responsibilities have since been delegated to Historic England), the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), Cadw, WCBC, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Shropshire Council as part of the scoping stage of the Scheme that informed the Scoping Opinion (May 2014). Table 12-4 below sets out the relevant comments received from consultees, as identified in the Scoping Opinion and Appendix 12.3 presents subsequent consultation undertaken with Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT), archaeological advisors to WCBC.
Table 12-4: Items identified within the Scoping Opinion Scoping Opinion Requirement Comment The Clywd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) holds the HER data for 3.66: The methodology used for the assessments, and Wrexham county and this data was any assumptions underlying the evaluation should be consulted during the course of the clearly stated in the ES. The applicant’s attention is assessment, as was the CADW drawn to the comments from Cadw on the need to database, and Historic England consult the Historic Environment Record and Cadw as databases for designated heritage well as the English Heritage (EH) and MAGIC websites assets on the English side of the Study Area. In relation to providing information to inform an assessment of potential physical impacts on known and unknown 3.67: The Scoping Report identifies potential effects on archaeological remains, study previously unknown archaeological remains and on the areas of 1km radius from the setting of historic features. The SoS advises that the centre of the Power Station study areas selected for archaeological remains and Complex Site and 500m on either the setting of historic features should be broad enough side of the Gas Connection Route to pick up the likely effects. The applicant’s attention is were adopted. These were broad drawn to the comments from EH in Appendix 2 on the enough to provide sufficient study area context for the assessment. With regard to potential impacts on the setting of designated heritage assets a study area of 5km
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Scoping Opinion Requirement Comment radius from the centre of the Power Station Complex Site was adopted. This enabled identification of potentially significant effects. The assessment of impact on the 3.68: The relationship between the Landscape and setting of assets is presented in Visual Impact Assessment and the assessment of this chapter and has been effects on the setting of historic features should be undertaken with reference to the clearly explained in the ES. The applicant’s attention is LVIA assessment which assess drawn to the comments from EH, Cadw and WCBC in impacts on different forms of Appendix 2. receptors. Cross border impacts were not 3.69: The SoS welcomes the Applicant’s intention to identified and consequently no consult with Cadw and WCBC. They may also wish to further consultation with Historic consult with EH and the relevant English local England beyond the Scoping authorities to ensure that any potential cross-border Report and PEIR has been impacts are adequately covered in the ES undertaken 3.70: The Scoping Report states that the cumulative Details of the anticipated Electrical effects assessment will, where appropriate consider Connection requirements are the energy centre’s electrical connection. The SoS presented in chapter 4 of this ES. advises that the effect on the setting of historic A cumulative assessment has been features is one of the areas where the cumulative undertaken based on these effects of the project with the electrical connection requirements. should be considered. Other developments in the vicinity may also contribute to cumulative effects. The applicant should seek advice from WCBC on which developments should be taken into account. Cadw noted in the May 2014 opinion that development has reduced in scale since March 2013 and that their original issues are now much less of a concern. They note that no scheduled ancient DE291(Sutton Green Barrow) has monuments will be directly affected and the indirect been assessed impacts look much reduced and that potentially just the setting of scheduled monument DE291 would be affected. Data has been obtained from Cadw commented that the scoping document still Cadw, as well as the CPAT HER in includes reference to visiting the MAGIC, Cadw and EH addition to the National Heritage websites rather than consulting with the regional HER list for designated properties in and Cadw's records team. England. Cadw also noted that tables 16 and 17 of the scoping Data searches have been document contained incomplete data as well as completed with Cadw and CPAT,
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Scoping Opinion Requirement Comment appearing to only contain English designated and this ES addresses designated monuments assets within both Wales and England. English Heritage stated that the assessment appropriately takes account of any potential cross- border impacts, and in particular any potential Landscape and Visual assessments implications for the setting of heritage assets and the (chapter 10 of this ES) and Figure historic character of the landscape. To this end we 10.1 – Zone of Theoretical Visibility recommend that clear links are made between the were consulted when identifying topic sections on Landscape and Visual and Cultural potential impacts to the setting of Heritage impacts. For example, the identification of heritage assets. zones of visual influence can help inform the potential impact on the setting of designated heritage assets. WCBC noted that the key properties for consideration would be Pickhill Farmhouse, Talwrn House, Pickhill Bridge, Chapel House Farm Isycoed, St Pauls Church All properties identified by WCBC Isycoed, Pum Rhyd, Bedwell Lane and Bedwell Hall have been included in the which are identified on the list in comments sent in assessments. relation to the Scoping Opinion (Nov 2012). Parkey Farmhouse, Cross Lanes should also be included.
Difficulties encountered compiling information
12.74 Sources consulted for desk-based assessment are in the main derived from secondary information. The assumption is made that this data is reasonably accurate, although a number of records, especially older records such as antiquarian finds, excavations or observations often fail to accurately locate sites.
12.75 This is a standard issue for archaeological assessments and presented no significant difficulties for the assessment.
