Document Lead Sheet
PM Project No: 010629-01
Document No: 010629-22-RP-001
GLANBIA FOODS SOCIETY LTD.
BALLITORE PLANT DEVELOPMENT
For inspection purposes only. ENVIRONMENTALConsent of copyright owner IMPACT required for any STATEMENTother use.
ISSUE DATE ORIG AUTH REVIEW APPRVD APPRVD DESCRIPTION CHK PM CLIENT
A 07/03/03 For Information
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CONTENTS
Table of Contents 2 Abbreviations Used 6
1. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY 8 1.1 Introduction 8 1.2 Description of the Proposed Development 8 1.3 The Human Environment 8 1.4 Landscape and Visual Impact 10 1.5 Air and Climate 10 1.6 Surface Water 11 1.9 Geology, Soils and Hydrogeology 12 1.10 Noise 13 1.11 Flora and Fauna 14 1.12 Material Assets: Archaeological, Architectural and Cultural Heritage 14 1.13 Material Assets: Traffic and Road Infrastructure 15 1.14 Material Assets: Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste 16 1.15 Interaction of Factors 16
2. INTRODUCTION 17 2.1 General 17 2.2 Company Profile and Existing Facility 17
2.3 The Proposed Development For inspection purposes only. 18 Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 2.4 Site Selection and Alternatives Considered 19 2.5 Statutory Requirements 20 2.6 Scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment 21 2.7 EIA Limitations 23
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 24 3.1 Existing Site 24 3.2 Existing Dairy Plant and Operations 24 3.3 Proposed Development (New ESL Plant) 27 3.4 Phasing of Proposed Development 29 3.5 Environmental Management 31 3.6 Construction Phase 31
4. THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT 33 4.1 Introduction 33 4.2 Existing Environment 33
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4.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation 36 4.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation 37 4.5 Conclusions 38
5. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT 39 5.1 Introduction 39 5.2 Existing Environment 39 5.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation Measures 46 5.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation Measures 46 5.5 Conclusions 49
6. AIR AND CLIMATE 50 6.1 Introduction 50 6.2 Existing Environment 50 6.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation Measures 52 6.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation Measures 53 6.5 Conclusions 58
7. SURFACE WATER 60 7.1 Introduction 60 7.2 Existing Environment 60 7.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation 67 7.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation 68 7.5 Conclusions 72
8. GEOLOGY, SOILS AND HYDROGEOLOGY For inspection purposes only. 74 Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 8.1 Introduction 74 8.2 Existing Environment 74 8.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation 77 8.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation 78 8.5 Conclusions 80
9. NOISE 81 9.1 Introduction 81 9.2 Existing Environment 81 9.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation 82 9.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation 83 9.5 Conclusions 84
10. FLORA AND FAUNA 85 10.1 Introduction 85
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10.2 Existing Environment 85 10.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation 87 10.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation 87 10.5 Conclusions 88
11. MATERIAL ASSETS: ARCHAEOLOGICAL, ARCHITECTURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE 89 11.1 Introduction 89 11.2 Existing Environment 89 11.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation 91 11.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation 91 11.5 Conclusions 92
12. MATERIAL ASSETS: TRAFFIC AND ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE 93 12.1 Introduction 93 12.2 Existing Environment 93 12.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation 96 12.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation 97 12.5 Conclusions 100
13. MATERIAL ASSETS: WATER SUPPLY, SEWERAGE, WASTE 101 13.1 Water Supply 101 13.2 Sewerage 101 13.3 Waste 102
14. INTERACTION BETWEEN FACTORS 104 For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 14.1 Introduction 104 14.2 Construction phase 106 14.3 Operational Phase 106 14.4 Conclusions 106
ATTACHMENT 1 Relevant Drawings
ATTACHMENT 2 Ambient Air Quality Survey Report
ATTACHMENT 3 Air Dispersion Modelling Report
ATTACHMENT 4 River Greese Water Quality Survey Report
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ATTACHMENT 5 Hydrogeological Survey Report
ATTACHMENT 6 Ambient Noise Survey Report
ATTACHMENT 7 Ecological Survey Report
ATTACHMENT 8 Archaeological and Architectural Assessment Report
ATTACHMENT 9 Traffic Impact Assessment Report
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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ABBREVIATIONS USED
ADS Archaeological Development Services Ltd.
AQS Air Quality Standard
BAT Best Available Technique
BATNEEC Best Available Technology not Entailing Excessive Costs
BOD Biological Oxygen Demand
CIP Clean in Place
CO Carbon Monoxide
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand
dB Decibel
DOE Department of the Environment
DRO Diesel Range Organics
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
EMS Environmental Management System
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
EQS Environmental Quality Standard
ESB Electricity Supply Board For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. ESL Extended Shelf Life
EU European Union
GLC Ground Level Concentration
GNP Gross National Product
GSI Geological Survey of Ireland
HGV Heavy Goods Vehicle
IBC Intermediate Bulk Container
IPC Integrated Pollution Control
IPPC Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control
LAeq The sound level (dBA) of a steady sound having the same energy as a fluctuating sound over a specified measuring period. An indicator of the average noise level.
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LA10 The noise level (dBA) equalled or exceeded for 10% of the measurement period.
LA90 The noise level (dBA) equalled or exceeded for 90% of the measurement period.
MAC Maximum Admissible Concentration
MCC Motor Control Centre
MEL Minerex Environmental Limited
MV Medium Voltage
NHA Natural Heritage Area
NOX / NO2 Oxides of Nitrogen / Nitrogen Dioxide
OPW Office of Public Works
PCU Passenger Car Unit
PEC Predicted Environmental Concentration
PLC Programmable Logic Controller
PM10 Particulate Matter < 10 micrometres (µm) in diameter PRO Petrol Range Organics
QNHS Quarterly National Household Survey
SAC Special Area of Conservation
SI Statutory Instrument
SRFB Southern For Regionalinspection purposes Fisheries only. Board Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
SOx / SO2 Oxides of Sulphur / Sulphur Dioxide
SPA Special Protection Area
SVOC Semi Volatile Organic Compound
TEDL Trade Effluent Discharge Licence
TOC Total Organic Carbon
TPH Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
WWTP Waste Water Treatment Plant
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1. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
1.1 Introduction Glanbia Foods Society Ltd. (Glanbia) is an international food company based primarily in Ireland, the UK and USA which serves markets for dairy and meat products across the world. Glanbia’s site at Ballitore, Co. Kildare currently serves two different functions - a dairy plant processing liquid milk which is part of Glanbia’s Consumer Foods Division and a grain trading operation and agribusiness retail outlet which are part of Glanbia’s Agribusiness Division. The dairy plant has a current milk processing capacity of 30 million gallons (136,380 m3) per annum. The site currently employs a total of 134 persons of whom 128 work in the dairy plant and 6 work in the agribusiness operations. The total site area at Ballitore is ca. 5.98 hectares of which ca. 2.64 hectares is currently developed. An existing site layout drawing is included in Attachment 1.
1.2 Description of the Proposed Development Glanbia propose to construct a new extended shelf life (ESL) milk plant and increase the capacity of the existing dairy facility at Ballitore. The existing agribusiness facilities on the site will be removed and relocated from the site to accommodate the expansion of the dairy plant.
It is proposed to develop the site over five phases, with Phases 1 and 2 commencing as soon as the planning process is complete. The timing of Phases 3, 4 and 5 will be dependent on market conditions with a minimum development period of five to seven years anticipated. Completion of all five phases will result in an increase in the overall milk processing capacity on the site from 30 million to 65 million gallons per annum. The development will increase the total developed area of the site from ca. 2.64 to 3.58 hectares and will increase the numbers employed on the site to 180 persons. A drawing showing the proposed layout of the site is included in Attachment 1.
On completion of Phase 5 of the development the site will have an overall milk 3 processing capacity of 65 For million inspection gallons purposes only. (295,500 m ) per annum. Therefore, Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. the development falls into the category of projects for which an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required as specified in the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations, 1999 (SI No. 93 of 1999), namely “Installations for manufacture of dairy products where the processing capacity exceeds 50 million gallons of milk equivalent per annum”. On completion of Phase 5, the development will also require an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence from the Environmental Protection Agency as the 1992 EPA Act specifies ‘The manufacture of dairy products where the processing capacity exceeds 50 million gallons of milk equivalent per year’ as a class of activity requiring an IPC licence to operate.
1.3 The Human Environment The Glanbia site is located on the eastern outskirts of Ballitore village, Co. Kildare approximately 32 miles (52 km) south-west of Dublin. Ballitore is a small historic village and is unique among Irish towns and villages in that it was founded by the Quakers in the 17th Century.
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Ballitore has a current population of 714 persons based on the 2002 National Census. Based on available information for Ballitore, the village experiences higher than average levels of unemployment with most of those in employment working in the agricultural, commercial and manufacturing sectors. The land use in the surrounding area is primarily agricultural and the area around B allitore can be considered rural in nature.
The Ballitore area does not have any specific zoning in the Kildare County Development Plan 1999 but the Plan states that Ballitore village has a special significance as a heritage tourism centre and is designated as a “Special Village”. The Local Area Plan for Ballitore classifies much of Ballitore village as an “Architectural Conservation Area” due to the presence of the Quaker buildings. The River Greese runs adjacent to the western boundary of the Glanbia site and the Local Area plan classifies the environs of the River Greese valley including the Glanbia site as a “Natural Protection and Amenity Development Zone”.
There has been a dairy and agricultural co-op on the Glanbia site since 1965 and therefore the “industrial” type nature of the site is long established in the local area. The nature of use of the site resulting from the proposed development will be similar to the existing use (i.e. dairy) and will only increase the developed area of the site by ca. 0.94 hectares. Taking these factors into account the “industrial” nature of the proposed development is not considered to have a significant impact on the rural nature or land use of the area. During the construction phase of the development up to 30 persons will be employed on the site and the operational phase of the development will employ an additional 52 persons approximately and therefore will have a positive impact on employment.
The individual environmental emissions (e.g. to atmosphere, to surface waters etc.) associated with the development are discussed in the relevant sections of the EIS but will not have any significant adverse impact on the environment and / or the human environment. All emissions from the plant will comply with applicable regulatory requirements and limits designed for the protection of human health and the environment will therefore not have any adverse impact For inspection purposes only. on human health. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
The development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on the amenity value or tourism potential of the area. In particular, with respect to the amenity of the River Greese, the treated effluent discharge from Glanbia will not have any significant impact on water quality. The development will facilitate the objective in the Local Area Plan of an extended pedestrian walkway along the River Greese as it is proposed to set aside a strip of Glanbia land along the river bank for the future extension of the walkway and to provide landscaping and planting to screen views of the site from the walkway. Additional landscaping on the site will further help to minimise any visual impact the site may have. A protected structure known as “The Retreat” building is incorporated into the reception / office area on the Glanbia site. The prefabricated structure located in the front of the “The Retreat” will be removed as part of the development of the site. This is in accordance with the recommendations in the Local Area Plan and will have a positive visual impact.
In summary, the proposed development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impacts on the human environment.
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1.4 Landscape and Visual Impact The landscape character around the proposed development site is agricultural and rural in nature. The Glanbia facility sits in the valley of the River Greese, against a natural back-drop of small hills located to the north-west of the site. The general area can be described as a gently rolling landscape, comprising predominantly pasture and tillage farmlands.
The existing Glanbia plant is clearly visible at several locations on Ballitore Road (including several residences thereon) from the south and from the old N9 road to the east. The view of the plant from the west and Ballitore village is reasonably well sheltered by trees growing along the bank of the River Greese. The plant is clearly visible from agricultural lands immediately to the east of the site. The view of the plant from agricultural lands to the north is partially screened by a treeline along the security fence to the north and the site hedgerow boundaries further north.
The construction phase of the development will result in a temporary visual intrusion in the landscape, but this will only last for specific periods during the construction phase. Most of the expanded dairy plant will be of a similar height to the existing buildings and therefore should not have any significant visual impact. A moderate negative visual impact will arise from the first floor area of the new ESL process building which will be ca. 22.5 m high. However the first floor area of the building will only have a footprint of ca. 745 m2 and will be located in the centre of the site away from the site boundaries. Any negative impact will be partially offset by the removal of the grain dryer tower (ca. 16.5m high), grain storage silos and other buildings associated with the agribusiness division on site. The removal of the prefabricated structure at the front of the site, in accordance with the requirements of the Local Area Plan, will have a positive visual impact.
Landscaping and planting at various locations around the site will help to screen views into the site. The colour scheme of the new buildings and other structures will be chosen to blend the proposed and existing buildings into the background, thus minimising any visual For impact. inspection purposes The only.layout and enhanced appearance of the Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. site will appear more planned and unified than the existing site.
In summary, the proposed development is not predicted to have a significant adverse visual impact and should not constitute a significant change in the landscape character compared to the existing situation.
1.5 Air and Climate An ambient air quality survey was carried out to determine existing ambient air quality at the proposed development site. The results of the survey showed that all parameters measured were within the applicable air quality standard (AQS) limit values for the protection of human health and the environment. During the seven day survey, one anomalous elevated result was obtained for PM10 (particulate matter < 10 µm in diameter) but this result is considered unrepresentative as six of the seven PM10 results were below the limit of detection. The results of the survey indicated relatively good ambient air quality at the site which was characteristic of an unpolluted rural location. Appropriate mitigation measures (e.g. dust control) will be taken to ensure the construction phase of the development will not have any significant adverse impact on ambient air quality. The relocation of the grain handling operations from the site will have a positive impact on ambient air quality.
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The two existing boilers on the site will be replaced with larger capacity diesel fired boilers as part of the development. Emissions to atmosphere from the new boilers will comprise combustion by-products consisting primarily of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of sulphur (SOx) and particulate matter. The emission concentrations of these parameters in the flue gases from the boilers will comply with the emission limit values specified in the German Standard : TA Luft Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (2002) and therefore the boilers can be considered to represent Best Available Technique (BAT). Air dispersion modelling was carried to assess the impact of emissions from the new boilers on ambient air quality. The results of the dispersion modelling show that emissions from the boilers will not have any significant adverse impact on ambient air quality and will not result in ground level concentrations of potential pollutants exceeding applicable air quality standard (AQS) limit values for the protection of human health and the environment. The only other source of emissions to atmosphere during the operational phase of the development will be traffic emissions but the amount of traffic will not be significantly different from the existing situation. Therefore the operational phase of the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on ambient air quality. The physical nature of the landscape on and around the development site means that the site does not have any distinctive micro-climate in comparison to the larger surrounding area and does not consist of any physical features such as woodlands, lakes, or steeply sloping terrain that could influence microclimate. The construction and operational phases of the development will result in an additional 0.94 hectares of land (currently grassland) being developed which will not have any impact with respect to microclimate. The level of traffic generated during the construction and operational phases of the development is not considered sufficient to significantly impact on climate. During the operational phase of the development, mixing and dispersion of the boiler flue gas in the atmosphere will rapidly dissipate the heat so that there will be no significant incidence of thermal pollution in the vicinity of the development site. Atmospheric emissions from the diesel fired boiler(s) will include oxides of nitrogen (NOX); oxides of Forsulphur inspection (SO purposesX) only.and oxides of carbon (CO and CO2), all Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. of which can in sufficient amounts have a negative impact on climate (i.e. acidifying and greenhouse gases). The emissions from the boilers will have a minor adverse impact with respect to climate, but the emissions are not considered significant in a national context.
Therefore the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impacts with respect to ambient air quality or climate.
1.6 Surface Water The River Greese which is a tributary of the River Barrow flows in a southerly direction along the western boundary of the site. Glanbia currently discharge treated effluent and uncontaminated surface water runoff to the River Greese under the terms of a Trade Effluent Discharge Licence (TEDL) from Kildare County Council. Based on the results of biological and physico-chemical monitoring of the river upstream and downstream of the Glanbia site, the river is slightly to moderately polluted. The results of this and previous analyses show no significant difference in water quality in the river upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge location which indicates that the current discharge of treated effluent from the Glanbia site is not significantly impacting on water quality in the river.
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Appropriate preventative and containment measures will be taken to prevent contaminated surface water runoff or polluting matter from entering the River Greese during the construction phase (e.g. silt traps) and operational phase (e.g. bunding of tanks, oil-petrol interceptors etc.) of the development. Proper handling and storage of potentially polluting materials used on site will prevent any contamination of the River Greese occurring.
The additional volume of surface water runoff generated as a result of increasing the hardsurfaced area (buildings & yard) of the site by ca. 0.94 hectares will not be significant compared to existing flows in the River Greese and therefore will not have any significant hydrological impact.
Glanbia currently discharge up to 240 m3/day of treated effluent to the River Greese. On completion of Phase 5 of the development the volume of treated effluent to be discharged will increase to potentially 750 m3/day (600 m3/day process effluent and 150 m3/day peak surface water runoff from milk storage/handling areas) but the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) on site will also be upgraded as part of Phase 5 of the development to cater for the increased load. The design for the upgraded WWTP has not been finalised as Phase 5 of the development is not expected to commence for five to seven years. The WWTP will be designed on the basis of Best Available Technique/Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Cost (BAT/BATNEEC) as prior to commencement of Phase 5 of the development Glanbia will be applying to the Environmental Protection Agency for an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence. The WWTP will be designed to ensure that the discharge of treated effluent to the River Greese will not have any significant impact on water quality in the River.
Therefore the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on the River Greese.
1.9 Geology, Soils and Hydrogeology A hydrogeological investigation was carried out to determine the existing soils For inspection purposes only. and groundwater conditionsConsent of copyright at the owner site. required Pumping for any other use.tests were also carried out on the existing wells on site to assess the potential for future groundwater use at the site. The results of the investigation showed no significant contamination of soils and groundwater on the site; with respect to groundwater some organic contamination was detected in one of the existing wells on the site, some hydrocarbon contamination was detected in one of the shallow boreholes and microbial contamination was detected in three of the shallow boreholes both upgradient and downgradient of the site. The sources of the contamination have not yet been identified but is probably due to both on-site and off-site (e.g. agricultural sources such as slurry spreading) activities. Further investigations will be carried out to determine the source of contamination and measures will be taken to prevent any further potential contamination / rectify as appropriate.
There will be no direct discharges to soil or groundwater on the site during either the construction or operational phases of the development. Landspreading of sludge from the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) will take place on farmlands remote from the site but all such landspreading will be carried out in accordance with Teagasc code of practice and guidelines to ensure it does not have any significant adverse impacts on soils and groundwater / surface water.
Appropriate preventative and containment measures (e.g. bunding of tanks) will be taken to prevent any polluting materials from contaminating the soils or
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groundwater on the Glanbia site. Proper handling and storage of potentially polluting materials used on site will prevent any contamination occurring. The monitoring wells installed on site will be used to monitor groundwater quality and detect any changes in groundwater quality during the operational phase of the development. As part of the development of the site it is proposed to increase the abstraction rate of groundwater for use in the plant from ca. 240 m3/day to ca. 600 m3/day. The results of the initial pumping tests on site indicated a sustainable yield of groundwater that will adequately satisfy future usage requirements without impacting on the available groundwater resource.
The development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on geology, soils or hydrogeology / groundwater.
1.10 Noise An eight-day continuous ambient noise survey was carried out at three locations on the site to determine existing ambient noise levels. The results of the survey indicated relatively high ambient noise levels at two of the locations, adjacent to the Ballitore road to the south-west of the site and adjacent to the closest noise sensitive receptors (i.e. residential dwellings) to the south-east of the site. The survey indicated that the main sources of noise are traffic on the Ballitore road and on-site activities (utilities area, refrigerated truck parking). The construction phase of the development will contribute to ambient noise levels for the duration of the construction works but measures will be taken to minimise as much as practicable any impact on ambient noise levels or noise sensitive receptors (e.g. residential dwellings) in the vicinity. Various noise control measures are being incorporated into the design of the Glanbia plant including the siting of equipment within the site, housing of equipment within buildings, specification of noise criteria for new equipment and acoustic insulation / attenuation of equipment as necessary. These noise control measures will minimise the contribution from Glanbia operations to ambient noise levels particularly at the closest noise sensitive receptors to the site. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. With respect to the closest noise sensitive receptors to the site (i.e. residential dwellings to the south-east) a number of measures are expected to significantly reduce the contribution of the Glanbia plant to ambient noise levels at these receptors (dwellings). The utilities area will be relocated further away from the dwellings and all utilities equipment will be housed within buildings. The truck parking areas will be relocated further away from the dwellings and acoustic screening of the parking areas will be provided by the new buildings on the site. Grading, landscaping and planting of the area to the rear of dwellings together with the extension of an existing concrete block capped wall to the rear of the houses will contribute to acoustic screening of noise from the site. The noise control measures will minimise the contribution of the Glanbia plant to ambient noise levels and will ensure that the operation of the Glanbia plant does not have a significant adverse impact on ambient noise levels or noise sensitive receptors in the vicinity.
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1.11 Flora and Fauna An ecological survey and study of the site was carried out to assess the existing flora and fauna on the site. The survey included a biological assessment (invertebrate sampling) of the water quality in the River Greese. No part of the site or its immediate surroundings is covered by a scientific or conservation designation as recognised by Duchas, The Heritage Service. The survey of the site has shown that the site does not contain any rare or protected plant or animal species. The existing habitats on the site comprising grassland, hedgerows and treelines are considered of low to moderate ecological value.
Based on samples taken from the River Greese upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge point, both locations on the river have a biological quality rating of Q3-4, indicating slight to moderate pollution. The results showed no significant difference in water quality upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge point. The presence of trout populations in the River Greese qualifies the watercourse as of high ecological value in a local or regional context.
The construction of the development will involve the loss of some agricultural pasture land (ca. 0.94 hectares) and a small section of treeline (ca. 30 metres), but these habitats are of low ecological value and their loss is not considered significant. Additional landscaping on the site will compensate for the loss of the small section of treeline. Appropriate preventative and containment measures will be taken to prevent contaminated surface water runoff or polluting matter from entering the River Greese during the construction phase and operational phase of the development.
The volume of treated effluent to be discharged to the River Greese will increase from 240 to potentially 750 m3/day (600 m3/day process effluent and 150 m3/day peak surface water runoff) on completion of Phase 5 of the development. The waste water treatment plant (WWTP) will be upgraded to cater for the increased loading and will be designed to ensure that the discharge of treated effluent to the River Greese will not have any significant impact on the water quality and thus ecological quality of theFor inspection river. purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
The development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impacts on flora and fauna.
1.12 Material Assets: Archaeological, Architectural and Cultural Heritage An archaeological and architectural study and survey of the proposed development site was carried out to identify any features or items of archaeological and/or architectural significance on the proposed development site and assess the potential impact the development could have on such features or items. The study and survey did not reveal any features or items of archaeological or architectural significance on the development site, other than one building known as the “The Retreat”. This building is the former home of the Shackleton family and is a protected structure under the Planning and Development Act 2000. It is currently incorporated into the reception / office area at the front of the Glanbia site.
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Although the study indicates that there are no items of archaeological significance on the development site it is possible that archaeological features and artefacts may have survived below ground and construction works could impact on such features. In order to prevent damage occurring to any archaeological features or artefacts that may have survived below ground, topsoil stripping and ground preparation on the site will be monitored by a suitably qualified archaeologist and any finds will be reported to the relevant authorities. The only building of architectural significance on the development site is The Retreat. No construction works will be carried out on “The Retreat” and this building will not be affected during the construction phase of the development. As part of the development the prefabricated structure located in front of “The Retreat” will be removed in accordance with the Local Area Plan. This will have a positive visual impact, improving the visual amenity and allow a clear unobstructed view of The Retreat building from the public road.
The development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impacts with respect to archaeological, architectural or cultural heritage.
1.13 Material Assets: Traffic and Road Infrastructure A traffic impact assessment was carried out to assess the impact of traffic generated by the proposed development on traffic levels and the surrounding road network. The assessment was prepared in accordance with the Institution of Highways and Transportation 1994 document “Guidelines for Traffic Impact Assessment) and Kildare County Council were also consulted during the assessment.
