Canal & River Trust Fradley Junction

Staffordshire County Council Your Ref SCO.85/501 MW 1 Staffordshire Place Tipping Street Our Ref CRTR-PLAN-2020-29807 Stafford Staffordshire Thursday 4 June 2020 ST16 2LP

Dear Mr Grundy Proposal: Request for an EIA Scoping Opinion in connection with proposals for a northern extension to the quarry Location: Newbold Quarry Waterway: Trent & Mersey Canal

Thank you for your consultation.

We are the charity who look after and bring to life 2000 miles of canals & rivers. Our waterways contribute to the health and wellbeing of local communities and economies, creating attractive and connected places to live, work, volunteer and spend leisure time. These historic, natural and cultural assets form part of the strategic and local green-blue infrastructure network, linking urban and rural communities as well as habitats. By caring for our waterways and promoting their use we believe we can improve the wellbeing of our nation. The Trust is a statutory consultee in the Development Management process.

Based on the information available our substantive response (as required by the Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (as amended)) is the following advice:

The proposed quarry extension lies to the north-west of the Trent & Mersey Canal, and is separated from the canal by an existing fishing lake. Phases 2 and 4 of the extension are closest to the canal, being about 75 away at the nearest point. We have reviewed the Scoping Report and would make the following comments:

Landscape and Visual Effects The report notes the potential for visual effects on the canal and land adjacent to it and the proposed approach to be taken in undertaking the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) appears appropriate and a number of locations along the canal are identified as visual receptor points to be used in identifying the extent of any visual impacts on the character and setting of the canal corridor.

Ecology and Nature Conservation The proposed approach to undertaking survey work to identify impacts on local wildlife is appropriate. We are pleased to note that the report advises that the restoration proposals for the site will seek to maximise the potential for biodiversity benefits and will set out the mechanisms for achieving biodiversity net gain. This should include consideration of measures to help enhance the role the canal corridor plays as a wildlife habitat.

Noise and Vibration We note that baseline noise readings will be taken adjacent to the canal to allow identification of noise impacts on the canal and canal users. We would comment that consideration should also be given to whether there is any risk Canal & River Trust Fradley Junction, Alrewas, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE13 7DN T 0303 040 4040 E canalrivertrust.org.uk/contact-us W canalrivertrust.org.uk

Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Canal & River Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7807276 and registered charity number 1146792, registered office address First Floor North, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1BB of harmful effects on the canal structure as a result of vibration. Whilst we do not necessarily expect this to be an issue given the distance from the canal, nonetheless, as a 200-year-old structure, the canal is potentially vulnerable to damage from excessive vibration, so we would wish to see this matter considered within the ES and mitigation measures identified if deemed to be necessary.

Air Quality and Dust The ES should include consideration of the canal and canal users as potential receptors when identifying and assessing potential impacts on air quality.

Archaeology and Cultural Heritage The Trent & Mersey Canal is designated as a conservation area and the impact of the proposal on the significance of this designated heritage asset should be considered and measures identified where necessary to avoid or mitigate potentially harmful effects.

Water Environment The proposed Hydrogeological Risk Assessment should consider whether the canal is at risk of impact from the site. Notwithstanding the distance to the canal, there is the potential that there could be some hydraulic connectivity with the canal, such as via surface water drains. Any potential risks of adversely affecting water quality in the canal should be identified and addressed within the ES.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any queries you may have.

Yours sincerely,

Ian Dickinson MRTPI Area Planner [email protected] 01636 675790 https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/specialist-teams/planning-and-design

Canal & River Trust Fradley Junction, Alrewas, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE13 7DN T 0303 040 4040 E canalrivertrust.org.uk/contact-us W canalrivertrust.org.uk