12.76 Site visits were undertaken to evaluate potential impacts on the setting and significance of designated heritage assets. These site visits were undertaken from publicly accessible land and rights of way adjacent and in the vicinity of designated assets. It was not judged necessary to gain access to the interiors of listed buildings or any private land in order to undertake these setting assessments.
BASELINE INFORMATION
12.77 All heritage assets and findspots (the latter are included to provide contextual information on the likelihood of the site containing archaeological remains) are
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referred to here by their respective gazetteer number contained in Appendix 12.1. A baseline historic environment report is contained in Appendix 12.2
12.78 Unless otherwise stated, references to distances below refer to the nearest point to the Order Limits from the identified asset’s periphery. Appendix 12.1 identifies the distance between all assets / findspots and the Order Limits.
Power Station Complex Site
Designated heritage assets
12.79 Twenty designated heritage assets of high importance have been identified within the 5km study area (all greater than 1km from the site). These include:
three Scheduled Monuments in Wales: The Sutton Green Barrow (DE291), 2km south of the Order Limits; the Esp Hill Fishponds (DE224), 3.3km north of the Order Limits; and the Holt Roman Settlement (DE013), 3.9km north of the Order Limits;
three Scheduled Monuments in England: the medieval settlement and field system at Castletown (1016588), 4.3km east of the Order Limits; Shocklach Castle motte and moated site (1012620), 3.7km east of the Order Limits; and a standing cross in St Edith’s churchyard (1018076), 3.6km east of the Order Limits;
four Grade I Listed buildings in Wales: Bangor Is-y-Coed Bridge (1645), 4.8km south of the Order Limits; Holt Bridge (1742), 4.1km north of the Order Limits; St Deiniol Church, Worthenbury (1705), 4.6km southeast of the Order Limits; and Holt Castle (1595), 3.5km north of the Order Limits;
two Grade I Listed Buildings in England: Farndon Bridge (1279428), same as Holt Bridge in Wales), 4.1km north of the Order Limits; and the church of St Edith (1228322), 3.6km east of the Order Limits;
five Grade II* Listed Buildings in Wales: St Dunward Church, Bangor Is-y-Coed (1644) 4.8km south of the Order Limits; Borras Hall (1563), 2.8km northwest of the Order Limits; Borras Head House (1565), 3.6km northwest of the Order Limits; St Marcella and St Deiniol Church, Marchwiel (1614), 4.1km southwest of the Order Limits; and Bryn-y-Grog Hall (1727), 4.6km southwest of the Order Limits; and
two Grade II* Listed Buildings in England: Holly Bank (1228744), 4.3km north of the Order Limits; and the church of St Chad (1279424), 4.2km north of the Order Limits.
12.80 There are three designated assets of medium importance located in Wales and within 1km of the Power Station Complex Site:
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Chapel House farmhouse (1597), c. 680m east of the Order Limits;
The Plough Inn, Isycoed (1598), 950m east of the Order Limits; and
St Paul’s Church, Isycoed (17815), c. 900m east of the Order Limits.
12.81 There are an additional 92 designated heritage assets of medium importance within the 5km study area. Distances from the Order Limits can be found in Appendix 12.1. These include:
68 Grade II listed buildings in Wales;
18 Grade II listed buildings in England;
four Conservation Areas in Wales;
one Conservation Area in England; and
one Registered landscape of special historic interest (the Maelor Saesneg Registered Historic Landscape).
Non-designated heritage assets
12.82 Data on non-designated heritage assets was acquired in respect of land within the 1km study area only. Therefore, all of the non-designated assets identified are within Wales. There are no assets of High or Medium importance and four non-designated assets of Low importance within the study area:
the settlement at Isycoed (15678), 467m east of the Order Limits;
St Paul Church yard, Isycoed (17201), 547m east of the Order Limits;
Marshley Farm (70343), 270m east of the Order Limits; and
Chapel House farmhouse Smithy (104296), 547m east of the Order Limits.
12.83 In addition to the Low value assets, 14 heritage assets of Minimal value were identified within the study area. These can be divided into two groups: ponds recorded by the Maelor Saesneg historic landscape characterisation project, which are most likely remains of historic marl pits, and WWII era pillboxes (or sites of pillboxes) associated with the industrial estate’s former use as the Royal Ordnance Factory. These assets include:
10 ponds (61507, 61509-61517) and
four pillboxes (110353, 110356, 110359, and 120547)
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12.84 As set out in Appendix 12.2, an area of ridge and furrow has been identified within the Power Station Complex Site.
Archaeological potential
12.85 The absence of known prehistoric, Roman and earlier archaeology in the 1 km study area could partly be attributable to a lack of previous investigations. The Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales106 for the north eastern region records a number of sites around Wrexham, including Bronze Age burial sites e.g. the scheduled Sutton Green Barrow (DE291, c. 1.9km to the southeast of the Order Limits), an extensive Roman barracks site at Holt c. 3 km north-east of the Power Station Complex Site. A Roman civilian settlement is also known from Plas Coch within Wrexham itself. It is considered that the area most likely constituted a rural hinterland throughout most periods, and while the potential for the presence of significant archaeological remains on the Power Station Complex Site remains uncertain, the likelihood of this is considered to be low.
