Scrooby Road, – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

Jones Homes Ltd

Scrooby Road, Harworth Scheme for Soiling and Restoring Area of Colliery Tip

24th October 2014 Revision C – 14 November 2014 –Third Issue

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

Contents Introduction Policy Background Site Location and Setting Views across Application Site Proposed Earthworks Topography Access Previous Approval of Restoration Proposals Site Preparation Phasing of Operations Operational Practices/Parameters Transportation Route Protection of Existing Trees and Vegetation Public Utilities Restoration Scheme Aftercare

Appendix Appendix A: NCC letter 9 November 2008

Appendix B: JHN/1077/596 Proposed Contour Plan – Jones Homes Ltd JHN/1077/599 Location Plan Tipping Area – Jones Homes Ltd JHN/1077/594 Earthworks Cross Sections – Jones Homes Ltd JHN/1077/593 Cross Sections Location – Jones Homes Ltd Health and Safety File Materials Management Plan (MMP)

Appendix C: P-3797-3DG-0200-0701 Stage 2a Restoration Plan – Spawforths P-3797-3DG-0200-0708 Proposed Landscape Restoration Plan – Spawforths

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

Introduction Spawforths has been instructed by Jones Homes Ltd to prepare a supporting statement to accompany the submission of a restoration scheme for Harworth Colliery Tip. At the time of preparing this report a significant part of the remediation works which are approved by Council under the Approval of Reserved Matters (Ref:12/01784/RE) has been completed in the part of Phase 1A Residential area immediately adjacent to Scrooby Road.

Policy Background Policy12.6: Reworking of Colliery Spoil Tips states that ‘Limited reworking may be possible under the provision of the 1995 General Permitted Development Order, but where extensive reworking is proposed, planning permission is normally required. In determining proposals of this nature it is necessary to balance the potential level of disturbance to the environment and local communities, and the environmental benefits which may be gained. There is the potential for colliery spoil and dry dirt discard to be used as a secondary aggregate, particularly as a bulk fill. The impacts of reworking spoil tips are applicable both to the recovery of coal as well as the use of spoil as a secondary aggregate. Policy 12.6 therefore also applies to secondary aggregate.’

Site Location and Setting The Application Site is located south of Scrooby Road, Harworth within the extent of the former colliery use. Land use to the east is also associated with the colliery.

The area of application lands that form part of Tip 1 are indicated approximately on the aerial photo below. This indicates the approximate area of the proposed earthworks, constituting an area of grassland on the southern face of the Tip, with groupings of trees and scrub which have become self- established and isolated areas of small scale excavation to the southern Tip face.

A number of settling ponds are located to the west and south of the application boundary. Tree plantations are located to the northwestern and southwestern edges of the Tip.

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

Views across Application Site

Application Site

View 1 - View south over the Application Site, October 2014

Harworth Colliery

Phase 1A residential development View 1

Colliery Tip Application Site

Harworth Colliery access road Blyth Road

View 2 – Aerial View showing toned Application Site area

Proposed Earthworks The proposed earthworks include excavation of 40,000 cubic metres of colliery waste material from the Phase 1a Residential Development Site and disposal upon the Harworth Colliery Spoil Tip. Excavation of 50,000 cubic metres of fill material from Area A and Area B is then required for replacement within the residential area to form a development platform to agreed finished levels. The total proposed

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

earthworks area is approximately 3.4Ha in extent, of which 1.5Ha constitutes the area of fill and 1.9Ha the area of cut. This is illustrated within drawing JHN/1077/599 included as Appendix B.

The Earthworks Specification and Remediation Strategy dated June 2014, prepared by BWB, notes the requirement for geotechnically and environmentally suitable site won materials and imported material (from the wider colliery site area) in order to address the mass deficit after removal of fill material to provide a developable platform for the proposed residential development. The Strategy describes good working practices relating to earthworks, filling and water control.

Topography A full topographic survey is included in Appendix B.