The Glanbia site is situated on the outskirts of Ballitore village and the eastern approach road to the village runs along the southern boundary of the Glanbia site. The major access road to the Ballitore area is the N9 Primary road between Dublin and Waterford. There are three accesses off the N9 that serve Ballitore and each access forms a priority junction arrangement with the N9. Existing traffic levels in the area were established by carrying out a manual classified traffic count on the Ballitore approach road at the entrance to the Glanbia site For inspection purposes only. and also obtaining NationalConsent of copyright Roads owner Authority required for any (NRA) other use. data for the major roads in the area. The assessment shows that existing traffic generated by the Glanbia site is not having a significant impact on traffic levels and the surrounding road network and that the local road network has adequate capacity to accommodate current traffic levels.
During the construction period, the level of construction traffic will be of minor significance on traffic levels on both the local and wider road network. The increase in operational traffic associated with the proposed development of the dairy plant is not considered significant. The peak hour traffic flows expected to be generated during the operation of the plant will not coincide with the peak traffic activity on the surrounding road network. The assessment has shown that the existing road infrastructure has adequate capacity to accommodate the increase in traffic associated with the development as well as future predicted residential development in the area. No new road infrastructure is required to accommodate the increase in traffic associated with the proposed development.
The proposed development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on traffic levels and the surrounding road network.
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1.14 Material Assets: Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste The majority of the water used on site will be groundwater abstracted from wells on the site. Initial pumping tests on site indicated a sustainable yield of groundwater that will adequately satisfy future usage requirements without impacting on the available groundwater resource. As per the existing plant, the Local Authority mains supply will be used to provide water for future domestic use estimated at ca. 7 m3/day. Based on available information, the Local Authority watermain should have adequate capacity to supply this volume of water. As per the existing plant, foul effluent from sanitary facilities on site will be discharged to the Kildare County Council sewer and then treated in the local municipal waste water treatment. It is estimated that ca. 7 m3/day of foul effluent will be generated on site. Based on available information there should be sufficient capacity in the local sewerage system to accept and treat this quantity of foul effluent. Glanbia will generate mainly non- hazardous waste but also a small amount of hazardous waste during the construction and operational phases of the development. All waste generated on site will be stored, transported from site and treated / recycled / disposed off-site in accordance with statutory requirements, in particular the Waste Management Act 1996 and any regulations made thereunder. During the operational phase of the development waste management will form a key part of the environmental management system (EMS) to be implemented on the site. Every effort will be made to minimise waste generation and where possible waste will be recovered / recycled rather than disposed. All waste generated on site will be stored in an appropriate manner prior to its removal off-site by licensed waste contractors. Therefore waste generation on site should not have a significant adverse environmental impact.
1.15 Interaction of Factors For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. There will be interactions between a number of the development activities and different environmental media assessed in the Environmental Impact Statement. Appropriate mitigation measures will be taken during the construction and operational phases of the development to minimise any potential impacts on the different environmental media. These measures will be implemented in an integrated manner to ensure that no significant adverse / negative impact occurs as result of interactions between the proposed development and the various environmental media affected by the development. Overall the development is considered to have a positive impact in that it will create additional employment without having any significant adverse environmental impacts.
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2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 General This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared to address the potential impacts of the development of the Glanbia plant at Ballitore, Co. Kildare. The site location is shown on Figure 2.1 below and also on a smaller scale location map included in Attachment 1.
Site Location
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Figure 2.1 Site Location Map (Reproduced under Ordnance Survey Ireland Licence No EN 0003403 © Government of Ireland)
2.2 Company Profile and Existing Facility Glanbia Foods Society Ltd. (Glanbia) is an international food company based primarily in Ireland, the UK and USA which serves markets for dairy and meat products across the world. Glanbia ranks as one of Europe's largest dairy companies and one of the world's largest cheese manufacturers. It is quoted on the Dublin and London Stock Exchanges and had a turnover in 2002 of over €2.6 billion. The company employs over 7,500 staff worldwide. The Glanbia Group has three main business divisions: • Consumer Foods • Food Ingredients • Agribusiness
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Glanbia’s site at Ballitore serves as part of both the Consumer Foods and Agribusiness Divisions. The total area of the site is ca. 5.98 hectares of which ca. 2.64 hectares is currently developed. Glanbia Dairies Ireland is part of the Consumer Foods Division and is the Irish liquid milk division of Glanbia plc. It is the leading supplier of fresh and value added milk beverages to Irish consumers through its market leading brands, Avonmore, Premier and Snowcream from its three liquid milk processing facilities at Drogheda, Waterford and Ballitore. Glanbia Dairies, Ballitore comprises a liquid milk processing, packing and primary dispatch facility and has the capacity to contribute 30 million gallons per annum to the liquid milk division. Founded in 1965 as the Barrowvale Co-op, the plant started producing the Avonmore brand in 1982. It now processes fresh and light milk for the Avonmore and Premier brands as well as Supermilk, Slimline and Cream under the Avonmore label, for the Dublin markets and the Eastern part of the country. The dairy facility employs a total of 128 staff and operates on a 24-hour basis processing milk six days a week and dispatching milk seven days a week. The Ballitore site also functions as part of Glanbia’s Agribusiness Division and serves the farming community in the surrounding areas consisting of both a grain trading operation and an agribusiness sales and retail outlet. The plant has a big grain intake, drying and storage plant catering for the tillage sector in the area (winter wheat and winter barley). The Ballitore site also assembles milling wheat and malting barley. The agribusiness sales and retail outlet on the site offers a wide range of products and services including feed bags and bulk, fertiliser, grass seed, seed grain, chemicals, silage additives, veterinary medicines, farm hardware, crop walking, soil testing, silage analysis and technical feed advice. The Agribusiness facility employs a total of 6 staff and operates six days a week (Monday to Saturday) except during the grain intake season (July to September) when the grain drying plant operates seven days a week. An existing site layout drawing is included in Attachment 1.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
2.3 The Proposed Development Glanbia propose to construct a new extended shelf life (ESL) milk plant and product development facility at the site and to increase the capacity of the existing dairy facility at Ballitore. The existing Agribusiness facilities on the site will be removed and relocated away from the site to accommodate the expansion of the dairy facility. It is proposed to develop the site over five phases, with Phases 1 and 2 commencing as soon as the planning process is complete. The timing of Phases 3, 4 and 5 will be dependent on market conditions with a minimum development period of five to seven years anticipated. Completion of all five phases will result in an increase in the overall milk processing capacity on the site from 30 million to 65 million gallons per annum.
The proposed development is described in detail in Section 3 of the EIS.
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2.4 Site Selection and Alternatives Considered Glanbia assessed a number of possible sites for the location of a new Extended Shelf Life (ESL) milk plant prior to selecting the Ballitore site. The following sites were assessed:
Glanbia Dairy at Drogheda, Co Louth
Glanbia Dairy at Waterford
Glanbia Dairy at Ballitore
Greenfield site
Drogheda was suitable in having a modern milk processing and packing facility with the availability of experienced staff. However the option was rejected as the site is too small for any further significant development. The site is surrounded by residential development on three sides and the N1 national primary road on the fourth side. Therefore, no further land is available. Similarly Waterford was not suitable as the site is very small and is surrounded by residential development. It is also too far from the principal supplier base and the Dublin market.
A number of greenfield sites were investigated and preliminary layouts and cost estimates prepared. This option was rejected as the costs involved in purchasing a site of the area required and in construction of a new dairy facility from “scratch” would render the project totally non-viable. It was also considered that developing an existing site would have less of an environmental impact than developing a new greenfield site.
The Ballitore site was chosen for the following reasons:
• Availability of sufficient land already owned by Glanbia
• Accessibility to main milk supplier base and guaranteed local supply of high quality raw material (milk) For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
• Accessibility and road network to the Dublin market.
• Utility supplies including electricity, telecoms, water for domestic use, foul sewerage etc. are readily available
• Availability of existing skilled labour and management resources, together with ready availability of further labour resources in the surrounding areas.
• Existing processing /packing/office facilities which can be extended at reasonable cost.
• Facilitates the continued use of the significant upgrades and expansion works already completed on site. These are primarily the building works completed between 1996 and 2000 on the existing filling hall and also to the dispatch chill storage / returns area.
• Developing the existing site will have less of an environmental impact than developing a new greenfield site. It only requires the use of a small amount of greenfield land (approx 0.94 hectares) due to the re-use of the existing developed Grain Trading Area and Agribusiness Division area of the site.
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For the above reasons, Ballitore was selected as the proposed location for the new ESL milk plant.
2.5 Statutory Requirements
2.5.1 Environmental Impact Assessment The original European Directive relating to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is European Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment which requires Member States to ensure that before consent is given ‘projects likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue inter alia, of their nature, size or location are made subject to an assessment with regard to their effects’.
The European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations, 1999 (SI No. 93 of 1999) specify the types of project in Ireland which currently require an environmental impact assessment. Part II of the First Schedule of these regulations requires “Installations for manufacture of dairy products where the processing capacity exceeds 50 million gallons of milk equivalent per annum” to be subject to an EIA.
When all five phases of the proposed development are complete, the Ballitore site will have a liquid milk processing capacity of 65 million gallons per annum and therefore requires an EIA to be carried out and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be prepared. This EIS addresses all five phases of the development and will be submitted as part of the planning application to Kildare County Council.
2.5.2 Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) Licence
The First Schedule of the ForEnvironmental inspection purposes only. Protection Agency (EPA) Act, 1992 Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. specifies the classes of activity which require an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence from the Agency to operate. Class 7.2 of the First Schedule is ‘The manufacture of dairy products where the processing capacity exceeds 50 million gallons of milk equivalent per year’.
The Ballitore site will have a liquid milk processing capacity of 65 million gallons of milk per annum on completion of Phase 5 of the development. Therefore it will be necessary for Glanbia to apply to the EPA for an IPC licence prior to commencement of the operation of Phase 5 of the development.
Note: The Protection of the Environmental Bill 2003 amends the First Schedule of the EPA Act, 1992 and includes a lower threshold for dairy activities requiring an IPC / IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) licence to operate, namely “The treatment and processing of milk, the quantity of milk received being greater than 200 tonnes per day (average on a yearly basis)”. The Bill is not yet published as legislation, but when it is fully implemented, the lower threshold specified for dairy activities may require Glanbia to apply for an IPC / IPPC licence at an earlier stage than Phase 5 of the development.
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Under the terms of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 as amended, Kildare County Council have issued a Trade Effluent Discharge Licence (TEDL) to Glanbia Ballitore to discharge treated effluent, uncontaminated cooling water (no longer occurs) and uncontaminated surface water to the River Greese. It is expected that the IPC licence when granted will supersede the TEDL.
2.6 Scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment This EIS has been prepared in accordance with statutory requirements, in particular Schedule 6 (Information to be contained in an EIS) of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (SI No. 600 of 2001). Due regard has also been given to the guidelines and advice notes on Environmental Impact Statements issued by the EPA namely:
• Advice Notes on Current Practice in the Preparation of Environmental Impact Statements • Guidelines on the Information to be Contained in Environmental Impact Statements The structure used is a grouped format which examines each topic (e.g. flora and fauna) as a separate section describing the existing environment, the proposed development and the associated impacts and mitigation measures.
The contents of and topics addressed in this EIS are based on statutory requirements and the aforementioned EPA guidance notes and include the following:
• Human Environment • Landscape and Visual Impact • Air Quality and Climate For inspection purposes only. • Surface WaterConsent of copyright owner required for any other use.
• Geology, Soils and Hydrogeology • Noise • Flora and Fauna • Material Assets: Archaeological, Architectural and Cultural Heritage • Material Assets: Traffic and Road Infrastructure • Material Assets: Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste • Interaction of Factors A non-technical summary is contained in the first section of the EIS and relevant drawings, specialist consultant and technical reports are included as attachments.
The proposed content of the EIS was discussed with the planning authority, Kildare County Council. The following organisations were also consulted as part of the scoping exercise for the EIS:
• Duchás, The Heritage Service • Southern Regional Fisheries Board
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• Office of Public Works, Engineering Services Division • Environmental Protection Agency
2.6.1 Specialist Consultants In preparing the EIS a number of specialist consultants were retained to carry out baseline surveys and impact assessments and are listed in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1: Specialist consultants used in preparation of the EIS Study Consultant Ambient Air Quality TMS Environment Ltd 53 Broomhill Drive Tallaght Dublin 24 Surface Water Quality TMS Environment Ltd 53 Broomhill Drive Tallaght Dublin 24 Geology, Soil and Minerex Environmental Limited Hydrogeology Taney Hall Eglinton Terrace Dundrum Dublin 14 Ambient Noise Monitoring Eanna O’Kelly and Associates
For inspection purposesConsultant only. Acoustic Engineers Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 24 Strand St. Skerries Co. Dublin. Flora and Fauna Natura Environmental Consultants Enterprise Centre The Murrough Wicklow Archaeological and Archaeological Development Services Ltd. Architectural Heritage Windsor House 11 Fairview Strand Fairview, Dublin 3
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2.7 EIA Limitations The detailed design on all five phases of the proposed development has not been completed at the time of preparing the EIS. Therefore, where required provisional design information and best estimates have been used to describe the proposed development and to assess the impacts e.g. upgraded waste water treatment plant or data used in air dispersion modelling. When assessing the impacts of the development conservative estimates have been used and therefore this limitation is not considered to affect the validity of the assessment.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
3.1 Existing Site The existing Glanbia site at Ballitore serves two different functions:
• Grain trading operation and agribusiness sales and retail outlet which are part of Glanbia’s Agribusiness Division
• Dairy plant processing liquid milk which is part of Glanbia’s Consumer Foods Division
Glanbia propose to relocate the Agribusiness Division activities from the site in order to make the necessary space available to expand the dairy operations. The grain trading operation will be relocated in it’s entirety to other Glanbia owned sites. The Agribusiness sales and retail outlet serves the local farming community and will be relocated within the general local area, at a site not yet selected. This will form part of a separate planning application.
The existing plant and facilities associated with the Agribusiness Division on the site consist primarily of:
• 18 No. Grain storage silos
• Grain drying tower building
• Dust house
• Agribusiness warehouse and retail shop
• Stores Building
• Miscellaneous stores, electrical rooms and tanks
In order to facilitate the proposed development it is proposed to demolish all of For inspection purposes only. these facilities with theConsent exception of copyright owner of therequired Stores for any other Building. use. This building does not impinge on the area to be developed, is in reasonable condition, and will be retained for use as a general store.
The facilities and operations associated with the existing dairy plant are described in the following section. An existing site layout drawing is included in Attachment 1.
3.2 Existing Dairy Plant and Operations
3.2.1 General Glanbia Dairies Ballitore processes fresh and light milk for the Avonmore and Premier brands as well as Supermilk, Slimline and Cream under the Avonmore label. The existing dairy is designed to process a maximum of 30 million gallons (136,380m3) per annum. This equates to an average throughput of 100,000 gallons (455m3) per day based on 300 days per annum processing.
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The process operations in the dairy plant currently operate 24hours/day and six days per week (Monday – Saturday) with the following shift pattern:
6.00am to 2.00pm Shift 1 Processing and packing
2.00pm to 10.00pm Shift 2 Processing and packing
10.00pm to 4.00am Shift 3 CIP (Cleaning in Place) and washing operations
Dispatch operations to market are on a 24-hour basis, seven days per week. Deliveries of milk (milk intake) to the plant take place seven days a week which includes a limited period on Sundays (8:00 am to 4:00 pm). The factory operates a 3-shift 24 hour /7 day processing and packing system at peak periods – i.e. Christmas, Easter and some bank holiday weekends The plant currently has a total workforce of 128 persons.
3.2.2 Process Raw milk is unloaded from road tankers at a milk intake bay and transferred directly to a raw milk storage silo. Prior to being unloaded a QA (Quality Assurance) sample is taken from the road tanker and tested in the on-site laboratory. Milk temperature in the intake line is monitored with two setpoints, one to start cooling the milk and the other to reject the milk. The raw milk silos are agitated once a pre-set volume is achieved in the silo, primarily to prevent the separation of cream and milk.
From the raw milk storage silos milk is processed through a milk pasteurising line which has three main operations:
1. To pasteurise the milk. This is achieved by heating the milk to 71.6oC and holding at that temperature for 16 seconds.
2. To adjust the amount Forof inspectionfat in the purposes milk, only. firstly the cream is separated from the Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. milk in a separator. A portion of the cream is then recombined with the milk to give a fixed fat content in the milk (0.1% for “skim”, 1.5% for “semi-skim” and 3.5% for “whole” milk)
3. After adjusting, the cream and milk mix are homogenised which ensures that they do not separate at a later stage.
Pasteurised milk is stored in the finished milk silos until a filling line is available to receive and package it. Finished milk silos are dedicated to hold milk with different fat contents. From these silos the milk is piped to filling machines where it is packed into a range of containers including 1 and 2 litre plastic bottles, 0.5 litre and 1 litre cardboard containers etc.
A portion of the milk throughput is diverted through a mixing system where additives such as vitamins and flavours are added to create “speciality” milks. The resulting mix must only be pasteurised again. After been pasteurised it is held in a fortified milk silo until a filling line is available to receive and package it.
Surplus cream from the standardising operation is transferred to a raw cream storage silo. This cream is processed in a dedicated cream pasteurising line, however it is not standardised or homogenised. After been pasteurised it is held in a fresh cream vessel until a filling line is available to receive and package it.
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All packed milk and cream is then shrinkwrapped or placed in trollies (depending on the packaging size and type) and transferred to the chill store, where it is temporarily held at a temperature of 40C before being loaded onto refrigerated trailers and transported to the marketplace. The returns area of the plant takes in any out of date packaged milk which is returned from Glanbia customers and empties the milk from the packaging before transferring the milk to the returns milk silos. Any waste milk from the plant process is also transferred to the returns milk silos. The returns milk is then tankered off-site for use as pig feed. The process plant and lines are cleaned in place (CIP). This is achieved by pumping CIP solutions from a central CIP station at pre-set flowrate, chemical concentration and temperature to the tank, piping system or process plant to be cleaned and then returning the solutions to the same CIP station. There are a number of CIP stations. Each CIP station is equipped with four vessels (dilute acid, dilute caustic, fresh water and recovered water). There are two typical CIP cleans, the first is a caustic wash (Lactol – sodium hydroxide solution ), which is a caustic wash preceded and followed by a water flush. The second CIP clean is an acid (peracetic acid solution) and caustic wash. The sequence for this clean is water flush, caustic wash, water flush, acid wash & water flush. A different acid solution (nitric acid) is also used very occasionally as a descalant.
3.2.3 Plant and Utilities The dairy plant is located in the southern end of the site and comprises the following principal areas: • Administration block comprising reception area, offices, and staff welfare facilities (changing rooms, toilets, showers)
• Staff Canteen (Temporary prefabricated portakabin facility)
• Laboratory (Quality Assurance)
• Tanker Unloading Milk For Intake inspection Area purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
• Raw Material Store (Additives, Milk Flavours)
• Process Area
• Returns Area
• Carton Store
• Filling Hall
• Chill Store
• Milk and cream storage silos located internal and external to the dairy plant comprising 4 No. Raw Milk Silos, 5 No. Finished (pasteurised) Milk Silos, 5 No. Pasteurised Cream Silos and 3 No. Returns Milk Silos. Areas around the milk silo storage areas drain to the waste water treatment plant.
• Dispatch / Truck Loading Area (6 No. Loading Bays)
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There are also a number of ancillary buildings and utilities on the site which support the dairy process and operations and are outlined as follows: • 2 No. Steam Boilers (total capacity of 5000 kg/hr steam) located in the Boiler House. • MCC (Motor Control Centre) Room • 2 No. Groundwater Wells and well water storage tank • Well Water Treatment Plant (Softening and Chlorination System) • Cleaning in Place (CIP) System • Chilled Water System comprising 3 No. Chillers and 1 No. Chilled Water Tank. • Compressed Air System with 2 No. Air Compressors. • Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). The WWTP is designed to treat a daily hydraulic and organic load of 240 m3/day and 760 kg BOD/day respectively and comprises Primary, Secondary and Tertiary treatment stages (Refer to Section 7.2.2 of EIS for further details) • 1 No. 28 m3 Bulk Diesel Tank to supply the boilers with fuel and 1 No. 28 m3 Bulk Diesel Tank and filling point to supply vehicle fuel • Bunded area for chemical IBCs and drums (e.g. caustic and acid used in CIP system) • Truck Wash Area • Waste Compactor Much of the existing utilities and support operations will be upgraded and/or relocated on the site as part of the proposed development.
3.3 Proposed Development For inspection(New purposesESL only.Plant) Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
3.3.1 General It is proposed to develop the Ballitore site over five phases. Phases 1 and 2 will commence as soon as the planning process is complete. The timing of Phases 3, 4 and 5 would be dependent on market conditions with a minimum development period of five to seven years anticipated.
Phases 1 and 2 of the new facility are designed to produce, pack and store ESL milk. Completion of Phases 1 and 2 will involve no increase in production throughput as a portion of the existing milk processing capacity will be diverted to the new ESL plant. Completion of Phases 3,4 and 5 of the proposed development will facilitate the increase in design milk throughput to 65 million gallons (295,500m3) per annum. This equates to a daily average throughput of 217,000 gallons (986 m3) per day based on 300 days per annum processing. Operating hours will be similar to the existing dairy plant. It is anticipated that when the plant reaches full throughout capacity, production will operate on a 24- hour basis seven days per week as market conditions dictate. This would be in addition to the existing 24-hour seven day dispatch operation. The plant will employ a total workforce of ca. 180 persons.
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The following sections describe the process for the new ESL plant and the plant / facilities associated with each phase of the development. Two drawings showing the proposed layout of the site and the phased development of the site respectively are included in Attachment 1.
3.3.2 Process Processing required for ESL milk is very similar to that required for “ordinary” milk, except it is heat treated at a higher temperature and is handled and packed in a sterile environment. The essence of the ESL process is that it increases the shelf life of a milk product which is kept in the cold chain (at around 40C). This is achieved by having a lower bacteria count after pasteurisation and by designing the downstream process to further minimise recontamination of the milk.
The ESL processing line can produce either white milk or milk/whey based flavoured drinks. The base (milk or whey) is held in a premix vessel. The base is transferred to a post mix vessel and during the transfer dry ingredients (sugar, flavours etc.) are added to it. The resulting mix is processed in an Ultra High Treatment (UHT) line to achieve the reduction in bacteria count required for ESL milk. Various methods can achieve ESL such as direct heating, indirect heating, ultrafiltration, etc. The preferred method to be adopted for this process will be selected during the detailed design phase of the project. After the UHT, the mix is stored in an aseptic vessel until a packaging line is available to receive it.
It is proposed to install new aseptic storage tanks in a first floor room above the ESL Process Room. These tanks are normally placed indoors in a controlled environment in line with current GMP ( hygiene) practices. ESL milk will be packed in a new ESL Filling Line under aseptic conditions, before being shrinkwrapped and transported to the existing chill store by forklift truck.
Cleaning operations in the existing plant and proposed ESL plant will be identical except that a separate CIP For system inspection purposes will be only. dedicated to the ESL plant in order to Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. prevent any possibility of cross contamination.
CIP stations are dedicated to plant items as follows:
1. Lorry wash, “raw” side of the plant
2. “Pasteurised” side of the plant and associated packaging lines
3. ESL plant items and associated packaging lines Phase 1 will require the installation of a new CIP station for the ESL plant items. During a later phase the existing CIP stations will be replaced with larger stations in line with the proposed increased plant capacity.
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3.4 Phasing of Proposed Development Phase 1 of the proposed development involves the construction of a new plant to produce ESL milk. This phase of the development will involve no increase in milk throughput or associated traffic, as it is proposed to divert a portion (considerably less than 10%) of the existing milk pool to this process. The existing milk intake system and raw milk storage silos will be utilised exactly as at present. The milk to be processed in the proposed plant will already be pasteurised and standardised in the existing plant.