12.86 The Power Station Complex Site comprises a parcel of mixed brownfield and greenfield land, with a broadly level terrain. The southern part of the site comprises brownfield land comprising a former car park, and areas levelled through the deposition of spoil. Impacts from prior development, including the former Owens Corning Fibreglass Factory, in this area will have most likely removed any archaeological remains here, although an at least partial preservation in situ may be possible below areas of Made Ground.
12.87 The northern part of the Power Station Complex Site comprises former farmland with well-defined field boundaries featuring mature hedgerows and trees. There is a small area of ridge and furrow in this part of the site. Archaeological desk-based assessment of the Power Station Complex Site (see Appendix 12.2) has identified a limited potential for significant remains to be present. Based on the above understanding of the character of known archaeological resources within the study area, any unknown archaeological remains are likely to be of local significance and of a low value.
Gas Connection
Designated heritage assets
12.88 There are no designated assets within the Gas Connection Route. There is one designated heritage asset within the 500m study area for the Gas Connection Route. This is the Grade II listed Chapel House farmhouse (1597), an asset of Medium importance located c. 490m east of the Order Limits.
106 See www.archaeoleg.org.uk
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Non-designated heritage assets
12.89 A total of 49 HER records, including non-designated assets and findspots, have been identified within the 500m study area either side of the Gas Connection Route. No non-designated assets of High or Medium importance have been identified. Four of the identified assets are considered to be of low value:
the settlement at Isycoed (15678), 266m east of the Order Land;
a building associated with ROF Marchwiel (110352), 342m north of the Order Land;
a bunker associated with ROF Marchwiel (72198), 598m northwest of the Order Land; and
the Chapel House farm smithy (104296), 672m east of the Order Land.
12.90 The remaining 45 records are of minimal importance and include 31 ponds identified by the Maelor Saesneg historic landscape characterisation project, 18 pillboxes / sites of pillboxes and buildings associated with the Royal Ordnance Factory, the site of Marshley Farm (70343), the site of a mill (104174).
Archaeological potential
12.91 Along the Gas Connection Route, two areas of limited archaeological potential have been identified; one at the southern end where a possible prehistoric cropmark (CPAT HER 86009) has been identified just outside of the 500m study area, which may represent prehistoric activity; and another around the line of the River Clywedog where there is some potential to encounter archaeological and palaeo-environmental remains. As has been noted in relation to the Power Station Complex Site, the absence of known archaeological sites in the study area does not necessarily prove an absence of such remains, and there therefore remains some potential for as-yet unknown sites along the Gas Connection Route. Further details can be found in Appendix 12.2. Based on the understanding of the archaeological character of the area, any unidentified archaeological remains are likely to be of local importance and low value.
POTENTIAL EFFECTS
Power Station Complex Site Assessment
12.92 A description of the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the Scheme is provided in detail in chapter 4 of this ES. The following assessment is based on that description and the worst case scenario identified above. It takes into account all aspects of the Scheme’s construction, operation and decommissioning phases including inherent design mitigation and associated landscape mitigation.
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12.93 The types of impacts that can occur in relation to heritage assets include both physical impacts, such as the partial or total destruction of its material remains, and setting impacts, which can occur when the development proposals affect the surroundings in which an asset is experienced. While physical impact to archaeological assets is in most cases adverse, physical impacts on a built heritage asset and impacts on the setting of an asset can be adverse, neutral, or beneficial in respect of the asset’s significance.
Construction
12.94 Physical impacts: Aside from a small area of low importance ridge and furrow (ID 128257), there are no known assets recorded within the Power Station Complex Site and only limited potential for archaeological remains to be present. The construction of the Power Station Complex would remove the aforementioned ridge and furrow, creating a major adverse impact on a low value asset, resulting in a slight adverse effect. This is not a significant effect. No significant effects are therefore anticipated.
12.95 Potential impacts on setting: The Power Station Complex Site is situated on an established industrial / commercial complex, WIE. Construction activity, both on-site and construction traffic and particularly elevated activity relating to the Stack, would be visible from some assets within the study area. However, such activity would be temporary in nature. The contribution of setting to the significance of assets within 1 km of the Power Station Complex Site is minimal. For those assets where setting is a major contributor to the asset’s significance, there is sufficient distance and intervening development/vegetation to prevent any impacts of construction. Given that the activity would occur within the context of existing industrial / commercial estate and given that it would be temporary in nature, no impacts are predicted on the setting and significance of designated assets within the 5km study area.
Operation
12.96 Physical impacts: The operation of the Power Station Complex will have no direct physical impacts on any heritage assets.
12.97 Potential impacts on setting: The Power Station Complex, once constructed, has the potential to impact upon the setting and significance of designated assets. Operational traffic will not impact on any heritage assets, being restricted to constructed roadways and not of a scale to impact the setting of any assets within the study area.
12.98 There are a number of listed buildings and conservation areas in the 5km study area around the Power Station Complex Site (see Appendix 12.1 and Figures 12.1 and 12.2).
