PHASE ONE
DraFt EnvironmEntal StatEmEnt Community Forum Area Report 20 | Curdworth to Middleton HS2 London-West Midlands May 2013
ENGINE FOR GROWTH DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Community Forum Area Report ENGINE FOR GROWTH 20 I Curdworth to Middleton High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, 2nd Floor, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU
Telephone: 020 7944 4908
General email enquiries: [email protected]
Website: www.hs2.org.uk
© Crown copyright, 2013, except where otherwise stated
Copyright in the typographical arrangement rests with the Crown.
You may re-use this information (not including logos or third-party material) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or e-mail: [email protected].
Where we have identified any third-party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
To order further copies contact: DfT Publications Tel: 0300 123 1102 Web: www.dft.gov.uk/orderingpublications
Product code: ES/19
Printed in Great Britain on paper containing at least 75% recycled fibre. CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Contents Contents
Draft Volume 2: Community Forum Area Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 5 Part A: Introduction 6 1 Introduction 7 1.1 Introduction to HS2 7 1.2 Purpose of this report 7 1.3 Structure of this report 9 Part B: Curdworth to Middleton – overview of the area and description of the Proposed Scheme 10 2 Curdworth to Middleton 11 2.1 Overview of the area 11 2.2 Description of the Proposed Scheme 15 2.3 Construction of the Proposed Scheme 18 2.4 Operation of the Proposed Scheme 29 2.5 Community forum engagement 30 2.6 Route section main alternatives 31 2.7 Proposals for further consideration 32 Part C: Environmental topic assessments 33 3 Agriculture, forestry and soils 34 3.1 Introduction 34 3.2 Policy framework 34 3.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 34 3.4 Environmental baseline 34 3.5 Construction 37 3.6 Operation 39
1 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Contents
4 Air quality 41 4.1 Introduction 41 4.2 Policy framework 41 4.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 41 4.4 Environmental baseline 41 4.5 Construction 43 4.6 Operation 44 5 Community 45 5.1 Introduction 45 5.2 Policy framework 45 5.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 45 5.4 Environmental baseline 45 5.5 Construction 47 5.6 Operation 51 6 Cultural heritage 52 6.1 Introduction 52 6.2 Policy framework 52 6.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 52 6.4 Environmental baseline 52 6.5 Construction 54 6.6 Operation 58 7 Ecology 60 7.1 Introduction 60 7.2 Policy framework 60 7.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 60 7.4 Environmental baseline 61 7.5 Construction 63 7.6 Operation 67 8 Land quality 69 8.1 Introduction 69 8.2 Policy framework 69 8.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 69 8.4 Environmental baseline 70 8.5 Construction 72 8.6 Operation 74
2 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Contents
9 Landscape and visual assessment 76 9.1 Introduction 76 9.2 Policy framework 76 9.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 76 9.4 Environmental baseline 77 9.5 Construction 78 9.6 Operation 83 10 Socio-economics 90 10.1 Introduction 90 10.2 Policy framework 90 10.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 90 10.4 Environmental baseline 90 10.5 Construction 91 10.6 Operation 92 11 Sound, noise and vibration 93 11.1 Introduction 93 11.2 Policy framework 93 11.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 93 11.4 Environmental baseline 93 11.5 Construction 93 11.6 Operation 94 12 Traffic and transport 97 12.1 Introduction 97 12.2 Policy framework 97 12.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 97 12.4 Environmental baseline 99 12.5 Construction 100 12.6 Operation 103 13 Water resources and flood risk assessment 104 13.1 Introduction 104 13.2 Policy framework 104 13.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 104 13.4 Environmental baseline 104 13.5 Construction 106 13.6 Operation 108 14 References 110
2 3 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Contents
List of figures
Figure 1: HS2 Phase One route and community forum areas 8 Figure 2: Area context map 12 Figure 3: Indicative construction programme for the area 29 Figure 4: Business sector composition in NWBC and the West Midlands 91
List of tables
Table 1: Location of construction site compounds 20 Table 2: Location of temporary worker accommodation sites 22 Table 3: Demolition works 23 Table 4: Highway and road diversions 24 Table 5: Footpath, cycleway and bridleway diversions 25 Table 6: Viaducts, underbridges and overbridges 27 Table 7: Holdings affected by the Proposed Scheme 36 Table 8: Preliminary evaluation of likely value of protected and/or notable species occurring within this section of the route 62 Table 9: Significant residual construction effects on ecological receptors within this section of the route 66 Table 10: Significant residual operational effects on ecological receptors within this section of the route 67 Table 11: Significant landscape effects during construction 79 Table 12: Significant visual effects during construction 80 Table 13: Significant landscape effects during operation year 1 (2026) 84 Table 14: Significant visual effects during operation year 1 (2026) 85 Table 15: Options for further mitigation 96 Table 16: Compound and satellite construction site compound by size, number, workforce number, average duration of use and peak hour trips 101
4 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Contents Draft Volume 2: Community Forum Area Report Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 Structure of the HS2 draft Environmental Statement The draft ES documentation for the purpose of this consultation comprises: • A non-technical summary (NTS) – providing a summary of the Proposed Scheme, the likely significant effects of the Proposed Scheme, both beneficial and adverse, and the means to avoid or reduce the adverse effects; and • A main report – consisting of two volumes: ȃȃ Volume 1: Introduction to the Environmental Statement and Proposed Scheme which provides an introduction to HS2, an overview of the hybrid bill process and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) methodology, an introduction to consultation and engagement, the main strategic and route-wide alternatives considered; and ȃȃ Volume 2: Includes 26 Community Forum Area (CFA) reports, each with a separate corresponding set of drawings, which together provide the assessment of local environmental effects. An assessment of the effects of the Proposed Scheme on a route-wide basis is presented in Report 27.
HS2 Ltd set up 26 community forums along the line of route of the Proposed Scheme, as a regular way of engaging with local communities1. Volume 2 of this draft ES supports this engagement strategy by providing a draft ES report for each CFA. This is a report for the Curdworth to Middleton area, CFA20.
The draft ES has been written in a clear and accessible manner; however, on occasion it has been necessary to use technical terms. Given this, a glossary of terms and list of abbreviations for all draft ES documentation is provided.
1 Details of these community forums are provided on the HS2 Ltd website at http://www.hs2.org.uk/have-your-say/forums/community-forums. Accessed 25 April 2013.
5 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Contents Part A: Introduction
6 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Introduction 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction to HS2 1.1.1 HS2 is planned to be a Y-shaped rail network with stations in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, South Yorkshire and the East Midlands, linked by high speed trains running at speeds of up to 360 kilometres per hour (kph) (225 miles per hour (mph)).
1.1.2 HS2 is proposed to be built in two phases. Phase One (the Proposed Scheme), the subject of this draft ES, would involve the construction of a new railway line of approximately 230km (143 miles) between London and Birmingham that would become operational by 2026; with a connection to the West Coast Main Line (WCML) near Lichfield and to the existing HS1 line in London. The Phase One route and the 26 CFAs are shown in Figure 1.
1.1.3 On opening, Phase One would run up to 14 trains per hour (tph). HS2 trains would be up to 400 metres (m) long with 1,100 seats during peak hours. Beyond the dedicated high speed track, these high speed trains would connect with and run on the existing WCML to serve passengers beyond the HS2 network. A connection to HS1 would also allow some services to run to mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel.
1.1.4 Phase Two would involve the construction of lines from Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester; with construction commencing around 2027, and planned to be operational by 2033. After Phase Two opens, it is expected that the frequency of train services on some parts of the Phase One route could increase up to 18tph.
1.1.5 The Government believes that the HS2 network should link to Heathrow and its preferred option is for this to be built as part of Phase Two. However, the Government has since taken the decision to pause work on the Heathrow link until after 2015 when it expects the Airports Commission to publish its final report on recommended options for maintaining the country’s status as an international aviation hub. 1.2 Purpose of this report 1.2.1 This report presents the likely significant environmental effects as a result of the construction and operation of Phase One of HS2 (the Proposed Scheme) that have been identified to date within the area of Curdworth to Middleton (CFA 16). It provides a summary of the likely environmental issues and proposed mitigation measures being addressed during the design development process within the area.
1.2.2 The final details of the Proposed Scheme and assessment of its environmental impacts and effects will be presented in the formal ES submitted in accordance with the requirements of Parliamentary Standing Order 27A (SO27A)2.
2 Standing Order 27A of the Standing Orders of the House of Commons relating to private business (environmental assessment), House of Commons.
6 7 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Introduction
Figure 1: HS2 Phase One route and community forum areas
8 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Introduction
1.3 Structure of this report 1.3.1 This report is divided into three parts: • Part A – an introduction to HS2 and the purpose of this report; • Part B – overview of the area, description of the Proposed Scheme within Curdworth to Middleton and its construction, community forum engagement, and a description of the main local alternatives; and • Part C – environmental topic assessments – overview of the policy framework, the environmental baseline within the area, an assessment of construction and operational effects, the proposed mitigation measures, and significant residual effects for the following environmental topics: ȃȃ Agriculture, forestry and soils; ȃȃ Air quality; ȃȃ Community; ȃȃ Cultural heritage; ȃȃ Ecology; ȃȃ Land quality; ȃȃ Landscape and visual assessment; ȃȃ Socio-economics; ȃȃ Sound, noise and vibration; ȃȃ Traffic and transport; and ȃȃ Water resources and flood risk.
1.3.2 The maps relevant to Curdworth to Middleton are provided in a separate corresponding document entitled Volume 2: CFA 20 Curdworth to Middleton Map Book, which should be read in conjunction with this report.
1.3.3 In addition to the environmental topics covered in Part C of this report, Report 27 also addresses climate, electromagnetic interference and waste and material resources on a route‑wide basis.
9 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Introduction Part B: Curdworth to Middleton – overview of the area and description of the Proposed Scheme
10 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton 2 Curdworth to Middleton 2.1 Overview of the area 2.1.1 The Curdworth to Middleton area covers a 7.8km section of the Proposed Scheme in the borough of North Warwickshire, where it passes to the north-east of the Birmingham urban area. The southern boundary of the area is defined by the River Tame, near Coleshill Parkway and the boundary between Warwickshire and Staffordshire represents its northern limit. The area includes all or part of the parishes of Curdworth (map CT‑01-56, E1), Lea Marston (map CT‑01-56, D10), Wishaw, Kingsbury and Middleton (map CT‑01-58, E4).
2.1.2 As shown in Figure 2, Coleshill Junction CFA (CFA 19) lies to the south, whilst the Drayton Bassett, Hints and Weeford CFA (CFA 21) is to the north. Settlement, land use and topography
2.1.3 The area is dominated by the lowland river valley and associated wetlands of the River Tame at approximately 70m above Ordnance Datum (AOD), with rising slopes between 80m-100m AOD defining the northern side of the area.
2.1.4 The southern part of the area is urbanised and is characterised by industrial development and infrastructure, including the Hams Hall Distribution Park, the M42 and M6 Toll interchange, a major sewage treatment works and electricity substation, and an aggregate processing site. Further north, the area becomes increasingly rural in nature and comprises a mix of recreational open space, agricultural land, estate parkland, interspersed with areas of mineral workings and restored gravel pits.
2.1.5 Sutton Coldfield lies approximately 6km to the west, whilst Tamworth is within approximately 5km of the northern part of the area. There are no large towns immediately along the Proposed Scheme, although there are a number of villages on either side, including Curdworth, Lea Marston and Marston in the south and Middleton in the north. The small hamlets of Bodymoor Heath (map CT‑01-57, D8) and Hunts Green (map CT‑01-58, H4) are situated in the centre of the area. Curdworth is the largest of the villages with a modest range of facilities, whilst the other villages have few facilities and are more residential in nature.
2.1.6 The Birmingham and Fazeley Canal is located in the area along the west side of the M42, passing beneath the M6 Toll towards Curdworth. The towpath along the canal is promoted by Sustrans as part of the West Midlands Cycle Route (National Cycle Network No. 5). Gallows Brook flows from higher ground in the north-west of the area, to the lowland river valley of the River Tame to the east.
2.1.7 Woodland is scarce throughout the area, with just a few pockets generally on the higher ground, most notably at: Dunton Wood (map CT‑01-56, B7) and North Wood (map CT‑01-57, E5), near Bodymoor Heath (map CT‑01-57, C10); the woodland at Middleton Hall (map CT‑01- 58, G8) and Kingsbury Water Park (map CT‑01-57, B9/B10); Rogers Coppice near Middleton, and the planting around the Belfry Estate (map CT‑01-57, C3). North Wood is designated ancient woodland. The absence of tree cover and the sloping landform creates a sense of openness to the landscape, particularly on the higher ground north of Middleton where there are panoramic views across the landscape.
11 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
Figure 2: Area context map
12 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
Key transport infrastructure
2.1.8 The A4091, which runs northwards through the area to Tamworth, is the principal road through the centre of the study area. The M6 Toll and M42 diverge at Curdworth with the M6 bearing west and the M42 bearing east. The A446 dual carriageway, which links the National Exhibition Centre at Birmingham in the south with the A38 at Carroway Head in the north, runs to the west of the area. The A4097 Kingsbury Road is the main route between Curdworth and Kingsbury. Bodymoor Heath Road is a key link for local traffic travelling between Middleton and Kingsbury. The southern part of the area is crossed by the Birmingham and Derby Line.
2.1.9 There is a well-developed network of Public Rights of Way (PRoW) within the area. The Birmingham to Fazeley Canal and towpath are crossed by the Proposed Scheme to the north of the M42; the Heart of England Way runs north-south through Kingsbury Water Park, following the route of the River Tame; and The Centenary Way, which was created in 1991 to celebrate 100 years of Warwickshire County Council (WCC), ends at the Kingsbury Water Park and passes through Lea Marston, Marston and Kingsbury. There are strong linkages, including sections of bridleway, from Lea Marston, heading northwards along the towpath for the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, Kingsbury Water Park and Middleton Park (map CT‑01-58, G7). There are also routes that connect Curdworth, heading north, to The Belfry (map CT‑01- 57, C3), and around Middleton. Demographic profile
2.1.10 The area contains one Demographic Character Area (DCA) which contains the settlements of Middleton, Curdworth, Lea Marston and Marston. A DCA represents an area of settlement concentration for which demographic data is collected and analysed. The demographic profile has been established based on DCAs where reasonably practicable. District level statistics for North Warwickshire have been used to provide wider demographic context where data has not been available.
2.1.11 The population in the DCA totals approximately 3,400 people. North Warwickshire’s population is forecast to increase by 10% between 2013 and 2035, a lower rate than the regional and national averages3. There are low levels of ethnic and religious diversity in the population, compared with both regional and national averages4. Similarly, North Warwickshire has relatively low levels of deprivation5.