Phase 2 involves a relatively small extension (~350m2) to the existing chill store, together with the demolition and relocation of the existing returns area and compactor area to facilitate this extension. Completion of Phase 2 will facilitate separate storage and order-picking of ESL products. Completion of phases 3,4 and 5 of the proposed development will facilitate the increase in design milk throughput to 65 million gallons (295,500m3) per annum. The plant and utilities associated with each phase of the development are outlined in the following sections.
3.4.1 Phase 1 The primary purpose of Phase 1 is the construction of a new Extended Shelf Life (ESL) milk processing and packaging facility to include the following :-
• A new milk Process Room (~1060m2).
• First floor room over Process Room to accommodate ESL and finished milk storage silos (~745m2 )
• A new Filling Hall for ESL milk and associated milk products (~520m2).
• A new Secondary Packing Area for ESL milk and associated milk products 2 For inspection purposes only. (~153m ). Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
• A new packaging day-store (~100m2).
• A new Powder Store and Blending Room (~128m2).
• MCC room (~123m2).
• A new client MCC / MV (Medium Voltage) rooms, ESB sub-station and transformer compound will be constructed to replace those being removed as part of the demolition of the Trading Division Warehouse. These will be located in a position to suit the plant utilities / services relocation planned for Phase 3.
• New Process drain sump and main drain to effluent plant.
• New open CIP bunded compound.
• A new concrete truck parking area and re-route roadway around new ESL building
The completion of this phase of the project will provide the Ballitore site with the capability to produce a range of ESL products.
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There will be no increase in milk throughput or traffic in relation to this phase as a portion of the existing milk volumes will be diverted to the new product line.
3.4.2 Phase 2 Phase 2 involves a relatively small extension to the existing chill store, together with the demolition and relocation of the existing Returns Area and Compactor area to facilitate this extension.
The following are the primary elements associated with Phase 2 :-
• Demolition of existing compactor/skip area and part of the existing Returns.
• A new chill store extension (~350m2). The existing Returns area will be incorporated into the extended Chill Store
• A new Returns / Compactor area (~458m2).
• Demolition of existing process sumps and diverting of existing drains to new process sump installed under phase 1.
• A new 600m3 capacity effluent balance tank will be installed.
3.4.3 Phase 3 The following are the primary elements associated with Phase 3 :-
• A new ‘Drive Through’ milk intake reception area
• A new ‘Raw Milk’ silo farm
• A new Amenities Block including Laboratory, Control Room, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) Room and Changing Area on the ground For inspection purposes only. 2 floor and Canteen,Consent Toilets of copyright and owner Locker required forfacilities any other use. on the first floor(~902m ).
• A new utilities compound.
• A new Utilities Building (~731m2) and compound. The MV / electrical plant etc. (relocated during Phase 1) will form the start of the site services / utilities compound area. The Utility Block will comprise boilerhouse, refrigeration room, water treatment room, air compressor room, maintenance workshop and store.
• All new utility plant will be housed within the utility building(s) including steam boilers (2 No. 20,000 kg/hr steam boilers operating on duty/standby basis), ammonia refrigeration plant (2 No. industrial refrigeration units for chilled water), air compressors (3 No.) and well water treatment system (softening and chlorination). Bunded bulk storage tanks comprising 1 No. 150 m3 diesel tank for boiler fuel and 1 No. 20 m3 Lactol (26-28% sodium hydroxide solution) tank for CIP will be located externally in the utility area. Other bulk chemicals stored in IBCs / Drums such as acid solutions used in CIP (e.g. peracetic acid) will be located externally in a bunded area.
• New pipe bridge structure linking the Utility Block to the Process Area.
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• Demolition of the existing car parking area and construction of a new car parking area (135 No. car parking spaces) adjacent to the eastern boundary of the site.
• The existing internal site access road will be realigned to facilitate the development.
• A new 600m3 capacity effluent storage tank will be installed.
3.4.4 Phase 4 The following are the primary elements associated with Phase 4 :-
• A new extension to the filling hall (~1550m2). This will link the existing filling hall to the new ESL facility, intake and processing rooms.
• A plastic bottle store (~230m2) to the east side of the filling hall with four loading docks/dock seals etc. for the intake of plastic bottles.
• The existing MCC room and process room will be incorporated into the Filling Hall.
• New utility and milk headers to serve the filling machines.
3.4.5 Phase 5 The following are the primary elements associated with Phase 5 :-
• A new extension to the chill store (~1655m2).
• A significant upgrading of the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) to cater for an increased load of 600 m3 per day process effluent and 150 m3 per day peak surface water runoff (Refer to Section 7 of the EIS for further details) For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. • All site landscaping will be completed. This final phase of the project, combined with the preparatory works completed by Phases 3 and 4, will provide Glanbia with the capability to handle a significant expansion to its liquid milk packing and distribution operations at its Ballitore site.
3.5 Environmental Management Glanbia are currently implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) on site and will shortly be seeking certification to the international standard ISO:14001. The EMS will cover existing and future dairy operations at the site and will provide a formal structure for environmental management, ongoing assessment of environmental performance and continual improvement at the site.
3.6 Construction Phase The plant development will be constructed over five phases, with Phases 1 and 2 commencing immediately upon completion of the planning process but the timing
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of Phases 3, 4 and 5 will be dependent on market conditions with a minimum development period of five to seven years. It is anticipated that subject to planning permission demolition works associated with the Agribusiness Division will commence in November 2003 and take approximately 3 months to complete. Construction of Phase 1 will commence in early 2004 and Phase 2 will commence later in 2004. The duration of construction of the individual phases is estimated as follows: Phase 1: 9 months Phase 2: 6 months Phase 3: 12 months Phase 4: 8 months Phase 5: 9 months
The construction period will involve a planned programme of discrete phases of construction work which will minimise the overall impact of the works. It is likely that some overlap between the construction phases will occur, rather than sequential construction which will reduce the overall construction period. With respect to Phases 3, 4 and 5 if construction of all three phases were to run concurrently it is estimated the duration of the construction period would be 12 - 15 months.
Normal construction working hours will be daytime only and it is not anticipated that any late night working will be required, but if it is necessary it will be kept to a minimum.
The total number of construction staff on-site will vary considerably during the construction of the five phases of the development. The number of construction personnel employed on site at any one time is expected to peak at approximately 30 persons.
A temporary construction compound will be erected within the northern area of the Glanbia site for the duration For inspection of purposesthe construction only. works which will be used to Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. store equipment and supplies and will contain basic staff facilities including a temporary site office, tea-room and portable toilets. All areas under construction will be fenced for security and safety purposes and temporary lighting supplied as necessary.
The construction works will involve demolition work (e.g. Agribusiness Division), site clearance and preparation, laying of foundations for plant and buildings, structural steelwork and cladding, construction of concrete yards and asphalt roads, landscaping, reinstatement and fencing. Construction equipment used for the project will comprise primarily of rockbreakers, general earthmoving and excavation equipment (JCB’s, excavators), tipping trucks, drills, and cranes.
The environmental impact of the construction activity will be minimised by specifying high standards of housekeeping, appropriate attention to environmental issues within the construction contracts, and by ongoing monitoring of performance during construction.
There will be a number of potential environmental impacts associated with the construction phase such as noise and traffic. The construction phase impacts and any necessary mitigation measures are detailed in each of the relevant sections of the EIS.
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4. THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
4.1 Introduction This Section describes the existing human environment in terms of land-use, population, employment, tourism and amenities and assesses the likely impacts on the human environment arising from the proposed development.
4.2 Existing Environment
4.2.1 Land Use and Housing The Glanbia site is located on the eastern side of Ballitore village, Co. Kildare. Ballitore is located in south County Kildare approximately 32 miles from Dublin. Ballitore is a small historic village and is unique among Irish towns and villages in that is was founded by the Quakers in the 17th Century.
The main easterly approach road to the village runs along the southern boundary of the Glanbia site. This is a third class road which joins the N9 Dublin- Waterford national primary road ca. 500 metres to the east of the site. The River Greese runs along the western boundary of the site and the site is bordered by agricultural land to the north, east and across the road to the south. The land use in the surrounding area is primarily agricultural and the surrounding area can be considered rural in nature. Both grassland and tillage based farming take place, and the high quality fertile soils in the area means the area is particularly suitable for tillage based farming. The Glanbia site is the only “industrial” type facility in the immediate area and Ballitore village has a number of commercial type developments including a general shop, post office, health centre, three pubs and a creche / playschool. The closest residential development to Glanbia is a row of houses along the road adjacent to the south-east corner of the site and a residence across the River For inspection purposes only. Greese to the west ofConsent the of site. copyright Ballitore owner required village for any other itself use. is a cluster of terraced old Quaker houses. There are some derelict and empty buildings within the village. Newer residences in the area comprise mainly Local Authority housing consisting of semi-detached single and two-storey houses situated along the approach roads, within the village and also to the north-west of the village.
4.2.2 Planning and Development Context The Ballitore area does not have any specific zoning in the Kildare County Development Plan 1999. The plan states that Ballitore village has a special significance as a heritage tourism centre and is designated as a “Special Village” and accordingly a separate development plan has been prepared. With respect to special villages it is the policy of the Council that their “character and quality will be retained, and that all new developments will be in sympathy with this” and the Council will “encourage amenity and environmental improvement schemes to these villages, so as to enhance their character”. With respect to industrial development the County Development Plan states “it is the policy of the Council to encourage and facilitate the expansion of existing industry where this conforms to good planning practice”. The Local Area Plan for Ballitore, Crookstown, Moone and Timolin was adopted by Kildare County Council on the 25th November 2002. The plan classifies much
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of Ballitore village as an “Architectural Conservation Area”. The plan states that the valley of the River Greese should be designated as an “Area of Special Amenity “ and classifies the environs of the River Greese valley including the Glanbia site as a “Natural Protection and Amenity Development Zone”. With respect to the riverbank adjacent to the Glanbia site the plan states that “it could be considered in the long term to establish a pedestrian walk-way along the bank of the River Greese which would strengthen the connection between both settlements (i.e. Ballitore and Crookstown).” The Local Area Plan has a specific recommendation with respect to the Glanbia site. The former home of the Shackleton family known as The Retreat is incorporated into the office / reception area of the Glanbia facility and it is a protected structure under the Planning and Development Act 2000. The Local Area Plan states The Retreat “is partly hidden by an unsightly prefabricated structure” which “…should be removed to restore an appropriate setting for the protected structure” and “..its removal and replacement should be addressed as part of an overall scheme for the future development of this complex”.
4.2.3 Population The current population of the District Electoral Division of Ballitore is 714 persons based on the 2002 National Census. Changes in population in Ballitore and the wider area are summarised in Table 4-1 below.
Table 4-1 Population Estimates based on 1996 and 2002 National Census Data
Area 1996 2002 Change % Change Ballitore 649 714 63 + 10 Kildare 134,992 163,995 29,003 + 21 State 3,626,087 3,917,336 291,249 + 8 For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
The population of County Kildare as a whole increased significantly over the period 1996 – 2002 while the population of Ballitore also increased in the same period, and both increases were above the national average.
4.2.4 Employment Detailed information on employment in the Ballitore area from the 2002 National Census is not yet available, although the Small Area Population Statistics from the 1996 National census indicated an available labour force of 243 persons of whom 203 were employed and 40 were unemployed. Most of those in employment worked in the commercial, agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
The Local Area Plan for Ballitore states the dominant employment in the area is in farming and local services with Glanbia also providing some employment. Glanbia currently has a total workforce of 134 persons, of whom ca. 15 persons live in the local area with the other employees being from the wider surrounding area.
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The Local Area Plan also states that a major concern within the Ballitore community is the social imbalance, illustrated by the relatively high percentage of council housing to private. Up to date information on the numbers of employed and unemployed in the Ballitore area is not available. Kildare is located in Leinster in the Mid-East Region, along with Meath and Wicklow. The most recently available employment figures for the Mid-East Region from the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) for the period September- November 2002 are presented in Table 4-2.
Table 4-2 QNHS Employment Figures (September - November 2002)
Region Labour Force Employed Unemployed Unemployment Rate Mid-East 204,600 197,400 7,200 3.5 % State 1,854,700 1,770,700 84,100 4.5 %
The live register statistics are maintained on a monthly basis and give more up to date information on unemployment levels. However there are a number of problems in trying to determine the unemployment levels for a particular area from the live register statistics. Firstly, the live register measures casual, part- time and seasonal workers who claim benefit or assistance and therefore is not a true indication of unemployment. Secondly, live register statistics are compiled based on information from the local employment office which does not correspond to specific geographic boundaries and therefore registrants at a given local office do not necessarily come from a particular area. The closest employment office to Ballitore is located in Athy. The most recently available live register statistics for local employment offices in County Kildare are detailed in Table 4.3.
Table 4-3 Number of Persons on the Live Register in County Kildare For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Employment Office December 2002 January 2003 Athy 787 861 Maynooth 1,281 1,312 Newbridge 2,294 2,427
4.2.5 Tourism and Amenities The Kildare County Development Plan designates Ballitore as a “Special Village” with a special significance as a heritage tourism centre. The Local Area Plan contains a number of recommendations to physically and visually improve Ballitore and help establish the village as a cultural and tourist centre.
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Ballitore is historically important as it was founded by the Quakers and there are quite a number of historically important buildings in the village associated with the Quakers such as the Mary Leadbetter House which has been refurbished to house a library and Quaker Museum and the Quaker Meeting House. Other historically important features in the area include Mullaghmast Rath which is an Iron Age ringfort, situated between Ballitore and Burtown crossroads. Shopping facilities include the Shaker Store in Ballitore village which has on permanent show the largest selection of Shaker Furniture in Ireland.
The Local Area Plan recognises the River Greese as having amenity value and one of the objectives of the plan is to protect the valley of the River Greese and for consideration to be given to the provision of pedestrian and cycle paths along the river bank. The river supports coarse and salmonid fish populations and is used by the Greese Anglers club.
The Local Area Plan states that an immediate concern for the local community in Ballitore is the present lack of amenity and sports facilities, especially for young people and states there is a strong demand for a football pitch with associated facilities.
4.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation The total area of the Glanbia site is 5.98 hectares of which ca. 2.64 hectares is currently developed. The remainder of the site is a greenfield area currently used for agricultural purposes (grazing cattle). The construction of the proposed development will increase the developed area of the site to ca. 3.58 hectares. Therefore the development will result in the loss of a small area of land (ca. 0.94 hectares) which was previously used for agricultural purposes. The loss of this small area of land is not considered significant.
As with any construction site there will be potential risks to the health and safety of construction personnel / visitors on site. During construction, a Health & Safety programme will be put in place to minimise any risks to and ensure the health and safety of construction personnel, site visitors and any local residents. For inspection purposes only. The construction of Consentthe development of copyright owner required is not for predictedany other use. to have any significant impact on the health of local residents. The impacts of individual environmental emissions associated with the construction phase such as noise or traffic generation on the local human environment are discussed in the relevant sections of the Environmental Impact Statement.
The proposed development will be constructed in five phases. During the construction period up to 30 workers, both skilled and unskilled will be employed on site at peak times. Where possible, local services and construction staff from the surrounding areas and counties will be used. Therefore the construction of the development will have a temporary positive impact on employment and the local economy. During the construction period, work will be carried out during daytime hours only. It is not anticipated that any late night working will be required, but if any is deemed necessary it will be kept to a minimum. The construction phase of the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impacts on the human environment.
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4.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation There has been an agricultural co-op and dairy on the Ballitore site since 1965 and the plant started producing the Avonmore brand in 1982. Therefore although much of the surrounding area is agricultural and rural in nature, an “industrial” type undertaking on the site is long established in the area. The nature of use of the site resulting from the proposed development will be similar to the existing use (i.e. dairy) and will only increase the developed area of the site by ca. 0.94 hectares. Taking these factors into account the “industrial” nature of the proposed development is not considered to have a significant impact on the rural nature or land use of the area.
The proposed dairy development will employ approximately 52 additional personnel. The roles will comprise managerial, technical, skilled and unskilled workers. This development will also strengthen existing jobs on site. Accordingly, the development will have a positive impact on employment in the area. The direct expenditure on employees salaries will have a multiplier effect on employment, household income, government income and Gross National Product (GNP). Goods and services required during the operation of the plant will be sourced locally where possible which will have a further positive impact on the local economy and employment in the area, and, indirectly, on settlement patterns in the area.
The environmental emissions from the development (e.g. boiler emissions to atmosphere, treated effluent discharge to the River Greese) are discussed in the relevant sections of the EIS but will not have any significant adverse impact on the environment or the human environment. All emissions from the plant will comply with applicable regulatory requirements and limits designed for the protection of human health and the environment. Therefore, the operation of the development will not have any adverse impact on human health.
The development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on the amenity value or tourism potential of the area. In particular, the Local Area Plan classifies the valley of the River Greese as a “Natural Protection and Amenity Development Zone”. The For increased inspection purposes effluent only. discharge from the development will Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. not have any significant impact on the water quality of the River Greese (Refer to Section 7 of EIS) and thus the ecological quality of the river.
With respect to the proposed pedestrian walkway along the River Greese in the Local Area Plan, the development will not interfere with this. The western boundary along the bank of the River Greese consists of an existing post and wire fence, with mature trees and bushes, which effectively screen the plant from the pedestrian walkway along the riverbank. This fence/hedgerow and river walkway currently terminates with a stile access to the Glanbia owned field directly north of the existing waste water treatment plant. No alteration is proposed to this boundary or adjoining walkway along it’s present extent other than underplanting on the Glanbia site where practicable to provide further screening. It is proposed to erect a post and wire fence approximately 6.0 metres from the riverbank in order to facilitate future extension of the river bank walkway in the Glanbia owned field to the north. The area of the Glanbia site directly behind the fence will be landscaped and planted with native trees and shrubs to screen the extended walkway from the Glanbia site.
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Additional landscaping on the site will further help to minimise any visual impact the site may have (Refer to Section 5 of EIS). The proposed development will include the removal of “an unsightly prefabricated structure” located to the front of the site following recommendations in the Local Area Plan. This will result in a long-term positive visual impact with respect to the protected building known as ‘The Retreat’ at the front of the site.
Therefore the operational phase of the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impacts on the human environment.
4.5 Conclusions The proposed development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on the human environment. The development will have a positive impact in terms of creating employment but will not have any significant adverse impacts with respect to human health, socio-economic factors, land use, or the amenity value and tourism potential of the area.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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5. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT
5.1 Introduction This section assesses the existing landscape and the potential visual impact of the development. The existing landscape character is described and an assessment is made with regards to the visual impact of the development. Mitigation measures are outlined to minimise any significant adverse impacts of the development. The assessment of the visual impact is based on the EPA ‘Guidelines on the information to be contained in an Environmental Impact Statement (2002) and includes a description and evaluation of the following:
• Context • Character • Significance • Sensitivity
5.2 Existing Environment
5.2.1 Site Description The Glanbia facility is located on the eastern outskirts of Ballitore village, Co. Kildare. The site is bounded to the south by the Ballitore Road, to the west by the River Greese and to the north and east by agricultural land.
The entire site area is ca. 59,842 m2 of which ca. 26,400 m2 is currently developed consisting of hard standing and production facilities. The dairy operations consist of a main production building and milk silos located in the south of the site, and associated facilities / utilities located around the site. The agribusiness division on the site comprises grain silos, dryer tower, trading stores and associated warehouse / shed storage buildings. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. The existing dairy buildings are generally 9.1m high to top of roof ridge. The highest existing milk silo is 15.5m high x 4 m diameter. The grainstore silos (18 No.) are ca. 9.2 m high x 11 m diameter. The trading stores is 11.5 m high to top of roof ridge. The highest existing building is the grain dryer tower which is 16.5 m high with a footprint of ca. 120 m2.
The buildings facades are coloured green, grey and white, to minimise visual impact.
Land use around the site is as follows:
North: Lands to the north of the site are agricultural in nature
South: Lands to the south, across the Ballitore Road, are agricultural in nature
East: Lands to the east of the site are agricultural in nature, in addition to a small number of residences along the Ballitore Road.
West: On the western side, over the River Greese, is the main part of Ballitore village. This is comprised of a number of commercial properties and residences.
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5.2.2 Context The Glanbia facility sits in the valley of the River Greese, against a natural back- drop of a small hills located to the north-west of the site. The general area can be described as gently rolling landscape, comprising predominantly pasture and tillage farmlands.
The site is located immediately east of the River Greese, which rises near Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow. The river flows in a south-westerly from Dunlavin for approximately 30 km before discharging into the River Barrow.
The existing Glanbia plant is clearly visible at several locations on the Ballitore eastern approach road (including several residences thereon) to the south of the site and from the old N9 road to the east of the site. The view of the plant from the west and Ballitore village is reasonably well sheltered by trees growing along the bank of the River Greese. The plant is clearly visible from agricultural lands immediately to the east of the site. The view of the plant from agricultural lands to the north is partially screened by a treeline along the security fence to the north and the site hedgerow boundaries further north.
5.2.3 Character The landscape surrounding the site is rural in character. Land use in the immediate surrounding area is principally agricultural with the exception of the existing development, a number of single houses and ribbon development on the approach roads to Ballitore, residential development within and around the village and some small commercial enterprises in the village.
The treeline along the western boundary of the site consists of a mixture of young alder, silver birch, mature leyland cypress and semi-mature willow. The treeline along the northern security fence boundary of the site consists of mature leyland cypress. The hedgerow along the northern most boundary of the site is dominated by hawthorn along with occasional semi-mature alder and ash.
A series of photographs have For inspection been purposes included only. to illustrate the current character of the site and surroundingConsent oflands. copyright Theseowner required are for presented any other use. in Figures 5.1 to 5.9 below.
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Figure 5.1 - View From Eastern boundary of the Site looking East
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Figure 5.2 - View From Eastern boundary of the Site looking South towards carpark and nearest residential dwellings
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Figure 5.3 - View from Northern Security Fence on Site looking North towards Northern hedgerow boundary of site
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Figure 5.4 - View of the site from the old N9 road to the east
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Figure 5.5 View of the site from agricultural land to the north-east
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Figure 5.6 View of site entrance from Ballitore approach road to the south
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Figure 5.7 View east from site entrance along Ballitore approach road
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Figure 5.8 View west from site entrance towards Ballitore village
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Figure 5.9 - View of River Greese and Site from Ballitore bridge (located south-west of site)
5.2.4 Significance The site does not fall within any preserved views and prospects in the Kildare County Development Plan 1999. The Local Area Plan for Ballitore, Crookstown, For inspection purposes only. Moone and Timolin Consentlists the of copyright view owner along required the for eastern any other use. approach road into Ballitore village as an “Important View”. The Local Area Plan lists the valley of the River Greese as a Natural Protection and Amenity Development Zone.
No part of the site or its immediate surroundings is covered by a scientific or conservation designation as recognised by Duchas, The Heritage Service such as a Natural Heritage Area (NHA), a Special Protection Area (SPA) or a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The closest areas of conservation would be the Dunlavin Marshes and Corballis Hill both of which are located within 10 km of the site and are proposed NHAs.
5.2.5 Sensitivity The site itself is not considered sensitive due to the presence of the existing facility comprising ca. 2.64 hectares of buildings, structures and hardstanding. The development of the site will involve an additional greenfield uptake of ca. 0.94 hectares of agricultural pasture land which is not considered particularly sensitive.
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5.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation Measures The construction stage of the development will result in a temporary visual intrusion in the existing landscape due to various construction works, moving of construction machinery and storage of construction materials on site. Any impact associated with the construction phase will be temporary in nature. It is also possible that lighting on site from light standards on the circulation routes and from moving vehicles could over spill outside the site boundaries and could be an intrusion at certain times during the construction stage. Normal construction hours will be daytime only which will minimise the need for lighting and any impact will also be limited by using directional lighting. The construction phase of the development will result in a temporary visual intrusion in the landscape, but this will only last for specific periods during the construction phase.
