Ellington Minewater Treatment Facility Geo-environmental Desk Study Report The Authority

March 2012

Ellington Minewater Treatment Facility Geo-environmental Desk Study Report

Notice

This document and its contents have been prepared and are intended solely for The Coal Authority’s information and use in relation to informing the Client of potential geo-environmental site abnormals and constraints for the proposed redevelopment into a minewater treatment facility.

Atkins assumes no responsibility to any other party in respect of or arising out of or in connection with this document and/or its contents.

Document history

Job number: 5100028 Document ref: Geo-environmental Desk Study Report Revision Purpose description Originated Checked Reviewed Authorised Date Rev 1.0 Draft for Client Comment MJT TA CS JPB Jan-12 Rev 2.0 Final MJT TA CS JPB Mar-12

Client signoff

Client The Coal Authority

Project Ellington Minewater Treatment Facility

Document title Geo-environmental Desk Study Report

Job no. 5100028

Copy no.

Document Geo-environmental Desk Study Report reference

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Ellington Minewater Treatment Facility Geo-environmental Desk Study Report

Table of contents

Chapter Pages Executive summary i 1. Introduction 1 1.1. General 1 1.2. Background 1 1.3. Project References 1 1.4. Information Reviewed 2 1.5. Limitations 2 2. Site Area 3 2.1. Site Location 3 2.2. Site Description 3 2.3. Surrounding Area 3 2.4. Historical Land Use 4 2.5. Previous Ground Investigations 5 3. Geo-environmental Setting 6 3.1. Solid and Drift Geology 6 3.2. Mineral Exploitation 6 3.3. Ground Stability Hazards 6 3.4. Radon 7 3.5. Hydrology 7 3.6. Hydrogeology 8 4. Environmental Issues 9 4.1. Waste 9 4.2. Integrated Pollution Prevention Controls / Pollution Prevention Controls 10 4.3. Contemporary Trade Directory 10 4.4. Fuel Stations 10 4.5. Sensitive Land Use 10 4.6. Planning Hazardous Substance Consents 10 4.7. Other Environmental Information 10 5. Preliminary Conceptual Site Model 11 5.1. General 11 5.2. Sources 11 5.3. Pathways 11 5.4. Receptors 12 5.5. Contamination 14 5.6. Soil Borne Gas 14 5.7. Groundwater 14 6. Recommendations 15 7. References 16

Appendices 17 Appendix A. Drawings and Figures Appendix B. Envirocheck Report Appendix C. Historical Maps

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Tables Table 1. Ground stability hazards within 500m of the site. 6 Table 2. Landfill / Waste Transfer Site Entries within 500m of the site 9 Table 3. Preliminary Conceptual Site Model Summary 12

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Executive summary

Atkins Limited (Atkins) was commissioned by The Coal Authority to prepare a Geo-environmental Desk Study Report for the proposed Ellington Minewater Treatment Facility. Proposals for the treatment facility comprise settlement ponds, sludge drying beds, sludge handling area, a wetland feature and storage tanks. The site is located approximately 1.5km south-east of , and 35km north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The site is irregular in shape and covers an area of approximately 23.6 hectares. The site lies on an area formerly occupied by Lynemouth Colliery, with the eastern section of the site covered by colliery spoil. A railway siding (formerly a mineral railway) used by an adjacent power station encroaches onto part of the site. A culvert passes beneath the railway siding and beneath hardstanding pavements on the north-east side. Ground levels across the site have a general fall from approximately 18m AOD in the north-west to 8m AOD in the south-east. The site is located immediately adjacent to the coastline with the boundaries defined by the River Lyne to the north, a power station to the south and Park Road to the west. The historical maps show the site evolving from agricultural pasture and undeveloped coastline in the 1860s with a section of the eastern part of the site lying below the high water line. Initial colliery expansion started in the 1920s which then occupied the site until the 1990s. Mining operations ceased in the early 1990s, leading to the decommissioning of buildings and infrastructure and pumping of groundwater from mineworkings ceased. Spoil heaps from the mine have changed the topography and coastline and make up the majority of the eastern section of the site. The historical plans show many springs, watercourses, drains and areas of sloped ground in the surrounding area. The course of the River Lyne changed several times due to the deposition of spoil heaps from flowing within the site historically, to defining the northern boundary in the present day. The surrounding area remained agricultural pasture and undeveloped coastline until the 1920s when residential and industrial development started in Lynemouth. The mineral railway ran through Lynemouth to the colliery and later extended to the adjacent industrial uses. The power station and an aluminium works were constructed by 1973 approximately 300m south-west and 250m east of the site, respectively. Lagoons associated with the aluminium works, sewage works and a travellers camp were all constructed in the area surrounding the site by the 1980s. The published geological mapping information shows the site is likely to be underlain by natural deposits of Glacial Till, overlying Middle Coal Measures. Two known shafts associated with the extraction of undersea coal reserves remain on-site and have depths of 220mbgl and 239mbgl. Based upon the available historical information, potential sources of contamination on-site are likely to be Made Ground (colliery spoil, demolition waste and landfill), leachable contaminants and soil borne gases. These sources include former colliery buildings, fuel tanks, mineral railway, colliery spoil, radiation store and minewater. Off-site potential contaminative issues include historical landfilling, mine tips, commercial/industrial sites and minewater discharge. These sources include the power station, sewage works, aluminium works and mine refuse tips on Lyne Sands. The construction of the proposed treatment facility within the site will allow removal of metal contamination prior to discharge into the River Lyne, thus removing the source and pathways.