12.99 The setting of designated assets in the southern, western and south-western sections of this study area will suffer no impact as they are visually separated from the Power Station Complex by Wrexham Industrial Estate and Wrexham itself. No impacts on the
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setting of the following designated assets will therefore occur (gazetteer ID number in brackets):
Table 12-5 - Setting Effects of Power Station Complex Operation to Receptors to South and West Gazetteer Name Site Type Magnitude Significance of No. of Impact Effect 18063 Talwrn House Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 18058 Pum Rhyd Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 18062 Parkey Farmhouse Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 18057 Bedwell Hall Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 18258 Old Bridge House Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1646 The Stableyard Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1644 Church of St Dunawd Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II* 1645 Bangor Is-y-Coed Bridge Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade I 18259 Graig Cottage Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1638 Pickhill Hall Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1751 93-95 Dean Road, Listed Building No impact Neutral Wrexham Grade II 1752 The Lodge, Jeffreys Road, Listed Building No impact Neutral Wrexham Grade II 16471 No. 95 Dean Road (W Listed Building No impact Neutral side) Grade II 1564 Borras Farm Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1637 Pickhill Hall Dovebote Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 17845 Ivydale Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 17849 Churchyard walls, Listed Building No impact Neutral gatepiers, railings and Grade II gates, Marchwiel
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Gazetteer Name Site Type Magnitude Significance of No. of Impact Effect 1614 Church of St Marcella and Listed Building No impact Neutral St Deiniol, Marchwiel Grade II* 1727 Bryn-y-Grog Hall Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II* 1755 The Red Lion, Wrexham Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1757 Kingsmill Bridges Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 16475 Kingsmill Bridge over Listed Building No impact Neutral River Gwenfro Grade II 1553 Llwyn Onn Hall Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 17275 Ice-house to the Listed Building No impact Neutral northwest of Llwyn Onn Grade II Hall Hotel 17272 Pavilion including Listed Building No impact Neutral attached skittle alley, Grade II Cefn Park 1551 Cefn Park Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1747 Gates and Gate-piers at Listed Building No impact Neutral Cefn Park Lodge Grade II 17273 Cefn Park Lodge Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1747 “Cherry Hill”, Borras Park Listed Building No impact Neutral Road, Wrexham Grade II 1754 St Giles House Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 18257 Bangor Is-y-Coed War Listed Building No impact Neutral Memorial Grade II 17843 Marchwiel Hall Pigsties Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II
12.100 To the northwest of the A534 and the Order Land are 5 designated assets lying between 2.5km and 4km from the Power Station Complex Site. From these locations the Power Station Complex, including its Stacks, would be very unlikely to be seen due to intervening vegetation and any glimpses would be very limited in scale and seen as a very minimal aspect of the wider setting of these rural assets. No impact is therefore anticipated on the setting and significance of the following designated assets in this area:
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Table 12-6: Setting Effects of Power Station Complex Operation to Receptors to North-West Gazetteer Name Site Type Magnitude Significance of No. of Impact Effect 1537 Plas Bostock Farmhouse Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1563 Borras Hall Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II* 1565 Borras Head House Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II* 17682 Hoseley Bank Farmhouse Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1559 Lodge Farmhouse Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II
12.101 A cluster of Scheduled Monuments of medieval date are situated around Shocklach, approximately 4 km to the east of the Power Station Complex Site (1012620, 1016588). This group of assets encompasses the earthwork remains of a former castle and associated settlements. To the south of these, at a similar distance, is the Grade I listed St Edith’s Church (1228322) and associated scheduled and listed cross (1228350, 1018076). Stack(s) of the Power Station Complex may be glimpsed in some sightlines in relation to these assets. The Stacks will be viewed as part of a wider group of modern elements of the WIE. No adverse impacts or significant effects are anticipated.
12.102 The south-eastern section of the 5 km study area includes part of the Maelor Saesneg Registered Historic Landscape (No. 41) as defined by Register of Landscapes of Special Historic Interest in Wales. In addition, the dispersed settlement of Worthenbury with its attendant listed buildings and a number of listed rural assets are also located in this area. With the exception of possible glimpses, the upper parts of the Stacks, the Power Station Complex will be visually separated from the Registered Landscape and other assets in the area by the existing WIE. Visual impacts on the setting of the Registered Landscape and other designated assets will therefore be limited to the occasional glimpsed presence of the stacks in views that already incorporate modern elements. No adverse impacts or significant effects are anticipated on the following designated assets:
Table 12-7: Setting Effects of Power Station Complex Operation to Receptors near Shocklach Gazetteer Name Site Type Magnitude Significance of No. of Impact Effect 41 Maelor Saesneg Registered Historic No impact Neutral Landscape 19776 Worthenbury Manor Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II
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Gazetteer Name Site Type Magnitude Significance of No. of Impact Effect 19777 The Old Rectory, Listed Building No impact Neutral Worthenbury Grade II 19778 Shop Cottage Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 19775 Frog Lane Cottage (East) Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 19779 Worthenbury Bridge Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 19769 Admiralty House Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 19774 Frog Lane Cottage (West) Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 14655 Glandeg Farmhouse Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1229109 Farm Building of Listed Building No impact Neutral Shocklach Hall Grade II 1228752 Shocklach Hall Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II 1279429 Pursa Farmhouse Listed Building No impact Neutral Grade II
12.103 Other designated heritage assets, including the Holt conservation area, in the eastern and north-eastern sections of the 5km study area are generally embedded in historic settlements at Holt and Farndon (see Figure 12.1 for locations). These will be visually separated from the Power Station Complex Site by intervening built form and vegetation. While the Stacks may be present in incidental long-views in relation to a small number of these assets, they will visually appear as a minor part of the WIE. No adverse impacts or significant effects are therefore anticipated on the designated assets in and around Holt and Farndon as shown on Figure 12.1.