5.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation Measures The proposed site layout drawing is included in Attachment 1. An aerial photograph of the existing site and an artist’s impression of the proposed site development are shown in Figures 5.10 and 5.11 overleaf.
The proposed development will involve the demolition and removal of all the buildings / structures on site associated with the Agribusiness Division including the 18 No. grain storage silos, the grain drying tower building, the dust house, the agribusiness warehouse and retail shop and miscellaneous stores, electrical rooms and tanks. The trading stores building located in the north of the site adjacent to the waste water treatment plant will remain on site.
The existing dairy plant and operations building will be extended to the north. The new production buildings will generally be a similar height to the existing buidlings at ca. 7.3 m to eaves and ca. 9.5 m to roof ridge, except for the first floor area to accommodate the finished milk and aseptic milk storage tanks. This building will be ca. 22.5 m metres high to roof ridge but will have a footprint of only 745m2. Various ancillary buildings and structures related to the dairy For inspection purposes only. operations will be demolishedConsent of copyright and owner relocated required for any to other facilitate use. development i.e. utility area, laboratory, milk-intake and raw milk silos etc. The two-storey pre- fabricated portakabin structure at the front of the site will be removed as part of the development. This prefabricated structure (see Figures 5.6 and 5.8) is located in front of a protected structure known as “The Retreat”.
The external finishes of all buildings and structures will match the character of the existing plant and shall be neutral in colour and texture. The façade of the tallest building has been designed to conceal the exact scale of the building through the use of a subtle colour change on the façade rather than a detailed break up. All external tanks will be fitted with cladding of similar profile and colour to the building cladding.
The additional greenfield uptake of ca. 0.94 hectares associated with the development will be on agricultural pasture land to the east and north and will consist of an extended carpark relocated to the east, a relocated utilities / services compound to the north east and an extension of the waste water treatment plant to the north. None of the existing hedgerows or treelines around the site will be removed as part of the development other than a ca. 30 metre section of mature leyland cypress trees located at the rear of the waste water treatment plant to allow for the upgrading of the plant.
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Figure 5.10 Aerial Photograph of Existing Site
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Figure 5.11 Artists Impression of Proposed Site Development
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As the proposed development involves an existing facility and a relatively small additional greenfield uptake it is not predicted to have a significant adverse impact on the landscape character compared to the existing situation.
The removal of the existing buildings and structures associated with the agribusiness division will have a positive visual impact with respect the landscape character as the highest building currently on site (grain dyer tower) will be removed as will the 18 No. metal grain silos which are located on the western side of the site close to the River Greese.
A moderate negative visual impact will arise from the first floor area of the new ESL process building which will be ca. 22.5 m high. However the first floor area of the building will only have a footprint of ca. 745 m2 and will be located in the centre of the site away from the site boundaries. The rest of the dairy plant will be of a similar height to the existing buildings and therefore should not have a significant additional visual impact compared to the existing situation. The additional land uptake (ca. 0.94 hectares) associated with the development will have a slight negative visual impact.
The existing site is clearly visible from the closest residential dwellings to the site which are located along the south-east boundary of the site. As part of the proposed development extensive landscaping and planting with suitable native species will take place along the south-east boundary of the site. The landscaping will be densely planted on top of a new 2.5 – 3 metre high berm. This will give good boundary screening adjacent to the neighbouring boundary where it will be the most effective and will screen views of the site from the residential dwellings.
The principal views of the site from publicly accessible areas are from the Ballitore road to the south, the old N9 road to the east and from the bank of the River Greese to the west. With respect to views from the Ballitore road to the south, the buildings at the front of the site along the Ballitore road will remain largely unchanged with the exception that the prefabricated structure in front of “The Retreat” building will be removed thus allowing an unobstructed view of For inspection purposes only. “The Retreat” whichConsent is a protectedof copyright owner structure required for anyand other therefore use. having a positive visual impact.
With respect to the longer distance views of the site from the old N9 road to the east, a moderate negative visual impact will arise from the construction of the first floor area of the ESL process building and the additional land uptake. However this will be partially offset by the removal of the facilities associated with the grain drying and agribusiness operations. The layout and appearance of the site will appear more planned and unified than the existing site.
The development is not predicted to have any significant visual impact with respect to views from the west or on the amenity value of the River Greese. The trees along the western boundary of the site will remain intact and where practicable underplanting on the Glanbia site will take place to provide further screening. All of the grain silos (18 No.) located close to the western boundary will removed which will have a positive visual impact. The waste water treatment plant will be extended to the north but landscaping and planting with suitable native species will take place along the entire north-west boundary of the site to screen views of the site from the river bank. Therefore the proposed development is not predicted to have any significant visual impact on the area along the river bank that is proposed as an extended river walk in the Local Area Plan.
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Landscaping and planting on the site with suitable native species will also take place along the truck parking area at the north of the site and along the eastern boundary of the site.
The external finishes of all buildings and structures will match the character of the existing plant and shall be neutral in colour and texture to minimise the visual impact of the proposed development.
Taking into account the nature and extent of the proposed development and the mitigation measures outlined above, the operational phase of the development is not predicted to have a significant adverse visual impact or significantly impact on the existing landscape character.
5.5 Conclusions Overall, the development is not predicted to have a significant adverse visual impact or constitute a significant change in the existing landscape character. The construction phase of the development will result in a temporary visual intrusion in the landscape, but this will only last for specific periods during the construction phase. With respect to the operational phase of the development, as the development involves an existing facility and a relatively small additional greenfield uptake it is not predicted to have a significant adverse impact on the landscape compared to the existing situation. Mitigation measures including landscaping and the external finishes used for the buildings and structures will be used to minimise any impact the development may have.
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6. AIR AND CLIMATE
6.1 Introduction This Section assesses the potential impacts of the development on air quality and climate. An ambient air quality survey was carried out to determine existing air quality on the site. Air dispersion modelling was carried out to assess the impact of atmospheric emissions from the proposed development on ambient air quality. The potential impacts of the construction and operational phases of the development on air and climate are assessed and mitigation measures are outlined to minimise any significant impacts.
6.2 Existing Environment
6.2.1 Air Quality Standards (AQS) Air Quality Standards (AQS) for the protection of human health and the environment have been developed at European level and implemented into Irish legislation for a number of air pollutants. AQS set limit values for Ground Level Concentrations (GLC) of certain parameters for both the short term (hourly, daily) and long term, e.g. annual averages. Limit values are often expressed as percentiles, e.g. 99.8th percentile of mean hourly values, which means that only 0.2% of the results obtained during the monitoring period can exceed the stated limit value.
The relevant legislation in Ireland which specifies AQS limit values for a number of different parameters is the Air Quality Standard Regulations (SI No. 271 of 2002) which implements provisions of the following European Directives: • Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air quality management and assessment • Directive 1999/30/EC relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air
• Directive 2000/69/EC relating to limit values for benzene and carbon For inspection purposes only. monoxide in ambientConsent ofair copyright owner required for any other use.
The Air Quality Standards Regulations, 2002 (SI No 271 of 2002) supersede the Air Pollution Act, 1987 (Air Quality Standards) Regulations (SI No. 244 of 1987) and specify more stringent limit values than the 1987 Regulations.
6.2.2 Ambient Air Quality The principal sources of atmospheric emissions from the existing site comprise 2 No. Diesel fired boilers (total capacity of 5000 kg/hr steam), 1 No. oil fired burner for the grain dryer tower, dust generated during the grain handling operations and emissions from vehicles travelling to and from the site.
PM commissioned TMS Environment to carry out an ambient air quality survey on the site to assess existing ambient air quality. The survey determined levels of nitrous oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), particulates, smoke and volatile organic compounds in the ambient air. A dust deposition survey at four locations on the site was also carried out. The TMS Environment report is included in Attachment 2 and details the survey methodology, survey results, and relevant AQS and guidelines.
The results of the survey are summarised in Table 6.1 below.
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Table 6.1 Summary of Results from Ambient Air Quality Survey
Parameter Level recorded during Survey
Black Smoke (Daily Mean) 1.3 µg/m3
Particulates (Daily Mean) 34.7 µg/m3
3 NOx (Daily Mean) 0.44 µg/m
3 SO2 (Daily Mean) 1.79 µg/m
3 PM10 (Daily Mean) <1.31µg/m * (Particulate Matter < 10 µm in diameter) Benzene (Daily Mean) 0.12 parts per billion
Total Hydrocarbons (Daily Mean) 2.8 parts per billion
Dust Deposition Rate (Min – Max) 48.6 – 108.8 mg/m2/day
* During the survey one elevated anomalous result of 211 µg/m3 was recorded, however this result is considered unrepresentative as six of the seven daily results were less than the limit of detection (<1.31 µg/m3)
The concentrations of the various parameters recorded during the survey were within all relevant AQS and guidelines. With respect to dust deposition it is possible that higher levels would be recorded if the survey was carried out during the period July-September when grain handling / drying operations on site are at their peak. During the seven day survey, one anomalous elevated result was
obtained for PM10 (particulate matter < 10 µm in diameter) but this result is considered unrepresentative as six of the seven PM10 results were below the limit of detection. No site activity was identified as causing the elevated result but the spraying of slurry in the field adjacent to the monitoring location may have caused the anomalous result. The results of the survey indicate that the
existing ambient air quality For at inspection the site purposes is only.relatively good and is characteristic of an unpolluted rural location.Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
6.2.3 Climate The climate of Kildare is characterised as being temperate with mean monthly temperatures ranging from about 5 to 15°C. Rainfall is approximately 710 mm per annum, with the wettest period experienced in the winter during the months of November to January. The predominant wind direction is from the south-west to west.
The physical nature of the landscape on and around the development site means that the site does not have any distinctive micro-climate in comparison to the larger surrounding area. The site does not possess any physical features such as woodlands, lakes, or steeply sloping terrain that could influence microclimate. The site comprises agricultural fields with hedgerows and/or treelines forming the field boundaries. The only habitats present are grassland, hedgerows, treelines, a river and drainage ditch which do not significantly influence microclimate. No distinctive flora or fauna are supported and the area is not particularly climate sensitive.
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6.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation Measures
6.3.1 Ambient Air Quality Construction activities on site, including demolition, excavation and earthmoving, could result in the generation of dust which adversely impact ambient air quality. Transportation of loose materials that are not properly contained on or off site could also result in dust generation as would the transfer of mud/soil from the wheels of construction traffic onto surrounding roads. A number of factors will affect the extent of dust generation and potential impacts on air quality including wind speed and direction, the dryness of the soil, and the proximity of sensitive receptors to the site.
The following mitigation measures will be put in place to minimise any dust generation and thus prevent any significant impact on air quality:
• Good housekeeping and site management including the proper storage of spoil / loose materials on site • Wheel washing of construction vehicles leaving site as necessary • Proper containment of loose materials that are transported on or off site • Damping of site roads as necessary The demolition of the buildings associated with the agribusiness and grain trading operations will include the removal of the roof and cladding of the trading division warehouse which is constructed from asbestos cement sheets. Asbestos cement sheets are generally considered one of the least hazardous forms of asbestos as the asbestos is firmly bound up in a cement matrix and asbestos fibres are unlikely to be released unless the cements sheets are subject to significant impact / damage. The asbestos cements sheets will be carefully removed by a specialist asbestos removal contractor and disposed in accordance with statutory requirements in particular the European Communities (Protection of Workers)(Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 1989 – 2000, the European Communities (Asbestos Waste) Regulations 1990, and applicable For inspection purposes only. regulations made underConsent theof copyright Waste owner Management required for any other Actuse. 1996. These measures will minimise the potential for the release of asbestos fibres and ensure the works do not have any significant impact on ambient air quality or human health.
Emissions to atmosphere from construction vehicles are not considered significant as there will not be a sufficient number of construction vehicles on site to have a significant impact on ambient air quality.
The construction phase of the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact with respect to ambient air quality.
6.3.2 Climate The construction phase of the development will result in an additional 0.94 hectares of land (currently grassland) being developed which will not have any impact with respect to microclimate. Emissions from the construction vehicles used on site will include pollutants with potential acidification and greenhouse effects, but these emissions will not be significant and therefore should not have any significant impact on climate.
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6.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation Measures
6.4.1 Ambient Air Quality The proposed development of the site will result in the removal of the agribusiness and grain trading operations from the site. Therefore sources of atmospheric emissions associated with these operations including the oil fired burner for the grain dryer tower, dust generated during the grain handling operations and vehicles emissions will also be removed from site which will have a positive impact with respect to ambient air quality.
The proposed development will result in a small net increase of vehicles travelling to and from the site (Refer to Section 12.4 of EIS). Existing vehicles emissions on the site do not appear to be having any significant impact on the ambient air quality and therefore the small net increase in vehicles associated with the proposed development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on ambient air quality.
The existing 2 No. Diesel fired boilers (total capacity of 5000 kg/hr steam) used to supply steam to the dairy operations on site will be replaced by 2 No. Diesel fired boilers operating on a Duty/Standby basis each with a capacity to supply 20,000 kg/hr steam. The boiler flues will discharged through a common stack. One boiler will run 16 hours per day (at an average of 66% full load) and be kept on standby for 8 hours per day.
The emissions to atmosphere from the boiler(s) will comprise combustion by- products consisting primarily of:
• Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) • Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Oxides of Sulphur (SOx) • Particulate Matter (Particulates)
The emission concentrations For inspection of these purposes parameters only. in the flue gases will comply Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. with the emission limit values specified in the German Standard : TA Luft Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (2002) and therefore the boilers can be considered to represent Best Available Technique (BAT).
Dispersion Modelling
PM carried out air dispersion modelling to predict the maximum ground level concentrations (GLCs) of NO2, SO2, CO and Particulates likely to occur as a result of emissions from the new boiler(s). The Air Dispersion Modelling Report which details the model used and the modelling results is included in Attachment 3.
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The air dispersion modelling analysis was carried out using the AERMOD computer model. AERMOD is a steady-state plume model which represents the plume as having a normal (Gaussian) distribution in both the horizontal and vertical directions for the stable boundary layer (SBL) and the horizontal direction for the central boundary layer (CBL), but a bi-Gaussian probability density function for vertical distribution in the CBL. The model predicts average ground level concentrations over 1 hour, 24 hour and annual periods and percentiles thereof. The model allows for the effects of general plume rise, stack tip downwash and building downwash.
The model input data included the stack discharge parameters, emission concentrations, receptor grid, two years Baldonnel Aerodrome Co. Dublin meteorological data (1999-2000), buildings and structures on site to determine building downwash, terrain elevations and land use. The meteorological data for Baldonnel Aerodrome (located ca. 40km from Ballitore) is considered representative of meteorological conditions likely to be encountered at Ballitore.
The model was run based on one boiler running continuously at full load and is therefore a conservative assessment representing a worst case scenario as on average the boiler will run 16 hours per day at 66% load. The stack discharge and emission data used in the model is summarised in Table 6.2 below. Table 6.2 – Stack Discharge and Emission Data
Location (National Grid Co- 279857E, 196164N Ordinates) Height (m) 14m, 16m, 18m * Diameter (m) 0.9 Exit Temperature (K) 515 Discharge flow rate at 4.58 discharge conditions (m3/s)
NOx For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Mass Emission rate (g/s) 0.48 CO Mass Emission rate (g/s) 0.25 SOx Mass Emission rate (g/s) 0.82 Particulates Mass Emission rate (g/s) 0.23 * Three stack heights were used in the stack height selection exercise before 18 m was chosen as the most appropriate stack height
Initially the model was run to select a suitable stack height for the boilers. The model was run using different stack heights for SOX emissions as this has the highest emission rate of any of the parameters. TA Luft recommends that stack heights should be at least 3 metres above the roof ridge of any building to ensure adequate dispersion. As the boilerhouse will be 10 metres high, a stack height of 14 metres was used as a starting point for the modelling exercise and stack heights were increased in 2m intervals until it was considered the stack height provided adequate dispersion of the emissions from the boiler(s).
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The results of the modelling exercise are shown in Figure 6.1 below which shows that the maximum predicted ground level concentration of SO2 steadily decrease as the stack height increases. The applicable air quality standard limit value is also shown on Figure 6.1 for reference. At a stack height of 18 metres 3 the maximum predicted ground level concentration of SO2 is 99.1 µg/m which is only 28% of the relevant AQS limit value (350 µg/m3). The selection of an appropriate stack height is based on the conflicting objectives of providing adequate pollutant dispersion without creating any undue visual impact. It was decided that a stack height of 18 metres would best meet both of these objectives.
Stack Height vs SO2 Concentration
400
350
300
250 Ground level Concentration 200
150
Concentration AQS Limit (SI 100 271 of 2002)
50 99.7th % Ground Level SO2 0 For inspection purposes only. Consent14m of copyright owner 16m required for any other 18muse.
Stack Height
Figure 6.1 Maximum predicted 99.7th Percentile Hourly Average 3 Ground Level Concentrations (µg/m ) of SO2 for Different Stack Heights
The air dispersion model was then run to predict the maximum ground level concentrations of all parameters (NO2, SO2, CO and Particulates) likely to occur as a result of emissions from the new boiler(s) based on a stack height of 18 metres. It should be noted that with respect to particulates the air quality 3 standard limit values are expressed in terms of PM10 (particulate matter < µg/m ). For the purposes of the modelling all particulates emitted from the stack are assumed to be PM10, which is a conservative assessment as all particulate matter emitted will not be in the form of PM10.
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The results of the modelling are summarised in Table 6.3 overleaf. The Table shows the maximum predicted ground level concentrations, the location (national grid co-ordinates ) where the maximum predicted concentrations occurred, the existing ambient background concentration, the total predicted environmental concentration (predicted concentration + existing ambient concentration) and the relevant air quality standard (AQS) limit value. Contour plots of the dispersion modelling results are included in the Air Dispersion Modelling report in Attachment 3.
The maximum predicted ground level concentrations of the various parameters occur approximately 150m west-northwest of the boiler stack (280000 E, 196200 N) as shown on contour plots in Attachment 3.
The results in Table 6.3 show that the predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) of the various parameters are well within the applicable AQS limit values. These limit values standards have been developed for the protection of human health and the environment and therefore boiler emissions from the proposed development are not predicted to have any significant adverse impacts on ambient air quality.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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Table 6.3 Predicted Maximum Ground Level Concentrations of Emissions compared to Air Quality Standards
Emission Type of Maximum National Grid Existing Total Predicted Air Quality PEC as Prediction Predicted Co-ordinates of Background Environmental Standard Limit Percentage Concentration maximum Concentration Concentration Value specified of AQS (µg/m3) concentration (PEC) in SI No. 271 of Limit Value 2002 (µg/m3) 99.8th percentile 280000 E NO of a Years Hourly 30.3 0.44 (Daily) 31.2 200 16 2 196200 N Average
280000 E (1) NO Annual Average 5.7 0.44 (Daily) 5.8 30-40 14.5-19.3 2 196200 N 280000 E CO 8-Hourly Average 17.9 - 17.9 10,000 0.2 196200 N 99.7th percentile 280000 E SO of a Years Hourly 99.1 1.79 (Daily) 103.1 350 29 2 196200 N Average 99.2th percentile 280000 E SO of a Years Daily 40.5 1.79 (Daily) 42.3 125 33.4 2 196200 N Average 280000 E SO Annual Average 9.7 For inspection1.79 purposes (Daily) only. 10.0 20 50 2 196200Consent N of copyright owner required for any other use.
98th percentile of 280000 E Particulates a Years Daily 8.7 1.31 (Daily) (2) 10.0 50 20 196200 N Average 280000 E Particulates Annual Average 2.4 1.31 (Daily) (2) 2.6 20 13 196200 N
(1) Limit value of 30 µg/m3 is for the protection of vegetation and limit value of 40 µg/m3 is for the protection of human health. (2) Six out of seven of the daily levels recorded at the site were below the limit of detection (1.31 µg/m3). One anomalously high level was recorded but it was not considered representative of typical conditions at the site
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6.4.2 Climate As with the construction phase of the development, the operational phase will result in will result in an additional 0.94 hectares of land (currently grassland) being developed which will not have any impact with respect to microclimate.
Mixing and dispersion of the boiler flue gas in the atmosphere will rapidly dissipate the heat so that there will be no significant incidence of thermal pollution in the vicinity of the development site.
Atmospheric emissions from the diesel fired boiler(s) stack will include oxides of nitrogen (NOX); oxides of sulphur (SOX) and oxides of carbon (CO and CO2), all of which can in sufficient amounts have a negative impact on climate. Emissions of NOX and SOX can lead to acid rain resulting in the acidification and degradation of ecosystems. Both CO2 and nitrous oxide (N2O) are greenhouse gases and can contribute to global warming.
The emission concentrations of the parameters in the flue gases will comply with the emission limit values specified in the German Standard : TA Luft Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (2002) and therefore the boilers can be considered to represent Best Available Technique (BAT) with respect to the minimisation of emissions. The increased emissions associated with the capacity increase in the boilers will be partially offset by the removal of the oil fired burner in the grain drying tower on the site. On a national basis the emissions from the boilers will be relatively small. For example, it is estimated that the boilers will emit ca. 13,000 tonnes per year of CO2 to atmosphere compared to the total emissions of CO2 in Ireland during the year 2000 of ca. 43.8 million tonnes (EPA, ‘Environment in Focus 2002’).
In summary, the emissions from the boilers will have a minor adverse impact with respect to climate, but the quantity of emissions are not considered significant in a national context.
6.5 Conclusions For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. An ambient air quality survey carried out on the site indicates relatively good ambient air quality at the site which is characteristic of an unpolluted rural location. Appropriate mitigation measures (e.g. dust control) will be taken to ensure the construction phase of the development will not have any significant adverse impact on ambient air quality. The operational phase of the development will result in boiler emissions to atmosphere. Air dispersion modelling was carried to assess the impact of the boiler emissions on ambient air quality. The results of the dispersion modelling show that emissions from the boiler(s) will not have any significant adverse impact on ambient air quality and will not result in ground level concentrations of potential pollutants exceeding applicable air quality standard (AQS) limit values for the protection of human health and the environment. The physical nature of the landscape on and around the development site means that the site does not have any distinctive micro-climate in comparison to the larger surrounding area and does not consist of any physical features such as woodlands, lakes, or steeply sloping terrain that could influence microclimate. The construction and operational phases of the development will result in an additional 0.94 hectares of land (currently grassland) being developed which will not have any impact with respect to microclimate.
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The level of traffic generated during the construction and operational phases of the development is not considered sufficient to significantly impact on climate. During the operational phase of the development, mixing and dispersion of the boiler flue gas in the atmosphere will rapidly dissipate the heat so that there will be no significant incidence of thermal pollution in the vicinity of the development site. Atmospheric emissions from the diesel fired boiler(s) will include oxides of nitrogen (NOX); oxides of sulphur (SOX) and oxides of carbon (CO and CO2), all of which can in sufficient amounts have a negative impact on climate (i.e. acidifying and greenhouse gases). The emissions from the boilers will have a minor adverse impact with respect to climate, but the quantity of emissions are not considered significant in a national context. In summary the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impacts with respect to ambient air quality or climate.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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7. SURFACE WATER
7.1 Introduction This section assesses the potential impact of the development on surface waters. The potential impacts of the construction and operational phases of the development on surface water quality are assessed and mitigation measures are outlined to eliminate / minimise any significant impacts.
