Gunthorpe Weir Hydropower
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Gunthorpe Weir Hydropower EA Consent Applications Supporting Information Document Gunthorpe Weir HEP: EA Application Supporting Information Dec 2018 Page i Renewables First – Company Renewables First is one of the UK’s leading hydro and wind power specialists and has been delivering hydro and wind projects for over ten years. We provide all of the services from in-house resources to take a project from initial feasibility stage, through all of the consenting and engineering design stages and on to construction and commissioning. We use our experience of the installation and operational phases to provide feedback into the design stages of the next projects, ensuring that our customers benefit from our whole-project exposure. We are independent of hardware suppliers, so we only recommend the most appropriate hardware to maximise energy production and return on investment, and to ensure a long and reliable operational life. 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Document Control Version Date of Issue Author(s) Reviewed by 02 Dec 2018 Kelly Clutterbuck William Houghton Gunthorpe Weir HEP: EA Application Supporting Information Dec 2018 Page ii Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 LOCATION ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 INTERACTION WITH OTHER HYDROPOWER SCHEMES ....................................................................................................................... 5 2 SITE DETAILS ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 SITE DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 HYDROLOGICAL DATA ............................................................................................................................................................................ 6 3 PROPOSAL.................................................................................................................................................................. 7 PROPOSAL SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................................. 7 SUMMARY OF HYDROLOGY INFORMATION .......................................................................................................................................... 7 LAYOUT ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 OPERATION .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 MONITORING ABSTRACTION ................................................................................................................................................................. 9 4 ECOLOGY .................................................................................................................................................................. 10 DESIGNATIONS ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 TERRESTRIAL HABITATS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 TREES..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 FISH AND AQUATIC HABITATS ............................................................................................................................................................ 12 WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 SUMMARY OF ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ................................................................................................................................................... 15 5 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................................................................................. 16 NAVIGATION ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 GEOMORPHOLOGY ................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 RECREATIONAL USE ............................................................................................................................................................................. 17 HERITAGE .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 18 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 DISCHARGES.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 6 FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................................. 19 7 WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE ASSESSMENT ....................................................................................... 21 8 CONCLUSIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 23 9 PHOTOS .................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Gunthorpe Weir HEP: EA Application Supporting Information Dec 2018 Page iii Appendices and Drawings Appendices A. Application forms WR317, WR330, WR332, WR334, FP002 B. Construction method statement (CMS) C. Flood risk assessment (FRA) D. Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessment E. Preliminary ecology assessment – Fauna Forest Ecology Ltd F. Fisheries and geomorphology assessment – APEM Ltd G. Arboricultural report – Canopy Tree Services Drawings 2090011 – Site Location Plan – 1:2000 @ A3 2090012 – Site Layout Plan – 1:500 @ A3 2090013 – Site Layout Plan 2– 1:500 @ A3 2090014 – Access & Construction – 1:1000 @ A3 2090015 – GP – 1:200 @ A3 2090016 – LS – 1:200 @ A3 2090017 – North E – 1:200 2090018 – East E – 1:200 @ A3 2090019 – West E – 1:200 @ A3 2090020 – Development Boundary Plan – 1:1000 @ A3 2090021 – Artist’s Impression Gunthorpe Weir HEP: EA Application Supporting Information Dec 2018 Page 4 1 Introduction Background 1.1 This document accompanies abstraction and impoundment licence applications for a proposed hydropower scheme, fish pass and adjustable weir crest at Gunthorpe Weir. 1.2 Planning consent (RBC ref: 10/00577/FUL; NSDC application ref: 10/00323/FUL) and an Environment Agency impoundment licence (MD/028/0064/007) were previously granted for a hydropower proposal on the island at the left bank of Gunthorpe Weir. The current proposal is of a smaller scale and located on the right bank. 1.3 Pre-application advice for the current proposal was sought from the Environment Agency. The response issued on 16th February 2018 (NPS/WR/0275221) highlighted a number of areas where further information would be required. This information is provided as part of this application. 1.4 Newark and Sherwood District, Rushcliffe District Council and the Canal and River Trust have been consulted in relation to the impact of the proposed scheme. All statutory bodies will be re- consulted as part of the relevant planning consent applications, which are being made alongside the Environment Agency applications. 1.5 The applicant is the landowner for the main proposed development area; other landowners have been contacted as applicable. 1.6 On the left bank, stakeholders include Gunthorpe Marina; the Trent Power and Ski-boat Club; and a small boat hire firm. 1.7 On the right bank, stakeholders include East Bridgford Marina (also known as Russel Hunt Marina) that has recently changed ownership. The applicant has already