2.1.12 The DCA had approximately 1,314 households in 2011. At this time, approximately 85% of the area’s households owned their own home, a rate higher than regional and national averages6. Notable community facilities
2.1.13 Curdworth, in the south-west part of the area, has a modest range of community facilities including a primary school, a church, a village hall, a post office and convenience store, and two public houses. The Chantry Industrial Estate lies to the north of the village. The small hamlet of Wishaw, to the north of Curdworth, has a church.
2.1.14 Lea Marston and Marston (map CT‑01-57, E8), in the south-east of the area, are primarily residential villages with limited day-to-day facilities, although there is an Indian restaurant along Blackgreaves Lane. The hamlet of Bodymoor Heath in the centre of the study area has a public house and a village hall, both situated close to the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.
3 Office for National Statistics (ONS), (2011). Population Projections. 4 ONS, (2011), Census Resident Population by Ethnic Group and Religion. 5 Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), (2010), Indices of Deprivation. 6 ONS, (2012), Census 2011.
13 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
The small hamlet of Hunts Green has no facilities, whilst Middleton (map CT‑01-58, E4), to the north, has a church, a day care nursery, a village shop, a public house and a community hall. Recreation, leisure and open space
2.1.15 There are a number of recreation and leisure facilities within the area. In the south, the Lea Marston Hotel (map CT‑01-56, A9 and B9) has a spa, health club and golf course, which are located to the north and west of the village. Additional land to the west of the village at Blackgreaves Lane is used for a range of outdoor pursuits, including clay pigeon shooting and fishing. The Belfry golf course (map CT‑01-57, C2) is situated to the north of the M6 Toll. Kingsbury Water Park (map CT‑01-57, C9), in the east of the area, is a country park with trails as well as water-based recreational activities on the lakes; adjoining this is the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve (map CT‑01-58, F9). Aston Villa Football Club’s training ground (map CT‑01-57, B6) is located at the Bodymoor Heath Training Ground in the centre of the study area at Bodymoor Heath, which includes a viewing area for the public to observe training on a regular basis. The study area also contains a number of visitor attractions, including the Broomey Croft and Ash End House children’s farms (map CT‑01-58, G1) at Kingsbury and Middleton, together with Middleton Hall, which has extensive grounds and a craft centre. There are fishing lakes at the Cuttle Mill Fishery (map CT‑01-57, F5 and G5) which lie immediately adjacent to the route, just north of the M42. Reindeer Park Lodge Guest House and Campsite (map CT‑03-56, C6) lies just south of the A4097 Kingsbury Road, near Marston. There is a small fishery at Hunts Green, Pool House Farm Fishery (map CT‑01-57, B3), which is open to the public and has facilities for up to 22 anglers. The fishing lake is approximately 160m west of the Proposed Scheme.
2.1.16 There are a number of open spaces in the Lea Marston area (map CT‑01-56, D10). Sych Wood (map CT‑01-56, E9), the golf course attached to the Lea Marston Hotel (map CT‑01-56, B9 and C9) and Dunton Wood (map CT‑01-56, B6 and B7), a small area of woodland with footpaths open to the public, are less than 1km from the route of the Proposed Scheme. Planning context and key designations
2.1.17 Volume 1 sets out the national policies under which HS2 has been developed. Given that the Proposed Scheme has been developed on a national basis and to meet a national need, it is not included or referred to in many local plans. Nevertheless, in seeking to consider the Proposed Scheme in the local context, relevant local plan documents and policies have been taken into account in relation to environmental topics.
2.1.18 North Warwickshire Borough Council (NWBC) is the local planning authority for this area. The North Warwickshire Local Plan (NWBC Local Plan) sets out the existing planning policies but they will be subject to change as they are due to be replaced by NWBC’s Local Development Framework7,8. Emerging planning policy is contained in the North Warwickshire Local Plan Core Strategy – Proposed Submission (NWBC Core Strategy) which has been submitted to the Secretary of State for examination9.
2.1.19 Relevant local planning policies have been taken into account in relation to the technical assessments reported in Sections 3 to 13.
2.1.20 NWBC envisages small-scale growth at Curdworth, in the order of 16 dwellings within the established settlement boundary over the NWBC Local Plan period. The emerging NWBC Core Strategy also proposes 50 dwellings at Kingsbury in the period to 2028. The former power station site at the Hams Hall Distribution Park is also identified in the emerging NWBC
7 North Warwickshire Borough Council, (2006), North Warwickshire Local Plan. 8 North Warwickshire Borough Council, The Local Plan for North Warwickshire [online], available at: http://www.northwarks.gov.uk/info/200297/ forward_planning/872/local_development_framework. Accessed: 7 February 2013. 9 North Warwickshire Borough Council, (2012), North Warwickshire Local Plan Core Strategy – Proposed Submission.
14 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
Core Strategy as being suitable for industrial development and potentially energy generation infrastructure. The formal ES will describe the way in which forthcoming developments are to be considered in the assessment of cumulative impacts of the Proposed Scheme.
2.1.21 With the exception of the villages of Curdworth and Kingsbury and the industrial area at Hams Hall Distribution Park, the entire area is designated as green belt, within which development is strictly limited to maintain the openness of the landscape and prevent the coalescence of settlements. There are several parcels of designated ancient woodland, including: • Sych Wood, approximately 800m east of the Proposed Scheme (map CT‑01-56, E9); • Dunton Wood, approximately 200m east of the Proposed Scheme (map CT‑01-56, B7); • Coneybury Wood, approximately 200m east of the Proposed Scheme (map CT‑01-58, H7); • Roger’s Coppice, approximately 200m west of the Proposed Scheme (map CT‑01-58, F4); • New Park Wood, approximately 2km west of the Proposed Scheme; and • Trickley Coppice, approximately 2.5km west of the Proposed Scheme.
2.1.22 The alignment of the Proposed Scheme intersects through the North Wood LWS (map CT‑01‑57, E5). Some of the estate land at Middleton Hall (Middleton Pool to the east of Lea Marston) is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (map CT‑01-58, F7 and F8). Whitacre Heath Nature Reserve SSSI (map CT‑01-56, E10) and Kingsbury Wood SSSI are both more than 1km from the Proposed Scheme. There are several local wildlife sites (LWS) and one RSPB reserve that extends north into the Drayton Bassett, Hints and Weeford CFA (CFA 21).
2.1.23 There are 43 listed buildings, comprising six Grade II* and 37 Grade II listed buildings, in the study area. None of the listed buildings are within the area of the Proposed Scheme. There are three scheduled monuments within 2km of the route of the Proposed Scheme: a moat on the northern edge of North Wood; a medieval stone cross south of St John the Baptist Church in Lea Marston (map CT‑03-58, E3); and Kingsbury Hall medieval walled enclosure. 2.2 Description of the Proposed Scheme 2.2.1 The general design of the Proposed Scheme is described in Volume 1. The following section describes the main features of the Proposed Scheme in the Curdworth to Middleton area, including the main environmental mitigation measures. Overview
2.2.2 The route through the area would be approximately 7.8km in length. It would commence at the crossing of the River Tame (map CT‑06-112, A6) and the Birmingham and Derby Line (map CT‑06-112, C6 and D6), east of Curdworth. It would then proceed north into cutting where a junction would be constructed for the Leeds spur, as shown in Figure 2. This would include the junction off the main line, and a sufficient length of rail line towards Leeds to allow easier and safer construction of Phase Two of HS2 to be built without affecting the operation of Phase One. After crossing over the M42 and Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, the route would gradually curve to the north-west, passing to the east of The Belfry golf course, and under the raised and diverted A4091. Passing to the east of Middleton Village it would continue north‑west largely on embankment to the edge of the area where the route crosses Gallows Brook on viaduct (map CT‑06-116, C5).
2.2.3 Since the January 2012 scheme was announced by the Secretary of State, route development work has continued, and the Proposed Scheme now differs in some respects. These changes
15 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
are discussed in more detail in section 2.6. The following represent the principal design changes in this area: • Inclusion of a grade separated junction for the connection to the HS2 Phase Two route to Leeds and the North East; and • Development of the overall layout of the delta junction including the arrangement and number of tracks in the south of this area. This change is discussed in more detail in section 2.6 of the Coleshill Junction CFA report (CFA 19).
2.2.4 For information on noise barriers within the Curdworth to Middleton CFA, please refer to Section 11 of this report and the SV-01 maps. Proposed Scheme – Section by section
2.2.5 On leaving the Coleshill Junction area (CFA 19), the route would continue northwards to cross the River Tame and the Birmingham and Derby Line on viaduct and then onto embankment immediately north of Faraday Avenue overbridge (map CT‑06-112, G6). At this point, the route would consist of six tracks, two through lines, two connecting lines to serve Birmingham and two connecting lines to serve future lines to Leeds. Key features of this section of the route (from map CT‑06-112, A6; to CT‑06-112, G6) would include: • Three parallel viaducts would be required approximately 450m long carrying the main line and Birmingham north chord connections over the River Tame and Birmingham and Derby Line. The heights would range from 19m above the River Tame to approximately 10m at the north end of the viaduct. The overall width of the viaducts would taper from approximately 60m over the River Tame to approximately 45m at the north end; and • A 700m long embankment decreasing in height from 10m to ground level.
2.2.6 In addition, the A446 Lichfield Road and roundabout would be realigned approximately 300m west of its current location (map CT‑06-112, G9), and Marsh Lane would be diverted in order to allow Faraday Avenue to pass over the route on a raised alignment, immediately north of its current location. Faraday Avenue would cross the route on an overbridge approximately 15m above current ground level, and new farm accommodation underbridges would be constructed to the east and west of the route beneath the Faraday Avenue embankments. A railway drainage pond would be provided to the west of the route just north of the Birmingham and Derby Line crossing (map CT‑06-112, D7). Planting would be undertaken adjacent to the route to integrate into the landscape and provide habitat connectivity, with additional planting on the embankments for Faraday Avenue to visually screen the road, and similarly integrate the road into the landscape.
2.2.7 Continuing to the north, the route would pass into cutting for approximately 1.3km. The cutting would be up to 15m deep. Key features of this next section of the route (from map CT‑06-112, G6; to CT‑06-119 G6) would include: • An 800m long cutting, approximately 15m deep, containing a concrete box to carry the northbound line towards the Leeds connecting line underneath the main lines. At its widest the cutting would be approximately 150m wide; and • A 500m long cutting approximately 11m deep carrying the main lines, with a further deeper cutting to the east carrying the lines towards Leeds. At its widest, just north of Kingsbury Road, this combined cutting would be approximately 175m wide (map CT‑06-119, F6).
2.2.8 In addition, a new overbridge would carry footpath M16, which connects Hams Lane with the A446, over the cutting, and provide farm accommodation access (map CT‑06-112, H6). Kingsbury Road would be moved a maximum of 60m north and 2m above current ground level to pass 13m above the main line cutting and up to 22m above the Leeds spur cutting
16 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
(map CT‑06-119, E6). Planting would be undertaken along the top of the cutting to provide a combination of visual screening, landscape integration and habitat connectivity.
2.2.9 The junction for Phase Two would be in a section of cutting approximately 1km long, which would separate from the main line near Mullensgrove Farm (map CT‑06-119, F6), to pass north-east, roughly following the line of the M42. The cutting would vary in depth between approximately 4m and 22m. The cutting would be extended a further 1km for a temporary construction siding.
2.2.10 In addition, a bridge would be constructed to carry Seeney Lane over the temporary construction siding and a railway drainage pond would be provided to the north-east (map CT‑06-113-02, E3). Planting would be undertaken along the top of the cutting to provide a combination of visual screening, landscape integration and habitat connectivity, and provide ecological habitat.
2.2.11 Continuing to the north on the main line, and gradually turning to the north-west, the route would pass onto embankment, interspersed with viaducts, for the next 3.4km. The route would pass over the M42 and Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, east of Cuttle Mill Fishery, then under a raised and diverted A4091 towards a point immediately to the south-east of Middleton. Key features of this next section of the route (from map CT‑06-119, G6; to CT‑06‑114, B4) would include: • A 300m long embankment up to approximately 8m high; • A 350m long viaduct over the M42 and then the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal (map CT‑06-113, A6 and A7); • A 450m long embankment with an average height of approximately 9m and raised embankments on both sides of the railway to provide visual and noise screening; • A 150m long viaduct over the floodplain immediately to the east of Cuttle Mill Fishery (map CT‑06-113, E6); • A 600m long embankment with an average height of approximately 7m and raised embankments on both sides of the railway to provide visual screening, except on the west side where the route passes through North Wood (map CT‑06-113, F6); • A 300m long viaduct over the floodplain immediately to the west of the MoatedSite scheduled monument (map CT‑06-113, B6); • A 250m long embankment with an average height of approximately 3m; • A 150m long viaduct over the floodplain just north of Middleton House Farm (map CT‑06‑114, G5); and • A 750m long embankment with an average height of approximately 4m and raised earthworks on the west side of the railway to provide visual and noise screening.
2.2.12 A number of railway drainage ponds and a highway drainage pond would be provided in this area, with access constructed for maintenance (maps CT‑06-113 and CT‑06-114). An auto- transformer station would be constructed on the west side of the railway immediately north of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal on Kingsbury Road (map CT‑06-113, H6).
2.2.13 A number of highway works would be required in this area. At the southern end of this route section, Marston Lane would be closed and a new access to the canal would be provided via Cuttle Mill Lane. Further north a new overbridge would carry Bodymoor Heath Road over the route and the A4091 on a raised alignment approximately 14m above current ground level, with revised access provided to the Bodymoor Heath Training Ground (map CT‑06-114, F5 and F7). On the west side of the route, Bodymoor Heath Road would join Brick Kiln Lane. Planting
17 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
would be undertaken throughout this area, adjacent to the railway, the diverted highways and on associated earthworks on both sides of the railway.
2.2.14 Continuing to the north-west, the route would alternate between cutting and embankment, passing just to the east of Hunts Green, then over the Langley Brook and Church Lane, with the village of Middleton immediately to the west before reaching the northern extent of the area at the viaduct crossing of Gallows Brook. Key features of this next section of the route (from map CT‑06-114, B4; to CT‑06-116, C5) would include: • A 600m long cutting with an average depth of approximately 4m and raised earthworks on both sides of the railway to provide visual and noise screening; • A 200m long viaduct over Langley Brook (map CT‑06-115, E5 and F5); • A 100m long embankment with a maximum height of approximately 4m with raised earthworks on the west side to provide visual and noise screening; • A 400m long cutting with an average depth of approximately 2m and raised earthworks on both sides of the railway to provide visual and noise screening; and • A 1.1km long embankment of varying height with raised earthworks on both sides of the railway to provide visual and noise screening (map CT‑06-116, D5). To the south of the viaduct, Gallows Brook would be culverted below the railway embankment in two locations and the screening embankments would be shaped to reduce the lengths of culvert required with noise barriers provided locally.