7.2 Existing Environment
7.2.1 River Greese General The River Greese flows in a southerly direction along the western boundary of Glanbia site. Glanbia currently have a trade effluent discharge licence (TEDL) from Kildare County Council to discharge treated effluent and uncontaminated surface water to the river (refer to Section 7.2.2.). The River Greese has a total channel length of ca. 31 km and is a tributary of the River Barrow. The River Greese rises near Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow. The river flows in a south-westerly direction along Wicklow-Kildare border and through County Kildare until it discharges into the River Barrow on the Kildare-Laois border. The River Barrow then flows south to Waterford where it discharges into the Celtic Sea. The total catchment area of the River Greese at Ballitore is ca. 56.3 km2. Kildare County Council maintain a hydrometric station on the River Greese at Ballitore. Based on flow monitoring carried out at this station the dry weather flow (annual minimum daily mean flow with a probability of exceedance of 0.98) and the 95 percentile flow (daily mean flow which is equalled or exceeded for 95 percent of the time) are calculated as: 3 3 • Dry Weather Flow = For 0.11 inspection m purposes/s (9,504 only. m /day) Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. • 95 Percentile Flow = 0.22 m3/s (19,008 m3/day)
Biological Quality The River Greese is not designated as a salmonid river in the European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations, 1988 (SI No. 293 of 1988) but it does support salmonid fish populations according to the Southern Regional Fisheries Board. The river is fishable by permit for an 8km stretch from Dunlavin to Kilkea. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintain a number of sampling stations on the River Greese at which they monitor the biological quality (invertebrate sampling) of the River Greese. The EPA report “Water Quality in Ireland 1998-2000” classifies 8.5 km of the river as unpolluted, 21 km as moderately polluted and 1.5km as seriously polluted. The seriously polluted stretch of water occurred about 9 km upstream of Ballitore in the Dunlavin area. Based on EPA data for the year 2000, the water quality both upstream (Spratstown Bridge) and downstream (Greese Bank) of Glanbia is given a biological quality rating of Q3 (moderately polluted).
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As part of the EIS, PM commissioned Natura to assess the ecological quality of the Glanbia site including the River Greese. Natura carried out inverterbrate sampling upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge location from Glanbia. This assessment indicated the river had a biological quality rating of Q3-4 (slightly polluted) both upstream and downstream of the discharge location. A full copy of the Natura report is included in Attachment 7. The biological / ecological quality of the River Greese is further assessed in Section 10 of the EIS.
Physico-Chemical Water Quality Kildare County Council monitor the ortho-phosphate (molybdate reactive phosphate) levels in the river at a number of locations as part of their duties under the Local Government (Water Pollution Act, 1977 (Water Quality Standards for Phosphorous) Regulations, 1998. Data obtained from the Council for the period January to October 2002 indicate orthophosphate (as P) concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.066 mg/l (median = 0.04 mg/l) upstream of Glanbia at Spratstown Bridge and concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.059 mg/l (median = 0.04 mg/l) downstream at Greese Bank. Under the terms of their Trade Effluent Discharge Licence, Glanbia monitor the physico-chemical water quality in the River Greese on a monthly basis both upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge location. Six months monitoring data for the period June to November 2002 is summarised in Table 7.1 below.
Table 7.1: Results of Water Quality Monitoring in the River Greese carried out by Glanbia for the period June – November 2002
Month pH Dissolved BOD Total Ortho- Unionised Oxygen (mg/l) Phosphate phosphate Ammonia (mg/l) (as P) (as P) (as N) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) For inspection purposes only. June 2002: Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Upstream 8.3 10.18 < 2 0.11 < 0.16 < 0.2 Downstream 8.2 10.12 < 2 < 0.05 < 0.16 < 0.2 July 2002: Upstream 8.2 9.62 < 2 0.06 < 0.16 < 0.2 Downstream 8.2 9.58 < 2 0.15 < 0.16 0.3 August 2002: Upstream 8.2 9.74 < 2 0.06 < 0.16 < 0.2 Downstream 8.2 9.70 < 2 < 0.05 < 0.16 < 0.2 Sept 2002: Upstream 8.5 7.06 < 2 < 0.05 < 0.16 < 0.2 Downstream 8.5 7.09 < 2 0.18 < 0.16 < 0.2 Oct 2002: Upstream 8.3 7.60 < 2 0.07 < 0.16 < 0.2 Downstream 8.4 7.63 < 2 0.19 < 0.16 < 0.2
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Nov 2002: Upstream 8.2 7.13 < 2 < 0.05 < 0.16 0.3 Downstream 8.2 7.11 < 2 0.13 < 0.16 < 0.2
As part of this Environmental Impact Assessment, PM commissioned TMS Environment to take water samples from the River Greese during January 2003 at two locations upstream and two locations downstream of the treated effluent discharge location and to analyse for a full range of physico-chemical parameters. The TMS report is included in Attachment 4, and the results of the analyses are summarised in Table 7.2 below. Table 7.2: Results of physico-chemical analyses of water samples taken from four locations on the River Greese at Ballitore during January 2003 Parameter Location 1 Location 2 Location 3 Location 4 Upstream Upstream Downstream Downstream pH 8.07 7.95 7.92 8.02 Temperature 7.5 °C 7.5 °C 8.0 °C 8.0 °C Dissolved Oxygen 10.6 mg/l 10.9 mg/l 11.0 mg/l 10.9 mg/l Suspended Solids 12 mg/l 11 mg/l 6 mg/l 13 mg/l BOD 1.12 mg/l 1.58 mg/l 1.68 mg/l 2.01 mg/l COD 17 mg/l 20 mg/l 23 mg/l 17 mg/l Nitrate (as N) 12.57 mg/l 7.57 mg/l 6.77 mg/l 10 mg/l Nitrite (as N) 0.022 mg/l 0.034 mg/l 0.033 mg/l 0.039 mg/l Total Ammonia (as N) 0.03 mg/l 0.04 mg/l 0.02 mg/l 0.03 mg/l Ortho-phosphate 0.2 mg/l 0.2 mg/l 0.2 mg/l 0.1 mg/l (as P) For inspection purposes only. Oil, Fats & GreaseConsent * of copyright 0.67 owner mg/l required for any 0.67 other mg/luse. 0.33 mg/l 0.33 mg/l
Conductivity 586 µS/cm 587 µS/cm 587 µS/cm 592 µS/cm Total Alkalinity, 292 mg/l 297 mg/l 290 mg/l 293 mg/l CaCO3 Chloride as Cl 18.9 mg/l 20.4 mg/l 20.9 mg/l 21.1 mg/l Fluoride as F < 0.1 mg/l < 0.1 mg/l < 0.1 mg/l < 0.1 mg/l Sulphate 17.4 mg/l 19.6 mg/l 18.2 mg/l 17.8 mg/l Total Petroleum 1.33 mg/l 0.91 mg/l 1.36 mg/l 0.64 mg/l Hydrocarbons (TPH) Detergents < 0.015 mg/l < 0.015 mg/l < 0.015 mg/l < 0.015 mg/l (as MBAS) Calcium 7.78 mg/l 6.14 mg/l 6.17 mg/l 5.29 mg/l Sodium 2.56 mg/l 1.99 mg/l 2.41 mg/l 2 mg/l Potassium 1.05 mg/l 1.05 mg/l 1.07 mg/l 1.07 mg/l Iron 0.052mg/l 0.065 mg/l 0.054 mg/l 0.051 mg/l
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Copper 0.002 mg/l 0.002 mg/l 0.002 mg/l 0.001 mg/l Zinc 0.008 mg/l 0.004 mg/l 0.005 mg/l 0.003 mg/l Magnesium 1.40 mg/l 1.36 mg/l 1.37 mg/l 1.36 mg/l Manganese 0.033 mg/l 0.028 mg/l 0.025 mg/l 0.024 mg/l Aluminium 0.028 mg/l 0.036 mg/l 0.031 mg/l 0.030 mg/l Other Metals: As, Below Limit Below Limit Below Limit Below Limit Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Ni, of Detection of Detection of Detection of Detection Pb, Sb, Sn,. Ti, V * The measured levels of oil, fats & grease in the river are close to the limit of detection of the laboratory method and therefore may not be entirely accurate
Water Quality Standards There are no comprehensive statutory surface water quality standards against which the water quality can be assessed. The European Communities (Quality of Salmonid Waters) Regulations, 1988 (SI No. 293 of 1988) specify limit values for a number of parameters which must be maintained for salmonid waters. These are summarised in Table 7.3 below.
Table 7.3: Water Quality Standards Specified in SI No. 293 of 1988
Parameter Limit Value Temperature Discharge must not cause temperature increase downstream to exceed 1.5 °C and exceed 21.5 °C or 10 °C (1 November to 30 April) Dissolved Oxygen 50% ≥ 9 mg/l pH ≥ 6 ≤ 9.
For inspection purposes only. Consent ofArtificial copyright owner variations required for any in other pH use. shall not exceed ± 0.5 of a pH unit within these limits. Suspended Solids ≤ 25 mg/l BOD ≤ 5 mg/l
Nitrites (NO2) ≤ 0.05 mg/l Petroleum Must not be present in such quantities that they form a Hydrocarbons visible film, impart a detectable hydrocarbon taste in fish, produce harmful effects in fish Non-ionized Ammonia ≤ 0.02 mg/l (NH3) Total Ammonium ≤ 1 mg/l (NH4) Total Residual ≤ 0.05 mg/l Chlorine (HOCl) Total Zinc ≤ 0.03 – 0.5mg/l (depending on water hardness) Dissolved Copper ≤ 0.005 - 0.112 mg/l (depending on water hardness)
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In addition to the Quality of Salmonid Waters Regulations, the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977 (Water Quality Standards for Phosphorous) Regulations, 1998 specify water quality objectives with respect to phosphorus levels. For river waters orthophosphate (molybdate reactive phosphate) concentrations are related to biological quality (Q) ratings which range from 0.015 mg/l orthophosphate (Q5 – unpolluted) to 0.07 mg/l orthophosphate (Q ≤ 2 – seriously polluted). The Regulations require the existing water quality in rivers to improved to specified target levels by 31 December 2007. For example, rivers with a Q3 rating (0.05 mg/l orthophosphate) must be improved to a Q3-4 rating (0.03 mg/l orthophosphate) by 31 December 2007. The 1997 EPA document “Environmental Quality Objectives and Environmental Quality Standards” is a discussion document which proposes Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) for a range of physico-chemical parameters. It proposes similar EQSs for most parameters to those contained in the Salmonid Waters and Phosphorous regulations. It also proposes EQSs for a wide range of additional parameters.
Assessment of Water Quality in the River Greese By comparing the results of the physico-chemical monitoring in the River Greese against water quality standards one can assess the water quality in the River Greese. The results indicate that the existing water quality complies with the standards specified in the Salmonid Waters Regulations and also the proposed Environmental Quality Standards for most parameters, indicating relatively good water quality for most parameters. Some parameters are elevated. Nitrite levels would exceed the standard specified in the Salmonid Regulations (0.05 mg/l NO2) although it would meet the proposed EQS value (0.2 mg/l NO2). One of the samples upstream of the Glanbia site would also exceed the proposed EQS value for nitrate (50 mg/l NO3). It is probable that runoff from the agricultural sector contributes to nitrogen levels in the river.
The levels of Total Petroleum For inspection Hydrocarbons purposes only. (TPH) seem relatively high, Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. although there is no significant difference in TPH levels upstream and downstream of the Glanbia plant. The reason for the elevated TPH levels in the river is not clear. It is possible that sources upstream of the Glanbia site such as road runoff could contribute to the TPH levels. The laboratory that carried out the analyses (TMS Environment) have indicated that is also possible that naturally occurring hydrocarbons could have contributed to the results as the laboratory method is not specific to hydrocarbons of petroleum origin. The levels of orthophosphate in the River also seem relatively high. The results of the sampling and analyses carried out by TMS Environment during 2003 show much higher orthophosphate levels than those recorded by Kildare County Council during 2002. The Kildare County Council results (median orthophosphate concentration of 0.04 mg/l) are probably more representative of the actual levels in the river as they are based on long-term monitoring as opposed to a single sampling event. A median orthophosphate concentration of 0.04 mg/l would indicate slight-moderate pollution in the river based on the 1998 Phosphorous Regulations. It is probable the runoff from the agricultural sector contributes to phosphate levels in the river.
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The most important point with respect to the results of the physico-chemical monitoring is that there is no significant difference in water quality upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge location from Glanbia. This would indicate that current discharges of treated effluent from Glanbia are having no significant impact on water quality in the River Greese. In summary, the results of the physico-chemical analyses of the water quality in the River Greese, show the existing water quality is relatively good with respect to most parameters, although some elevated parameters were recorded indicating slight-moderate pollution in the River Greese in the Ballitore area. Results of biological and physico-chemical monitoring indicate no significant difference in the water quality upstream and downstream of the Glanbia plant.
7.2.2 Existing Emissions to Surface Waters Glanbia currently discharge the following aqueous streams to the River Greese: • Uncontaminated Surface water (stormwater) runoff from the site (excluding milk silos storage area) which is discharged directly to the River Greese. Surface water from the car park and truck parking areas which could potentially be contaminated with hydrocarbons passes through a oil / petrol interceptor prior to discharge to the River Greese. • Process effluent from the dairy plant, washwater from the truckwash, and surface water runoff from the external milk silo storage areas, milk tanker unloading area, truck loading area is treated in the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) prior to discharge to the River Greese Uncontaminated cooling water was previously discharged to the River Greese but cooling water is no longer generated on site. Foul effluent generated on site is discharged to the Local Authority sewer. These aqueous streams are discharged under the terms of a trade effluent discharge licence (TEDL) from Kildare County Council. The standards which the treated effluent on site must For inspection meet purposesprior toonly. discharge are specified in the TEDL Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. and are summarised in Table 7.4 below.
Table 7.4: Trade Effluent Discharge Licence (TEDL) Discharge Standards for Treated Effluent
Parameter Limit Value Flow 240 m3/day 30 m3/hr pH 6-9 1 Temperature 23 °C BOD (mg/l) 20 mg/l 2 Suspended Solids (mg/l) 30 mg/l Total Ammonia (as N) 5 mg/l 3 Total Phosphate (as P) 2 mg/l Orthophosphate (as P) 1 mg/l Oils/Fats/Grease 10 mg/l
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Notes to Table 7.4: 1. The pH of the receiving water shall not be artificially increased by more than 0.5 units 2. The BOD level downstream of the discharge outfall shall not, as a consequence of the discharge, exceed 4 mg/l. The increase in river BOD levels resulting from the discharge shall not exceed 1 mg/l. 3. The unionised ammonia levels downstream of the discharge outfall shall not, as a consequence of the discharge, exceed 0.02 mg/l as N. 4. The Dissolved Oxygen concentration levels shall not fall below the following: - 99.9 Percentile limit: 4 mg/l O2 - 95 Percentile limit : 7 mg/l O2 - 50 Percentile limit: 9 mg/l O2 5. Fats, oils and greases shall not be present in such quantities as to from visible films on the surface of the water, form coatings on the beds of watercourses benthic biota or food sources, cause deleterious effects on aquatic life, impart a detectable taste or odour to edible aquatic species.
The existing WWTP on the Glanbia site has been designed to treat a daily hydraulic and organic load of 240 m3/day and 760 kg BOD/day respectively. The WWTP comprises Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Treatment stages as outlined below:
Primary • Effluent Balancing • pH correction • DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation) for oil, fats & grease and solids removal Secondary • 2 No. Bio-Towers and 1 No. Oxidation Ditch • 1 No. Anoxic Tank (Denitrification) • Settlement in Intermediate and Final Settling Tanks • Sludge thickening and storage tanks Tertiary • Removal of phosphate For by inspection chemical purposes precipitationonly. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. The treated effluent passes through a purpose built flow monitoring and sampling chamber prior to discharge to the River Greese.
Approximately 150 m3/week of thickened sludge from the WWTP with an average dry solids content of 1 - 1.5% is currently landspread on farmlands (arable and grassland) by a farmer based in the Athy area. The sludge is spread under the terms of the TEDL and in accordance with Teagasc guidelines. Glanbia monitor water quality in boundary watercourses of the farmlands to ensure the landspreading is not adversely impacting on surface waters and submit the results on a regular basis to Kildare County Council. A new belt press is shortly to be installed on the Glanbia site which will increase the dry solids content of the sludge to 10-12% and thus reduce the volume of sludge generated to ca. 20 m3/week. This will result in an increased volume of wastewater (ca. 130 m3/week or 19 m3/day) to be recycled through the WWTP. This is not expected to increase the discharge volume from the WWTP as Glanbia are examining options to reduce the current loading on the WWTP which will compensate for the increased volume of recycled wastewater. (Refer to Section 8.4 of the EIS for an assessment of the impact of landspreading of sludge from the WWTP).
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Apart from occasional process upsets (e.g. air blower malfunction in DAF unit which caused slight exceedances of the oil, fats and grease limit during 2002), the WWTP generally performs well and treats the effluent to a standard which meets the requirements of the TEDL. This is demonstrated by the water quality monitoring results for the River Greese which show no significant difference in water quality upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge location.
There are a number of other point source discharges to the River Greese both upstream of downstream of the Glanbia site. These include both Local Authority municipal waste water treatment plants such as the plant in Ballitore and also trade effluent discharges such as from a rendering plant in Dunlavin. In addition to these points source discharges, diffuse sources such as agricultural runoff can be expected to influence the water quality in the River Greese.
7.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation In the absence of adequate preventative / mitigation measures the construction phase of the development could have an adverse impact on the water quality in the River Greese in the event of:
• The discharge of high levels of suspended solids to the river as a result of silt / mud being washed off the site
• The discharge of raw or uncured concrete
• An uncontained spillage of pollutants, such as oil or other chemicals used during construction • An uncontained spillage of domestic effluent generated during construction The following mitigation measures will be put in place during the construction phase to prevent any adverse impacts on the River Greese occurring: For inspection purposes only. • Limited constructionConsent workof copyright will owner take required place for any in other the use. immediate vicinity of the river
and any such works will be carefully controlled (e.g. fencing) to prevent such works impacting on the river. Silt trap(s) will be used to prevent the wash out of silt and mud to the river. Silt / solids present in the surface water runoff will be retained in the silt trap(s) which will be installed in accordance with the requirements of Kildare County Council. • Washwater generated during wheelwashing of trucks will be diverted through the silt trap(s) on site to retain any silt/solids before discharging the clarified water to the River Greese • Raw or uncured waste concrete will be disposed of appropriately and in a manner that will not impact on the river. • Any potentially polluting substances such as fuel, lubricants, oil, paint etc. will be carefully handled and will be stored in temporary bunded areas which will fully contain any spillages. • All domestic effluent generated by construction staff on site during construction will be discharged to a temporary effluent containment facility, prior to transport and treatment off-site. Therefore the construction phase of the development should not have any significant adverse impacts on the water quality of the River Greese.
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The potential impact of the construction phase on the ecological quality of the river is discussed in Section 10 of the EIS.
7.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation
7.4.1 Uncontaminated Surface Water (stormwater) runoff Surface water runoff from the building roofs and hard-surfaced areas of the site will be discharged to the River Greese. A number of materials will be handled and stored on site with polluting potential e.g. oil, CIP cleaning chemicals, milk. If the surface water runoff from the site was to become contaminated with any of these materials it could have an adverse impact on the water quality of the River Greese. A number of measures will be put in place to prevent / minimise the likelihood of contaminated surface water from entering the River Greese which are detailed as follows: • Only surface water runoff from the building roofs will be discharged directly to the River Greese. • All surface water from the yard area including truck parking and car parking areas will pass through a Class 2 Bypass Separator which will retain any oil / hydrocarbons present in the surface water. All surface water gullies will have silt traps which will be emptied at regular intervals and any silt collected will be disposed of off-site by a licensed waste contractor. • There will be a dedicated oil tanker unloading area surrounded by a ACO type drainage channel which will drain to a Class 1 Forecourt Separator. This separator will provide for full retention of any oil in the event of the complete rupture and spillage of a tanker compartment (capacity of tanker compartment = 7600 litres). A closure device is incorporated into the separator which closes the outlet in the event of its capacity being exceeded.
• A number of areas on Forsite inspection will bepurposes surrounded only. by ACO type drainage channels which will route anyConsent spillages of copyright owner of milk required or for contaminated any other use. surface water runoff to
the waste water treatment plant (WWTP), namely: 1. The raw milk and returns milk silos comprising 5 No. 227 m3 raw milk silos and 2 No. 25 m3 returns milk silos. 2. The raw milk intake area (tanker unloading) area. This area will be covered by a roof which will direct uncontaminated rainfall directly to the River Greese. 3. The truck loading bays for finished product. The ACO type drainage channels surrounding these areas will route surface water runoff / spillages to the process effluent sump. The WWTP will incorporate 2 No. 600 m3 buffer tanks, one of which will be used as a balance tank and one of which will be reserved for emergency use to contain any significant milk spillages. Any significant rise in the organic load due to a spillage of milk / contaminated surface water will be automatically detected by a TOC (Total Organic Carbon) meter located in the process effluent sump, which will cause the effluent to be diverted to the emergency buffer tank. The effluent in the emergency buffer tank can then be pumped forward to be treated in a controlled manner in the WWTP without overloading the plant.
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• All other milk storage tanks for finished milk, super milk, skim milk, ESL milk and cream will be located within the dairy process building and any spills within the building will be routed to the process drainage system and waste water treatment plant. • All bulk chemical and oil storage tanks on site will be stored in fully bunded areas. The bulk chemical tanks on site will comprise 1 No. 20 m3 CIP chemical tank (Lactol caustic solution) and possibly chemicals used in the upgraded waste water treatment plant. The other CIP chemicals (peracetic acid and nitric acid) will be stored in IBCs in a bunded area adjacent to the bulk caustic tank. There will be 1 No. 150 m3 diesel tank on site to supply fuel to the boilers. The bunds for the tanks will be designed and constructed in accordance with Local Authority guidelines and will fully contain any leaks or spillages. • Appropriate spill containment measures (e.g. spill pallets) will be used to store smaller quantities of potentially polluting substances such as detergents or other chemicals. • Any potentially polluting substances used on site will be handled in a manner to minimise the risk of any spillages occurring.
These measures should prevent / minimise the likelihood of contaminated surface water runoff from the site being discharged to the River Greese. The proposed development will increase the area of the site covered by buildings / hardsurfaces by ca. 0.94 hectares. This will increase the volume of uncontaminated surface water to be discharged to the River Greese. Minerex Environmental have calculated the additional average daily surface water runoff from to be discharged from the site (Refer to Minerex report in Attachment 5). Data from a rain gauge located in Ballitore which was opened in 1944 and closed in 1990 and evapotranspiration data from the Casement Aerodrome Meteorological Station was used. The rainfall data for the period 1961 to 1990 for Ballitore show that the highest monthly rainfall average recorded at Ballitore relates to the month of December. As this data represents the worst monthly For inspection purposes only. rainfall, its been usedConsent to estimateof copyright owner the required average for any otherdaily use. surface water runoff rates in Table 7.5 below.
Table 7.5 Estimated Surface Water Runoff Rates from Proposed Development (based on December Rainfall Data) Parameter Value
Average December Rainfall (mm) 86 Based on 30 years data from Ballitore Average December Potential Evaporation (PE) (mm) 5.2 Based on 30 years data from Casement Aerodrome Average December Actual Evaporation (mm) (PE x 0.92) 4.8 Effective Rainfall (mm) 81.2 Total area of site (m2) 59,842 Existing area of site that is developed/hardsurfaced (m2) 26,400 Additional area of site to be developed/hardsurfaced (m2) 9,389
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Monthly Runoff from existing impermeable areas (m3) 2144 Additional Monthly Runoff from additional impermeable areas (m3) 762
Therefore it is estimated that an additional 762 m3/month or an average of 25 m3/day surface water runoff (based on December rainfall data) will be generated from the additional developed/hardsurfaced areas (ca. 0.94 hectares) on the site. This additional estimated average daily runoff (25 m3/day) represents approximately 0.1% of the 95 Percentile Flow (19,008 m3/day) of the River Greese at Ballitore. Therefore the additional volume of uncontaminated surface water to be discharged to the river is not considered significant and should not have any significant hydrological impact on the river.