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1. Introduction

1.1. General Atkins Limited (Atkins) was commissioned by The Coal Authority to prepare a Geo-environmental Desk Study Report for the proposed Ellington Minewater Treatment Facility. A draft Concept Design Report was undertaken in April 2011 outlining the feasibility of a minewater treatment facility on the site (Ref. 1). This report is intended to support a planning application for the proposed development in accordance with PPS23 (Planning and Pollution Control) (Ref. 2) and CLR11 (Model Procedures for the Management of Contaminated Land) (Ref. 3). The options for the minewater treatment facility scheme are shown on Drawing No. 5034762/SBG/030/003-006 General Arrangement (Appendix A) and comprises settlement ponds, sludge drying beds, sludge handling area, a wetland feature and storage tanks. This report commences with a review of the site’s location and current condition together with the historical development of the site area based on Ordnance Survey Maps. It reviews and summarises readily available published geological, hydrological, hydrogeological and environmental information obtained by Atkins. It presents a Preliminary Conceptual Site Model (PCSM) identifying potential sources of contamination, pathways and receptors. Information presented within the initial Concept Design Report (Ref. 1) is included where appropriate.

1.2. Background The Coal Authority (CA) and the Environment Agency (EA) have a joint aim to enhance the environment by reducing pollution of controlled waters from existing minewater discharges and establishing preventative schemes to limit future contamination. Consequently The Coal Authority is directing significant resources to improving the quality of minewater discharges and reducing pollution of controlled water. The focus of this report is Ellington Combine which consists of the combined workings of Ellington Colliery and Lynemouth Colliery on undersea reserves in the northern part of the Northumberland Coalfield. Ellington Colliery was sunk between 1909 and 1913 and Lynemouth Colliery was sunk in 1927; both collieries worked the six seams in the area (, High Main, Main, Yard, Low Main and Brass Thill). A number of connections have been made between these collieries, principally at the Main Seam horizon. There are also direct connections between Ellington Colliery and Linton Colliery along with Lynemouth Colliery to Woodhorn Colliery. The Ellington and Lynemouth Collieries merged in 1983. In 1992 the pumping to protect Ellington Combine ceased and as a result the minewaters have continued to rise. Minewater monitoring has shown water levels to have continued to rise; however the rates of rise have reduced in recent years (Ref, 1). In December 2010 the minewater levels at Ellington were 86.42m BOD and 86.36m BOD at Lynemouth.

1.3. Project References A number of reports have been prepared for the site, the key documents referred to are listed below. This report should be read in conjunction with the following:  Draft Concept Design Report, Ellington Mine Water Treatment Scheme. Atkins, April 2011.  Envirocheck Report, August 2011, Landmark Information Group Services.