2.2.15 A number of railway drainage ponds would be constructed in this section as well as a replacement pond for lost wetland habitats (maps CT‑06-114, CT‑06-115 and CT‑06-116). The A4091 would be diverted to the west over a length of approximately 1km, crossing over the route on a new overbridge approximately 7m above current ground level. Crowberry Lane would be realigned locally to join Park Lane, which would connect to the realigned A4091.
2.2.16 Church Lane, one of the main routes providing access to Middleton from the A4091, would be diverted over the railway cutting approximately 50m north of its current location on a new bridge approximately 6m above current ground level (map CT‑06-115, D5). A new bridge would be provided to carry footpath T15 over the railway and provide farm accommodation access to the north-east of Middleton (map CT‑06-115, B4). This would be approximately 10m above current ground level.
2.2.17 Planting would be undertaken throughout this section, adjacent to the railway, the diverted highways and on associated earthworks on both sides of the railway. The route would then continue across the Gallows Brook viaduct into the Drayton Bassett, Hints and Weeford area (CFA 21). Land required for the Proposed Scheme
2.2.18 The Proposed Scheme would require land on both a temporary and permanent basis. The land required for construction is shown on the Construction Phase Maps (series CT‑05) and will be subject to review as the engineering design and formal ES is prepared. The final permanent and temporary land requirements will be set out in the formal ES. 2.3 Construction of the Proposed Scheme 2.3.1 This section sets out the key construction activities that are envisaged to build the Proposed Scheme in the Curdworth to Middleton area and the control measures that are proposed to manage the works. General descriptions of construction works that are relevant to the whole of the Proposed Scheme are provided in Volume 1.
18 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
Environmental management and Code of Construction Practice
2.3.2 All contractors would be required to comply with the environmental management regime for the Proposed Scheme, which would include: • Code of Construction Practice (CoCP)10; and • Local environmental management plans (LEMPs), which would apply within each CFA.
2.3.3 The CoCP, in conjunction with associated LEMPs, would be the means of controlling the construction works associated with the Proposed Scheme, with the objective of ensuring that the effects of the works upon people and the natural environment are eptk to a practicable minimum. The CoCP will contain generic control measures and standards to be implemented throughout the construction process.
2.3.4 A draft CoCP has been prepared and is published alongside this document. It will be kept under review as the design of the Proposed Scheme develops and further engagement with stakeholders is undertaken. Construction site operation Working hours
2.3.5 Core working hours would be from 08:00 to 18:00 on weekdays (excluding bank holidays) and from 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. While there would not normally be any construction activity on Sundays, some activities (e.g. weekend possessions, tunnelling and ventilation and intervention shafts (vent shafts) construction) would be undertaken. Site-specific variations to core hours and/or additional hours likely to be required would be included within LEMPs following consultation with NWBC. To maximise productivity within the core hours, HS2 Ltd’s contractors would require a period of up to one hour before and up to one hour after the core working hours for start-up and close down of activities. These activities would be subject to controls set out in the CoCP.
2.3.6 Work within existing stations, track laying activities and work requiring possession of major transport infrastructure (e.g. highways) may be undertaken during night-time, Saturday afternoon, Sunday and/or bank holidays for reasons of safety or operational necessity and would often involve work on consecutive nights, including over weekend possessions. Construction site compounds
2.3.7 Main site compounds would be used for core project management (engineering, planning and construction delivery), commercial and administrative staff.
2.3.8 A railhead compound would be required to accommodate the rail systems construction works as well as allow receipt and stacking of full construction trains. It would have the core project management (engineering, planning and construction delivery), commercial and administrative staff for rail systems installation.
2.3.9 Satellite site compounds would generally be smaller, providing office accommodation for limited numbers of staff. The satellite site compound would provide local storage for plant and materials and limited car parking would be provided for staff and site operatives. Limited welfare facilities would be provided at each site.
2.3.10 The location of all site compounds along with their duration of use and a broad current estimate of the number of workers likely to work at the construction sites is set out in Table 1 and shown in maps CT‑05-112 to CT‑05-119. Construction site details and arrangements are
10 Arup/URS (2013) Phase One: Draft Code of Construction Practice. HS2 Ltd, London.
19 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
continuing to be refined and will be confirmed in the formal ES. All construction staff would be required to comply with codes of behaviour set out by the CoCP.
Compound Location Typical use Estimated duration Estimated number of type of use11 workers
Average Peak period work day work day
Main site Marston Lane compound Main area administration and 60 months 105 150 (map CT‑05-119, D7) support
Railhead Hams Hall (centre map Rail systems 72 months including 270 400 CT‑05-112, C4) installation and decommissioning
Leeds spur railway crossover 24 months 90 125 structure
Satellite site Leeds spur construction Rail systems 48 months 10 15 siding (map CT‑05-113-02, G2)
Satellite site Curdworth viaduct (north) Construction of rail viaduct 24 months 20 25 (map CT‑05-112, G6)
Satellite site Curdworth viaduct (south) Construction of rail 24 months 80 110 (map CT‑05-112, G6) underbridge
Satellite site River Tame viaduct (map Construction of floodplain 24 months 80 110 CT‑05-112, I6) viaduct
Satellite site A446 Faraday Avenue Offline road realignment 24 months 60 85 (map CT‑05-112, E3) and construction of road overbridge
Satellite site A4097 Kingsbury Road Offline road realignment 12 months 90 125 overbridge (map CT‑05- and construction of road 119, E6) overbridge
Satellite site Birmingham and Fazeley Construction of M42 viaduct 18 months 35 50 Canal viaduct no. 1 (west) (map CT‑05-119, C5)
Satellite site Birmingham and Fazeley Construction of M42 viaduct 18 months 35 50 Canal viaduct no. 1 (east) (map CT‑05-119, C5)
Satellite site Birmingham and Fazeley Construction of canal viaduct 18 months 35 50 Canal viaduct no. 2 (map CT‑05-113, I6)
Satellite site Cuttle Mill viaduct (map Construction of watercourse 12 months 42 60 CT‑05-113, G6) and floodplain viaduct
Satellite site North Wood viaduct (map Construction of floodplain 12 months 90 125 CT‑05-114, H5) viaduct
Construction of Hunts Green 12 months 90 125 floodplain viaduct
Satellite site A4091 realignment (maps Offline road realignment 24 months 88 125 CT‑05-114, E3) and construction of road overbridge
Satellite site Langley Brook viaduct Construction of watercourse 12 months 90 125 (map CT‑05-115, G4) and floodplain viaduct
20 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
Compound Location Typical use Estimated duration Estimated number of type of use11 workers
Average Peak period work day work day
Satellite site Church Lane overbridge Offline road realignment 12 months 90 125 (map CT‑05-115, D4) and construction of road overbridge
Satellite site Seeney Lane overbridge Construction of road 12 months 20 25 (map CT‑05-113-02, G3) overbridge
Table 1: Location of construction site compounds
2.3.11 All main site compounds would contain space for the storage of bulk materials (aggregates, structural steel, steel reinforcement), an area for the fabrication of temporary works equipment and finished goods, fuel storage, plant and equipment storage and necessary operational parking. Buildings would be generally temporary modular units and layout would maximise construction space and limit land required. Hard standing areas would be installed at all site compounds.
2.3.12 The Marston Lane main construction compound would be accessed directly off the A4097 Kingsbury Road and would provide office and welfare accommodation. The compound would provide administration and support facilities for the majority of the Proposed Scheme in the area.
2.3.13 The adjacent areas would be used for the temporary storage of any topsoil stripped as part of the works. A material reprocessing facility would also be located within the site compound for recycling demolition materials and aggregates for reuse (crushing, screening and grading plants).
2.3.14 A railhead compound would be required to accommodate the rail systems construction works as well as allow receipt and stacking of full construction trains. Within this area, a potential location has been identified at Hams Hall as shown on map CT‑05-112 between the Proposed Scheme and the M42, and extends between the Birmingham and Derby Line (National Rail) and the Dunton Roundabout. Alternative sites are currently under consideration in this area (see Section 2.7). The railhead would be in a good strategic location with access to the M6 Toll and M42.
2.3.15 A railhead requires flat ground for operational reasons. At the currently indicated location, this would necessitate the diversion of Faraday Avenue, the A446 Lichfield Road and A4097 Kingsbury Road in addition to various existing utilities. To provide the necessary construction train movements from the railhead onto the HS2 lines, a temporary construction siding would be provided at the end of the proposed stub for the Leeds junction spur.
2.3.16 The railhead would comprise approximately thirty 400m long sidings together with storage and construction facilities for the track and overhead line equipment.
2.3.17 During rail systems construction, the railhead would be used to import bulk materials such as track ballast by train, via the Birmingham and Derby Line. Materials would be stockpiled within the footprint of the railhead. Construction plant such as large earth moving machinery would be used to transport materials from the railhead through the site. The rail sidings/office area on the site would be illuminated by high mast floodlights greater than 0m2 high. The height of these masts will be confirmed for the formal ES. Access roads would also be lit, but with standard height masts of up to 12m. Stockpile areas would only be lit when in use.
11 The duration for each site compound is currently based on a draft programme, which will be refined for the formal ES.
21 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
Fencing and lighting
2.3.18 Security fencing would be provided on the perimeter of each site compound. Individual site compounds for offices, welfare and storage would generally be demarcated and secured with fences and gates. Fence type and construction would be appropriate to the level of security required, likelihood of intruders, level of danger and visual impact to the environment.
2.3.19 Lighting of site compounds during hours of darkness would seek to reduce light pollution to the surrounding area as far as reasonably practicable, in accordance with the requirements of the CoCP. Temporary worker accommodation sites
2.3.20 Two temporary worker accommodation sites would be located within this section of the Proposed Scheme as detailed in Table 2. Temporary worker accommodation sites would adhere to the CoCP.
Location Site description Facilities provided Estimated Estimated duration of number of use workers
Map CT‑05-119, D6, 100m Marston Lane temporary Living accommodation, 60 months 30 south of Kingsbury Road workers’ accommodation welfare facilities, car parking
Hams Hall (centre map CT‑05- Railhead Living accommodation, 72 months 215 112-F7) welfare facilities, car parking
Table 2: Location of temporary worker accommodation sites Construction traffic and access
2.3.21 The following lorry route is currently proposed to access the main construction site compound: • Construction traffic for Marston Lane construction site compound would travel southbound on the A4097 Kingsbury Road to its junction with the A446 Lichfield Road, a six‑arm roundabout with access to the M42; and • The railhead would be accessed via the diverted A446 Lichfield Road, which joins the M42 at the roundabout with the A446.
2.3.22 The following construction routes for the satellite construction site compounds are indicative and are subject to change as the design develops; this information will be completed and updated in the formal ES: • The proposed lorry route for the A446 Faraday Avenue construction site is Faraday Avenue, continuing onto the A446; • The proposed lorry route for the A4097 Kingsbury Road overbridge construction site is the A4097 Kingsbury Road, continuing onto the A446/M42; • The proposed lorry route for Birmingham and Fazeley Canal viaduct no.1 and no.2 construction site is the A446; • The proposed lorry route for the Cuttle Mill viaduct construction site is Cuttle Mill Lane/ A4091, continuing onto the A446; and • The proposed lorry route for A4091 overbridge construction site is the A4091, continuing onto the A446.
22 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
Preparatory and enabling works Demolition works
2.3.23 It is anticipated that the Proposed Scheme would require the demolition of 36 buildings in the area. These works are outlined in Table 3.
Description of structure Location
Spring Farm, Marsh Lane (total buildings – approximately 1o, one dwelling) Map CT‑05-112, F1
Newlands Cottage, Lichfield Road (total buildings – one dwelling) Map CT‑05-112, D4
Dunton Hall boarding kennels (total buildings – two) Map CT‑05-119, G5
Middleton House Farm, (total buildings – six) Map CT‑05-114, H5
Shed on west side of A4091, 100m north of Brick Kiln Lane (total buildings – one) Map CT‑05-114, E4
Water Park Lodge Bed and Breakfast and residential property (total buildings – one, one dwelling) Map CT‑05-119, F5
Mullensgrove Farm (total buildings – six, one dwelling) Map CT‑05-119, E6
Cocksparrow Farm (total buildings – nine, includes three dwellings) Map CT‑05-113, D2
Table 3: Demolition works Drainage and culverts
2.3.24 It is anticipated that drainage ponds would be required for both railway track and highway drainage. Indicative locations are shown on maps CT‑06-112 to 119.
2.3.25 In general, the drainage parallel to the railway would consist of carrier drains, discharging at intervals into nearby watercourses. Typically, there would be a balancing pond between the railway drain and the receiving watercourse, which would allow the drains to discharge at an agreed rate to the local watercourses, thereby reducing the risk of flooding.The outfalls from the ponds would be fitted with pollution control devices, to which vehicular access would be provided from the local road network. Where reasonably practicable, balancing ponds would be designed to have a naturalised appearance and may include features such as reed planting. Watercourse diversions
2.3.26 There would be no watercourse diversions in the local area. Utility diversions
2.3.27 There are a number of major items of utility infrastructure in proximity to the Proposed Scheme, including: high pressure gas mains; large diameter water mains; large diameter sewers; fibre optic/signal cabling; fuel pipeline and high and low voltage electricity lines. The proposed utility diversions in the area would include the diversion of major electricity and gas works. Electricity and gas diversions are currently being developed with the relevant utility provider.
2.3.28 The utility construction zones are included on maps CT‑05-112 to CT‑05-119 to provide an initial consideration of these diversions. Proposed diversions and an assessment of the effects of the major utility diversions will be provided in the formal ES.
2.3.29 Discussions with utility providers are underway to confirm whether plant and/or apparatus would need to be realigned away from the area of work; protected from the works by means of a concrete slab or similar; or have sufficient clearance from the work that they would not be affected.
23 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
2.3.30 Wherever practicable, temporary connections for construction site compounds would be made to local existing utility services (i.e. electricity, water, data, sewerage and surface water drainage, to reduce the need for generators, storage tanks and associated traffic movements for fuel tankers). Highway and road diversions
2.3.31 Proposed highway and road diversions are shown on map CT‑06-112 to 119 and shown in Table 4. The total duration of works does not necessarily indicate periods of actual closure. The closure of routes would be kept to as short a duration as possible. Diversions show indicative alternative routes available to maintain general access, which will be subject to change as part of the development of the design and will be detailed in the formal ES.