7.4.2 Treated Effluent Discharge As detailed in Section 7.2.2, the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) on site currently treats the process / trade effluent from the plant prior to discharge to the River Greese. The existing WWTP has been designed to treat a daily hydraulic and organic load of 240 m3/day and 760 kg BOD/day respectively and comprises Primary, Secondary and Tertiary stages of treatment.
The site at Ballitore will be developed over five phases. The daily loading of process / trade effluent on the WWTP will not increase during the first four phases of the development. The existing WWTP generally performs well and meets the limits for treated effluent specified in the Trade Effluent Discharge Licence (TEDL). This is demonstrated by the results of water quality analyses upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge location which shows no significant difference in water quality. Therefore the current discharge of treated effluent to the River Greese from Glanbia is having no significant impact of water quality. During the first four phases of the development at Ballitore, the loading of process / trade effluent on the WWTP will not increase and therefore the treated effluent discharge to the River Greese will not change from the current situation and therefore there should be no additional impact. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. When Phase 5 of the development is complete the volume of process / trade effluent will increase to 600 m3/day and could have an adverse impact on the water quality of the river if the effluent was not treated to an appropriate standard. Therefore the WWTP will be upgraded as part of Phase 5 of the development to cater for the increased loading.
In addition to the increased process / trade effluent loading the upgraded WWTP will also be designed to cater for surface water runoff / spillages of milk from milk storage and handling areas. The peak daily surface water runoff rate from the raw and returns milk silos area and the truck loading bays is estimated at 150 m3/day based on a 20-year return peak 24-hour rainfall event of 65mm. Therefore the upgraded WWTP will be designed to treat a daily hydraulic load of 750 m3/day (600 m3/day process/trade effluent and 150 m3/day peak surface water runoff). It should be noted that on average the daily hydraulic load will be closer to 600 m3/day as 150 m3/day surface water runoff will only be generated during peak rainfall events.
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Glanbia are currently examining options to upgrade the WWTP but the design has not been finalised as Phase 5 of the development is not expected to commence for five to seven years. The upgraded WWTP will treat the effluent to a standard that will as a minimum comply with the standards specified in the company’s TEDL, and most probably to a higher standard for a number of parameters. Prior to Phase 5, 2 No. new 600 m3 capacity buffer tanks will be installed on the site during Phases 2 and 3 of the development, one of which will be used as a balance tank prior to the WWTP and one of which will be reserved for emergency use to contain any contaminated surface water runoff during peak rainfall events or significant milk spillages. The effluent in the emergency buffer tank can then be pumped forward to be treated in a controlled manner in the WWTP without overloading the plant.
Although the treatment standards for the upgraded WWTP have not been finalised, for the purpose of this assessment sample calculations have been carried out to assess the impact of an increased discharge volume of treated effluent on water quality in the River Greese for a number of key parameters based on current TEDL limit values. The sample calculations have been carried out based on a treated effluent discharge of 750 m3/day and a 95 Percentile Flow in the River Greese at Ballitore of 19,008 m3/day (Note: This is a conservative assessment as if there was a discharge of 750 m3/day corresponding to peak rainfall conditions, the corresponding flow in the river would also be greater providing greater dilution).
Table 7.6: Sample Calculations Assessing the Impact of Discharging 750 m3/day of treated effluent to the River Greese
Parameter Existing Current TEDL Resultant Concentration in Discharge Limit Concentration River Greese in River Greese
BOD ≅ 1.6 mg/l 20 mg/l 2.3 mg/l Suspended ≅ 19 mg/l 30 mg/l 19.4 mg/l For inspection purposes only. Solids Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Orthophosphate ≅ 0.04 mg/l 1 mg/l 0.076 mg/l (as P) (median) Total Ammonia ≅ 0.03 mg/l 5 mg/l 0.22 mg/l (as N) * Oil, Fats & ≅ 0.5 mg/l 10 mg/l 0.86 mg/l Grease * The relevant water quality standard for unionised ammonia (NH3) which is the toxic form of ammonia is 0.02 mg/l. At a pH of 8.0 and a water temperature of 10 °C, this is equivalent to a total ammonia concentration (NH3 and NH4) of ca. 1.1 mg/l. The sample calculations in Table 7.6 indicate that if the effluent is treated to the same standard as is currently specified in the TEDL, the discharge of 750 m3/day of treated effluent would have no significant impact on the water quality in the River Greese in that the concentrations of most parameters in the river would not significantly increase and would not exceed applicable water quality standards. The increased volume of discharge could potentially cause existing orthophosphate concentrations in the River to increase above acceptable levels and therefore it may be necessary to treat orthophosphate concentrations to a higher standard in the upgraded WWTP. The design and treatment standards for the upgraded WWTP have yet to be finalised.
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It will be necessary for Glanbia to apply for an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence from the Environmental Protection Agency prior to commencement of the operation of Phase 5 of the development as the facility will qualify as a licensable activity under the First Schedule of the EPA Act, namely Class 7.2 “The manufacture of dairy products where the processing capacity exceeds 50 million gallons of milk equivalent per year”. Accordingly the upgraded wastewater treatment plant will be designed on the basis of Best Available Technique / Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Costs (BAT/BATNEEC) and the discharge standards which the WWTP must comply with will be specified in the IPC licence. All relevant guidance notes will be taken into account in the design and selection of technology for the WWTP including: • Environmental Protection Agency. BATNEEC Guidance Note – Class 7.2 Manufacture of Dairy Products (Draft) • European IPPC Bureau. Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control. (Draft) Reference Document on Best Available Techniques in the Food, Milk and Drink Industry. The upgraded WWTP will treat the effluent to a standard sufficient to satisfy the Environmental Protection Agency to grant an IPC licence. Section 83(3)(b) of the EPA Act, 1992 states that the Agency shall not grant a licence for an activity unless it is satisfied that “Any emission from the activity will comply with, or will not result in the contravention of relevant quality standard for waters, trade effluents and sewage effluent and standards in relation to treatment of such effluents prescribed under Section 26 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977”. Section 83(3)(e) of the EPA Act, 1992 states that the Agency shall not grant a licence for an activity unless it is satisfied that “Any emissions from the activity will not cause significant environmental pollution”. The Glanbia plant will not be granted an IPC licence and will therefore not be able to operate unless the upgraded WWTP treats the effluent to a sufficient standard such that the discharge of treated effluent to the River Greese will not have any significant impact on water quality in the river. As part of the upgrade of the WWTP, Glanbia will also examine alternatives technologies for sludge dewatering For inspection purposes / treatment only. and other outlets for the sludge in Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. order to determine the best practicable means of treating / disposing of the sludge from the upgraded WWTP (refer to Section 8.4 of EIS). In summary, the loading of process / trade effluent on the existing WWTP will not increase during the first four phases of development . Therefore there will be no additional impact on the River Greese compared to the existing situation. Water quality monitoring in the river upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge location show no significant difference in water quality which indicates the current discharge of treated effluent to the River Greese from Glanbia is not having any significant impact of water quality. The loading on the WWTP will increase on completion of Phase 5 of the development. The WWTP will be upgraded and will be designed so that the increased volume of treated effluent to be discharged will have no significant impact on the water quality of the River Greese.
7.5 Conclusions The results of water quality monitoring (biological and physico-chemical) for the River Greese at Ballitore show the river is slightly-moderately polluted. Monitoring results show that there is no significant difference in water quality in
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the river upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge location from the Glanbia site which indicates that the current discharge of treated effluent and also uncontaminated surface water runoff from the site is having no significant impact on the water quality of the river. A number of measures will be taken during the construction and operational phases of the development to ensure that only uncontaminated surface water is discharged from the Glanbia site to the River Greese. With respect to the treated effluent discharge this will not change during the first four phases of the development. The volume of treated effluent will increase on completion of Phase 5 of the development at which time the existing waste water treatment plant (WWTP) will be upgraded. The upgraded WWTP will be designed to an appropriate standard to ensure that the increased volume of treated effluent discharged to the River Greese will have no significant impact on water quality in the river.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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8. GEOLOGY, SOILS AND HYDROGEOLOGY
8.1 Introduction This section assesses the potential impact of the development on the soils and groundwater of the site. A full hydrogeological investigation was carried out to determine the existing conditions on site. The potential impacts of the construction and operational phases of the development on soils and groundwater are assessed and mitigation measures are outlined to minimise any significant impacts.
8.2 Existing Environment Minerex Environmental Ltd. (MEL) were commissioned by PM to carry out a full hydrogeological investigation of the proposed development site to establish existing baseline conditions of soil and groundwater and also to determine the potential for future groundwater use at the site.
The MEL field survey involved the installation of five window sampler bore holes (MW1, MW2, MW3, S1,S2). Sampling and analysis of soil from all of these boreholes was carried out. Sampling and analysis of groundwater from three of these boreholes (MW1, MW2, MW3) and the two existing wells (BH1, BH2) on site was carried out. The boreholes MW1, MW2, MW3 were made permanent for future monitoring requirements. Preliminary pumping tests were carried out to determine the future potential groundwater yield from the existing wells on the site. In addition to the field survey documentary research was carried out for information on the geology, hydrogeology and soils of the area. A full copy of the MEL report is included in Attachment 5.
8.2.1 Bedrock Geology The site is underlain by the Carrighill Formation (CZ), consisting of calcareous greywackes, siltstones and shales, with younger sandstones. These formations were deposited during the Silurian period, approximately 410 million years ago. The main structural trends For are inspection north-east purposes only. (Caledonian orogeny, approximately Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 410 million years) as reflected by regional fold systems.
8.2.2 Quaternary Geology / Soils The Quaternary geology of the area is made up of glaciofluvial tills and gravels, commonly greater than 30m thick. In the area of the site, these take the form of sands and gravels. Northwest-southeast trending eskers exist immediately to the north of Ballitore.
The principle soil type at the site of the proposed development is Grey brown podzolic, which are generally moderate to well drained. The soil’s parent material consists mainly of limestone glacial tills.
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Soil samples were collected from all 5 No. window sampler drilled bore holes. The samples were analysed for a full range or organic and inorganic parameters including Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC’s), Mineral Oil, Diesel Range Organics (DRO), Petrol Range Organics (PRO), Aluminium, Arsenic, Boron, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Nickel, Mercury, Iron, Manganese, Nitrate, Phosphate, and Zinc. The results of the analyses were compared to the 2000 Dutch Standard Guidelines which consist of Target Values (Guideline for normal uncontaminated soil) and Intervention Values (Guideline for intervention).
There was no visual or olfactory evidence of contamination in the soils recovered from any of the boreholes. The analytical results indicated no contamination of the soils at the site. No oil products or semi-volatile organic compounds were detected. All of the reported concentrations for the various metals were below the corresponding Dutch Guideline Intervention values where quoted and/or are within the typical range of major or trace elements in non-polluted agricultural soils as published by the EPA. No inorganic contamination in the form of nitrate or phosphate was detected.
8.2.3 Hydrogeology
General As part of the Draft Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Kildare the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) have classified the Carrighill Formation which underlies the site as a ‘Poor Aquifer which is generally unproductive (Pu)’. The Quaternary sediments can be considered to be an aquifer in its own right due to its thickness and yield. As part of the Draft Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Kildare the GSI has classified the deposits underlying the area of the site as a ‘Locally important sand and gravel aquifer (Lg)’. Based on the type and thickness of deposits and the water table level, the GSI have assigned a ‘high’ vulnerability For inspection rating purposes to the only. area. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. The GSI Groundwater Protection Schemes allow for the combination of aquifer classification and vulnerability rating to give classifications of groundwater protection zones. The purpose of these zones is to place a control on the activities practised within a zone and thus provide protection to any underlying groundwater resources. Based on the aquifer classification and vulnerability categories defined above, an Lg/H (Locally Important Sand & Gravel Aquifer with High Vulnerability) classification is assigned to the entire site. The GSI have not yet defined the activities that must be controlled in relation to the type of development in question. However, given that the subject site is already developed and that there are no private groundwater abstractions between the site and the River Greese which is considered to the discharge zone for groundwater moving beneath the site, the development should be considered acceptable within the assigned resource protection zone subject to normal good practice. The groundwater flow direction on the site follows the general topographic variation in the area, from east northeast to west southwest on the site generally. Standing water levels recorded in boreholes are also indicative of east to west groundwater flow direction on the site. Groundwater recharge is via the undeveloped permeable areas of the site, and the River Greese is the likely discharge zone.
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Groundwater Quality
Groundwater samples were taken for analyses from the three new boreholes (MW1, MW2, MW3) and the two existing wells (BH1, BH2) on the site.
The groundwater samples were analysed for a full range or organic and inorganic parameters including pH, Conductivity, Mineral Oil, Diesel Range Organics (DRO), Petrol Range Organics (PRO), BOD, Alkalinity, Aluminium, Ammonia, Arsenic, Boron, Cadmium, Calcium, Chloride, Chromium, Copper, Flouride, Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, Potassium, Zinc, Sodium and Sulphate as well as Microbiological analyses (Faecal and Total Coliforms). Additional analysis including SVOC’s, organochlorine pesticides and organophosphate pesticides was carried out on the groundwater sample taken from the principal well on the site (BH1). BH1 was selected as the most appropriate monitoring point to screen for these additional parameters given it is a deep well which is in use and any contamination from the site is likely to be detected in this borehole.
The results of the analyses were compared to the 2000 Dutch Standard Guidelines which consist of Target Values (Guideline for normal groundwater and Intervention Values (Guideline for intervention) and the Maximum Admissible Concentrations (MAC’s) quoted in the 1988 European Communities (Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption) Regulations (SI No. 81 of 1988). The new drinking water standards (SI No. 439 of 2000) will not come into force until 2004 and therefore the 1988 standards were considered the most appropriate with which to compare the groundwater analyses results. The reported concentrations for all parameters are within the corresponding quoted intervention values in the Dutch Guidelines and/or the MAC’s listed in the Drinking Water Regulations with the exception of a small number of parameters which are discussed below. Faecal and Total Coliforms were detected in all of the window sampler monitoring boreholes (MW1, MW2, MW3) including the borehole upgradient of the site (MW1). The highest levels of coliforms were detected in MW2. The For inspection purposes only. likely source of the faecalConsent of coliforms copyright owner detected required for any in other MW1 use. could be faeces from grazing animals and/or slurry spreading within the zone of contribution to this well while the possible sources of microbial contamination to MW2 and MW3 could be on-site activities and/or agricultural practices within the zones of contribution to these wells. Glanbia have reported historical water quality problems with one of the wells (BH2) on the site and the water purged from this well during the survey had a dark colour and a foul odour indicating some contamination. However the subsequent analyses of the groundwater from BH2 revealed that the concentrations of most parameters were generally acceptable and no total or faecal coliforms were detected. An elevated ammoniacal nitrogen concentration of 0.58 mg/l was detected which exceeds the applicable MAC (0.23 mg/l) and the BOD value of 4 mg/l was higher than the BOD values reported for all the other wells. The source of the organic contamination in this well has yet to be identified. The only evidence of oil product contamination in the groundwater was detected in MW3 where a mineral oil concentration of 179 micrograms/litre (µg/l) was reported. Concentrations in all other boreholes were less than the limit of detection. The Dutch intervention value (concentration requiring intervention / remediation) for mineral oil is of 200 µg/l. As the reported mineral oil
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concentration is less than the intervention value, it is not considered to be serious contamination requiring remediation. Trucks using the truck wash area or the waste area may be potential sources of this hydrocarbon contamination. Elevated concentrations of manganese and iron were recorded in a number of the boreholes but these are thought to be naturally occurring resulting from the soil and rock formations and do not pose any health concerns. The level of potassium recorded in MW3 was found to exceed the applicable MAC in the Drinking Water Regulations but is not considered to pose any health concerns and may be naturally occurring.
In summary, the results of the groundwater analyses show that the groundwater on site is relatively uncontaminated with respect to most parameters. Some microbial contamination was found in the three shallow boreholes (MW1, MW2, MW3), some organic contamination was recorded in one of the existing wells on the site (BH2) and some hydrocarbon contamination was recorded in one of the shallow boreholes (MW3). Further investigations will be carried out to identify the sources of the contamination and measures will be taken to prevent any further potential contamination / rectify as appropriate.
8.2.4 Groundwater Development Potential There are two existing wells (BH1 and BH2) on the site. The pumps in the wells are located at ca. 25 meters and ca. 20 metres below ground level in BH1 and BH2 respectively. At present groundwater is abstracted from BH1 to supply water for washing and rinsing purposes in the dairy process. A mains water supply is used to supply water for domestic use (drinking water etc.). As part of the proposed development the groundwater abstraction rate will increase to ca. 600 m3/day and MEL were requested to test the sustainable yields of the existing bedrock wells to determine whether an increase in sustainable yield would be obtainable.
A pump test carried out by MEL concluded that at present a combined sustainable yield of approximately 670m3/day is obtainable from both wells. Both wells are capable of Forsupplying inspection purposes higher only. sustainable yields but higher Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. specification pumps would need to be installed in the wells to fully stress the boreholes and test the maximum sustainable yields available. The full details of the pump test are available in the MEL report in Attachment 5.
8.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation The construction phase of the development will not result in any direct discharges to soil or groundwater. The construction phase could have a potential adverse impact on the soils and groundwater of the site in the event of:
• An uncontained spillage of pollutants, such as oil or other chemicals used during construction • An uncontained spillage of domestic effluent generated during construction The following mitigation measures will be put in place during the construction phase to prevent any adverse impacts on the soils or groundwater of the area:
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• Any potentially polluting substances such as fuel, lubricants, oil, paint etc. will be carefully handled and will be stored in temporary bunded areas which will fully contain any spillages. • All domestic effluent generated by construction staff on site during construction will be discharged to a temporary effluent containment facility, prior to transport and treatment off-site. The hydrogeological survey has shown that the soils on site are uncontaminated and therefore excavation works on site will not result in the mobilisation of any sub-surface contaminants. Topsoil that is stripped off during construction will be used in landscaping on the site. The construction phase will not result in the excavation or removal of any bedrock from the development site.
The construction of the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on the geology, soils and hydrogeology of the site.
8.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation There will be no direct discharges to soils or groundwater on the Glanbia site during the operational phase of the development.
As discussed in Section 7.2.2 of the EIS, sludge from the waste water treatment plant is currently landspread on farmlands (arable and grassland) by a farmer based in the Athy area. The sludge is landspread under the terms of the Trade Effluent Discharge Licence (TEDL) from Kildare County Council and in accordance with Teagasc guidelines. Currently ca. 150 m3 of sludge per week with an average dry solids content of 1 - 1.5% is tankered off-site for landspreading. Analyses has indicated that every 4.5 m3 of this sludge contains on average 5.8 kgs of nitrogen, 1.46 kgs of phosphorous and 0.95 kgs of potassium. A new belt press is shortly to be installed on the Glanbia site which will increase the dry solids content of the sludge to 10-12% and thus reduce the volume of sludge generated to ca. 20 m3 per week.
This volume of sludge (ca. 20 m3/week) will continue to be landspread during Phases 1 to 4 of the development. For inspection purposes On completion only. of Phase 5 of the Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. development the loading on the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) will increase and therefore the volume of sludge generated will also increase. At this stage it will be necessary for Glanbia to obtain access to additional areas of farmland if it is intended to continue landspreading the sludge. Glanbia realise that future legislation or guidelines may restrict options for landspreading. Therefore Glanbia will examine alternatives technologies for sludge dewatering / treatment as part of the upgrade of the WWTP and also examine other outlets for the sludge (e.g. sludge treatment facilities at Osberstown, Co. Kildare) in order to determine the best practicable means of treating / disposing of the sludge from the upgraded WWTP.
Current and future landspreading of the sludge could have an adverse impact on soils and groundwater in the event of spreading too much sludge per unit area of land or spreading of sludge in unsuitable areas leading to excessive build up of nutrients in the soil and groundwater.
In order to minimise any potential impacts on soils and groundwater / surface waters arising from landspreading, Glanbia will ensure that sludge is spread in accordance with the Teagasc recommended code of practice and guidelines, in particular:
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• Sludge will only be spread on lands deemed suitable by Teagasc based on an assessment (including soil analyses) of the lands by Teagasc
• Landspreading will be carried out in accordance with Teagasc guidelines on maximum application rates (gallons/acre/year) and minimum intervals between spreading
• Landspreading will not be carried out during very wet weather and as part of the proposed development adequate capacity will be provided on the Glanbia site to store the sludge during wet weather
• Sludge will not be spread on waterlogged soils or where drainage is very restricted
• Landspreading will be carried out in accordance with the setback distances recommended for domestic wells and private dwellings by Teagasc
• Monitoring and analyses of the water quality in boundary watercourses and soil quality of the farmlands where the sludge is spread will be carried out to ensure the landspreading is not having any significant adverse impact on water or soil quality.
The above mitigation measures should ensure that landspreading of the sludge should not have any significant adverse impact on soils and groundwater / surface water and should result in agricultural benefit (i.e. improvement of soil conditions for crop growth whilst ensuring the protection of environmental quality).
With respect to the Glanbia site itself, a number of potentially polluting substances (e.g. diesel, CIP chemicals, milk) will be stored and handled on site during the operation of the proposed development. An uncontained spillage or leak of these substances could have a significant adverse impact on the soils and groundwater on the site. A number of measures will be incorporated into the design of the plant ensure that the soils and groundwater on site are protected from contamination as a result For inspection of operational purposes only. activities. The spill prevention / Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. containment measures to be incorporated into the plant are detailed in Section 7.4.1 of the EIS.
The monitoring wells installed on site will be used to monitor groundwater quality and detect any changes in groundwater quality during the operational phase of the development.
It is intended to increase the groundwater abstraction rate on site to 600 m3/day for use in the dairy plant. Initial pumping tests carried out on site have shown a minimum sustainable yield of at least 670m3/day is obtainable from both wells based on the current pumps in the wells. Therefore the increased groundwater abstraction rate should not significantly impact on available groundwater resources. Further pumping tests will be carried out to determine more accurately the maximum available sustainable yield from each of the wells on site and will also be carried out if it is decided to relocate the wells on the site.
In summary, the operational phase of the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on geology, soils and hydrogeology.
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8.5 Conclusions The results of the groundwater monitoring suggest that there is no significant soil or groundwater contamination at the development site; some microbial contamination was detected in the groundwater from the overburden monitoring wells, some organic contamination was detected in the groundwater from one of the existing bedrock wells (BH2) and some hydrocarbon contamination was detected in the groundwater from one of the shallow boreholes (MW3). Further investigations will be carried out to identify the sources of the contamination and measures will be taken to prevent any further potential contamination / rectify as appropriate. The results of the initial pumping tests on site indicated a sustainable yield of groundwater that will adequately satisfy future usage requirements without impacting on the available groundwater resource. Appropriate mitigation measures will be put in place during the construction and operational phases of the development to ensure that the development will not have any significant adverse impact on geology, soils or hydrogeology.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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9. NOISE
9.1 Introduction This section assesses the impact of noise emissions from the proposed development on the existing environment. A noise survey was carried out at the development site to determine noise levels in the existing environment. The impact of construction and operational noise on the existing environment is assessed and measures are outlined to mitigate against any significant impacts.
9.2 Existing Environment 9.2.1 Noise Survey Methodology Noise is usually measured on the decibel (dB) scale, which is a logarithmic scale of sound intensity. Decibels measured on a sound level meter incorporate a frequency weighting (A Weighting) which differentiates between sound of different frequency (pitch) in a similar way to the human ear. The adjusted scale is known as the A-weighted decibel scale, and the units of the scale are dBA. As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment, PM commissioned Eanna O’Kelly & Associates to carry out an ambient noise survey at the Glanbia site to determine existing noise levels. A full copy of the noise survey report is included in Attachment 6. The eight day continuous noise survey was carried out at the Glanbia site from the 9th to the 17th December 2002. Noise levels were recorded at three locations on the site. A map showing the locations is included with the noise survey report in Attachment 6. The instrumentation used during the survey consisted of a Bruel & Kjaer Type 2236 Integrating Sound Level Meter with associated microphone and Bruel & Kjaer Type 4231 calibrator. Noise levels were continuously recorded for 15 minute measurement periods during the survey. The following parameters were recorded:
LAeq : The equivalent Forcontinuous inspection purposes sound only. level – the sound level of a steady Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. sound having the same energy as a fluctuating sound over a specified measuring period (15 minutes). This is an indicator of the average noise level.