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 Report on the Closure of Ellington Combine Ref 7238/3. IMC Consulting Engineers, March 2000.  Addendum to Ellington Closure Report, March 2005, White Young Green.

1.4. Information Reviewed A Landmark Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) has been obtained as part of this Desk Study Report. The Landmark Information Group Envirocheck searches databases holding information provided by the following organisations:  The Environment Agency;  Health and Safety Executive;  British Geological Survey;  Ordnance Survey;  English Nature; and  National Radiological Protection Board.

The following additional resources were also reviewed:  RJB Mining Surface Arrangements Drawing;  Environment Agency website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk);  British Geological Survey website (www.bgs.ac.uk); and  The Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) website (www.magic.gov.uk), – source of reference used to identify environmental issues.

1.5. Limitations The desk study review has been prepared based on the above data. All reasonable endeavours have been made to source information from reputable organisations. However, no warranty over the accuracy of this information can be given. No attempt has been made to independently verify any data collected by others or from other sources.

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2. Site Area

2.1. Site Location The site is located approximately 1.5km south-east of Lynemouth, Northumberland and 35km north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The Ordnance Survey National Grid Reference for the approximate centre of the site is 430000, 590450. A site location plan is enclosed as Figure 1.

2.2. Site Description The site is irregular in shape and covers an area of approximately 27 hectares. The site lies on an area formerly used as Lynemouth Colliery, with the eastern section of the site covered by colliery spoil. A railway siding (formerly a mineral railway) used by an adjacent power station encroaches onto part of the site. (Ref. 1). A concrete retaining wall and hardstanding is located immediately north of the siding. A culvert passes beneath the railway siding and below hardstanding pavements on the north-east side. The site is accessed from Park Road on the western boundary; there are currently a series of concrete blocks across the access preventing entry. The site is located immediately adjacent to the coastline with a power station to the south and the River Lyne bordering the north. Ground levels across the site vary with a general fall from approximately 18m AOD in the north-west to 8m AOD in the south-east. A site plan is enclosed as Figure 2. It should be noted that the boundary for the Landmark Envirocheck (Ref. 4) is approximately 100m shorter to the east and has an area of approximately 23.6 hectares; the boundary was moved to the west in this area in order to avoid including a large area of open sea within the search buffer. The boundary is also likely to represent the maximum extent of the developable area, owing to the risk of erosion within the coastal zone to the east.

2.3. Surrounding Area The site is located between the villages of Lynemouth and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and is bound by the to the north-east and Park Road to the south-west. The northern site boundaries are formed by an un-named road (south of Albion Terrace) and the River Lyne. The River Lyne discharges into the North Sea approximately 200m north-east of the site. Cresswell Dunes nature reserve runs along a section of the River Lyne and is located 56m north of the site. Lynemouth sewage treatment works is located approximately 250m north of the site boundary. Adjacent the south-eastern boundary of the site is and a worm farm operated by Seabait Ltd. The railway associated with the power station runs parallel to part of the southern boundary before entering the site from the south. An aluminium works, operated by Alcan, is located 400m south-west of the site and has power supplied by overhead cables from the Lynemouth Power Station. A Grade two listed building (the former bath house associated with the historical mining activities) is located adjacent to the north- western boundary of the site.

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2.4. Historical Land Use The history of the site has been determined with reference to the historical maps presented in the Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4). A copy of the historical maps is included in Appendix A.