Name Location Diversion route Approximate Approximate Duration length of change in diversions length of route
Faraday Avenue Map CT‑05-112, E5 New overbridge. Permanent 900m; 1.6km 300m; 1km (for Permanent realignment. (for farm access) farm access)
Kingsbury Road Map CT‑05-119, F5 New overbridge. Permanent 800m -10m Permanent realignment.
Bodymoor Map CT‑05-114, F5 New overbridges to HS2 and 400m -50m Permanent Heath Road existing A4091. Permanent realignment.
A4091 Map CT‑05-115, H4 New overbridge. Permanent 2.5km 20m Permanent realignment.
Park Lane Map CT‑05-115, G5 Divert to A4091 overbridge. 3.1km 2.9km Permanent
Church Lane Map CT‑05-115, D5 New overbridge. Permanent 750m -10m Permanent realignment.
Table 4: Highway and road diversions Footpath, cycleway and bridleway diversions
2.3.32 Proposed footpath, cycleway and bridleway diversions are shown on map CT‑06-112 to CT‑06‑119 and shown in Table 5. The total duration of works does not necessarily indicate periods of actual closure. The closure of routes would be kept to as short a duration as possible. Diversions show indicative alternative routes available to maintain general access, which will be subject to change as part of the development of the design and will be detailed in the formal ES.
24 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
Name Location Diversion route Approximate Approximate Duration length of change in diversions length of route
Footpath M16 Map CT‑05-119, J5 New overbridge. 600m -50m Permanent
Footpath M13 Map CT‑05-119, C5 Closure. 715m -230m Permanent
M450 (Marston Map CT‑05-119, C5 Closure. 3.15km 2.5km Permanent Lane)
Byway T179 Map CT‑05-113, F6 Maintained during viaduct 0m 0m Permanent construction (may require minor adjustments to route).
Footpath T17 Map CT‑05-114, C5 Reroute over realigned 1.5km 750m Permanent Bodymoor Heath Road. Minor temporary reroute and closure may be required.
Footpath T15 Map CT‑05-116, H4 New overbridge. Minor 175m 5m Permanent temporary reroute and closure may be required.
Footpath M22 Map CT‑05-113, F9 Closure. Divert to Seeney Lane 685m 475m Permanent (Leeds spur) overbridge.
Seeney Lane Map CT‑05-113, F9, New online overbridge. 0m 0m Permanent (Bridleway) (Leeds spur)
Table 5: Footpath, cycleway and bridleway diversions Restricted accesses
2.3.33 There would be no restricted accesses in the local area. Main construction works – Earthworks Earthworks
2.3.34 Major earthworks in the area would include: • A4091 realignment; • Trickley Coppice embankment; • Marston Farm cutting; • Dunton cutting; and • Faraday Avenue embankment.
2.3.35 Works would be carried out in a sequence, taking due consideration of the impacts of road and footpath closures, flows within watercourses and vehicle movements by road.
2.3.36 During design development, consideration has been given to the movement of materials. Wherever possible excavated material would be moved directly from the area of excavation to areas of the works where fill material is required. Some processing and temporary stockpiling of fill material may be necessary if direct placement into the permanent works is not possible. Some material may require crushing and/or screening to render it acceptable for use elsewhere.
25 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
2.3.37 If a shortfall of fill material arises in this section of the ProposedScheme, where reasonably practicable materials would be imported from surpluses generated on other sections of the Proposed Scheme. Where this is not possible due to the material being unsuitable, or the benefits of importing material are outweighed by the impacts of transportation, local sources of material would be identified. Main construction works – Structures
2.3.38 The construction methodology for all structures is subject to further design and development, and will therefore be finalised nearer to the time construction will commence. However, based on the current design detail, simplified construction sequences for the various structures in the area are described below. Bridges and viaducts
2.3.39 Viaducts and road bridges under and over the route of the Proposed Scheme would generally be of concrete construction. Structures over the Proposed Scheme would provide a minimum clearance of 7.15m. Structures under the railway would allow for the clearances required by other modes (e.g. typically 5.7m for highways).
2.3.40 A simplified construction sequence for a typical viaduct is provided inVolume 1.
2.3.41 Viaducts, underbridges and overbridges are detailed in Table 6.
26 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
Location Element description Length (m)
River Tame Leeds spur viaduct A (southbound track). (Map CT‑05-112, J5) Viaduct 460m
River Tame Leeds spur viaduct B (southbound track). (Map CT‑05-112, J5) Viaduct 120m
River Tame viaduct (southbound track). (Map CT‑05-112, J5) Viaduct 210m
River Tame viaduct (northbound track). (Map CT‑05-112, J5) Viaduct 210m
Water Orton no. 3 viaduct (northbound track). (Map CT‑05-112, J5) Viaduct 110m
Water Orton no. 1 viaduct A (southbound track). (Map CT‑05-112, J5) Viaduct 120m
Water Orton no. 1 viaduct B (southbound track). (Map CT‑05-112, J5) Viaduct 1.37km
Curdworth viaduct. (Map CT‑05-112, H5) Viaduct 220m
Curdworth viaduct (northbound track). (Map CT‑05-112, H5) Viaduct 120m
Curdworth viaduct (northbound extension track). (Map CT‑05-112, H5) Viaduct 120m
Faraday Avenue overbridge. (Map CT‑05-112, E5) Overbridge 50m
Footpath M16 overbridge. (Map CT‑05-112, C5) Overbridge 55m
A4097 Kingsbury Road overbridge. (Map CT‑05-119, A6) Overbridge 150m
Birmingham and Fazeley Canal no.1 viaduct. (Map CT‑05-119, B6) Viaduct 120m
Birmingham and Fazeley Canal no.2 viaduct. (Map CT‑05-119, A6) Viaduct 230m
Cuttle Mill viaduct. (Map CT‑05-113, F6) Viaduct 150m
North Wood viaduct. (Map CT‑05-113, B5) Viaduct 300m
Hunts Green viaduct. (Map CT‑05-114, G5) Viaduct 150m
Hunts Green overbridge. (Map CT‑05-114, G4) Overbridge 100m
Bodymoor Heath Road overbridge. (Map CT‑05-114, F5) Overbridge 20m
A4091 overbridge. (Map CT‑05-115, G5) Overbridge 20m
Langley Brook viaduct. (Map CT‑05-115, E5 and F5) Viaduct 200m
Church Lane overbridge. (Map CT‑05-115, D5) Overbridge 20m
Footpath T15 overbridge. (Map CT‑05-115, B4) Overbridge 20m
Seeney Lane overbridge. (Map CT‑05-113-02, F3) Overbridge 20m
Table 6: Viaducts, underbridges and overbridges Motorway viaduct construction
2.3.42 A simplified construction sequence for a viaduct over a motorway would be as follows: • Phase 1: Enabling works would be carried out in advance of the main construction works. These would include site investigation works, archaeological investigation installing monitoring equipment, and statutory utility diversions (all as required); • Phase 2: Establishment of a satellite construction site compound and perimeter fencing. Haul roads would be constructed, which would allow plant on site to undertake site clearance activities. Establishment of traffic management and realignment of roads and footpaths, as required; • Phase 3: Modifications to the motorway communication systems and signs to account for the HS2 works;
• Phase 4: Install foundations and construct piers and abutments;
27 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
• Phase 5: Construct deck, backfill behind abutments and fit out structure with items such as noise barriers, parapets and drainage; and
• Phase 6: Temporary works would then be removed, including removal of any road and footpath temporary diversions. Retaining wall construction
2.3.43 A simplified construction sequence for retaining walls would be as follows: • Phase 1: Enabling works would be carried out in advance of the main construction works. These would include site investigation works, archaeological investigation installing monitoring equipment, and statutory utility diversions (all as required); • Phase 2: Establishment of a satellite construction site compound and perimeter fencing. Haul roads would be constructed, which would allow plant on site to undertake site clearance activities. Establishment of traffic management and realignment of roads and footpaths, as required; • Phase 3: For pile wall construction, a piling rig would install a line of either bored or driven piles. A capping beam would be constructed connecting the tops of the piles. For diaphragm walls (constructed as discrete panels rather than piles), a trench would be excavated to the required depth. It may be necessary to stabilise the trench by filling the trench with supporting fluid, prior to the placement of steel reinforcement and concrete; • Phase 4: Once the piled or diaphragm wall reaches the required strength, the material in front of the wall would be excavated; and • Phase 5: Temporary works would then be removed, including removal of any road and footpath temporary diversion. Rail infrastructure fit out
2.3.44 The principal elements of rail infrastructure to be constructed are track, overhead line equipment (OLE), communications equipment and power supply. The installation of track in open areas would be of standard ballasted track configuration, comprising principally of ballast, rail and sleepers. Further details are set out in Volume 1. Power supply
2.3.45 HS2 trains would draw power from OLE, requiring feeder stations and connections to the 400kV National Grid network. There are no feeder stations within the local area. In addition to feeder stations, smaller auto-transformer stations would be required at more frequent intervals. The anticipated location of the proposed auto-transformer station is: • West side of the rail line 100m north of Birmingham and Fazeley Canal (map CT‑06-113, H6). Landscaping and permanent fencing
2.3.46 Landscaping (i.e. earthworks and seeding and planting) would be provided to address visual and noise impacts, as well as to provide screening for intrinsically important ecological habitats and heritage features. Where appropriate, the engineering embankments and/or cuttings would be reshaped to integrate the alignment sympathetically into the character of the surrounding landscape. The planting would reflect tree and shrub species native to the landscape. Opportunities for ecological habitat creation would be considered.
2.3.47 Permanent fencing would be erected and will be shown on plans to accompany the formal ES.
28 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
Construction programme
2.3.48 A construction programme that illustrates indicative periods for each core construction activity in this area is provided in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Indicative construction programme for the area Commissioning
2.3.49 Commissioning is the process of testing the infrastructure to ensure that it operates as expected. This would take place in the year prior to opening. Further details are provided in Volume 1. 2.4 Operation of the Proposed Scheme 2.4.1 The operation of the Proposed Scheme is described in Volume 1.
2.4.2 Up to 11 trains per hour (tph) would travel in each direction in this area on day one of operation of the Proposed Scheme. Should Phase Two also become fully operational, the number of trains that would pass in each direction in this area would be as follows: • Up to 22tph south of the Leeds junction; • Up to 10tph on the Phase Two Leeds spur; and
29 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
• Up to 12tph to the north-west, north of the junction for Leeds.
2.4.3 In this area, HS2 trains would run at speeds up to 360kph. HS2 trains would run at speeds up to 270kph on this adjacent section of the Leeds spur should Phase Two become operational.
2.4.4 The trains would be either 200m (one-unit train) or 400m (two-unit trains) long. They would run between the hours of 05:00 and 24:00 (Monday to Saturday) and between 08:00 and 24:00 (Sunday). When required, maintenance would be conducted outside those operating hours. 2.5 Community forum engagement 2.5.1 HS2 Ltd’s approach to engagement on the Proposed Scheme is set out in Volume 1.
2.5.2 A series of community forum meetings and discussions with individual landowners, organisations and action groups were undertaken. Community forum meetings were held on: • 3 April 2012 at Middleton Village Hall; • 27 June 2012 at Middleton Village Hall; • 19 September 2012 at Middleton Village Hall; • 14 November 2012 at Middleton Village Hall; and • 26 February 2013 at Middleton Village Hall.
2.5.3 In addition to HS2 Ltd representatives, attendees at these community forum meetings typically included local residents (and residents groups), public representatives, representatives of local authorities and parish and district councils, action groups, affected landowners and other interested stakeholders.
2.5.4 The main themes to emerge from these meetings were: • Design of vertical and horizontal alignment; • Design of the Y network and future connections for Phase Two; • Areas of land take; • Impacts to Middleton House Farm; • Local employment at Middleton House Farm; • Noise and vibration effects; • Visual and landscape effects; • Consideration of neighbouring communities when designing mitigation, impacts of mitigation measures on the environment; • Use of local roadways during construction, short and long term impacts due to road adjustments, maintenance of access roads to bird sanctuary and Bodymoor Heath Training Grounds; • Impacts to scheduled monument and Bodymoor Heath; • Mitigation for landscape via tree/hedgerow planting; • Interaction and overlap of impacts with adjacent CFAs and nearby communities; • Construction: auto-transformer station locations, access, drainage ponds, construction compounds and worksites; • Potential severance of footpath from Drayton Bassett to Middleton Village; • Improvement to gas service to Middleton, utility diversions; and
30 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
• Design and mitigation options submitted by Community Forum members from Bodymoor Heath, Middleton. 2.6 Route section main alternatives 2.6.1 The main strategic alternatives to the Proposed Scheme are presented in Volume 1. The main local alternatives considered for the Proposed Scheme within the local area are set out within this section.
2.6.2 Since April 2012, as part of the design development process, a series of local alternatives have been reviewed within workshops attended by engineering, planning and environmental specialists. During these workshops, the likely significant environmental effects of each design option have been reviewed. The purpose of these reviews has been to ensure that the Proposed Scheme draws the right balance between engineering requirements, cost and potential environmental impacts. Grade separated junction for Leeds (Phase Two)
2.6.3 The connection from London and Birmingham to Leeds and the North East requires a crossing over or under the HS2 main line to provide the required junction capacity and journey times. The January 2012 announced route for Phase One did not include details of the junction to Leeds. Phase Two work has developed the alignment for the Leeds Spur.
2.6.4 The location is constrained by the main line, the proposed line of the Leeds Spur, and the Delta Junction connection to Birmingham. The line in this location is adjacent to existing infrastructure, the grade separated M42 junction 9 and commercial developments.
2.6.5 The following two options were considered: • Option A – crossing under the HS2 main line – would comprise a box structure approximately 650m long and between 13m and 23m deep; and
• Option B – passing over the HS2 main line – is likely to require a noise barrier which would increase further the visual intrusion.
2.6.6 Option A has a lower capital cost, together with a lesser visual and noise impact than Option B. Therefore Option A, a crossing under the Hs2 main line, was taken forward for further development within the Proposed Scheme for the grade separated junction for Leeds (Phase Two). Extent of the stub for the Leeds spur
2.6.7 It would be very expensive and disruptive to make connections for Phase Two to the HS2 Phase One route after the railway becomes operational because the works would have to be undertaken in a combination of short night-time periods and more extensive line closures. An interface point between the two phases has been investigated along the spur to Leeds.
2.6.8 The general principal behind the interface point is for it to be located in order to enable Phase Two to be constructed without adversely affecting the operation of Phase One.
2.6.9 In addition to the grade separated underpass for Leeds (as described in 2.6.1 to 6 above), the spur works for the Leeds Stub would comprise a retained cutting which would extend to a point just north of Marston Lane, which would be closed. This would be far enough that earthworks would no longer abut the Phase One line and would allow the full construction of a retaining wall between the Leeds up and down lines.