Access Access to Tip 1 is via an existing metalled colliery road which leads to an area of hard standing situated to the south of the Tip.

Previous Approval of Restoration Proposals Restoration proposals for the Application Area were submitted for Harworth Colliery Pit Head on 12 August 1996. In 1998 County Council (NCC) found the restoration plan 2074.PH1 (appended in Appendix A) acceptable as an 'outline' restoration plan, subject to a requirement of further approval of details in respect of: a) clearance of all buildings, plant and foundations, including a site investigation and risk assessment to determine the potential for the former coking plant to have caused groundwater contamination, and the subsequent treatment of any contamination discovered; b) creation of suitable site topography; c) spreading of soils and associated treatments; d) seeding and planting; e) the provision of wetlands, and aquatic vegetation; f) the creation of additional rights of way through the site; g) management scheme for the aftercare of the restored areas.

This approval was given subject to conditions, namely that: a) restoration be carried out before the end of the period of 24 months from the date when the mining operations have permanently ceased;

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

b) aftercare shall be carried out throughout the period of 5 years from the date when restoration of that part of the site is completed.

Regarding the latter condition, NCC state that restoration should be carried out in accordance with a detailed scheme to be submitted prior to restoration works, using the normal format of steps to be taken.

Site Preparation Access to the proposed area of earthworks is via an existing metalled colliery road which leads to an area of hard standing situated to the south of the Tip from where cut and fill activities will be accessed.

Warning signs indicating that mobile plant is operating will be erected along this route. A site notice will be erected at the entrance to the Application Area detailing the name, address and the telephone number of the person to contact for enquiries or in cases of emergency. There is an informal track crossing the Tip indicating possible unlawful public access across colliery land.

Plant will be stored on the northern Application Area.

Phasing of Operations Fill will be transported to the Application Area from the Phase 1A residential development and spread within the relevant area. Selective deposition of soils will take place to ensure that the best available soil material forms the final 0.25m surface soil profile. Care will be taken to ensure that the final profile is free draining to prevent any pooling of water on the surface.

Jones Homes Ltd will ensure that no stockpiles or earthworks will cover, block or inhibit existing drains or water courses, and that the proposed movement of earth between the two plots will not alter the existing drainage strategy; also that there is no increase in surface water runoff as a result of the earthworks.

The site itself is well screened from adjacent land uses by the topography of the intervening land and trees.

Based on the above criteria it has been deduced that the visual impact of operations on surrounding locations is considered to have none or negligible implications. Upon completion of the works the area will be significantly visually enhanced through the establishment of new grassland.

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

Operational Practices/Parameters The Material Management Plan (MMP) attached in Appendix B gives a description of the planned project and Method Statement.

Fill Operations  An environmental management system will be implemented which includes a programme for monitoring the impact of the operations to provide information on the effectiveness of operational practices which will be evaluated to determine any revisions or improvements which could be adopted.

 Wherever possible progressive placement of soils will take place. It is not envisaged that extensive stockpiling of imported soils will be required prior to final placement on the site.

 Except with prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority it is proposed that working operations upon the site shall be limited to the hours between 0700 hours and 1800 hours on Monday to Friday and 0800 and 1300 hours on Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

 Only very limited amounts of mobile plant and machinery will be required to operate on this site:- - 1 No D8 or D6 Dozer for spreading the imported soils - A 35t Dumper or similar may be used on occasions

 To assist in the control of noise on the site the applicant will employ at all times best operational practices to minimise the potential noise impact of the proposals. These measures include:- - The fitting and maintenance of effective silencers on all plant on the site - All plant engines, wherever practical, will be operated with doors or cowls in the closed position - The avoidance of undue revving of engines

 Based on the introduction of these practices together with the relative remoteness of the site to residential properties, it has been evaluated that the potential noise impact from the operations should be classified as very minimal. The Noise Impact Assessment dated 1 October 2014 (S. & D. Garritt Ltd) states that the proposed operations at this specific site are predicted

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

to comply with the NPPF requirement for temporary development phases (a limit of 70dB LAeq

(1-hour) for periods of up 8 weeks per year).