12.104 The following Table 12.5 examines potential impacts on other designated assets that are more proximate to the Power Station Complex and that would therefore be most likely to experience an adverse impact.
12.105 The table also includes designated assets where consultees have specifically requested an impact assessment in responses to the Scoping Report or PEIR. Not all designated assets in the proximity of the Power Station Complex will be adversely affected but these are, for completeness, still reported below:
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Table 12-8: Impacts on designated heritage assets during operational phase & significance of effect Gazetteer Description/Period/Nature of Impact Value of Magnitude Significance no and Asset of Impact of Effect name 1597, This asset is 633m from the Power Medium Minor Slight adverse Chapel Station Complex. Some glimpses of the adverse House WIE are already possible from the area Farmhouse around the property and the Power Station Complex may be glimpsed in some views from areas around the property but intervening vegetation would largely screen these views. The presence of the Scheme would not significantly alter the setting and significance of the asset. 1598, Located 907m from the Power Station Medium No impact Neutral Isycoed, Complex, the building is situated ‘Plough Inn’ opposite and faces towards the church (Grade II of St Paul (17815) and its churchyard. listed) The Power Station Complex would essentially be screened by existing intervening vegetation and would not affect the hamlet setting of the building and hence would not affect its significance. 15912, The cottage is located outside of the Medium No impact Neutral Isycoed, hamlet of Isycoed, c. 1km from the Cobham Power Station Complex. The Power Cottage Station Complex may be glimpsed in (Grade II views to the west of the cottage, listed) though the primary views from the cottage are towards the south. The slight rising ground and intervening vegetation will minimise views of the Power Station Complex and there will be no appreciable impact on the setting and significance of the cottage.
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Gazetteer Description/Period/Nature of Impact Value of Magnitude Significance no and Asset of Impact of Effect name 17815, St This asset is 824m from the Power Medium Minor Slight adverse Paul’s Station Complex. Elements of the adverse Church, Power Station Complex may be visible Isycoed in glimpsed views from the church (Grade II yard around the church. The primary listed) entry and exit to the church would not however be affected. The church’s rural location in a hamlet would not be adversely affected, at most there would be a very slight change to the setting of the church. 1536, The house is set within a semi-rural Medium No impact Neutral Cornish location adjacent to a substantial farm Hall, yard. The house has views towards Wrexham the Power Station Complex Site and Road other aspects of the WIE. The Power (Grade II Station Complex would be 1784m from listed) the asset. At this distance the Power Station Complex would form a distant but perceivable additional element to the WIE and intervening vegetation would break up clear views. No significant impact on the setting and significance of this asset is anticipated. 17816, The house is located in a rural area, Medium No impact Neutral Sutton with some views to the north/ north- Green, Pear east, but primary views away from this Tree House direction. The Scheme lies 2,282m (Grade II from the Power Station Complex Site listed) on the other side of WIE. Intervening vegetation and buildings will essentially screen the Scheme from the asset and any minor glimpses of stacks etc. will not materially affect its setting and significance.
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Gazetteer Description/Period/Nature of Impact Value of Magnitude Significance no and Asset of Impact of Effect name 84802, Erlas The rural setting of the Hall has been Medium No impact Neutral Hall (Grade compromised by the existing WIE, the II listed) addition of the Power Station Complex 1,702m from the asset, on the other side of the WIE, would have no additional impact on the setting and significance of the Hall. DE291, The barrow is situated within open High Minor Slight adverse Sutton rural land 1,978m to the southeast of adverse Green the Scheme. There are existing distant Barrow views of the WIE and elements of the (Scheduled Power Station Complex will be Monument) glimpsed as part of these views. The addition of the Scheme will not however significantly alter the rural setting of the monument 1541, New Farm complex situated in a road side Medium Minor Slight adverse Holt Lodge location to the north of the WIE (close adverse Farm to approach road) and 1,273m from (Grade II the Power Station Complex Site. The listed) existing WIE is a clear presence in the setting of the asset. The addition of the Power Station Complex behind intervening industrial buildings will not significantly alter the current setting of the building. 18059, Road bridge located 2,004m south of Medium No Impact Neutral Pickhill the Power Station Complex Site. The Bridge rural setting of the bridge will not be (Grade II materially affected the presence of the listed) Power Station Complex on the other side of existing WIE. The Scheme would not affect the significance of the structure.