31 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton
2.6.10 Therefore an interface point for the stub for the Leeds spur, just north of Marston Lane, has been taken forward for further development within the Proposed Scheme for the grade‑separated junction for Leeds (Phase Two). Layout of the Delta Junction
2.6.11 Alternatives for the layout of the Delta Junction are described in Section 2.6 of the Coleshill Junction CFA (CFA 19) report. 2.7 Proposals for further consideration 2.7.1 The following proposals are being considered for inclusion within the Proposed Scheme pending further assessment prior to release of the formal ES. Further engineering options
2.7.2 Further engineering options to the Proposed Scheme are being investigated including: • The position, arrangement and layout of the railhead compound. This potentially could result in amendments to other works such as railway alignment, and highway and utility diversions in the area around the proposed railhead compound; and • The location and need for the temporary construction siding. Further proposals from community forums
2.7.3 Four proposals resulting from stakeholder engagement, are to be considered within the Curdworth to Middleton section of the route, as follows: • A realignment of the route through the area to move the route further west of Hunts Green and Middleton; • A lower alignment from Faraday Avenue which would pass under the M42, with HS2 at the level of the existing M42 and the M42 being raised above the route; • Lower alignment from the M42 to the north of Middleton by reducing the height of embankments and viaducts where practicable; and • A green tunnel to the north of Church Lane, Middleton.
32 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Curdworth to Middleton Part C: Environmental topic assessments
33 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Agriculture, forestry and soils 3 Agriculture, forestry and soils 3.1 Introduction 3.1.1 This section of the report provides a summary of the impacts and the likely significant effects to agriculture, soils and forestry arising from the construction and operation of the Proposed Scheme. The section covers soils, agricultural land quality, farm enterprises, forestry and agri- environment schemes. 3.2 Policy framework 3.2.1 The planning policy documents (and their status) applicable to this area are described in Section 2.1. Policies of relevance to agriculture, forestry and soil are set out as follows.
3.2.2 The adopted NWBC Local Plan Core Policy 10: Agriculture and the Rural Economy supports agriculture and promotes agricultural diversification activities where they can help to underpin the rural economy. This core policy is reinforced by more detailed provisions in policies ECON7: Agricultural and Forestry Buildings and Structures and ECON8: Farm Diversification. Policy ENV6: Land Resources includes protection of the best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land, as well as setting out a series of pollution prevention measures that would contribute to maintaining soil quality. Forestry and woodland are included in policies relating to conservation and recreation in the countryside.
3.2.3 The emerging NWBC Core Strategy makes no specific reference to agricultural land. Policy NW8: Sustainable Development indicates that development should be targeted at using brownfield land in appropriate locations (as opposed to greenfield land). In addition,olicy P NW13: Green Infrastructure includes emerging policy options that would indirectly support the protection of agricultural land from sterilisation by built development as part of the aim to protect existing green infrastructure within the borough. Woodland and forestry are covered within policies NW11 and NW12 dealing with nature conservation and the protection of the natural environment. 3.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 3.3.1 The assessment scope and key assumptions for the farm impacts and agricultural land quality assessments are set out in Volume 1.
3.3.2 There are no additional topic specific assumptions or limitations in this area. 3.4 Environmental baseline 3.4.1 The Proposed Scheme would cross the River Tame and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. It would then run parallel to the River Tame, as the valley continues northwards to Tamworth. Drainage is provided by several brooks rising in the west and flowing to the River Tame, including Langley Brook and Gallows Brook in the north. The topography is dominated by the lowland river valley of the River Tame at an elevation between 70m and 85m AOD, except north-east of Curdworth near Junction 9 of the M42, where the land rises to 103m AOD.
3.4.2 The whole of the study area is underlain by the Mercia Mudstone Group of Triassic red mudstones with subordinate sandstones. The deeply weathered mudstones give rise to slowly permeable clayey subsoils, but superficial drift deposits mask much of the solid geology. The broad floodplain of the River Tame and the narrower floodplains of the brooks contain clayey alluvium. River terraces flanking the floodplains have upper loamy layers overlying sand and gravel. At higher levels, similar soil parent materials occur in glacial outwash sands and gravels, while glacial lake deposits produce scattered areas of fine textured silts and clays.
34 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Agriculture, forestry and soils
3.4.3 The National Soil Map shows six principal groups, or associations of soil types within the study area, and more detailed published information is also available for part of the study area12,13: • The Arrow association is mapped on the river terrace and glacial outwash deposits. The dominant soil type has deep permeable light loams variably affected by groundwater with sands and gravels at depth. They experience slight seasonal waterlogging, with lower lying areas having more prolonged waterlogging; • Land overlying reddish mudstones, where the route would cross the M42, has soil named as the Whimple 3 association, with loamy or silty topsoils and upper subsoils in thin superficial drift. There is generally slight seasonal waterlogging on this land, but on lower slopes soils are more seasonally waterlogged; • Land in the valley of Langley Brook has soils of the Brockhurst 1 association developed on mudstones with thin superficial drift. Topsoils and upper subsoils tend to be medium loamy or medium silty, but the slowly permeable clayey lower subsoils cause the dominant soils to be seasonally waterlogged; • Extensive soils in deep reddish light and medium loamy drift occur through most of Middleton parish in the Clifton association. Where slowly permeable they are seasonally waterlogged and are locally associated with deep light loamy soils affected by groundwater. Similar reddish medium loamy soils with only slight seasonal waterlogging occur on naturally better draining land; • Soils on the Tame floodplain are named as the Midelney association which comprises mainly stoneless clays and silty clays overlying peat and gravel in places. They are affected by groundwater and can be wet for long periods; and • Low-lying river terraces north of the M42 have soils of the Wigton Moor association in deep light and medium loams variably affected by groundwater, with drier soils on slightly raised sites.
3.4.4 The soil underpins ecosystems central to social, economic and environmental sustainability. Other soil interactions relevant to the study area concern: the role of woodland and permanent grassland as carbon sinks; the biodiversity interest in natural and semi-natural woodland and grassland; historic and cultural resources retained in or supported by soils; and the role of soils in the flood regime of land adjacent to watercourses such as tributaries leading to the River Tame, including Langley Brook and Gallows Brook.
3.4.5 The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has produced predictive assessments of the occurrence of best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land (Grades 1 – 3a). These show that there is a high (greater than 60%) likelihood of there being BMV land in over half of the local area, particularly around the M42 and east of Middleton. Nearly one- quarter has a moderate likelihood (20-60%), with the remainder in non-agricultural and/or urban use.
3.4.6 The assessment of agricultural land quality in the study area indicates that there is a high proportion of BMV agricultural land (86%), almost equally divided between Grade 2 and Subgrade 3a. Grade 2 land occurs in the south on the light loamy soils of Arrow association and medium loams of Wigton Moor association. This is consistent with the predictive mapping prepared by Defra, which shows this local area has a high proportion of higher quality land. Given that there is a high likelihood of BMV land for this local area, the loss of such land would be of low sensitivity.
12 CranfieldUniversity, (2001). The National Soil Map of England and Wales 1:250,000 scale. Cranfield University: National Soil Resources Institute. 13 Whitfield,W. A. D., (1974). Soils in Warwickshire I – Sheet SP36 (Leamington Spa). Soil Survey Record No.19.
35 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Agriculture, forestry and soils
3.4.7 The lower quality Subgrade 3b land is found on the floodplains and the heavier, more seasonally waterlogged soils within the Brockhurst 1 and Clifton associations in the valley of the Langley Brook at Middleton.
3.4.8 Local agricultural land use is dominated by arable crops based on wheat, barley, and oil seed rape in rotation. Some holdings also grow potatoes. Arable cropping is common on heavy land of good to moderate quality in the Midlands, with spring-sown arable crops and potatoes possible on loamy soils, such as those in the south of the study area. Interspersing the arable farms are smaller areas given over to cattle and sheep, as well as occasional stands of woodland, including the woodland off Kingsbury Road (north of Mullensgrove Farm), woodland around Cuttle Mill Fishery, and North Wood.
3.4.9 The agricultural surveys to date have identified fourteen holdings that could be affected in the study area, as set out in Table 7. Five are mainly combinable arable enterprises, and three are general cropping (arable and field scale vegetables, including irrigated potatoes in their rotations). The remainder comprise two livestock holdings of mainly grassland (cattle or sheep), two parcels of woodland and there are two horse stables. The average size of farms is approximately 50ha, within a range of 4ha to 130ha. The larger farms are combinable arable enterprises and these are more common away from the Birmingham urban fringe in the centre and north of the study area. The smallest holding is a livery. The two woodlands are 7ha and 13ha in size. Many farm businesses include diversified activities, particularly in the south of the area close to the northern outskirts of Birmingham. These include varied commercial uses of farm buildings and yards, a farm shop, boarding kennels, stabling and a carp fishing lake at Cuttle Mill.
Holding Primary farming activities
Dunton Hall Mainly livestock (cattle or sheep)
Mullensgrove Farm General cropping (cereals and potatoes)
Woodland off Kinsbury Road Woodland
Land south of Cocksparrow House Farm Mainly grassland/livestock and some woodland
Land at Cuttle Mill Mainly arable
Middleton House Farm Mainly arable
North Wood Woodland
Upper House Farm Mainly arable
Land off Crowberry Lane Mainly arable and some grassland
Crowberry Stables Equestrian (commercial)
Bullock End General cropping (cereals and potatoes)
Land north of Middleton Mainly arable
Cocksparrow House Farm and land to the north Mainly arable
Spring Farm Equestrian (non-commercial)
Table 7: Holdings affected by the Proposed Scheme
3.4.10 Much of the land along the Proposed Scheme has been voluntarily entered into Entry Level Stewardship schemes. One holding is participating in Higher Level Stewardship schemes. Entry Level Stewardship schemes are principally concerned with field corner and hedgerow management and the creation of buffer strips and uncultivated field margins. Higher velLe Stewardship schemes aim to provide more intensive environmental management, such as hedgerow planting and the creation of floristically rich field margins.
36 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Agriculture, forestry and soils
3.4.11 The whole area is a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone where nitrate pollution is a potential problem and measures have been introduced to reduce nitrogen losses from agricultural sources to water.
3.4.12 In assessing the impact of the Proposed Scheme on farms it is important to recognise that the ability of the farms to adapt to change depends, in part, upon the size of the holding, its layout and fragmentation (both before and after the Proposed Scheme) and the enterprises operated. Intensive smaller farms such as dairy farms and enterprises using irrigation, which are dependent upon the spatial relationship between land and key infrastructure (e.g. buildings and water supplies), generally have less ability to change. In the study area, the three holdings using irrigation are assessed as being the most sensitive to change (Mullensgrove Farm, land north of Middleton, and Bullock End). 3.5 Construction Assessment of impacts and mitigation
3.5.1 HS2 Ltd would require all of its contractors to comply with the CoCP, which would include the following measures: • Measures to maintain farm access and avoid traffic over land which is used temporarily during construction; • Ensuring that each affected farm holding would receive specific and relevant liaison regarding the construction activities that would affect the holding; • Ensuring that agricultural land and corresponding soil quality can be reinstated post construction where this is the agreed end use; • Ensuring that the impacts on infrastructure and livestock for individual farm holdings would be reduced; • Ensuring that there is appropriate access provided to areas of severed land during and post-construction; and • Ensuring the appropriate handling and conservation of soil stockpiles to allow them to be reused without any substantive reduction in long-term productive capability.
3.5.2 Soil resources would be stripped at the outset of the construction phase and stored. Where land is required temporarily for construction of the Proposed Scheme, stored soils would be used to reinstate those sites to a pre-construction agricultural condition. Soils removed from the area of permanent works would be utilised, where reasonably practicable, in the construction of the Proposed Scheme. The soil associations affected most extensively by temporary works are Arrow, Whimple 3, Brockhurst 1 and Clifton, although they differ in their sensitivity to disturbance and would require separate handling and storage. In particular, the heavier Brockhurst and Clifton soils would require more careful handling in wet seasons.
3.5.3 Aspects of the Proposed Scheme that would assist to reduce effects on agricultural resources include: • Overbridges at Kingsbury Road (A4097), the A4091, and Church Lane; • Viaducts at the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, Cuttle Mill (map CT‑01-57, F6), North Wood (map CT‑01-57, E5), Hunts Green (map CT‑01-58, H4) and Langley Brook; and • A bridge over Gallows Brook.
3.5.4 Agricultural land would be acquired temporarily during the construction phase, including land for access and working areas; this is in addition to the land required permanently as part of the Proposed Scheme. Any loss of this BMV land during construction is considered significant but
37 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Agriculture, forestry and soils
temporary in nature, until such time that the soil and land returned to the landowner has been restored fully to its former quality.
3.5.5 The Proposed Scheme would result in the permanent loss of some agricultural and wooded land from the affected holdings. A high proportion (approximately 86%) of the agricultural land permanently lost would be in Grade 2 and Subgrade 3a; the remainder is Subgrade 3b. Whilst the sensitivity of BMV land in this local area is low, the permanent loss of a high proportion of BMV land along the Proposed Scheme in the study area is considered significant.
3.5.6 The amount of agricultural land required for the Proposed Scheme is not only an effect on the land resource, but also on the farming interests utilising that resource. All of the 14 holdings that could be affected in the study area would be affected significantly on a temporary basis during the construction phase. Seven would experience a significant loss of land combined with the effects of severance, as follows: • Land at Cuttle Mill; • Middleton House Farm; • North Wood; • Upper House Farm; • Crowberry Stables; • Bullock End; and • Land north of Middleton.
3.5.7 The seven holdings below would mainly experience a significant temporary loss of land: • Dunton Hall; • Mullensgrove Farm; • Woodland off Kingsbury Road; • Land south of Cocksparrow House Farm; • Land off Crowberry Lane; • Cocksparrow House Farm and land to the north; and • Spring Farm.
3.5.8 Five holdings at Dunton Hall, Mullensgrove Farm, Middleton House Farm, Cocksparrow House Farm and Spring Farm would also lose buildings during the construction phase.
3.5.9 Three affected holdings have irrigation systems that would be disrupted by the Proposed Scheme and require relocation and reconnection to the water supply (Mullensgrove Farm, Land north of Middleton, and Bullock End).
3.5.10 The three holdings that use irrigation for crops, including potatoes, are sensitive to dust. In addition, a number of holdings have diversified enterprises, including varied commercial uses of farm buildings and yards, a farm shop, stabling and a carp fishing lake (Cuttle Mill) where dust, noise and vibration could cause problems. The emission of dust, noise and vibration during the construction phase would be controlled by implementing best practices set out in the draft CoCP.