 To control the levels of dust being raised and emitted from the site operations the following control measures will be implemented:- - All unsurfaced roads will be dampened - A site speed limit will be imposed - The access point and access road will be regularly dampened by water bowser

In addition the operator shall appoint a responsible person for dealing with environmental issues on site. He will keep a daily log of weather conditions, including the direction of the prevailing wind with a brief description of its type i.e. gentle, breeze, moderate, strong or gale force. This log will include any complaints received, with a record of any investigations carried out and changes to the working practices on that day. The log will be available for inspection at the site.

Transportation Route  All material will need to be transported to site by haulage along colliery access roads

 A high pressure wheel wash facility will be installed adjacent to the cabins to control the deposition of mud onto the colliery access roads.

 The condition of the colliery access road will be regularly monitored and if the need arises in addition a road sweeper will be employed in cleaning the road.

Protection of Existing Trees and Vegetation

Existing grassland, trees and scrub beyond the Application Site boundary shall be retained undamaged unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Planning Authority.

Public Utilities The Application Site forms a part of a colliery tip and as such there are no known utilities constraints present.

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

Restoration Scheme The principle objective of the restoration scheme is to comply with the conditions attached to Reserved Matters: 12/01784/RES.

Restoration Landform The aims are to achieve a quality restoration profile within which the specification for restoration and creation of the site can be sustainably managed. The fill shall be spread evenly over the site to achieve the final profiles as indicated on section drawing no. JHN/1077/594. The proposed gradients on the site range from 1 in 4 to 1 in 20, and tie in to contours on the adjacent land. The restoration scheme has been designed to ensure stability of the final landform and to avoid adverse impacts on the existing drainage network. Seeding and planting within the Application Area would take place in the first season following completion of groundworks.

Restoration Proposals - Grassland Southern Application Area – species rich grassland The scheme will involve the establishment of ‘semi-improved’ grassland originating from the sowing of the colliery tip (southern Application Area) with a general purpose meadow mixture once the ground is prepared. Suitable seed mixes as recommended by Nottinghamshire County Council include the following commercially available mixes:  Naturescape N1 General Purpose Meadow Mixture  Emorsgate Seeds EM2 Standard General Purpose Meadow Mixture or equal and approved.

Naturescape N1 includes a mix of 15 native wildflower species (N1F) and 6 species of grass (NVG). The mix is 80% grasses to 20% wildflowers by weight. Sowing Rate is 5g per square metre, 20Kg per acre, 50kg per hectare, ensuring an open sward to allow the establishment of wildflower species. The area to be seeded measures approximately 3.5 Hectares.

Grassland management will constitute mowing in late July/early August (see ‘Skylark Habitat’ below) and arisings taken offsite as hay. 25% of the area to be left uncut each year, as buffer strips to adjacent woodland, scrubland and hedgerows (to reduce risk of nest loss for grey partridge). Herbicide and pesticide use should be avoided.

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

Figure 1 - Naturescape N1 - List of Species

Northern Application Area – maintained amenity grass area The area of maintained grass to be reinstated in the northeastern Application Area will be prepared as a seedbed and sown with a general lawn mix to produce a hardwearing grass area with a denser established sward. Suitable seed mixes include the following commercially available mixes, or similar and approved:  Naturescape NL4 Hardwearing Lawn Mixture, rate of sowing 35-50g per square metre, seed content as follows: - Common Bent 5% - Chewing's Fescue 20% - Slender Creeping Red Fescue 15% - Strong Creeping Red Fescue 25% - Perennial Ryegrass 30% - Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass 5% Management will include monthly cuts to 100mm during the growing season as a minimum, or as required for future amenity uses.