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Gazetteer Description/Period/Nature of Impact Value of Magnitude Significance no and Asset of Impact of Effect name 1636, This group of buildings lie c. 3km from Medium No Impact Neutral 18060, the Power Station Complex Site and 18061, would be screened from it by Pickhill Hall intervening woodland and existing and buildings. There would be no impact associated on its setting or significance. lodge and gates (Grade II listed buildings)
Decommissioning
12.106 It is assumed that the Power Station Complex will be decommissioned following the completion of its operational lifespan, which has an indicative life span of 35 years. In general terms, eventual decommissioning of the Scheme could be expected to produce similar impacts to those predicted for construction, although the decommissioning impacts would be for a shorter period than for construction. The effects on heritage assets would be no worse than those identified in the construction assessment. These are likely to be limited to temporary effects on receptors’ setting during decommissioning works. Following decommissioning the site conditions would revert to the current baseline. Decommissioning would not have an impact on archaeology as the Site has previously been developed.
Mitigation Measures
Construction
12.107 The following programme of post-consent archaeological works would be undertaken to address potential impacts on currently unrecorded archaeological remains. This work would be integrated with a similar package of work for the Gas Connection.
geophysical survey of the greenfield areas of the Power Station Complex Site;
targeted archaeological investigation of anomalies identified by the geophysical surveys; and
archaeological watching brief for sample ‘blank’ areas to verify the geophysical survey results.
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WREXHAM ENERGY CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
12.108 All of the above would be set out and agreed with WCBC in a Written Scheme of Investigation for the Scheme.
Operation
12.109 Permanent slight adverse effects as a result of changes to the setting of a number of designated heritage assets (see above) are anticipated from the introduction of tall elements associated with the Scheme, i.e. the Stacks and HSRGs. No specific mitigation measures are proposed to address these effects. The materials and colours for the external finish of the Power Station Complex are considered further in Chapter 10 of this ES.
Decommissioning
12.110 Anticipated adverse effects from the decommissioning phase of the Scheme are likely to be similar to the construction phase, and therefore will be slight and temporary in nature, and would not require mitigation.
Residual Effects
Construction
12.111 Residual effects on the historic environment resource from the construction phase would be limited to potential impacts on currently unknown archaeological remains and a small area of ridge and furrow. These would be addressed by the proposed mitigation measures. No significant adverse effects are anticipated.
Operation
12.112 No mitigation is proposed to address the slight adverse effects identified above. Therefore, the residual effect from the operation phase will be the same as outlined in the Potential Effects section for Operation above. No significant effects are predicted as a result of the slight impacts on heritage assets that would occur during operation.
Decommissioning
12.113 During decommissioning the effects would be no worse than during construction. Following decommissioning, the site conditions would return to the current baseline and the permanent impacts on the setting of designated assets identified above would cease. No impacts on heritage assets are predicted during or after decommissioning, there will therefore be no significant effects.
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WREXHAM ENERGY CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Gas Connection Assessment
Construction
12.114 Physical impacts: The absence of significant known archaeological sites in the Study Area does not necessarily prove an absence of such remains, and there therefore remains some potential for as-yet unknown sites along the Gas Connection Route. There is particular potential around the line of the River Clywedog for the Gas Connection construction to encounter currently unknown archaeological and palaeo- environmental remains. Any such remains may be affected by the construction of the Gas Pipeline along the Gas Connection Route.
12.115 Potential impacts on setting: Only one designated heritage asset – the listed building Chapel House Farmhouse at Isycoed (1597, 488m east of the Order Limits) - lies within the Gas Connection Route Study Area, and this is nearly 500m from the route. There will be no impact on the setting or significance of this or any other designated heritage asset as a result of the construction of the Gas Connection, therefore there will be no effect.
12.116 A number of known archaeological features are located within the Study Area around the Gas Connection Route (see Figure 12.2). These are generally of minimal or no significance, mainly being ponds or the former sites of WWII military defence installations such as pillboxes (110354, 110355, 110356, 110358, 110359, 110360, 120544, 120545, 120546, 120547, 120548, 120549, 120552 and 120554).
12.117 Two known features lie within the Order Land, the potential effects on these features are given below.
Table 12-9: Impacts on heritage assets during construction phase & significance of effect Gazetteer Description/Period/Nature of Impact Importance Magnitude Significance no and of Asset of Impact of Effect name 120553, Site of former rectangular pillbox, now Minimal Moderate Neutral Sesswick, removed. Construction may impact on Pillbox any surviving below ground remains. 128257 Area of ridge and furrow captured Minimal Moderate Slight adverse Barn Farm, from LiDAR. Construction would result ridge and in partial loss of feature. furrow
12.118 No significant adverse effects on setting of any designated asset are anticipated as a result of the construction of the Gas Connection.
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WREXHAM ENERGY CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Operation
12.119 No impacts are anticipated as a result of the operation of the Gas Connection.
Mitigation Measures
Construction
12.120 The following programme of post-consent archaeological works would be undertaken to address potential impacts on currently unrecorded archaeological remains and the area of ridge and furrow (128257). This work would be integrated with a similar package of work for the Power Station Complex Site.
geophysical survey of the greenfield areas of the Gas Connection Route;
targeted archaeological investigation of anomalies identified by the geophysical surveys; and
archaeological watching brief for sample ‘blank’ areas to verify the geophysical survey results.