2.4.1. Summary of On-site Developments The earliest historical map, dated 1865, shows the site lies mainly on agricultural pasture and the eastern section of the site forming part of Lyne Sands. The mean high water line is shown running north to south through the eastern section of the site. A track is shown running west to east through the centre of the site to Lynemouth Cottage, situated approximately 50m east of the site. Small springs and a watercourse (River Lyne) are shown running along field boundaries before entering the site at the north-eastern boundary. The River Lyne flowed through the site and Lyne Sands, before entering the North Sea. The site remained unchanged until the 1938 map edition which shows Lynemouth Colliery within the site (Shaft 1 sunk in 1927 Ref. 1). By the 1950s, the colliery had expanded within the site with the development of colliery buildings, a railway, conveyors, aerial ropeways and tanks. This included the eastern section of the site being reclaimed by colliery spoil. A magazine used for the storage of explosives located in the south-west of the site (at grid reference 429895, 590260) is first shown in 1950 but later removed from site by the 1987 map edition. The 1897 to 1938 maps show the River Lyne was channelled roughly north to south through the Lyne Sands section of the site. The river continued in a south-easterly direction through Lyne Sands before meeting the North Sea. The river course was changed again to a west/east direction as shown in historical maps between 1938 and 1951 with a further straightening of the river channel between 1985 and 1992; this change of course was due to the increased amount of colliery spoil tipped on Lyne Sands. The colliery continued to expand through the 1960s with areas of spoil heaps and Made Ground extending out towards the coast to the east and south-east; this process slowed during the 1970s. The main feature of note during this time is the large conveyor constructed running due north for 1km from the colliery buildings in the north of the site. Part of the colliery buildings in the north-west of the site were replaced during the mid to late 1980s by an area used for coal preparation. The conveyor constructed in the 1970s was redirected to the main distribution building near the mineral railway, along with other conveyors taking material from this building to the spoil heaps in the east of the site. Pumping of minewater in the coal workings ceased in 1992 (Ref. 1) when mining operations at the colliery ended; the colliery buildings and infrastructure was also decommissioned at this time. The colliery buildings and railway were removed from site between 1992 and 2011, by which time all buildings and the majority of the railway were no longer present. A site plan produced by RJB Mining provides information relating to the surface features at the site during the latter stages of its operational life. The plan indicates that there were fuel stores in the north-west of the site (including a 45,000 litre diesel tank and 5000 litre tank for waste oil; a washdown facility and oil interceptor were present in this area. A radiation store was indicated to be present in the centre of the site area, adjacent to the main blending plant. The Surface Arrangements Plan is included in Appendix A (it should be noted that this drawing was not received until after the ground investigation, hence was not considered as part of the ground investigation design).

2.4.2. Summary of Surrounding Land Use

The area surrounding site remained largely undeveloped, with the exception of a few cottages between 1865 (first available historical map) and 1924. The River Lyne is shown to flow from the north-west of the site through Chugdon Wood, entering the north-eastern part of the site before reaching Lyne Sands and the North Sea east of the site. Further away a quarry is shown on the 1898 map approximately 1km south of the site in Woodhorn, recorded as disused by 1924.

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Residential and industrial development commenced by 1938, 300m north-west of the site, which was probably associated with the development of the Lynemouth Colliery. , (later spelt Lynemouth) expanded into the area 350m north-west of the site along Park Road and Albion Terrace. The expansion of Lynemouth continued until the mid 1960s where it has stayed relatively unchanged to present day. The mineral railway used for the colliery was constructed between the late 1930s and early 1950s and ran through Lynemouth and later through Woodhorn by 1958. A section of railway running north of the site was extended off-site for the disposal of spoil generated from the colliery at a location 500m north of the site boundary. Lyne Sands are shown to be reclaimed by the disposal of spoil increasing the height of the ground, therefore moving the mean high water mark and the course of flow of the River Lyne. An aluminium works and a power station were constructed by 1973 approximately 300m south-west and 250m east of the site, respectively. Road and rail access was extended at this time to accommodate for industrial development. Lagoons associated with the aluminium works were constructed 500m south-east during the 1980s and later expanded in the early 1990s until 2006 when usage had ceased. Lynemouth sewage works was constructed approximately 250m north of the site by the early 1980s, discharging treated water in to the River Lyne. A travellers camp built in the 1980s was constructed 100m north of the site on an old refuse tip and was later disused by 2006. In 2006, a worm farm operated by Seabait Ltd started operations on a section of the power station site is shown on the most recent map available.

2.5. Previous Ground Investigations There have been no known ground investigations on-site, however, groundwater monitoring of minewater in the Lynemouth and nearby Ellington Colliery shafts was reported by White Young Green (Ref. 6) and Atkins (Ref. 1). The reports state, approximately 26,083 m3/day of water flowed into the Ellington and Lynemouth mines in 2004. The most recent depth of mine water within the Lynemouth No. 1 shaft is recorded as 86.36m BOD (Below Ordnance Datum) in December 2010 (Ref. 1). White Young Green and IMC (Refs. 5 and 7) state that minewater should not rise above 34m BOD if the Pegswood Moor outflow is to be protected. Using the current inflow rate, levels could reach 34m BOD in approximately 2017 (Ref. 1).