3.5.11 Many fields along the route contain drains. Drainage systems affected during construction would be restored where reasonably practicable.
38 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Agriculture, forestry and soils
3.5.12 Loss of forestry land north of Kingsbury Road, around Cuttle Mill Fishery and at North Wood, would be mitigated by replanting in nearby locations. Such locations would include areas of agricultural land that are no longer accessible as a result of severance caused by the Proposed Scheme. The loss of forestry land would remain a significant effect during the construction phase, but would reduce in significance as planting matures.
3.5.13 Forestry soils and resources in the study area would be required by both the temporary and permanent works necessary to implement the Proposed Scheme. The loss and disruption of these forestry soils is considered a significant effect.
3.5.14 The construction process could lead to transportation of weed seeds and plants along the route. Since the land affected is largely in agricultural use there is the potential for the spread of existing weeds, particularly invasive and damaging weeds as listed in the Weeds Act 195914. DEFRA has powers to require occupiers of land on which weeds are growing to take action to prevent their spreading. Application of the CoCP would regulate this potential effect. Likely residual significant effects
3.5.15 The main residual effect would be the permanent loss of agricultural and wooded land. Eighty-six percent of the agricultural land is of BMV quality (Grade 2 and Subgrade 3a), and the remainder is in Subgrade 3b. Even though the predicted proportion of BMV land in the local area is high, the permanent loss of BMV land is considered significant.
3.5.16 The mitigation outlined above would reduce the effects of severance, and land not required for the permanent alignment would be restored back to agriculture following construction. However, at present there would be residual impacts for the eight holdings below. This is due to the area of permanent land take and/or some residual severance effects: • Dunton Hall; • Mullensgrove Farm; • Land off Crowberry Lane; • Crowberry Stables; • Bullock End; • Land north of Middleton; • Cocksparrow House Farm and land to the north; and • Spring Farm. Further mitigation
3.5.17 No further mitigation is currently proposed. 3.6 Operation Assessment of impacts and mitigation
3.6.1 All run-off from the operational area would be captured in designated drainage arrangements capable of control prior to discharge to watercourses.
3.6.2 Issues of noise could relate to the startle effect on livestock and to a deterioration of amenity conditions for some diversified activities, including a farm shop, stabling and a carp fishing lake at Cuttle Mill.
14 Weeds Act 1959 (7 & 8 Eliz II c. 54). London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
39 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Agriculture, forestry and soils
3.6.3 Dust generation is unlikely to be of a sufficient intensity to lead to significant levels of deposition on neighbouring farmland, including the irrigated land.
3.6.4 Comparison with other railway and highway land indicates that all corridors of transport infrastructure have the potential to support weed growth, which may prejudice agricultural interests where weeds can spread to adjoining land.
3.6.5 The potential for the establishment and spread of weeds from the operational area is capable of being effectively addressed through the adoption of an appropriate land management regime by the network operator, which identifies and remedies areas of weed growth that might threaten adjoining agricultural interests. Likely residual significant effects
3.6.6 There are not considered to be any significant residual effects associated with the operation of the Proposed Scheme.
40 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Air quality 4 Air quality 4.1 Introduction 4.1.1 This section of the report provides an assessment of the impacts and likely significant effects on air quality arising from the construction and operation of the Proposed Scheme, covering nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and dust15. Emissions of these pollutants are typically associated with construction activities and equipment and road traffic. 4.2 Policy framework 4.2.1 The planning policy documents (and their status) applicable to this area are described in Section 2.1. Policies of relevance to air quality are set out as follows.
4.2.2 The saved policies of the NWBC Local Plan provide the policies that are applicable in the borough. The principal adopted Local Plan policy of relevance to air quality is Policy ENV9: Air Quality. This policy is committed to safeguarding and enhancing air quality in the Borough and it includes reference to not permitting polluting forms of development within or adjacent to Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). Policy ENV11: Neighbour Amenities does not permit development where it entails significant loss of amenity for nearby occupiers, citing dust or fumes within the list of factors to be considered. General policies relating to nature conservation also refer to the need to avoid development that could harm their quality (ENV3). The emerging NWBC Local Plan Core Strategy generally reflects the adopted Local Plan policies as they relate to air quality and environmental protection, although there is no specific air quality policy. 4.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 4.3.1 The assessment scope and key assumptions for the air quality assessment are set out in Volume 1.
4.3.2 No local assumptions have been made for the air quality assessment for this area. 4.4 Environmental baseline 4.4.1 The environmental baseline reported in this section represents the environmental conditions identified within the study area. The main source of existing air pollutants in the Curdworth to Middleton area is road traffic on the M42 and the M6 Toll, which run through the area. This area is predominantly rural with the main settlements being Curdworth and Middleton.
4.4.2 Estimates of background air quality have been obtained from Defra for 2011 and future years (2017 and 2026). These data are estimated for 1km grid squares for nitrogen oxides (NOx), NO2, PM10 and PM2.5. All average pollutant concentrations in this area are less than the relevant national air quality objectives.
4.4.3 There is one continuous air quality monitoring station within the NWBC area which is a roadside site within the Coleshill area located at the M6 Toll grit depot at Coleshill, 4.5km south of the route as it passes through the Curdworth to Middleton area. Concentrations of NO2 measured at the M6 Toll grit depot were above the national objective values between 2007 and 2009, but were below the national objective values in 2010 and 2011. NWBC also measures annual mean NO2 concentrations using passive diffusion tubes located across its administrative area. In 2011, there were 17 diffusion tube sites, the majority of which were
15 PM10 is any particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter equal or less than 10 microns. Particulate matter of this size is respirable. PM2.5 is any particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter equal or less than 2.5 microns. This size fraction of particulate matter is respirable and has been linked to adverse effects on human health.
41 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Air quality
located at roadside or kerbside locations. Three of the diffusion tube sites are located within the study area. Two are roadside sites located in Curdworth, approximately 1km west of the route and one is a rural site located in Kingsbury, approximately 1.3km east of the route. Between 2007 and 2011, the reported concentrations of NO2 at these sites were below the national objective value.
4.4.4 The continuous monitoring site is considered representative of isolated properties that lie close to the motorways in the Curdworth to Middleton area. The diffusion tube monitoring data are considered sufficient to indicate the baseline air quality of the predominantly rural area and show good agreement with the background air quality maps produced by Defra. Data from these two sources are considered appropriate to characterise baseline air quality conditions along the Proposed Scheme in the Curdworth to Middleton area.
4.4.5 NWBC has declared an AQMA in Coleshill at the junction of Stonebridge Road, Coleshill Heath Road, adjacent the M42, the M6 and the M6 Toll. The boundary of the AQMA is located approximately 500m east of the route within the Coleshill Junction area. At its closest point the Curdworth to Middleton area is over 4km away from this AQMA. NWBC considers that the AQMA could be revoked in the future as air quality monitoring has shown that annual mean concentrations of NO2 have decreased in recent years16.
4.4.6 Several locations have been identified in the study area that are considered susceptible to changes in air quality and are in close proximity to roads that would be subject to realignment or used by construction traffic. These include: • Properties around Newlands Farm, Faraday Avenue , Curdworth (map CT‑01-56, G5), owing to proximity to dust generating earthworks, construction and permanent realignment of Faraday Avenue associated with the Proposed Scheme; • Spring Farm, Marsh Lane, Curdworth (map CT‑01-56, G3), owing to proximity to the Hams Hall railhead associated with the Proposed Scheme; • Properties on Kingsbury Road, Curdworth, owing to proximity to dust generating construction activities associated with the Proposed Scheme; • Properties around Lock House Lane, Curdworth, owing to proximity to dust generating construction activities associated with the Proposed Scheme; • Property along Cuttle Mill Lane, Wishaw, owing to proximity to dust generating construction activities associated with the Proposed Scheme; • Middleton House Farm, off A4091 Tamworth Road, Middleton (map CT‑01-57, C5), owing to proximity to dust generating construction activities associated with the Proposed Scheme; • Primrose Cottage, Bodymoor Heath Road, Middleton (map CT‑01-57, C6), owing to proximity to dust generating earthworks, construction and permanent realignment of Bodymoor Heath Road associated with the Proposed Scheme; • Pool House Farm, Brick Kiln Lane, Middleton (map CT‑01-57, B4), owing to proximity to dust generating earthworks and construction associated with the Proposed Scheme; and • Properties along Church Lane, Middleton, owing to proximity to dust generating construction activities and permanent realignment of Church Lane associated with the Proposed Scheme.
4.4.7 One statutory designated ecological receptor has been identified within the study area.This is Middleton Pool SSSI (map CT‑01-58, F7 and F8), located at Middleton Park. This site has been identified based on its sensitivity to dust deposition.
16 North Warwickshire Borough Council, (2012). 2012 Air Quality Updating and Screening Assessment for North Warwickshire Borough Council, April 2012.
42 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Air quality
4.5 Construction Assessment of impacts and mitigation
4.5.1 Impacts from the construction of the Proposed Scheme could arise from dust generating activities and emissions from construction traffic. As such, the assessment of construction impacts has been undertaken for human receptors sensitive to dust and exposure to NO2 and PM10, as well as ecological receptors sensitive to dust and nitrogen deposition.
4.5.2 Air quality would be controlled and managed during construction through the route-wide implementation of measures within the draft CoCP, where appropriate. Specific measures would include: • Contractors being required to control dust, air pollution, odour and exhaust emissions during construction works; • Inspecting and monitoring undertaken after consultation with NWBC to assess the effectiveness of the measures taken to prevent dust and air pollutant emissions; • Cleaning (including watering) of haul routes and designated vehicle waiting areas to suppress dust; • Keeping soil stockpiles away from sensitive receptors (including historical features), watercourses and surface drains where reasonably practicable, also taking into account the prevailing wind direction relative to sensitive receptors; • Using enclosures to contain dust emitted from construction activities; and • Undertaking soil spreading, seeding and planting of completed earthworks.
4.5.3 In the Curdworth to Middleton area, dust-generating activities would comprise the demolition of buildings along Kingsbury Road, Curdworth and Tamworth Road, Middleton and the construction of new structures and earthworks, as well as dust and mud from vehicles on highways as a result of vehicles departing from construction areas.
4.5.4 Traffic data for this area have been screened to identify roads that required further assessment and to confirm the likely effect of the change in emissions from vehicles using those roads during the construction phase. In addition, the locations of temporary road realignments for the Curdworth to Middleton area have been screened to identify roads that require further assessment owing to alignment changes.
4.5.5 A construction dust assessment was undertaken for sensitive receptors at the ten locations identified in the study area, which are considered susceptible to changes, owing to their proximity to the dust generating activities. These included residential properties at Newlands Farm, Faraday Avenue, Curdworth (map CT‑01-56, F5); on Marsh Lane, Curdworth; on Kingsbury Road, Curdworth; on Lock House Lane, Curdworth; on Cuttle Mill Lane, Wishaw; at Middleton House Farm, off A4091 Tamworth Road, Middleton (map CT‑01-57, C5); on Bodymoor Heath Road, Middleton; on Brick Kiln Lane, Middleton; on Church Lane, Middleton; and ecological receptors within Middleton Pool SSSI (map CT‑01-58, F7 and F8).
4.5.6 The construction dust assessment determined that of the nine locations identified in the study area (which are considered to be susceptible to changes where residential properties were present), the impact at Newlands Farm, Faraday Avenue; Marsh Lane, Curdworth; Lock House Lane, Curdworth; Middleton House Farm, off A4091 Tamworth Road, Middleton; Cuttle Mill Lane, Wishaw; Bodymoor Heath Road, Middleton and Church Lane Middleton would be slight adverse owing to the presence of residential properties within 20m of the dust generating construction activities. The impact would be negligible at the other identified residential locations. At ecological receptors within Middleton Pool SSSI the impact would be slight
43 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Air quality
adverse as this site is of national importance and construction activities are taking place at its western boundary. Overall, the construction dust assessment determined that the air quality effects at the ten sensitive locations identified would not be significant.
4.5.7 No locations within the Curdworth to Middleton area met the criteria for further assessment for construction traffic emissions or temporary road realignments during the construction phase. Therefore, the effect of construction traffic emissions or temporary road realignments during the construction phase would not be significant.
4.5.8 Construction of the Proposed Scheme is not expected to have an effect on the AQMA. Likely residual significant effects
4.5.9 The methods outlined within the draft CoCP to control and manage potential air quality effects are considered effective in this location. Hence, no residual effects are considered likely. 4.6 Operation Assessment of impacts and mitigation
4.6.1 Impacts from the operation of the Proposed Scheme relate mainly to changes in the nature of traffic. There are no direct atmospheric emissions from the operation of trains that would cause an impact on air quality.
4.6.2 Traffic data in the Curdworth to Middleton area have been screened to identify roads that required further assessment and to confirm the likely effect of the change in emissions from vehicles using those roads in 2026. In the Curdworth to Middleton area, three roads were identified as requiring further assessment: Faraday Avenue, Curdworth; Bodymoor Heath Road, Middleton; and Church Lane, Middleton.
4.6.3 Changes in concentrations owing to the permanent realignment of Faraday Avenue, Bodymoor Heath Road and Church Lane were determined at human receptors adjacent to the roads. The results of the assessment showed that annual mean concentrations of both NO2 and PM10 would be below the relevant national air quality objectives for identified human receptors in these locations. There would be a negligible change in concentrations of NO2 and PM10 at all the identified human receptors and the air quality effects at these receptors would not be significant.
4.6.4 Operation of the Proposed Scheme is not expected to have an effect on the AQMA. Likely residual significant effects
4.6.5 No residual effects would be anticipated for air quality in this area during operation of the Proposed Scheme.
44 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Community 5 Community 5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 This section of the report provides a summary of impacts and likely significant effects on local communities resulting from the construction and operation of the Proposed Scheme. 5.2 Policy framework 5.2.1 The planning policy documents (and their status) applicable to the Curdworth to Middleton area are described in Section 2.1. Policies of relevance to community are set out as follows.
5.2.2 The adopted NWBC Local Plan policies generally seek to resist the loss of existing community facilities, open space and formal sports and recreation provision except where they are shown to be surplus to requirements and/or would be replaced to at least equivalent quality and quantity as part of development proposals (Policies ENV5, COM2 and COM3).
5.2.3 Policy ENV2 sets out the presumption against inappropriate development in the designated green belt, which covers this area except for the settlement of Curdworth. Railway infrastructure falls outside the categories of development of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal corridor as a linear recreational resource that has potential for the further development of tourism.
5.2.4 Many of these policy themes carry through into the policies of the emerging NWBC Core Strategy. There are also new policy themes, which include the active promotion and development of a comprehensive network of high quality and multifunctional green spaces and corridors (Policy NW13).