12.121 All of the above would be set out and agreed with WCBC in a Written Scheme of Investigation for the Scheme.
Operation
12.122 No mitigation is proposed or required.
Residual effects
Construction
12.123 Residual effects on the historic environment resource from the construction phase would be limited to potential impacts on one area of ridge and furrow (128257) and currently unknown archaeological remains. These would be addressed by the proposed mitigation measures. No significant adverse effects are anticipated.
Operation
12.124 There will be no residual effects on the historic environment from the operation of the Gas Connection.
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WREXHAM ENERGY CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Combined Residual Effects
Construction
12.125 The construction phase may result in residual combined impacts on currently unknown archaeological remains. These would be addressed by the proposed mitigation measures. No combined residual significant effects are anticipated.
Operation
12.126 Combined residual effects of the operation of both the Power Station Complex Site and Gas Connection would be the same as the residual effects of the Power Station Complex Site, as no significant residual effects are anticipated as a result of the operation of the Gas Connection. There would be no additional combined effects.
Decommissioning
12.127 No residual decommissioning effects for the Power Station Complex Site or Gas Connection are anticipated. There would therefore be no combined significant residual effects arising from decommissioning.
Assessment of Effects on Historic Features (APFP Regulations 2009)
12.128 In addition to the assessment of likely significant effects presented in this ES, it is also necessary to consider all potential effects on historic features, not just those effects which are significant in EIA terms. This accords with the requirements of Regulation 5(2) (m) of the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009.
12.129 Potentially significant environmental effects are assessed in this Chapter 12, along with the associated Figures at 12.1 and 12.2 and Appendices 12.1 and 12.2. These present an assessment of any effects on such sites, features and structures likely to be caused by the proposed development, as required under Regulation 5(2)(m) of the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009.
12.130 The assessment concludes that there will be no likely significant residual environmental effects on those sites, features, and structures that have been fully assessed.
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WREXHAM ENERGY CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Cumulative Effects
12.131 Four key developments are considered alongside the WEC with regard to the cumulative impacts of the development of the WEC in relation to potential noise and vibration impacts. The developments considered include:
the Kingmoor Park North development of B1 (office), B2 (General industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution) uses, immediately north of the proposed Power Station Complex Site;
the North Wales Prison on the former Firestone site;
the Electricity Connection required to connect the Power Station Complex to the existing local electrical distribution network, owned by SPEN; and
Pickhill Bridge Farm Solar Array. A proposed 4 MW solar photovoltaic array on 7.6 ha that is currently agricultural land at Pickhill Bridge Farm, Holt Road, Cross Lanes, Wrexham
12.132 Details of the cumulative assessments which have been considered in the ES are set out in Chapter 5.
Construction
12.133 It is noted that Archaeology and Built Heritage was ‘Scoped out’ of the EIA for the new North Wales Prison site (see Section 3.1 of the Non-Technical Summary of the ES for the North Wales Prison, dated 2013) and that no archaeological conditions have been imposed on the Kingmoor Park North development site (see the 2013 appeal decision: APP/H6955/A/12/2188910). This would indicate that impacts on known or unknown archaeological remains are not anticipated in these locations. Consequently, no additional cumulative impacts on archaeological remains are anticipated.
12.134 Should construction of the storage and distribution warehouse at the Kingmoor Park North site occur concurrently with the construction of the Power Station Complex, there may be limited duration noise and traffic intrusions on the settings of roadside designated heritage assets along the construction routes, these minor and temporary impacts would not however affect the significance of such assets and would not result in significant environmental effects.
12.135 The anticipated Electrical Connection works comprise a mixture of substation buildings, underground cabling, restringing of overhead lines and replacement of existing overhead lines. Details are provided in Chapter 5 of this ES, and the Grid Connection Statement (Document Reference 8.1) which accompanies the Application. The sub- station is anticipated to be confined to pre-existing sites and no cumulative construction impacts on archaeological remains are expected. Undergrounding would
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WREXHAM ENERGY CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
be along existing roads and no cumulative impacts on archaeological remains are predicted. Anticipated restringing would not affect archaeological remains. Replacement overhead line (OHL) poles may result in localised impacts on archaeological remains, however, the scope of such impacts cannot be assessed at this time. It is assumed however that micrositing (determination of the exact position of the poles taking into consideration local factors within fields such as terrain, vegetation, archaeology, water features, protected species) of pole locations will enable significant impacts to be avoided and hence no significant cumulative effects in relation to the archaeological resource of the area are anticipated.
12.136 The Pickhill Bridge Solar Farm would construct a solar photovoltaic array up to 4MW in capacity, including metering and inverter kiosks, security cameras, fencing and gates, and a temporary construction compound and access track. The solar farm is proposed within the study area of the gas connection corridor. The heritage assessment completed for the solar farm did not identify any impacts to heritage assets that would also be impacted by the gas connection corridor. As such, the proposed Pickhill Bridge Solar Farm would not contribute to any cumulative effects.