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3. Geo-environmental Setting

3.1. Solid and Drift Geology Reference to the BGS resource, Geology of Britain viewer (Ref. 6), the following geology is indicated:  The drift geology underlying the site comprises Glacial Till which contains silty/sandy/gravelly brown clay with occasional cobbles and boulders.  The bedrock geology underlying the site comprises Middle Coal Measures. These deposits are made up of sequences of mudstones, siltstones, sandstone and coal seams.

3.2. Mineral Exploitation The Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) indicates that there are three BGS Recorded Mineral Sites present within 250m, comprising two opencast entries and one underground mine. Operations have ceased at all three sites. Lynemouth Colliery was located within the western part of the site and extracted coal from six main seams in the under-sea reserves (Ref. 7). Lynemouth Shafts 1 and 2 are still present on site with depths of 220m and 239m below ground level (bgl) located at grid references 429803, 590471 and 429832, 590443 respectively (Ref. 8). The other two BGS Recorded Mineral Sites relate to the opencast extraction of sand and gravel. One entry is located in the central part of the site and the remaining entry is located 185m to the south-east.

3.3. Ground Stability Hazards The Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) included ground stability hazards on or within 500m of the site which are summarised below:

Table 1. Ground stability hazards within 500m of the site.

Ground Stability Hazard Hazard Potential On-site Hazard Potential Off-site

Collapsible No to very low No to very low

Compressible No to very low No to moderate

Landslide Very low Very low to low

Running Sand Very low No to moderate

Shrinking or Swelling Clay No to very low No to very low

Dissolution No hazard No hazard

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3.4. Radon Information from the British Geological Survey National Geoscience Information Service contained within the Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) states that the site is not in a radon affected area, as less than 1% of homes are above action level. Radon protection measures are not considered necessary in the construction of new dwellings or extensions.

3.5. Hydrology

3.5.1. Surface Watercourses The River Lyne runs adjacent to the site on part of the northern site boundary and discharges into the North Sea at a location 200m north-east of site. There are two minor watercourses which re-direct and discharge surface run-off water and minewater on site. The south-eastern boundary of the site is defined by a channel which discharges water 120m east into the North Sea. A channel defines the south-west boundary of the site and appears to re-direct surface run-off water from the south-west and west of the site. A pond located 160m north of the site is mainly boggy ground and is associated with the adjacent sewage works. The precise discharge points and linkages between surrounding watercourses are unknown.

3.5.2. Flood Risks Environment Agency information contained in the Landmark Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) indicates that part of the north-eastern site boundary and the corner of the eastern site boundary is reclaimed from Lyne Sands and therefore lies within an area at risk of extreme flooding from rivers or sea without defences. The site does not benefit from flood defences. Although the Landmark Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) provides information on flood risk, this does not constitute a flood risk assessment for the site. The flood risk information provided only relates to flooding from rivers and sea and does not account for flooding from other sources such as groundwater, blockages in drainage systems, artificial water features and overland flow.

3.5.3. Discharge Consents There are 51 of discharge consents recorded within 500m of the site (Ref. 4). There are ten discharge consents reported on-site relating to coal activities discharging process water into the North Sea; however, all ten consents have been revoked. There are 18 discharge consents reported within 250m of the site but 13 have been revoked. Three active consents relate to the discharge of minewater and final/treated effluent into the North Sea 200m east of the site. The remaining two consents discharge pumping station water and final treated effluent into the River Lyne (location unknown). There are 23 further discharge consents within 500m of the site but they are considered too far to be significant.

3.5.4. Pollution Incidents to Controlled Waters

There are no pollution incidents recorded in the site. Five pollution incidents are recorded in the Envirocheck Report within 500m of the site. Two Category 2 – significant incidents are recorded. The first, located 193m east of the site, is related to a general oil spillage occurring in April 1991. The remaining incident located 500m south-

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west of the site, reported oil including agricultural and domestic diesel affected the adjacent coastal water in May 1995. Three Category 3 – minor incidents listed. The closest incident listed was 140m north-east of the site occurred in August 1995 relating to an unknown pollutant released into the estuary. A minor incident occurred 374m south of the site in December 1995 relating to oil including agricultural and domestic diesel affecting the adjacent coastal water. The remaining incident, located 382m north-west of the site was recorded in December 1993, however, details of the cause and pollutant involved are not known.