5.2.5 The emerging NWBC Core Strategy proposes 50 dwellings at Kingsbury in the period to 2028 (Policy NW4). 5.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 5.3.1 The assessment scope and key assumptions for the community assessment are set out in Volume 1. 5.4 Environmental baseline 5.4.1 The study area includes the area of land within the construction boundary (comprising of the temporary and permanent land take), as well as a suitable additional area as relevant to inform the respective environmental topics upon which the assessment is based.
5.4.2 The baseline study area and baseline data will be further refined in light of ongoing assessment work as part of the formal ES process.
5.4.3 The focus of the baseline is around the settlements of Curdworth, Wishaw, Lea Marston, Bodymoor Heath and Middleton. A description of notable community facilities in the study area, including recreational and leisure facilities and open space, is provided in paragraphs 5.4.4 to 5.4.15.
5.4.4 Curdworth, the eastern edge of which is partly within the study area, is a large village that has a modest range of community facilities including a post office and convenience store, a primary school, a church, two community venues, two public houses and the King George V Playing Fields. The only local community facilities falling within the study area but outside the area of permanent and temporary land take are Curdworth Village Hall and Curdworth Primary
45 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Community
School, which serves the parishes of Curdworth, Lea Marston, Wishaw and Middleton (map CT‑03-56, E1).
5.4.5 The small hamlet of Wishaw, which lies to the north of Curdworth and just beyond the study area, has a church. The M6 Toll and A446 pass to the north of the hamlet, beyond which lies The Belfry. The Belfry (map CT‑03-57, C3) is a major golf resort comprising a 324-bed hotel and spa, the Brabazon Ryder Cup championship golf course, the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) National and The Derby golf courses, the PGA National Academy, together with restaurant, conference and leisure facilities. The course lies within the study area (but outside the area of permanent and temporary land take for the Proposed Scheme).
5.4.6 Lea Marston lies within the study area to the east of the Proposed Scheme and is primarily a residential village that lacks any day-to-day facilities, meaning that residents are reliant upon neighbouring settlements for the provision of essential services and facilities, including schooling, convenience shopping and healthcare.
5.4.7 There are several community facilities that lie within the study area in and around Lea Marston and Marston, including: a sports field to the south of Lea Marston regularly used for football (map CT‑03-56, E10); the Umami Restaurant and Lea Marston Sports and Camping (map CT‑03-56, B8), which offers a range of outdoor pursuits, including clay pigeon shooting and fishing, in Blackgreaves Lane; and Lea Marston Hotel at the northern edge of the village (map CT‑03-56, A9). The hotel has a bar and restaurant that are open to the public and residents may become members of the hotel’s sports and leisure facilities, including a spa and the Marston Lakes golf course that extends west from the hotel buildings and is partly within the area of permanent and temporary land take for the Proposed Scheme. Reindeer Park Lodge is a guesthouse, caravanning and campsite that lies just south-east of the A4097 Kingsbury Road and adjacent to Dunton Wood, near Marston (map CT‑03-56, C6). The area of permanent and temporary land take for the Proposed Scheme encroaches into the northern part of the site.
5.4.8 Dunton Stables lies partly within the area of permanent and temporary land take for the Proposed Scheme, between the adjacent M42 (to the east) and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, south of Bodymoor Heath (map CT‑03-57, G6). This is a community facility accessed from Marston Lane that offers horse riding lessons and residential courses.The operators use the local bridleway network and canal towpath to run treks to a number of local destinations including Kingsbury Water Park (map CT‑03-57, C9) and Bodymoor Heath. There are fishing lakes at Cuttle Mill Fishery (map CT‑03-57, F5) which lie immediately adjacent to the route and partly within the area of permanent and temporary land take for the Proposed Scheme, just north of the M42 and to the north-west of Dunton Stables.
5.4.9 The hamlet of Bodymoor Heath, part of which lies within the study area east of the Proposed Scheme, has a public house and a village hall, both situated close to the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. The Bodymoor Heath Training Ground, to the north-west of the hamlet, belongs to Aston Villa Football Club (map CT‑03-57, B5 and CT‑03-58, J6 and J7). Whilst the ground has a viewing area for the public to observe training, most of the site is not publicly accessible and it is not treated as a community facility for the purposes of this assessment. Part of the site lies within the area of permanent land take and the effects of the Proposed Scheme are considered in the socio-economic assessment. The canal towpath is the only community facility at Bodymoor Heath that lies partly within the area of permanent and temporary land take for the Proposed Scheme.
46 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Community
5.4.10 Hunts Green is a small hamlet that has no day-to-day services and facilities. Pool House Farm Fishery (map CT‑03-58, I4) is the only community facility in the hamlet – it is open to the public and has facilities for up to about 22 anglers. The fishing lake is within the study area but outside the area of temporary and permanent land take for the Proposed Scheme.
5.4.11 The village of Middleton lies to the north of Hunts Green and is partly within the study area, to the west of the Proposed Scheme. Middleton has a church, Little Acorns Day Nursery, a village shop, The Green Man public house, Middleton Recreation Room and a recreation ground with play equipment. Middleton Equestrian Centre lies to the west of the A4091 and south of the village of Middleton, within the study area (map CT‑03-58, F3). It offers a range of horse riding lessons, including as part of the Olympic Legacy “Hoof” programme, making use of rural roads and local bridleways to run treks in and around the village of Middleton. Ash End House Children’s Farm (map CT‑03-58, G1) lies to the south of Middleton Village and is a well-used and evolving community resource with an educational and play focus that draws from a broad catchment, with notable daily coach traffic for school and other children’s group visits, accessed from the A4091 via Park Lane.
5.4.12 The Middleton Hall estate (map CT‑03-58, G8) lies to the east of the A4091, adjoining the RSPB Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve (map CT‑03-58, G9). The Hall is used for events, conferences and weddings and the grounds of the Estate are open to the public for a few hours each Sunday in spring, summer and early autumn and for events, with trails around the edge. The Courtyard Craft Centre sits within the grounds of Middleton Hall and has a number of specialist shops and a café, open daily. A lake on the estate is used by a local angling club. The area of temporary land take for the Proposed Scheme encroaches very slightly into the estate, just to the south-west of Pool-Head Plantation.
5.4.13 The RSPB Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve has a number of entry points, including through the Middleton Hall estate and it lies partly within the study area. The reserve comprises a mix of lakes, grasslands and reedbeds with waymarked trails on both sides of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, and attracts up to 25,000 visitors per year. Kingsbury Water Park adjoins the RSPB Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve and is a Country Park with trails as well as water-based recreational activities on the lakes. Public rights of way
5.4.14 There is a well-developed network of PRoW within the area, including several sections of footpaths and bridleways at Lea Marston (M13, M14, M14a and M16) used for organised pony trekking as well as local recreation, the towpath for the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and paths and marked trails at Kingsbury Water Park and Middleton Hall estate. There are also local routes that connect Curdworth, heading north, to The Belfry and routes north of The Belfry and around Middleton Village (T5 and T17)17.
5.4.15 The Proposed Scheme crosses seven separate footpaths and byways in the area (M13 is crossed twice, to the west of Mullensgrove Farm (map CT‑03-57-I6)). The principal long distance recreational PRoW affected is the towpath and cycleway along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, which is crossed by the Proposed Scheme at a point just west of Marston where the canal runs adjacent to the M42. 5.5 Construction 5.5.1 The draft CoCP includes a range of scheme wide provisions which would help mitigate community effects associated with construction, including:
• appointment of community relations personnel;
17 Warwickshire County Council (no date), Definitive Map of public footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways.
47 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Community
• a Community Helpline to handle enquiries from the public, staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week; • sensitive layout of construction sites to reduce nuisance and avoid site accommodation overlooking residential property; and • maintenance of public roads, cycle ways and PRoW around construction sites to avoid their deterioration due to construction traffic.
5.5.2 Specific measures in relation to air quality and noise would serve to reduce amenity impacts on the neighbouring communities. Assessment of impacts and mitigation Residential property
5.5.3 Five residential properties would need to be demolished as part of the Proposed Scheme. These are: • The dwelling called Wedgwood, at the end of the terrace that has been partially converted to form Water Park Lodge Bed and Breakfast, Kingsbury Road (map CT‑03-56, C5), which would be required for the construction of the Leeds spur and realignment of Kingsbury Road; • The dwelling at Mullensgrove Farm (map CT‑03-57, I6), Kingsbury Road, which would be required for construction of the Leeds spur; and • Three dwellings at Cocksparrow Farm (map CT‑03-57, G8), which lie directly in the line of the Leeds spur.
5.5.4 One residential property would need to be demolished to enable construction and operation of the proposed Hams Hall railhead; and a further property is at risk of being demolished, depending on the proposed layout of the railhead. These are: • 1 and 2 Newlands Cottage, which is now a single dwelling that has been converted from two semi-detached units (map CT‑03-56, E4). This property would require demolition as it lies in the centre of the proposed railhead site; and • The dwelling at Spring Farm, which is on the edge of the land take for the railhead (map CT‑03-56, G3). The property would require demolition as it currently lies on the route of the site perimeter road.
5.5.5 The demolition of these properties represents a relatively small number in the context of the local community. It is considered, in the context of the community, that the permanent loss of these dwellings is a minor adverse effect and is therefore not considered significant.
5.5.6 Seventeen residential properties lie either partly within or adjacent to the area of permanent or temporary land take for the Proposed Scheme and would experience temporary or permanent loss of some of their property curtilage during the construction period, as follows: • The dwelling at Spring Farm (map CT‑03-56, G3), which if it is not demolished as part of the Hams Hall railhead development, would be affected by temporary land take for works to realign Lichfield Road, to the east of Curdworth; • Orchard Cottage and the dwelling at Newlands Farm (map CT‑03-56, F5), Faraday Avenue, which would be affected by both permanent and temporary land take for works to realign Faraday Avenue and railway embankment works; • The dwelling at Dunton Hall, Kingsbury Road map CT‑03-56, C5), which would be affected by permanent and temporary land take for the cutting in Curdworth and works to realign Kingsbury Road;
48 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Community
• Elford at Kingsbury Road (map CT‑03-56, B6), which would be affected by permanent and temporary land take for the realignment of Kingsbury Road to create a new bridge over the railway; • Lock Cottage (no. 254) at Marston Lane (map CT‑03-57, H5), which would be affected by permanent and temporary land take for the construction of viaducts over the M42 and Birmingham and Fazeley Canal; • The Bungalow and separate dwelling attached to the bed and breakfast at Middleton House Farm (map CT‑03-57, C5), both of which would be affected by permanent and temporary land take for the access to a proposed balancing pond between the railway embankment, to the east, and the realigned A4091, to the west; • Primrose Cottage, Bodymoor Heath Road (map CT‑03-58, J6), which would be affected by permanent and temporary land take during works to bridge the road over the railway; and • Eight dwellings at Church Lane and Crowberry Lane, Middleton (map CT‑03-58, E4), which would be affected by permanent and temporary land take during works to realign Church Lane and tie in to a new bridge over the railway18. 5.5.7 Three of the properties listed at 5.5.5 may also be affected by land take associated with the proposed Hams Hall railhead. These are Orchard Cottage, the dwelling at Newlands Farm (map CT‑03-56, F5) and the dwelling at Dunton Hall (map CT‑03-56, C5).
5.5.8 The first nine of the properties listed at 5.5.4 (Spring Farm, Orchard Cottage, Newlands Farm, Dunton Hall, Elford, Lock Cottage, two properties at Middleton House Farm and Primrose Cottage) are not situated within groups or clusters of residential properties. Temporary and permanent land take from the curtilages of these properties therefore affect a relatively small number of properties in the context of the local communities. It is considered in the context of the community assessment, that the temporary and permanent loss of land from these dwellings is a minor adverse effect and is therefore not considered significant.
5.5.9 Temporary and permanent land take for the Proposed Scheme from a group of eight properties at Church Lane and Crowberry Lane on the eastern edge of Middleton is considered in the context of the community assessment to represent a moderate adverse effect and is therefore considered significant.
5.5.10 At Middleton, more than 50 properties are accessed from the A4091 via Church Lane or Park Lane and Vicarage Hill/Crowberry Lane. Road access between the village and the A4091 would experience sequential disruption during the construction works as surrounding roads are temporarily closed for the erection of bridging structures to reconfigureChurch Lane, Park Lane, Bodymoor Heath Road, A4091, Crowberry Lane and Brick Kiln Lane to allow for the insertion of the railway to the east of the village. The combination of construction activity to the east and south of the village and the interrupted access would result in isolation of the community, particularly from the nearest schools, healthcare and supermarkets, which are in Kingsbury to the south-east. This would be a moderate adverse isolation effect and is therefore considered to be significant in the context of the community. Community infrastructure
5.5.11 The Proposed Scheme, including the proposed Hams Hall railhead, does not require the demolition of any buildings currently understood to be used by the local community.
5.5.12 There would be a temporary loss of land from the boundary of the Lea Marston Hotel golf course (map CT‑03-56, B9 and C9), which could include the tee area for the sixth hole, for works to realign Kingsbury Road. As a well-used resource, such land take would have a
18 Numbers 7 and 9, Highfields Farm, Ashley, Woodard, Priors Revel and The Spinney, Church Lane; and 2 Crowberry Lane.
49 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Community
moderate adverse effect on users of the golf course for the duration of the works, considered to be significant in the local context.
5.5.13 There would be temporary and permanent loss of land from the northern edge of the Reindeer Park Lodge (map CT‑03-57, J7) for works to realign Kingsbury Road and create a new access to the facility. However, as the area utilised for camping would not be affected, the land take would not give rise to any significant effects on users.
5.5.14 There would be temporary and permanent loss of land from the access road (Marston Lane), the southern part of Dunton Stables landholding and a corridor crossing two of the fields to the north of the stable buildings that are used for turning out the horses, due to works to bridge the railway over the M42 and create new access from an extension to Cuttle Mill Lane. Dunton Stables is a well-used resource that relies on the availability of outdoor exercise space and the ability to access and use the continuous network created by the surrounding bridleways and canal towpath to deliver teaching and trekking activities. The land take would impair the functionality of the operation and have a moderate adverse effect on users of the stables and this is considered significant in the local context.
5.5.15 In addition there would be slight temporary and permanent loss of land from the Middleton Hall estate (map CT‑03-58, G8), comprising a narrow strip of land adjacent to the A4091, to the south-west of Pool-Head Plantation. This land is as part of works to realign the A4091 to cross the railway on a new alignment to the west of the existing road. This temporary and permanent land take would not result in a significant effect on users of the estate overall.