Operation
12.137 Slight adverse effects due to changes to the setting of the following assets have been identified as a result of the operation of the Scheme: Chapel House Farmhouse (1597) (Grade II listed), St Paul’s Church, Isycoed (17815 - Grade II listed), New Holt Lodge Farm (1541 - Grade II listed) and Sutton Green Barrow (DE291 - Scheduled Monument).
12.138 The operation of the North Wales Prison on the former Firestone site would not have any additional impact on the setting of these assets. The former Firestone site is situated approximately 1.3km to the south west (Figure12.3) of the Power Station Complex Site and due to the intervening built form and vegetation associated with Wrexham Industrial Estate no cumulative effects are expected.
12.139 The presence and operation of the Kingmoor Park North development would have no additional impact on the setting of the Sutton Green Barrow DE291 - Scheduled Monument. It may be glimpsed in limited views from Chapel House Farmhouse (1597) (Grade II listed) and St Paul’s Church, Isycoed (17815 - Grade II listed) but intervening vegetation would minimise any glimpses and its height (lower than buildings associated with existing buildings (i.e. Kellogg’s factory and the Power Station Complex) would not increase the minor adverse impact associated with the Power Station Complex. No cumulative impact is anticipated.
12.140 New Holt Lodge Farm (1541 - Grade II listed) would have views towards the Kingmoor Park North development although its limited height and landscape mitigation planting would reduce its visual presence. Taken in combination with the Power Station Complex it would have a minor adverse impact on this asset, resulting in a slight adverse effect.
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WREXHAM ENERGY CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
12.141 The anticipated Electrical Connection upgrades and reinforcement works comprise a mixture of a substation building, underground cabling, restringing of overhead lines and replacement of existing overhead lines. The substation is likely to be confined to a pre-existing site and no cumulative operational effects on the setting of assets also affected by the Power Station Complex will occur. Underground cables and the restring OHLs would also not affect the setting of designated assets. Replacement OHL poles may result in localised impacts on the setting of designated assets however these lines do not run in the proximity of any assets affected by the Scheme and no cumulative effects are anticipated.
12.142 No cumulative effects are predicted as a result of the proposed Pickhill Bridge Solar Farm, as neither the proposed solar farm nor the proposed Gas Connection would impact any known heritage assets.
Decommissioning
12.143 No cumulative effects are predicted in relation to the decommissioning process.
Additional Mitigation
12.144 No additional mitigation measures have been identified as being required as a result of this cumulative assessment.
CONCLUSIONS
Construction
12.145 The construction of the Scheme will result in the partial loss of a small area of low importance ridge and furrow within the Power Station Complex Site and separately along the Gas Connection Route (128257), it may also have an impact on other currently unrecorded archaeological remains. All such impacts would be addressed by a programme of archaeological investigation, the scope of which would be agreed with WCBC before commencement of work. No significant environmental effects on the Historic Environment are predicted.
Operation
12.146 Limited impacts on the setting of a small number of assets are anticipated to result in slight adverse effects during the operation of the Power Station Complex. These are as follows:
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WREXHAM ENERGY CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Gazetteer Description/Period/Nature of Impact Value of Magnitude Significance no and Asset of Impact of Effect name 1597, Some glimpses of the WIE are already Medium Minor Slight adverse Chapel possible from the area round the adverse House property and the Power Station Farmhouse Complex may be glimpsed in some views from areas around the property but intervening vegetation would largely screen most views. The presence of the Scheme would not significantly alter the setting and significance of the asset. 17815, St Elements of the Power Station Medium Minor Slight adverse Paul’s Complex may be visible in glimpsed adverse Church, views from the church yard around the Isycoed church. The primary entry and exit to (Grade II the church would not however be listed) affected. The church’s rural location in a hamlet would not be adversely affected, at most there would be a very slight change to the setting of the church. DE291, The barrow is situated within open High Minor Slight adverse Sutton rural land c. 1978m to the southeast of adverse Green the Scheme. There are existing distant Barrow views of the WIE and elements of the (Scheduled proposed development will be Monument) glimpsed as part of these views. The addition of the development will not however significantly alter the rural setting of the monument 1541, New Farm complex situated in a road side Medium Minor Slight adverse Holt Lodge location to the north of the WIE (close adverse Farm to approach road) and c. 1273m from (Grade II the development site. The existing listed) WIE is a clear presence in the setting of the asset. The addition of the Power Station Complex behind intervening existing buildings of the industrial estate will not significantly later the current setting of the building.
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WREXHAM ENERGY CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
12.147 No significant environmental effects would occur as a result of these impacts.
Decommissioning
12.148 There would be no additional impacts as a result of decommissioning.
12.149 The conclusions of this Chapter 12 are that the Scheme in isolation does not result in any likely significant effects on the Historic Environment. The conclusions of this Chapter 12 are that the Scheme cumulatively with other developments and will not result in any significant effects on the Historic Environment.
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