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

Skylark Habitat Skylarks occupy open fields to avoid predators. Adults feed on leaves and seeds of crops and weeds, have a strong association with weedy stubbles in winter. Skylarks nest on the ground in vegetation that is 20-50cm high, and open enough to give birds easy access to the ground. It is estimated that establishment of the open, tussocky sward required for a skylark habitat, specification and maintenance of which is described above, will take approximately 2 years. During a good summer, skylarks may have 2 or 3 broods, and late July/early August grass cutting will: - Enable presence of grassland vegetation to allow later broods to fledge, and - Allow time for seed to set.

Grey Partridge Habitat grey partridges nest on the ground in hedge bottoms, grass margins, beetle banks, cereals, game cover and nettle beds. Dead tussocky grass left over from the previous year is particularly attractive as nesting cover. Adult grey partridges feed mainly on seeds and shoots throughout the year. Places where they can find such food include weedy winter stubbles, rotational set-aside and wild bird cover crops. They also require cover to conceal them from predators, especially in early spring. Nesting habitat is provided by creating tussocky grass buffer strips

Restoration Proposals – Native Scrub It is proposed to plant approximately 10% of the western Application Area with native scrub species, species to include Hawthorn, Birch, Blackthorn, Broom and Holly, as selected from the Idle Lowlands County Landscape Character Area Species List. Refer to drawing P-3797-3DG-0200-0708 LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PLAN for planting mix. All transplants will be planted at 2m centres, in groups of 10- 15, groups evenly spaced throughout the block. All plant material shall conform to BS3936 Parts 1 and 4 and BS 4428. Transplants to be planted into existing ground, incorporating organic matter and slow release fertiliser into the planting trench. Organic matter to be proprietary shrub planting compost, or approved compost derived from recycled organic matter. Slow release fertiliser to be 'Enmag' or similar and approved.

This will be characteristic of the surrounding area and mitigate the loss of existing scrub and provide possible habitat links and cover.

The scrubland management approach will facilitate scrub establishment and canopy closure. The management will therefore primarily comprise of weed control (which should be limited to controlled glyphosate spot treatment) and re-firming of trees and scrub where required; annual grass strimming

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

where required to facilitate growth of young trees; monitoring the condition of tree growth; and minor restructuring through thinning to establish a diverse scrubland structure. Occasional re-planting and beating up of species will also be undertaken to improve the scrubland structure and ecological value.

Restoration Proposals – Native Hedgerow Mix It is proposed to plant a short length of mixed hedgerow to the west of the proposed ponds, which will establish to provide a habitat link. Species to include Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly and Blackthorn, as selected from the Idle Lowlands County Landscape Character Area Species List. Refer to drawing P-3797-3DG- 0200-0708 LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PLAN for planting mix.

The hedge will be planted as a double staggered row, plants 500mm apart at 450mm centres (5 plants/linear m). Crataegus will be planted in same species groups of 15-20, and other species in groups of 5-10. All plant material to native mixed species hedge shall conform to BS3936 Parts 1 and 4 and BS 4428. Transplants to be planted into existing prepared ground, incorporating organic matter and slow release fertiliser into the planting trench. Organic matter to be proprietary shrub planting compost, or approved compost derived from recycled organic matter. Slow release fertiliser to be 'Enmag' or similar and approved.

This will mitigate the loss of existing hedgerows and provide a possible habitat link. The management of newly planted hedgerow will be targeted towards encouraging vigorous growth in order to quickly establish continuous boundaries. In the long term the hedgerow to be managed as a tall linear structure. Management operations during the establishment phase will comprise of weed control, re-firming hedgerow plants as required and formative ‘facing up’ of the hedgerow to establish dense branch growth. Rabbit guards will be removed when hedgerow species have reached sufficient maturity so as not to be susceptible to predation.