3.5.5. Surface Water Quality There is no data reported in the Envirocheck relating to river quality of the River Lyne.

3.6. Hydrogeology

3.6.1. Groundwater Vulnerability Map The Environment Agency Groundwater Vulnerability Map in the Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) classifies the majority of the area as having soils of high leaching potential (U). This is due to the lack of information on soils within mineral workings and urban areas. Therefore a worst case scenario is assumed and a soil of undefined leaching potential (H) is classified as having a high leaching potential (U).A small section in the south-west of the site is classified as having soils of low leaching potential.. The Superficial Aquifer Designation map in the Landmark Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) classifies the majority of the western and central sections of the site as Unproductive Strata. The eastern section of the site is determined to be a Secondary A Aquifer owing to the permeable layers capable of supporting local water supplies. These are generally aquifers formerly classified as minor aquifers. The Bedrock Aquifer Designation map in the Landmark Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) classifies the bedrock at site as a Secondary A Aquifer. Environment Agency information indicates that the site does not lie within a Groundwater Source Protection Zone.

3.6.2. Groundwater and Surface Water Abstractions The Landmark Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) does not identify any groundwater or surface water abstractions listed within 500m of the site.

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4. Environmental Issues

4.1. Waste There is one Waste Management Site listed within the Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) as being present on the site. This site is a historical landfill and is summarised along with other waste management sites registered within 500m of the site in Table 2.

Table 2. Landfill / Waste Transfer Site Entries within 500m of the site Distance / Waste Site / Details Data Source Direction Licensed holder Deposited waste Lynemouth / On Site / Eastern include Historical Landfill (Status Morpeth District corner of site commercial waste Unknown) Council and liquid sludge Registered at BGS Recorded Landfill Sites location of Registered as a Lynemouth / (Status Unknown) between 22m threat to ground Unknown Local Authority Recorded and 37m north- and surface water Landfill (Status Unknown) east

Local Authority Recorded Registered at Blindburn / Various wastes Landfill (Status Unknown) locations of 53m Unknown accepted and 65m north Historical Landfill (Status Unknown) No known Lynemouth Railway Registered at restriction on Track / Registered Landfill Site location of 183m source of waste. Northumberland (Operations Ceased) north-west County Council Licence surrendered Categorised as a Registered at Unknown / Alcan lagoon Licensed Waste location 212m Smelting and Power Licence modified Management Facility south UK in January 2001

Categorised as a lagoon Large input Between 75,000 and 250,000 Registered at Ash Lagoon 4 / tonnes per year Registered Landfill Site location of 312m Alcan Smelting and Accepted waste (Operational as far as south Power UK pulverised fuel known) ash and furnace bottom ash Waste produced by licence holder Registered at Lynemouth Cutting / Deposited waste Historical Landfill (Status location 353m Northumberland included inert Unknown) north-west County Council waste

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Distance / Waste Site / Details Data Source Direction Licensed holder Waste accepted includes construction, Registered at Unknown / demolition and Licensed Waste location 433m Northumberland dredgings. Management Facility north-east County Council Licence surrendered in May 1994 Deposited waste Registered at Alcan UK Ltd No.1 / included industrial Historical Landfill location 457m Alcan Primary and and special waste (Operations Ceased) south Recycling Ltd Last input date August 1980

4.2. Integrated Pollution Prevention Controls / Pollution Prevention Controls Environment Agency information (Ref. 4) indicates that there are no integrated pollution prevention controls present on the site. There are two Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Controls which relate to Mouldshaugh Farm Ltd, located 470m north of the site, but have been surrendered.

4.3. Contemporary Trade Directory There is one entry in the contemporary trade directory located 216m south-east of the site at the power station; this relates to an inactive refractory materials supplier.