LA90 : The noise level equalled or exceeded for 90% of the measurement period (15 minutes). This is a good indicator of steady background noise levels.
LA10: The noise level equalled or exceeded for 10% of the measurement period (15 minutes). It is used as a descriptor of intermittent peak noise events such as passing traffic.
9.2.2 Noise Survey Results The noise levels were recorded at three locations on the site (monitoring locations are shown in the Noise Survey Report in Attachment 6): Location A: South-East Boundary of the site adjacent to the nearest noise sensitive receptors (i.e. residential dwellings) to the site
Location B: South-West Corner of the site at boundary adjacent to Ballitore road
Location C: Existing security fence boundary at north of site
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The results of the noise survey are summarised in Table 9.1 below. The results are expressed in terms of mean daytime (07:00 – 23:00) and mean night-time (23:00 – 07:00) levels.
Table 9.1: Noise Monitoring Results
Location Daytime Level (dBA) Night-time Level (dBA)
LAeq LA10 LA90 LAeq LA10 LA90 A 54.9 56.1 52.5 56.8 58.1 53.7 B 60.3 60.1 50.4 51.9 49.5 45.5 C 51.0 52.6 47.6 42.2 43.7 38.9
The noise survey results indicate relatively high ambient noise levels (particularly night-time) at Location A which is the closest noise sensitive receptor (residential dwellings) to the site. However the levels would not be untypical for the type of activity and taking into account the proximity of the residential dwellings to the activities on site. The principal noise sources contributing to the noise levels at Location A are thought to be plant noise (utility area consisting of compressors, chillers etc. located 50-60 metres from monitoring location) and refrigerated truck parking areas on the eastern side of the site. The noise level recorded at night- time is slightly higher than the daytime noise level which is probably due to the fact that a larger number of refrigerated trucks were parked on site at night-time. As the monitoring location was to the rear of the dwellings it was probably screened from road traffic noise which would dominate noise levels to the front of the dwellings similar to Location B.
The highest noise level recorded during the survey was at Location B which is adjacent to the approach road into Ballitore village. Road traffic dominates noise levels at this location which is demonstrated by the LA10 level (indicative of peak noise events such as For passing inspection purposes traffic) only. which is similar to the LAeq level while Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. the background noise level (LA90) is some 10 dBA lower. It is expected that a similar level of traffic noise is experienced at other locations along the road.
The lowest noise levels were recorded at Location C. Noise sources contributing to this location would include general ambient noise and also activity within the site.
9.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation The construction of the development will involve the use of heavy vehicles and construction equipment including trucks, excavators, drills etc., all of which will generate noise which could impact on residential dwellings or other noise sensitive locations in the immediate vicinity. The construction plant and equipment will comply with the relevant regulations on construction plant noise, namely, SI No. 359 of 1996, European Communities, (Construction Plant and Equipment) (Permissible Noise Levels)(Amendment) Regulations 1996. In addition, BS 5228 - British Standard for Noise Control on Construction Sites will be used as a guide to minimise noise levels during construction. Every effort will be made to limit the effect of construction activities on noise sensitive receptors.
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The normal construction hours will be daytime only and there will not be any construction at night-time. Therefore there will not be any construction generated noise at night-time.
In summary, the level of construction noise during the daytime will be minimised as much as practicable to limit the impact on ambient noise levels or noise sensitive receptors (e.g. residential dwellings) in the vicinity. There will be no construction generated noise at night-time.
9.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation The development of the Glanbia site will involve the demolition and removal of plant and equipment associated with the Agribusiness Division and the upgrading / addition and relocation of plant and equipment for the expansion of the dairy operations.
It is not yet possible to accurately model and predict the noise contribution from the proposed development as at this stage of design detailed noise data for the plant and equipment for all five phases of the development is not available and some of the equipment is not yet finalised. Sufficient information will be available for noise modelling to be carried out as part of the Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence application to the Environmental Protection Agency prior to commencement of operations of Phase 5 of the development.
The closest noise sensitive receptors to the site are a number of residential dwellings adjacent to the south-east boundary of the site. The results of the ambient noise survey show relatively high ambient noise levels (particularly night-time) at this location which is primarily due to noise from the existing utilities area and truck parking areas on the Glanbia site. The proposed development is expected to significantly reduce the noise contribution from the Glanbia plant at this location as:
• The utilities area will be For inspectionrelocated purposes to only.the north-east of the site ca. 140 metres Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. from the residential dwellings and all the utilities equipment will be housed within buildings which will provide significant attenuation. This is in contrast to the existing situation where the utilities area is ca . 50 metres from closest residential dwelling and some of the equipment (e.g. compressors, chillers) is located externally.
• The truck parking areas will be relocated further north into the site away from the dwellings and the new buildings on site will provide acoustic screening of these areas.
• The car parking area will be relocated ca. 20 metres further north from the residential dwellings. This will allow the construction of a berm (2.5 – 3 metres high) and extensive landscaping and planting on and around the berm in the area directly behind the houses. An existing 1.8 metres high concrete block capped wall will be extended behind the rear gardens of all the houses backing onto the Glanbia site. The berm and associated landscaping and planting and extended wall will all contribute to acoustic screening of noise from the site.
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A number of other measures will help to reduce the contribution from the Glanbia plant to the ambient noise levels and any potential impact on noise sensitive receptors:
• The Agribusiness Division will be relocated from the site and therefore associated noise generating activities including traffic, the grain dryer tower, external pump blowers for transferring grain etc. will be removed from the site
• The existing effluent balance tank and associated pumps will be relocated from the south-west corner of the site to the location of the waste water treatment plant which is further away from the residential dwellings adjacent Ballitore Bridge to the south-west.
• Noise criteria will be specified for all new plant and equipment to ensure the noise contribution from new plant and equipment is as low as reasonably practicable and does not have a significant impact on ambient noise levels
• Most of the new plant and equipment will be housed within buildings which will significant attenuate any noise. Appropriate noise control measures (e.g. acoustic insulation) will be used to minimise noise levels from externally located equipment.
• Landscaping and grading at appropriate locations around the site will provide some acoustic screening of activities within the site.
In summary a number of measures will be taken to minimise the contribution of the Glanbia plant to ambient noise levels and to ensure that operation of the plant does not have a significant impact on ambient noise levels or noise sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the site.
9.5 Conclusions For inspection purposes only. Road traffic noise andConsent Glanbia of copyright operational owner required for activities any other use. contribute to existing ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the site which are relatively high at some locations. The construction phase of the development will contribute to ambient noise levels for the duration of the construction works but measures will be taken to minimise as much as practicable any impact on ambient noise levels or noise sensitive receptors (e.g. residential dwellings) in the vicinity.
Various noise control measures are being incorporated into the design of the Glanbia site including the siting of equipment within the site, housing of equipment within buildings, specification of noise criteria for new equipment and acoustic insulation / attenuation of equipment as necessary. These noise control measures will minimise the contribution of Glanbia operations to ambient noise levels particularly at noise sensitive receptors (residential dwellings) and will ensure that the operation of the Glanbia plant does not have a significant adverse impact on ambient noise levels or noise sensitive receptors in the vicinity.
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10. FLORA AND FAUNA
10.1 Introduction This section assesses the potential impact of the development on flora and fauna. An ecological survey and study was carried out to assess the existing flora and fauna on the site. The potential impacts of the construction and operational phases of the development on flora and fauna are assessed and mitigation measures are outlined to minimise any significant impacts.
10.2 Existing Environment NATURA Environmental Consultants Ltd were commissioned by PM to carry out a baseline ecological assessment of the site which included a survey of the site, a biological quality assessment of the River Greese adjacent to the site and documentary research. A copy of the Natura report is included in Attachment 7.
10.2.1 Designated Areas (as recognised by Duchas, The Heritage Service) No part of the site or its immediate surroundings is covered by a scientific or conservation designation as recognised by Duchas, The Heritage Service such as a Natural Heritage Area (NHA), a Special Protection Area (SPA) or a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The closest areas of conservation to the site are the Dunlavin Marshes (ca. 8.5 km north-east) and Corballis Hill (ca. 9.5km south- east) which are both proposed NHAs.
10.2.2 Habitats and Flora A field survey of the site and its environs was carried out in January 2003 and the following habitats were identified on the site.
Treelines and Hedgerows
There are a total of eight treelines on the site comprising mature leyland cypress, alder, silver birch, willow and For inspection sycamore. purposes only. There are four hedgerows on the site Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. dominated by hawthorn with occasional ash and alder. Improved grassland
The area of land between the existing site security fenceline and the site hedgerow boundaries consists of improved agricultural grassland fields used for pasture. The sward is dominated by meadow-grasses, Yorkshire-fog, Timothy and Rye-Grasses.
Watercourse
The River Greese, measuring approximately 8 metres in width, flows in a southerly direction along the western boundary of the site, at approximately 20 km upstream of its confluence with the River Barrow (which is currently under consideration for designation as a candidate Special Area of Conservation).
Drainage ditch
A drainage ditch is at the base of the hedgerow on the northern end of the site. It contains standing water and has an abundance of Water Cress.
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Buildings and artificial surfaces
The existing Glanbia plant is comprised of production buildings, hard surfaces, grain stores, silos and related out-buildings.
10.2.3 Fauna Mammals
Mammals that are likely to occur in the general area include fox, badger, rabbit, hedgehog, stoat, wood mouse, brown rat and pygmy shrew. There was some evidence of rabbit burrows at the base of a hedgerow on-site. While no evidence of otter was identified in the course of the walk-over survey, it is likely that they use this watercourse as conditions are suitable for this species. There was no evidence of bats in any of the buildings that are to be demolished and these buildings are not typically a suitable habitat for bats.
Fish & Aquatic Macro-Invertebrates
The River Greese contains salmonid fish populations. Good stocks of trout have been recorded in the river. Some unspecified lamprey species have been reported in the upper reaches.
During the survey the river was sampled for aquatic macro-invertebrates at two locations, one upstream and one downstream of the treated effluent discharge point. Based on an assessment of the samples, both locations on the river have a biological quality rating of Q3-4, indicating doubtful to fair quality and slight pollution. The results show no significant difference in water quality upstream and downstream of the treated effluent discharge point.
Birds
Birds observed at the site included wren, robin, blackbird, hooded crow, rook, magpie, starling and wood pigeon. These are all species typical of hedgerows and farmland and are in abundance in this area due to the grain stores. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
10.2.4 Ecological Evaluation of Site No part of the site or its immediate surroundings is covered by a scientific or conservation designation as recognised by Duchas, The Heritage Service. No rare, threatened or legally protected flora or fauna species were recorded on the site.
The dominant habitat within the proposed site is improved grassland, which is of low ecological value. The hedgerows are of moderate local ecological value. The treelines of alder and willow are of moderate local ecological value, whereas the treelines of leyland cypress are of low local ecological value. The artificial surfaces and outbuildings are of no ecological value.
Biological assessment of the River Greese water quality indicates that the water quality of the stream is of doubtful to fair quality and suggests slight pollution. The reported presence of trout in the River qualifies this watercourse as of high ecological value in a local or regional context. The drainage ditch on the site is of low ecological value.
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10.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation The development will involve the loss of some (ca. 0.94 hectares) of the managed grassland on the site which is of low ecological value and therefore does not constitute a significant impact.
The development will involve the removal of a ca. 30 metre section of mature leyland cypress trees which are of low ecological value and therefore does not constitute a significant impact. The proposed landscaping on the site using natural species will compensate for the loss of this section of treeline.
All other treelines and hedgerows will be left intact. A number of measures will be taken during construction to avoid damage to these treelines and hedgerows. No alteration to ground levels will be carried out within the crownspread of these trees / hedgerows. Care will be taken while the machinery is operating in the vicinity of the trees / hedgerows and building materials will not be stored within 10 m of the trees / hedgerows. Sensitive areas will be protected with temporary fencing. Any accidental damage will be repaired using the same plant species that are already present.
During the construction works the run-off of high levels of suspended solids to the River Greese or the drainage ditch would have a negative impact. Appropriate engineering measures including the use of silt trap(s) will be used to prevent the wash out of silt and mud to the river and drainage ditch.
Various measures as described in Section 7.3 of the EIS will used to prevent potentially polluting matter from entering any watercourses during the construction phase of the development. Any potentially polluting substances such as fuel, lubricants, oil, paint etc. will be carefully handled and will be stored in temporary bunded areas which will fully contain any spillages. All domestic effluent generated by construction staff on site during construction will be discharged to a temporary effluent containment facility, prior to transport and treatment off-site.
Therefore the construction For phase inspection ofpurposes the only.development is not predicted to have any significant adverseConsent impact of copyright on owner flora required and for anyfauna. other use.
10.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation The volume of treated effluent to be discharged to the River Greese will increase from 240 to potentially 750 m3/day (600 m3/day process effluent and 150 m3/day peak surface water runoff) on completion of Phase 5 of the development. If the effluent was not treated to an appropriate standard prior to discharge this could have a negative impact on the water quality and thus ecological quality of the River Greese. As detailed in Section 7.4.2 of the EIS, the existing waste water treatment plant (WWTP) on the site will be upgraded during Phase 5 of the development to cater for the increased effluent loading. It will also be necessary for Glanbia to apply for an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence from the Environmental Protection Agency prior to commencement of operation of Phase 5 of the development. The upgraded WWTP will be designed to a standard sufficient to satisfy the Environmental Protection Agency to grant an IPC licence. The upgraded WWTP will treat the effluent such that the increased discharge volume to the River Greese will have no significant adverse impact on water
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quality in the River. Therefore the increased volume of treated effluent to be discharged to the River Greese is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on the water quality and thus the ecological quality of the river.
As detailed in Section 7.4.1 of the EIS, various spill containment measures will be incorporated into the design of the Glanbia plant (bunding, oil/petrol interceptors etc.) to prevent contaminated surface water runoff or other potentially polluting material from entering the River Greese during the operational phase of the development.
Emissions to atmosphere during the operation of the development will include combustion by-products from the boilers on site. Air dispersion modelling has shown that these emissions will have no significant impact on ambient air quality and thus no impact on flora and fauna on the site or surrounding area. There will be no other significant environmental emissions from the Glanbia site which could impact on flora and fauna during the operational phase of the development.
Therefore the operational phase of the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on flora and fauna.
10.5 Conclusions An ecological assessment of the site has shown the site does not contain any rare or protected plant or animal species and does not fall under any conservation designation as recognised by Duchas, The Heritage Service. The construction of the development will involve the loss of some agricultural pasture land and a small section of treeline, but these habitats are of low ecological value and thus their loss is not considered significant. A number of mitigation measures will be taken during the construction and operational phases of the development to minimise any potential ecological impact. Taking these measures into account, the proposed development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact For on inspection flora purposes and fauna. only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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11. MATERIAL ASSETS: ARCHAEOLOGICAL, ARCHITECTURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
11.1 Introduction This section assesses the development site in terms of its archaeological and architectural significance. The impact of the construction and operational phases of the development on the site are assessed and mitigation measures are outlined to minimise the impact on any items of archaeological or architectural importance.
11.2 Existing Environment PM commissioned Archaeological Development Services (ADS) Ltd. to carry out an archaeological and architectural study and survey of the proposed development site. The study was carried out to identify any items of archaeological and/or architectural significance on the proposed development site and any potential impacts the development could have on such items.
This study and survey consisted of the following:
• A field inspection of the site • Consulting the Record of Monuments & Places maintained by Dúchas – The Heritage Service and the Topographic Files maintained by the Irish Antiquities Division of the National Museum of Ireland • Documentary, journal, cartographic and archive research. Although the Glanbia site is located adjacent to the River Greese, the proposed development will not involve any works impacting on the river, and therefore an underwater archaeological survey/assessment was not carried out as part of the study by ADS. A copy of the report by ADS is included in Attachment 8.
For inspection purposes only. 11.2.1 General Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
The Down Survey of 1654 makes reference to the townland of Ballitore as comprising of 380 acres of mostly arable land. No mention is made of any significant habitation until the end of the 17th century when the valley was settled by the Quakers. Ballitore village is historically important and has a rich cultural heritage as it is the only known planned Quaker village in Europe. The village was founded in the late 17th Century by two Quakers, John Barcroft and Abel Strettel. Many original Quaker buildings still remain within the village and immediate surrounding area.
11.2.2 Archaeology A site survey was carried out on 6 January 2003. The ground was walked and examined for the presence of topographical anomalies and archaeological artefacts which might indicate the presence of archaeological features. There was no visible evidence of any items of archaeological significance on the development site.
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Cartographic research did not reveal any features or monuments of archaeological significance on the development site. No conclusive archaeological features were visible in an aerial photograph of the site taken in 1973 by the Geological Survey of Ireland. The photograph indicated a possible sub-circular feature evident at the southern end of the site but this feature was not identified during the site inspection.
There are no recorded monuments located on the proposed development site in the Record of Monuments and Places. A number of monuments are recorded in the surrounding area but none on the proposed development site. These including a graveyard in Ballitore and two ‘potential sites’ in Mullaghmast.
There are no recorded archaeological finds recorded for the development site in the Topographic Files maintained by the National Museum of Ireland. A number of archaeological finds (ranging from human bones to polished stone axeheads) are recorded for the surrounding area, the closest find to the development site being “medieval objects” which were found during the construction of the Garda Barracks ca. 100 metres from the site. A review of the Excavations Bulletin reveals a number of archaeological finds which were discovered along the route of the N9 Road Realignment Scheme for Moone-Timolin-Ballitore Hill in the surrounding area.
In summary, based on an a survey and documentary research of the site, there are no items or features of archaeological significance located on the Glanbia site.
11.2.3 Architecture The former home of the Shackleton family known as The Retreat is incorporated into the reception / office area of the Glanbia facility and it is a protected structure under the Planning and Development Act 2000. It is a building of special architectural and cultural significance and is thought to date back to at th least the later half of the 18 For inspection Century. purposes It only. is a two-storey ‘L’ shaped building with Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. a western façade measuring ca. 16m and a southern façade measuring ca. 17m. The width of the N-S wing of the building is ca. 10m, whilst the width of the E-W wing is ca. 7m. The building has a pitched slate roof and three gable end chimneys. The external walls of this building have been totally rendered with a thick dash. The probable building fabric is stone, brick and mortar. The view of the building is partially hidden by a prefabricated structure at the front of the Glanbia site. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd editions of the Ordnance Survey map all show additional buildings within the grounds of the Retreat. These other structures are no longer present on the site. There are no other buildings of architectural significance on the Glanbia site. All of the other structures are of relatively recent origin and mostly date to the later half of the 20th century. The majority of the buildings are purpose built, varying from warehouses, sheds and prefabrications to factory buildings and grain silos, and are mostly constructed of steel and concrete with corrugated roofing.
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There are a number of historically important Quaker buildings in Ballitore village and surrounds including the Market House, the Meeting House, the Post Office, the Mill and Ballitore House. Many of the Quaker buildings had fallen into a state of disrepair but a new initiative has been launched by Kildare County Council, whereby the village will be restored to its former glory. The Meeting House and Mary Leadbetter’s House have already been restored and work is underway at Ballitore House.
11.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation Although the study by Archaeological Development Services indicates that there are no items of archaeological significance on the development site it is possible that archaeological features and artefacts may have survived below ground. The earthworks associated with site clearing and construction could have an adverse impact on any archaeological features surviving below ground or any archaeological artefacts yet to be discovered. In order to prevent damage occurring to any archaeological features or artefacts that may have survived below ground, topsoil stripping and ground preparation on the site will be monitored by a suitably qualified archaeologist. If any archaeological discoveries are made during construction it is the responsibility of the finder, under the terms of the National monuments Act (1930 & amendments), to immediately report their discovery to the Duty Officer of the National Museum of Ireland. Any archaeological discoveries should also be reported to Dúchas – The Heritage Service. The only building of architectural significance on the development site is “The Retreat”. No construction works will be carried out on the Retreat and this building will not be affected during the construction phase of the development.
The mitigation measures outlined above should prevent any significant adverse impacts on archaeological features and artefacts which may have survived below ground or on any architectural features during the construction phase of the development. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
11.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation Only the construction phase of the development will have the potential to impact on archaeological features or artefacts. There will be no impacts on archaeological features during the operational phase of the development and therefore no mitigation measures are required.
With respect to architectural heritage, the operational phase of the development will not have any adverse impact on The Retreat building. The development will have a positive impact with respect to this building as the prefabricated structure located in front of the building will be removed as part of the development. This will improve the visual amenity and allow a clear unobstructed view of the Retreat building from the public road. This is in accordance with the Local Area Plan for Ballitore which states states that the prefabricated structure ”… should be removed to restore an appropriate setting for the protected structure” and “..its removal and replacement should be addressed as part of an overall scheme for the future development of this complex”.
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The development will not have any impact on the buildings of historical importance or architectural significance within Ballitore village. The site is secluded from the village by trees growing on its western boundary along the river bank. While one of the modern buildings at the entrance to the site is visible from the village square, this does not detract from the character of the village.
11.5 Conclusions An archaeological and architectural study and survey did not reveal anything of archaeological significance on the development site, but there is one building (“The Retreat”) of architectural significance on the site. A number of measures will be taken during the construction phase to prevent any adverse impacts on archaeological features or artefacts which may have survived below ground and there will be no impacts on archaeological features / artefacts during the operational phase of the development. No works will be carried out on “The Retreat” building and therefore it will not be affected by the development. The development will have a positive impact with respect to this building as the prefabricated structure located in front of the building will be removed as part of the development which will improve the visual amenity and allow a clear unobstructed view of the Retreat building from the public road. Therefore the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impacts with respect to archaeological, architectural or cultural heritage.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
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12. MATERIAL ASSETS: TRAFFIC AND ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
12.1 Introduction This Section assesses the potential impacts of the proposed development on traffic levels and the surrounding road network. A traffic impact assessment for the proposed development has been carried out by PM. The traffic impact assessment report containing detailed information on the assessment and relevant drawings is included in Attachment 9.
The assessment has been prepared in accordance with the Institution of Highways and Transportation 1994 document “Guidelines for Traffic Impact Assessment). Kildare County Council were also consulted during the traffic impact assessment. Existing traffic levels were determined by means of a manual classified traffic count and also reviewing National Roads Authority (NRA) data. The existing traffic levels and road network have been assessed, and the potential impacts of the construction and operational phases of the development are considered. Where necessary, appropriate mitigation measures are outlined to minimise any significant impacts identified.
12.2 Existing Environment
12.2.1 Road Infrastructure and Access Arrangements The Glanbia site is situated on the outskirts of Ballitore village and the eastern approach road to the village runs along the southern boundary of the Glanbia site. Ballitore is located approximately 11km north-east of Athy and 22km south east of Kildare town.
Ballitore is situated between the old Athy road and the former N9 road. This section of former N9 road has been bypassed by the Ballitore-Moone-Timolin bypass which forms part of the new N9 Primary road between Dublin and Waterford. The other main access roads in the Ballitore area include the regional R415 road to Kildare town which joins the N9 north of Ballitore at For inspection purposes only. Crookstown. The R415Consent alsoof copyright provides owner required direct for any access other use. to the N78 National Secondary Route (Kilcullen-Athy-Kilkenny road) to the north-west. The old Athy road to the south-west of the village runs from Ballitore to Athy.
The new N9 is a single lane carriageway with hard shoulders in either direction in the vicinity of Ballitore. There is a speed restriction of 50 miles per hour along the stretch of road adjacent to Crookstown and Ballitore. There are dedicated right turning facilities and acceleration and deceleration lanes available. There are three accesses off the new N9 that serve Ballitore. Each access forms a priority junction arrangement with the N9. The access in each case in wide and is capable of accommodating heavy goods vehicles very satisfactorily.