Creation of Small Ponds as Reptile Habitat The restoration scheme proposes creation of three small ponds as habitats for amphibians and Grass Snakes. Section A-A on drawing P-3797-3DG-0200-0708 LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PLAN indicates a pond design of between 5m and 10m in length, incorporating a single central basin with micro-profiled edges, which is likely to hold water throughout the year in most years, avoiding side basins to enable tadpoles to move to the pond centre as water levels drop. The ponds will not be stocked with aquatic plants but will rely on colonisation. Terrestrial habitat/cover surrounding the ponds will be provided by grassland and native scrub to the north of the ponds, but not close enough to cause excessive leaf drop into the ponds. Long term maintenance of the ponds will aim to control other scrub and tree growth, and avoid excessive shading of the ponds, whilst retaining wide margins of rough long vegetation to

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

provide habitat and wildlife diversity. The proposed new ponds will be linked to existing settling ponds to the south by a corridor of hedgerow, providing a continuous tract of amphibian friendly habitat.

A single test hole with gradually sloping sides, 7m diameter and approximately 1.2m deep will be created before the final ponds are excavated to determine the water holding capacity of the site, dependent on clay content of soils. These will be monitored to find out how water levels fluctuate. During this test period the hole may function as an amphibian breeding pond. If the site proves to be permeable, butyl rubber liners will be used to create the ponds.

Creation of Hibernaculum

The scheme will involve creation of a rubble/brash reptile hibernaculum located on the south facing slope, on well-drained slightly sloping soil to prevent flooding, adjacent to the proposed ponds (Refer to drawing P-3797-3DG-0200-0708 LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PLAN for location), as suggested by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Dimensions to be 4m long by 2m wide by 1m high .Hibernacula offer protection from frosts and warmth on spring emergence. They are used from October to February when all reptiles have to hibernate to survive winter.

Construction will involve digging out of a pit, approximately 50cm deep, lining with sand and gravel, and filling with stones, rocks and logs, with a fairly open structure, and then piling branches and brash over the top, creating lots of nooks and crannies where snakes and lizards can hibernate. Chunky tree/scrub branches will be retained from scrub clearance on the site, cut into logs 45cm to 100cm in length. Soil and turfs from excavation will be placed over the pile as an insulating layer and to protect it from frost, ensuring sizeable permanent gaps are left for reptiles to enter and exit.

Long term management of the hibernaculum will include  Maintenance of the general structure of the hibernaculum, with repair if damage is caused,  Leaving areas of long grass and varied heights of vegetation as cover and protection from predators in the vicinity of the hibernaculum,  Sensitive cutting of the adjacent grassland, preferably using smaller machinery and avoiding soil compaction, preferably in winter,  Avoidance of herbicide and pesticide use.

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

A grass snake egg laying incubation heap will also be created adjacent to the ponds and adjacent scrub cover, in a potentially sunny, south facing location, amongst long vegetation. Eggs are laid between May and July and hatch between late August and September. Formation will entail creation of a base layer of branches and brash for aeration of the heap, topped with any of the following:  vegetation cuttings  leaf mould  farmyard manure  woodchip  old straw  reed  hay bales

Old corrugated tin or carpet will be placed over the heap for insulation. Long term maintenance will involve topping up the vegetation every year, and trying to leave the heap undisturbed.

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

Other Restoration Details

The fill material will be placed directly within the active phase of the site upon arrival. The tipped material will be moved within the engineered phase by dozer to the correct level. The final depth of fill will vary in order to deliver the restoration landform detailed in the Restoration Plan. Minimal compaction will be carried out, and the site graded off using scraper or bucket.

All restoration works will be carried out under the supervision of Jones Homes Ltd’s land and a supervising ecologist.

On completion of the earthworks, NCC Landscape and Reclamation will be informed as requested so that a Tip inspection visit can be scheduled.

Grass snake and reptile clearance programme

Immediately prior to commencement of ground remodelling works, the consultant ecologist will carry out a reptile clearance programme, as detailed in the ecologist’s method statement. Grass snakes and reptiles will be relocated to adjacent scrub areas to the south and east.

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Scrooby Road, Harworth – Scheme for Restoring Tip 1 following excavation and fill exercise

APPENDICES

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