4.4. Fuel Stations There is one fuel station entry located 414m north-west of the site, however, the service station is listed in the Landmark Envirocheck report (Ref. 4) as being closed.

4.5. Sensitive Land Use Cresswell Dunes, located 56m north of the site and extending northwards along the coastline to Cresswell, is designated a Local Nature Reserve.

4.6. Planning Hazardous Substance Consents The Landmark Envirocheck Report (Ref. 4) indicates that there was a consent granted by Northumberland Council in October 1992 for the use of chlorine by British Alcan Primary and Recycling Ltd, located 215m east of the site.

4.7. Other Environmental Information

 There are no registered radioactive substances listed within the Envirocheck Report.  There are no Water Industry Act referrals listed within the Envirocheck Report.  There are no Control of Major Accident Hazard sites (COMAH) listed within the Envirocheck Report.  There are no Notifications of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances (NIHHS) listed within the Envirocheck Report.

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5. Preliminary Conceptual Site Model

5.1. General The assessment methodology used is similar to that derived for the determination of statutory Contaminated Land, as defined in Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Ref. 9), which is assessed through the identification and assessment of pollutant linkages (Source-Pathway-Receptor relationships). Implicit in the guidance is the application of risk assessment to consider whether potential pollutant linkages may be significant. In accordance with guidance provided in CLR 11 (Ref. 3) human health, buildings and wider environmental Receptors and Pathways have been identified based on the proposed end-use. The approach adopted involves the development of a Preliminary Conceptual Site Model (PCSM) to summarise potential sources of contamination, potential migration / exposure pathways and potential receptors that may exist at the site and could present significant levels of risk. Based on the available desk study information, a PCSM has been produced with respect to the proposed redevelopment and future use of the site. For the purpose of this PCSM assessment the potential exposure pathways for human health have been assumed to match the Open Space Conceptual Exposure Model (CEM). This CEM is considered to be the closest match to those defined in the Updated Technical Background to the CLEA Model - SR3 (Ref. 10).

5.2. Sources Potential on-site sources of contamination have been identified as:  Made Ground associated with former colliery buildings, mineral railway and colliery spoil. Potential contaminants include heavy metals, phenols, TPHs, PAHs, asbestos, soil borne gas and vapours.  Leachable contaminants associated with former colliery fuel tanks, mineral railway and minewater comprising heavy metals, phenols, TPHs, PAHs,  Soil borne gases associated with the infilling on site comprise methane, , carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide.  Radiological contamination from radioactive material stored on site. Potential off-site sources of contamination have been identified as:  Metal contamination in minewater and around potential discharge points in the River Lyne.  Historical landfilling and mine tips referred to in Table 2. Potential contaminants include heavy metals, hydrocarbons, sulphates, solvents, asbestos, acids, alkalis, soil borne gas and vapours,  Commercial and industrial sites within the surrounding area including a power station, sewage works and an aluminium works.

5.3. Pathways The following potential pathways have been identified;  Direct dermal contact, ingestion of dust from soil or groundwater;  Direct dermal contact, ingestion of dust , absorption from radioactive sources;  Inhalation of asphyxiating or toxic gases or vapour;

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 Inhalation of asbestos fibres;  Migration of soil borne gases;  Leaching/migration of contaminants through soil;  Groundwater abstraction boreholes;  Migration of contaminants in groundwater;  Mobilisation by infiltrating precipitation and groundwater;  Water and gas flow through mine workings.

5.4. Receptors Potential on-site receptors include;  Adjacent site occupants;  Construction workers;  Site end users;  Controlled waters (groundwater and surface waters);

Potential off-site receptors during and after construction;  Residents and visitors to adjacent sites;  Agricultural and industrial workers in surrounding area;  Controlled waters (groundwater and surface waters);  Cresswell Dunes local nature reserve;

Table 3. Preliminary Conceptual Site Model Summary

Sources Migration / Exposure pathways and receptors

Potential contaminants in near surface soils Exposure pathways: associated with Made Ground on-site:  Direct dermal contact and ingestion of dust  Metals and metalloids including arsenic, from soil or groundwater cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, vanadium and  Leaching/migration of contaminants zinc through soil or groundwater

 Phenols  Inhalation of asphyxiating or toxic gases or vapour  Total hydrocarbons (TPHs)  Inhalation of asbestos fibres  Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)  Absorption of radiation  Asbestos Critical receptors:  Radiological Contamination  Construction workers and site-end users including maintenance workers.