The old N9, which is approximately 6m wide and is the subject of a 60 miles per hour speed restriction, forms a crossroads arrangement with the eastern approach road to Ballitore village. The approach road comprises a carriageway of width 5.5m. Currently a new footpath is being constructed on the northern side of the approach road to Ballitore between the entrance to the Glanbia plc facility and the crossroads at the old N9.
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The Glanbia site is currently accessed by means of a priority junction arrangement with the eastern approach road to Ballitore. The junction is controlled by a ‘Stop’ sign arrangement. The access is wide and is of sufficient size to accommodate the type and nature of vehicles associated with Glanbia plc’s operation. There is a security post and barrier at the entrance to the site. Security is provided on site 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
The yard areas within the site are large and capable of accomodating satisfactorily the volume and types of heavy goods vehicles. Currently there are 2 No. car parking areas on the site comprising a total of 83 No. car parking spaces.
12.2.2 Existing Traffic Flows
Glanbia Operations Traffic associated with the current dairy operations on the site comprise both heavy goods vehicles and passenger cars. The current number of heavy goods vehicles comprising raw milk intake, processed milk dispatch and general deliveries to the site are estimated at 48 arrivals and 48 departures per day at peak. The dairy currently employs a total of 128 staff who work on a three shift basis. The number of passenger cars associated with staff arriving and departing from site peaks at 37 arrivals and 37 departures during the time period 1:30 – 2:30pm when a shift changeover occurs. It is estimated that 10-15 people walk to work every day. Traffic associated with the current agribusiness and grain trading operations on the site comprise both heavy goods vehicles and passenger cars. Traffic levels associated with the grain trading operations peak in the period July to September. The number of heavy goods vehicles comprising grain intake and dispatch, retail deliveries/dispatch, bulk feed intake/dispatch and fertiliser intake/dispatch are estimated at 50 arrivals and 50 departures per day at peak. The grain trading and agribusiness operations employ a total of 6 staff and therefore the number of passenger For inspection purposes cars only.associated with staff arriving and Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. departing from the site is estimated at 5 – 6 arrivals and 5 - 6 departures per day. A detailed breakdown of traffic generated from the current operations on site is included in the traffic impact assessment report in Attachment 9.
Traffic Flows Traffic flow data for the N9 National Primary road was obtained form the National Roads Authority (NRA). Traffic flows were obtained for a location on the N9 at Crookstown. The Annual Average Daily Traffic flow which is the 24-hour 2 way flow on an average day for the year 2000 was 10,207 vehicles with a heavy commercial vehicle content of 21%. As part of the assessment, a manual classified traffic count was undertaken on the Ballitore approach road at the entrance to the Glanbia site. The count was undertaken on Friday 10 January 2003 during the time period 1.30pm –2.30pm. This time was chosen to carry out the traffic count as Friday is the busiest day of the week at Glanbia, the afternoon shift changeover occurs at 2.00pm and Glanbia have indicated that most of the production staff arrive at approximately 1:30 pm prior commencing their shift at 2:00 pm. The details of the traffic count are provided in Figure 12.1 below.
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Glanbia Site
Eastern 23 12 22 Approach Road
19
Ballitore Village 33
23
Existing peak hour traffice flows 1:30pm to 2:30pm Date of count: Friday, January 10 2003 Note: All flows in passenger car units
Figure 12.1: Traffic Flows (passenger car units) recorded on at the entrance to the Glanbia site on the Ballitore eastern approach road
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Reserve Capacity of Ballitore Approach Road
The document “RT180 Geometric Design Guidelines (Classification, Alignment, Cross-Section)” has been used as a basis to determine the design capacity for the Ballitore eastern approach road and the Ballitore village road in terms of passenger car units (PCUs) per hour (two directions of flow) for a Level Of Service C and is detailed in Table 12.1 below.
Table 12.1: Reserve capacity of existing road network
Road Existing Traffic Theoretical Reserve flow in both capacity in both capacity directions directions (%) (PCUs per hour) (PCUs per hour) Ballitore eastern approach 97 950 90 road (5.5m wide)
Ballitore village road (6.0m 77 1,000 92 wide)
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It is clear from the above table that the existing road network has more than adequate capacity to accommodate a degree of additional traffic satisfactorily.
12.3 Construction Impacts and Mitigation The Glanbia site will be developed in 5 No. phases. It is proposed to commence construction of Phases 1 and 2 as soon as the planning process is complete. Demolition of the existing buildings associated with associated with the agribusiness and trading operations and is due to commence in November 2003 and construction of Phases 1 and 2 will commence in early 2004. The timing of Phases 3, 4 and 5 would be dependent on market conditions with a minimum development period of five to seven years anticipated. It can be assumed therefore that the development will be completed by the year 2008 at the earliest.
It is estimated that there will be a total of 868 two-way heavy goods vehicle movements during the overall construction period of 47 months. This is based on the following assumptions as shown on Table 12.2:
Table 12.2: Schedule of heavy goods vehicles during the construction period
Construction Duration No. of heavy goods vehicles for activity/Phase (months) period (two way)
Demolition 3 30
Phase 1 9 210
Phase 2 6 64
Phase 3 12 310
Phase 4 8 124 For inspection purposes only. Phase 5 Consent of copyright owner 9 required for any other use. 130
Total 47 868
It is likely that some overlap between the construction phases will occur, rather than sequential construction which will reduce the overall construction period.
It is evident from the above table that construction traffic will peak during construction of Phase 3 of the development. However, this phase is of 12 months’ duration and the average two-way monthly flow is, therefore, 26 vehicles. This volume of traffic will have a negligible impact on the road network. The above table also indicates that the overall average number of heavy goods vehicles per month is 18 two-way movements. This equates to less than 1 arrival/departure per day overall. This level of heavy goods traffic will have a negligible effect on the road network. It is envisaged that the majority of heavy goods vehicles will arrive/ depart via the N9 National Primary Route. This will minimise the impact on the village of Ballitore. The arrival and departure profile patterns for HGVs will be managed so that they occur outside the conventional peak hour periods where possible. Start and finish times of construction traffic will be staggered where possible to minimise the impact of the increase in traffic on the road network.
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There will also be a small number of normal van deliveries comprising construction consumables, tools and small parts. It is estimated that there will be an average of 2 arrivals/2 departures per day which is not considered significant.
The maximum number of construction operatives is expected to be in the region of 30 persons. However, as is consistent with the majority of construction sites, it is likely that construction workers will arrive on site between 7am and 8am, and will leave between 5pm and 6pm. Therefore the traffic generated by the construction workers will not coincide with traffic associated with the shift changeover periods at Glanbia of 6am and 2pm. It is envisaged that the workforce will travel for some distance from many areas such as Athy, Kildare town, Carlow, Kilcullen and Portlaoise. This means that the impact on the road network will be distributed over a wide area.
It is proposed to use the existing access for all construction-related traffic. Hardstanding parking areas will be provided within the site for all construction related parking. All necessary construction warning signs as recommended in Chapter 8 (Signs for Roadworks) of the ‘Traffic Signs Manual’ (DOE 1996) will be provided. The construction compound and site office will be located within the site confines. Tearoom facilities will be provided for all construction workers. This should help to minimise the number of vehicular trips during the day, as it will not be necessary for workers to travel home or to the local shops in Ballitore/Crookstown for refreshments. It is likely, however, that workers would walk into the village of Ballitore, given the short distance from the site.
Wheel wash facilities and mechanical road sweepers will be provided to mitigate the impact of mud / dust associated with vehicle movement as required
In summary, the construction phase of the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on traffic levels and the surrounding road network.
For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. 12.4 Operational Impacts and Mitigation The proposed development will increase the level of traffic associated with the dairy operations on the site but this increase will be partially offset by the removal of the agribusiness and grain trading operations and associated traffic from the site. The net effect of the development of the site has been assessed quantitatively for both heavy goods vehicle traffic and for cars. Table 12.3 below provides a summary in relation to heavy goods vehicles. A detailed breakdown of the traffic levels generated by the proposed development is included in the traffic impact assessment report in Attachment 9.
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Table 12.3: Net effect of proposed development (Heavy goods vehicles) after completion of all five phases of development
Activity Description Arrivals per day Departures per day
EXISTING Milk Production 48 48
Grain 50 50
Total Existing 98 98
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT Milk Production 122 122
Grain 0 0
Net Difference + 24 + 24
This net increase of 24 arrivals/departures vehicles per day equates to less than two additional heavy goods vehicle trips per hour at the site. This should have a minimal impact on the road network. Glanbia have indicated that the majority of heavy goods vehicles arrive/depart via the N9 National Primary Route.
The number of staff trips will increase from 37 arrivals/departures per hour during the shift changeover periods to 53 arrivals/departures per hour following completion of the development of the site. This assumes a worst case scenario in that no allowance has been made for people who may live close by and choose to walk to work. It is likely, however, on the basis of current trends that the percentage of personnel who walk to work, which is approximately 10-15%, will be maintained. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
The reserve capacity of the local road network for the year 2008 (the earliest year all five phases of the development are expected to be complete) has been calculated and is summarised in Table 12.4 below. The distribution of traffic for the year 2008 was assumed to be similar to the current split and calculations are based on the peak hour 1.30pm-2.30pm.
Table 12.4: Future reserve capacity of road network
Road FutureTraffic Theoretical Reserve flow in both capacity in both capacity directions directions (%) (PCUs per hour) (PCUs per hour)
Ballitore eastern approach 129 950 86 road (5.5m wide)
Ballitore village road (6.0m 93 1,000 91 wide)
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It is clear from the above table that the existing road network should have sufficient capacity to accommodate the increase in traffic levels associated with the proposed development.
The Local Area Plan for Ballitore outlines a number of future potential residential developments in Ballitore village comprising a total of 156 No. residential units. The TRICS (Trip Rate Information Computer System) indicates that approximately 10% of all daily movements to residential developments in an area similar to Ballitore can be expected during the hours 1.30pm-2.30pm (i.e. time period coinciding with peak traffic movements from Glabia). On the basis that there are 4 trips per household per day and that there are 156 No. additional units, it could be expected that there are 32 additional trips on the road network during the time period 1.30pm-2.30pm. It is clear that on the basis of the reserve capacity calculations in Table 12.4 above that the combination of the traffic associated with Glanbia and the future residential developments will have a negligible impact on the road network.
In addition to the traffic associated with the proposed residential development there may also be a degree of additional ‘background’ growth. However, it is clear that there is sufficient spare capacity on the road network to accommodate future potential growth.
The existing priority junction at the entrance to the Glanbia site will serve the expected volumes of traffic associated with the redevelopment of the site. Truck parking areas will be relocated to the north of the site away from the closest residential dwellings to the site. A new car park on the site comprising comprising a total 135 No. spaces is to be provided to serve the parking needs of staff and visitors. The number of parking spaces is less than that standards specified in the Kildare County Council Development Plan 1999. The number of spaces proposed have been determined in accordance with occupancy and the experience of Glanbia , rather than the gross floor areas for the proposed redevelopment.
A new pedestrian link will be provided alongside the new car park, with dropped For inspection purposes only. kerbs. This will link Consentdirectly of copyright with ownerthe requiredinformal for any crossing other use. point at the entrance. Pedestrians will have a safe and convenient route to their place of work, on implementation of this scheme. The scheme will be complemented by the new footpath link currently being constructed along the eastern approach road to Ballitore. Lockers and shower facilities are to be provided for all staff members which should encourage staff who wish to cycle or walk to work.
In summary, the operational phase of the development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on traffic levels and the surrounding road network.
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12.5 Conclusions A traffic impact assessment carried out for the development site has shown the Glanbia site is well served by the local road network which has adequate capacity to accommodate the current levels of traffic generated by Glanbia. During the construction period, the level of construction traffic will be of minor significance on traffic levels on both the local and wider road network. The increase in operational traffic associated with the proposed development of the dairy plant is not significant. The peak hour traffic flows expected to be generated during the operation of the plant do not coincide with the peak traffic activity on the surrounding road network. The assessment has shown that the existing road infrastructure has adequate capacity to accommodate the increase in traffic associated with the development and that no new road infrastructure is required. Therefore the proposed development is not predicted to have any significant adverse impact on traffic levels and the surrounding road network.
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13. MATERIAL ASSETS: WATER SUPPLY, SEWERAGE, WASTE 13.1 Water Supply As described in Section 8 of the EIS, the wells on site will supply the bulk of the water requirements (process use) for the site. Initial pumping tests on site indicated a sustainable yield of groundwater that will adequately satisfy future usage requirements without impacting on the available groundwater resource.
The Local Authority mains supply will continue to be used to provide water for domestic use in the Glanbia plant. During the construction phase of the development water from the mains supply on site will be used to supply water for domestic use by construction staff. The existing mains water connection from the Kildare County Council main in the roadway will be extended to serve the new canteen, drinking water points, and sanitary facilities for the operational phase of the development. This connection will be run to a new cold water storage tank located at high level which will be sized to provide 24-hour storage for the facility. It is estimated that approximately 7 m3/day will be required for domestic use. Based on available information, the Local Authority watermain should have adequate capacity to this supply this volume of water. When completed, the proposed South Kildare Regional Water Supply Scheme will improve the water supply to the Ballitore area.
13.2 Sewerage All domestic foul effluent generated by construction staff on site during the construction phase will be discharged to a temporary effluent containment facility, prior to transport and treatment off-site. During the operational phase of the development both process effluent and domestic foul effluent will be generated. Process effluent will be treated in the on-site waste water treatment plant (WWTP) and discharged to the River Greese as described in Section 7 of the EIS. Domestic foul effluent from sanitary facilities at the Glanbia plant will continue to be discharged to the Kildare County Council sewer and treated in the
Ballitore municipal WWTP. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. The Local Area Plan for Ballitore refers to a report commissioned by Kildare County Council which recommends that the existing municipal WWTP at Ballitore be upgraded. Based on available information the existing WWTP is not overloaded and has adequate capacity to treat current loads. The principal reasons for the upgrade are to provide a higher standard of treatment and to allow for future housing development in the area. Kildare County Council have made an application to the Department of the Environment (DOE) to upgrade the Ballitore WWTP as part of the serviced land initiative and commencement of works on the upgrade will be dependent on DOE approval. It is estimated that the proposed development will generate ca. 7 m3/day of foul effluent when all five phases of the development are complete. This will represent an increase on the current quantity of foul effluent discharged to the Local Authority sewer but based on available information there should be adequate capacity in the sewerage system and Ballitore WWTP to accept and treat the daily volume of foul effluent (7 m3/day) from the Glanbia site.
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13.3 Waste Glanbia will generate waste during both the construction and operational phases of development. The bulk of the waste generated will be non-hazardous waste but some hazardous waste will also be generated. The principal types of waste generated during the construction and operational phases of the development along with their method of treatment are outlined below. All waste generated on site will be stored, transported from site and treated / recycled / disposed off-site in accordance with statutory requirements, in particular the Waste Management Act 1996 and any regulations made thereunder.
13.3.1 Construction Waste The main types of waste generated during the construction of the development will include demolition waste from the removal of the buildings and plant associated with the agribusiness operations on site as well as general construction waste. With respect to demolition waste from the agribusiness operations, the grain storage silos, building steel and mechanical plant will be dismantled and then transported from site and recycled by a licensed waste contractor. Elements of the building and machinery not suitable for recycling will be transported from site and disposed by a licensed waste contractor. All concrete will be demolished, crushed on site and recycled as fill for the area of the upgraded waste water treatment plant. Any waste generated from the demolition of ancillary plant / structures associated with the dairy operations (e.g. utilities area) will be treated / disposed in a similar manner to demolition waste from the agribusiness operations. The roof and cladding of the trading division warehouse is constructed from asbestos cement sheets. Asbestos cement sheets are generally considered one of the least hazardous forms of asbestos as the asbestos is firmly bound up in a cement matrix and asbestos fibres are unlikely to be released unless the cements sheets are subject to significant impact / damage. The asbestos For inspection purposes only. cements sheets will Consentbe removed of copyright ownerby a required specialist for any other asbestos use. removal contractor and disposed in accordance with statutory requirements in particular the European Communities (Protection of Workers)(Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 1989 – 2000, the European Communities (Asbestos Waste) Regulations 1990, and applicable regulations made under the Waste Management Act 1996. These measures will ensure that the removal and disposal of the asbestos cement sheets will not have any adverse impact on human health or the environment. Any topsoil stripped from site during the construction phase will be re-used on the site for landscaping purposes. Any other construction waste generated will be removed and recycled / disposed of site by a licensed waste contractor.
13.3.2 Operational Waste Glanbia operations currently generate mainly non-hazardous waste but also generate minor amounts of hazardous waste. The principal types of waste currently generated on site are detailed in Table 13.1 below.
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Table 13.1: Principal Types of Operational Waste
Waste Type Method of Treatment / Disposal
Cardboard Recycled off-site
Tetrapak Cartons Disposed to Landfill off-site. Glanbia are currently examining recycling options for the Tetrapak cartons
Plastic Bottles Milk contaminated plastic bottles disposed to landfill; uncontaminated damaged bottles returned to supplier for recycling
Plastic / Shrinkwrap Packaging Recycled off-site
Returns Milk Used as pig-feed off site
General mixed waste (canteen, Disposed to Landfill off-site office waste)
Sludge from Waste Water Spread on agricultural Lands off-site Treatment Plant (Refer to Section 8.4 of EIS)
Minor amounts of Recycled / Disposed off-site by hazardous miscellaneous hazardous waste contractors waste (e.g. oil sludge from oil interceptors, fluorescent light tubes etc.)
Glanbia qualify as a major producer of packaging (supply more than 25 tonnes of packaging in a calendar year and have an annual turnover of more than IR£1,000,000) under the terms of the Waste Management (Packaging) For inspection purposes only. Regulations 1997. ThereforeConsent of copyright Glanbia owner required have for anybecome other use. a member of REPAK in order to comply with regulations. The proposed development of the site will not result in significantly different types of waste being generated although the quantities of waste will increase. Waste management forms a key part of the environmental management system (EMS) currently being implemented on the site. Every effort will be made to minimise waste generation. As much of the waste as possible will be sent off site for recovery / recycling rather than disposal. All hazardous waste will be collected and stored in an appropriate manner to prevent the release of any hazardous materials to the environment. Only licensed waste contractors will be used to remove and treat / dispose of the waste from site. In summary, every effort will be made to minimise waste generation and where possible waste will be recovered / recycled rather than disposed. All waste generated on site will be stored in an appropriate manner prior its removal off- site by licensed waste contractors. Therefore waste generation on site should not have any significant adverse environmental impact.
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14. INTERACTION BETWEEN FACTORS
14.1 Introduction The purpose of this section is to determine likely interactions between the proposed development and the various environmental media that may be affected by the proposed development. A matrix was developed which allows the impacts of certain project activities upon different environmental media (e.g. flora and fauna, surface water quality) to be identified and characterised. The matrix is presented as Figure 14.1.
With respect to the impacts, Figure 14.1 assumes the recommended mitigation measures have been undertaken to minimise the impacts. Many of the slightly negative impacts identified are considered “negative” only in so far as they represent a potential impact in comparison to a do nothing scenario (i.e. no development) and therefore with the appropriate mitigation measure there may be no impact.
For the purposes of this Section, “environmental media” is defined as all aspects of the environment impacted upon by the proposed development. Certain potential impacts may not go beyond the site perimeter (e.g. impacts to archaeology) whereas others may have impacts at a distance from the site (e.g. ambient air quality)
The proposed development includes both the construction and operational phases. These have been sub-divided into sub-tasks or “project activities” that were identified as being sources of impacts. These are as follows:
Construction Phase
• Securing development area (perimeter-fencing) • Installation of construction compound, offices and facilities • Demolition of Agribusiness & Grain Trading Operation For inspection purposes only. • Development Consentarea ofclearance copyright owner including required for any excavation other use. of topsoil
• Delivery of materials for construction • Civil / Structural Works • Installation of process and utilities plant • Removal / Treatment / Disposal of construction and demolition waste
Operational Phase
• Transport in of raw materials • Production Operations • Material and product storage • Transport out of finished product • Utilities & Support Operations • Waste Water Treatment & Discharge • Waste Disposal
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Other Ma G Ma Land eo t erial te M lo Ar Hum g rial ater Sew sc y chit Assets: Arc ape Air Surface Water , Soi Flora & Faun I A i a nf ssets: T al Ass n & ectur r er E & ls & H No as ag nviron V Cl t is al H ruc e, W e i i e ts (Wat sual mat h tur raf y er aste) m d ae f Imp e ro a itage ological & e ic & Road ent g eo er a Sup c lo t g Project activity / y ply Environmental Media , Construction Phase Securing construction area (perimeter fencing) Installation of construction compound, offices and facilities Demolition of grain trading and agribusiness operations Clearance of development area including excavation of topsoil Delivery of materials for construction Civil/structural works Installation of process and utilities Removal of Construction & Demolition Waste Operational Phase Transport in of raw materials Production Operations Material & product storage Tranport out of finished product Utilities & Support Operations Waste Water Treatment & Discharge Waste Removal, Treatment & Disposal
Neutral: Slight negative: Significant negative: For inspection purposes only. Profound negative: Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
Slight positive Significant positive Profound positive
Figure 14.1 Impact Interaction Matrix
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14.2 Construction phase The matrix in Figure 14.1 indicates there will be interactions between a number of environmental factors and media associated with the construction phase of the development. For example delivery of materials and impacts on the human environment associated with traffic and noise. Appropriate mitigation measures will be taken to ensure there are no significant negative / adverse impacts associated with the construction activities on the various environmental media. There will some slightly negative impacts associated with the construction phase but any impacts will temporary in nature as they will only last for specific periods during the construction phase.
The environmental impacts of the construction activities and the various environmental media will be minimised by specifying high standards of housekeeping; appropriate attention to environmental issues within the construction contracts; and by ongoing monitoring of performance during construction.
14.3 Operational Phase The matrix in Table 14.1 indicates that a number of activities associated with the operational phase of the development will have impacts across a number of different environmental media and there will be interactions across the different media. Each of the environmental media e.g. Landscape will be impacted on by a number of different operational activities. Appropriate mitigation measures will be taken to ensure there are no significant negative / adverse impacts associated with the operational activities on the various environmental media. An environmental management system (EMS) to be implemented on the site will provide a formal structure for environmental management, ongoing assessment of environmental performance and continual improvement at the site. The EMS will ensure that necessary measures to minimise any potential negative impacts and interactions across the different environmental media will be implemented in an integrated manner. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use.
14.4 Conclusions The will be interactions between a number of the development activities and different environmental media assessed in the Environmental Impact Statement. Appropriate mitigation measures will be taken during the construction and operational phases of the development to minimise any potential impacts on the different environmental media and to ensure that no significant adverse / negative impact occurs as result of interactions between the proposed development and the various environmental media affected by the development. Overall the development is considered to have a positive impact in that it will create additional employment without have any significant adverse environmental impacts.
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ATTACHMENT 1
RELEVANT DRAWINGS
DRG NO. TITLE REV.
010629-22-DR-0001 SITE LOCATION MAP (ORDNANCE SURVEY) A
010629-48-DR-0002 EXISTING SITE LAYOUT A
010629-48-DR-0004 PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT A
010629-48-DR-0014 PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT PHASING A
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ATTACHMENT 2
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY SURVEY REPORT
(15 PAGES)
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ATTACHMENT 3
AIR DISPERSION MODELLING REPORT
(23 PAGES)
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ATTACHMENT 4
RIVER GREESE WATER QUALITY SURVEY REPORT
(6 PAGES)
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ATTACHMENT 5
HYDROGEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT
(45 PAGES)
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ATTACHMENT 6
AMBIENT NOISE SURVEY REPORT
(62 PAGES)
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ATTACHMENT 7
ECOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT
(15 PAGES)
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ATTACHMENT 8
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL ASSESSMENT REPORT
(32 PAGES)
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ATTACHMENT 9
TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT
(24 PAGES)
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