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 Adjacent site occupants

 Groundwater – in the Secondary A aquifer

 Surface Water – North Sea and River Lyne

Potential leachable contaminants associated Exposure Pathways: with colliery fuel tanks, mineral railway and  Direct dermal contact and ingestion of dust minewater on-site: from soil or groundwater  Metals and metalloids including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead,  Leaching/migration of contaminants mercury, nickel, selenium, vanadium and through soil or groundwater zinc  Inhalation of asphyxiating toxic gases or  Phenols vapour

 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)  Water flow through the mine workings

 Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) Critical receptors:

 Construction workers and site-end users including maintenance workers

 Adjacent site occupants

 Groundwater – in the Secondary A aquifer

 Surface water – North Sea and River Lyne

Soil borne gases associated with infilling in site Migration: area:  Migration of soil borne gases through  Methane colliery spoil and made ground comprising both granular and cohesive materials,  Carbon dioxide resulting in build up of toxic or explosive gases, or displacement of oxygen leading  Carbon monoxide to asphyxiation

 Hydrogen sulphide Critical Receptors:

 Construction workers and site-end users including maintenance workers

 Adjacent site occupants

Potential Off-site sources: Exposure Pathways: Landfills and disused workings  Direct dermal contact and ingestion of dust from soil or groundwater Minewater (metal contamination)  Leaching/migration of contaminants Commercial and Industrial sites in surrounding through soil or groundwater area  Water flow through the mine workings

 Mobilisation by infiltrating precipitation / groundwater

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 Groundwater abstraction borehole

Critical Receptors:

 Residents and visitors to adjacent sites

 Agricultural and industrial workers in surrounding area

 Groundwater – in the Secondary A aquifer

 Surface water – North Sea and River Lyne

 Cresswell Dunes nature reserve

5.5. Contamination The available information suggests there is a potential risk of contamination at the site predominantly associated with the Lynemouth Colliery. The main sources are Made Ground from colliery spoil and the former activities associated with the colliery which included the mineral railway and the tanks. Potential risk of contamination is associated with the future use of the site and the surrounding area. Whilst a potential risk of radiological contamination exists, this risk is considered likely to be relatively low due to the likely good management of the material; the store is identified on drawings produced towards the end of the site’s operational life when storage of radioactive material was well regulated. Furthermore, there are no sensitive receptors at the site that would be harmed by long-term exposure if a risk is present, hence a full screen of radiological contamination is not currently considered to be necessary. It is recommended that the contamination regime at the site is assessed as part of a ground investigation prior to commencement of works at the site.

5.6. Soil Borne Gas Made Ground and the colliery spoil heaps recorded in the site are likely to constitute a potential on- site source of soil borne gases. Potential off-site sources of gas are primarily associated with the Made Ground, refuse tip and spoil heaps on-site and immediately adjacent to the site may be a source of migration of soil borne gases.

5.7. Groundwater The landfill adjacent to the site and encroaching into the study area is unlikely to have benefited from any engineered containment and is, therefore, considered likely to have the potential to impact on groundwater. However, due to the sloping topography away from site to the east, the contamination will probably move away from site. On and off-site sources associated with the industry legacy and landfills have been identified which may also impact upon groundwater quality.

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6. Recommendations

Based upon the Envirocheck Report and historical maps for the site, it is known that colliery development on-site comprised tanks, conveyors, mineral railways and spoil tips. It is recommended that the planned ground investigation targets these areas utilising a suite of analysis comprising heavy metals, speciated PAHs with a combination of total and speciated TPHs. This ground investigation is to confirm the absence of significant contamination, as well as recording visual/olfactory evidence obtained during the site operations. It is also recommended that gas and groundwater monitoring standpipes are installed on the site during the ground investigation in order to record potential mine gases or potential off-site leachable contamination from the mining area. Risks associated with the discharge of minewater to the surface watercourses will be mitigated by the development of the proposed minewater treatment plant on the site. .

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