5.5.16 There would be no temporary or permanent loss of land from community infrastructure arising from the proposed Hams Hall railhead.
5.5.17 At Middleton, there are several community facilities considered to have a catchment that extends beyond Middleton and the local rural hinterland, namely The Green Man (map CT‑03‑58, E2), Middleton Equestrian Centre (map CT‑03-58, F3) and Ash End House Children’s Farm (map CT‑03-58, G1). A proportion of regular users originating from outside Middleton are likely to rely on access from the A4091 via Church Lane or Park Lane and Vicarage Hill/ Crowberry Lane. Road access between the village and the A4091 would experience sequential disruption during the construction works as surrounding roads are temporarily closed for the erection of bridging structures to reconfigure Church Lane, Park Lane, Bodymoor Heath Road, A4091, Crowberry Lane and Brick Kiln Lane allowing for the insertion of the railway to the east of the village. The combination of construction activity to the east and south of the village and the interrupted access would result in partial isolation of these three community resources from some of the relevant users that they typically serve on at least a weekly basis. This would be a moderate adverse isolation effect and is therefore considered to be significant in the context of the community. Public rights of way and open space
5.5.18 The Birmingham and Fazeley Canal towpath in the Marston Lane Bridge area (map CT‑03-56, A4) would be affected by works to construct a viaduct structure over the M42 and the canal. It is anticipated that the canal towpath would be maintained in operation during the construction works, although some minor diversions around the worksite may be necessary at times. This is likely to disrupt use of the PRoW; however no significant effects as a result of land take or isolation are anticipated at this stage. Amenity
5.5.19 The incidence of significant effects, including in-combination effects, on community amenity will be considered and, where significant, reported in the formal ES.
50 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Community
Likely residual significant effects
5.5.20 Residual effects would be as described in the assessment section above. Further mitigation
5.5.21 No further mitigation has been identified at this stage. 5.6 Operation Assessment of impacts and mitigation
5.6.1 Within this study area, effects on the community resulting from the operation of the Proposed Scheme could potentially arise from changes to amenity.
5.6.2 The assessment of effects on amenity will draw upon other technical disciplines e.g.( air quality, noise and vibration, visual, transport and traffic) findings to inform the amenity assessment. The presence of in-combination impacts from these other disciplines could result in significant amenity effects on a number of community facilities and resources in the area. This will be reported in the formal ES. Likely residual significant effects
5.6.3 Residual effects, where they occur, will be described in the formal ES. Further mitigation
5.6.4 The development of specific mitigation measures where required, which could include improvement or provision of community resources as appropriate, will be reported in the formal ES.
51 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Cultural heritage 6 Cultural heritage 6.1 Introduction 6.1.1 This section of the report presents a summary of the impacts and likely significant effects on heritage assets and the historic environment as a result of the construction and operation of the Proposed Scheme. Heritage assets comprise: • Archaeological and palaeoenvironmental remains; • Historic landscapes; and • Historic buildings and the built environment. 6.2 Policy framework 6.2.1 The planning policy documents (and their status) applicable to this area are described in Section 2.1. Policies of relevance to cultural heritage are set out as follows.
6.2.2 The NWBC Local Plan contains policies seeking the protection, enhancement and management of the natural and historic environment (Core Policy 3); the natural landscape (Policy ENV1); trees and hedgerows (Policy ENV4); conservation areas, registered parks and gardens of special interest, industrial heritage (Policy ENV15); listed buildings, non-listed buildings of local historic value and sites of archaeological importance (including scheduled monuments) (Policy ENV16); tourism and heritage sites and canal corridors (Policy ECON10). For archaeological assets, in the case of remains of regional or local importance the case for preservation would be assessed against factors including the importance of the remains and the need for the new development. Where preservation of such remains is not merited, a programme of archaeological works is required.
6.2.3 Many of the themes of the development plan carry through to the policies of the emerging NWBC Core Strategy, expressed in Policy NW11: Natural and Historic Environment. Sustainable development is promoted through Policy NW8, which includes reference to the need for proposals to protect and enhance the historic environment. Policy NW10 requires high quality design in all new development and encourages developers to make a positive contribution to the character of existing settlements. The tourism potential of the canal network is also recognised (Policy NW11). 6.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 6.3.1 The assessment scope and key assumptions for the cultural heritage assessment are set out in Volume 1. 6.4 Environmental baseline 6.4.1 The Proposed Scheme would pass through a largely rural area, avoiding the main areas of modern and historic settlement. The southern part of the study area is characterised by the River Tame and associated floodplain. This area has been subject to industrial development, including extensive sewage works and is crossed by the M42. The central part of the study area is characterised by a relatively flat agricultural landscape of largely arable fields with dispersed farmsteads and small settlements and there is some ancient woodland and historic parkland. The village of Middleton is set within a landscape characterised by small streams, large 20th century fields and some smaller historic fields. Some areas of gravel extraction are present east of Middleton. The northern extent of the study area is defined by the historic county boundary between Staffordshire and Warwickshire.
52 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Cultural heritage
6.4.2 Archaeological assets identified within the study area range from at least the BronzeAge to the post-medieval period, but there is relatively little evidence for prehistoric and Romano- British periods. Medieval settlement appears to focus upon a number of small villages and nucleated settlements, notably at Curdworth and Middleton, along with more dispersed moated sites.
6.4.3 Post-medieval assets are the most common within the study area and many represent former landscape division and management, and small scale industrial extraction. Historic buildings include medieval parish churches, farm buildings and dwellings dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The Birmingham to Fazeley Canal, constructed in the late 18th century, extends through the southern part of the study area.
6.4.4 The following designated and non-designated assets are recorded. Designated assets
6.4.5 Three scheduled monuments are located within the study area: • A medieval moat at North Wood; • A medieval stone cross south of St John the Baptist Church; and • Kingsbury Hall medieval walled enclosure.
6.4.6 Forty-three listed buildings lie within the study area. There are six Grade II* listed and 37 Grade II listed buildings. None of the listed buildings are within the area of permanent and temporary land take. The Grade II listed Dunton Hall Barn (map CT‑01-56, C5) is within 30m of the area of permanent and temporary land take. Associated curtilage listed structures lie within the area of permanent and temporary land take.
6.4.7 Kingsbury conservation area is located 1.8km east of the permanent and temporary land take.
6.4.8 Four areas of ancient woodland lie within the study area: • Dunton Wood (map CT‑01-56, B7); • North Wood, lies partially within the area of permanent and temporary land take (map CT‑01-57, E5); • Sych Wood (map CT‑01-56, E9); and • Middleton Hall parkland (map CT‑01-58, G8).
6.4.9 Four lengths of important hedgerow are located within the area of permanent and temporary land take: • Cuttle Mill Fisheries, along a parish boundary; and • The boundary of the Middleton estate, county and parish boundary. Non‐designated assets
6.4.10 Five locally significant buildings and structures lie within the area of permanent and temporary land take: • Primrose Cottage (map CT‑01-57, C6); • Newlands Farm (map CT‑01-56, F5); • Middleton House Farm (map CT‑01-57, C5); • Mullensgrove Farm (map CT‑01-56, B5); and • White Bridge (map CT‑01-57, H6).
53 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Cultural heritage
6.4.11 Additionally the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal runs through parts of the permanent and temporary land take and three of its locks are situated in the permanent and temporary land take.
6.4.12 Ten known archaeological assets lie within the area of permanent and temporary land take. There are no known assets of high archaeological value. There are five assets of moderate archaeological value: • A prehistoric ring ditch and linear features, north-west of Newlands Farm, Curdworth; • Possible deserted medieval settlement, north-east of Curdworth; • Linear cropmark 500m east of Middleton House Farm, probably prehistoric; • Linear features near the scheduled North Wood medieval moated site that probably relate to that site; and • Possible medieval fish ponds within North Wood that probably relate to the scheduled moated site.
6.4.13 Two non-designated historic parks and gardens lie partially within the area of permanent and temporary land take: Middleton Park (map CT‑01-58, G7) and Dunton Hall Garden (map CT‑01‑56, C5). 6.5 Construction Assessment of impacts and mitigation
6.5.1 The construction works have the potential to affect heritage assets. Impacts would occur to assets within the construction boundary, as well as the settings of heritage assets within the draft zone of theoretical visibility (ZTV) (see Section 9.3 of this report).
6.5.2 The draft CoCP sets out the provisions that would be adopted to control effects on cultural heritage assets. The provisions include: • Management measures to control damage to assets that are to be retained within the area of temporary land take and the preparation of project wide principles, standards and techniques for works affecting heritage assets; • A programme of archaeological investigation and recording to be undertaken prior to construction works affecting the assets; and • A programme of historic building investigation and recording to be undertaken prior to modification or demolition of the assets.
6.5.3 In addition the following measures have been included as part of the design of the Proposed Scheme and to avoid or reduce impacts on heritage assets: • Archaeological remains associated with the cropmarks of a probable prehistoric enclosure – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Ridge and furrow earthworks at Birch Wood – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Archaeological remains associated with the cropmarks of a probable prehistoric enclosure south-east of Dunton Wood (map CT‑01-56, B7) – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Remains of medieval to post-medieval charcoal burning platforms east of Dunton Hall (map CT‑01-56, C5) – a programme of archaeological investigation;
54 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Cultural heritage
• Ridge and furrow earthworks west of Lea Marston – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Ridge and furrow earthworks south of scheduled moat at North Wood (map CT‑01-57, E5) – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Archaeological remains associated with the cropmarks of ring ditches and linear features near Curdworth – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Archaeological remains of possible deserted medieval settlement near Curdworth – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Ridge and furrow earthworks north of Mullensgrove Farm – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Archaeological remains associated with curvilinear and L-shaped features in woodland north of Lea Marston golf course (map CT‑01-56, B9 and C9) – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Ridge and furrow earthworks north of Cocksparrow House – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Archaeological remains associated with undated linear feature in the vicinity of North Wood, south-east of Middleton House Farm. This would include investigation of the scheduled moated complex – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Other areas of archaeological potential identified by the proposed scheme-wide archaeological mitigation programme – a programme of archaeological investigation; • Middleton House Farm complex (map CT‑01-57, C5) – a programme of historic building recording and investigation; • Mullensgrove Farm and ancillary buildings (map CT‑01-56, B5) – a programme of historic building recording and investigation; and • The Grade II listed Dunton Hall (map CT‑01-56, C5) barn and associated curtilage structures – a programme of historic building recording and investigation.
6.5.4 Assets that would or might experience a significant physical effect in this area are: • Archaeological remains associated with the cropmarks of a probable prehistoric enclosure, an asset of moderate heritage value, would be removed; • Parts of important hedgerows at Cuttle Mill Farm (map CT‑01-57, F5), and the Parish boundary north of Middleton would be removed; • Part of the North Wood ancient woodland (map CT‑01-57, E5), an asset of high heritage value, would be removed; • Relatively modern elements of the Middleton House Farm complex , an asset of moderate heritage value, would be demolished and the construction would substantially alter the setting of the historic elements; • Ridge and furrow earthworks at Birch Wood, an asset of low heritage value, would be removed; • Archaeological remains associated with the cropmarks of a probable prehistoric enclosure south-east of Dunton Wood (map CT‑01-56, B7), an asset of moderate heritage value, would be removed; • Mullensgrove Farm and ancillary buildings (map CT‑01-56, B5), an asset of low heritage value, would be demolished;
55 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Cultural heritage
• The remains of medieval to post-medieval charcoal burning platforms east of Dunton Hall (map CT‑01-56, C5), an asset of low heritage value, would be removed; • Ridge and furrow earthworks west of Lea Marston, an asset of low heritage value, would be removed; • Ridge and furrow earthworks south of scheduled moat at North Wood (map CT‑01-57, E5), an asset of low heritage value, would be removed; • Archaeological remains associated with the cropmarks of ring ditches and linear features near Curdworth, assets of moderate heritage value, would be removed; • Archaeological remains of possible deserted medieval settlement near Curdworth, an asset of moderate heritage value, would be removed; • Ridge and furrow earthworks north of Mullensgrove Farm (map CT‑01-56, B5), an asset of low heritage value, would be removed; • Archaeological remains associated with curvilinear and L-shaped features in woodland north of Lea Marston golf course (map CT‑01-56, C9), an asset of moderate heritage value, would be removed; • Ridge and furrow earthworks north of Cocksparrow Farm (map CT‑01-57, G8), an asset of low heritage value, would be removed; and • Archaeological remains associated with undated linear feature in the vicinity of North Wood, south-east of Middleton House Farm, an asset of moderate heritage value, would be removed.
6.5.5 The settings of the following specific heritage assets would experience significant effects: • The construction process would fundamentally alter the setting of Newlands Farm map CT‑01-56, F5); • The setting of the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal and associated structures would be locally altered by construction; • The setting of Grade II listed Dunton Hall (map CT‑01-56, C5), barn and pigeon house would be substantially changed by the demolition of the curtilage listed structures and the excavation of a major cutting; • The setting of Dunton Hall Garden would be substantially changed by the demolition of the curtilage listed structures and the excavation of a major cutting; • The setting of scheduled moat at North Wood would be substantially altered by construction and loss of associated remains; and • The setting of Cuttle Mill and Grange View would be substantially changed during construction.
6.5.6 The construction of the Proposed Scheme would not have an impact on any other identified heritage asset within the permanent and temporary land take and would not have an impact on the setting of any other designated asset identified with the draftZTV . Likely residual significant effects
6.5.7 Although a programme of archaeological and historic building investigation and recording contributes to knowledge gain, such works would not fully mitigate the effect or reduce the
56 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Cultural heritage
impact on heritage assets. Therefore the following specific heritage assets would be likely to experience residual significant effects: • Archaeological remains associated with the cropmarks of an enclosure; a high impact rating on an asset of moderate heritage value gives rise to a major effect; • Important hedgerows at Cuttle Mill, and the Parish boundary north of Middleton; a medium impact on an asset of moderate value gives rise to a moderate effect; • Ancient woodland at North Wood (map CT‑01-57, E5); a high impact rating on an asset of high heritage value gives rise to a major effect; • Middleton House Farm complex (map CT‑01-57, C5); a high impact on an asset of moderate value gives rise to a major effect; • Ridge and furrow earthworks at Birch wood; a high impact rating on an asset of low heritage value gives rise to a moderate effect; • Archaeological remains associated with the cropmarks of an enclosure south-east of Dunton Wood (map CT‑01-56, B7); a high impact rating on an asset of moderate heritage value gives rise to a major effect; • Mullensgrove Farm and ancillary buildings (map CT‑01-56, B5); a high impact rating on assets of low heritage value gives rise to a moderate effect; • The remains of medieval to post-medieval charcoal burners east of Dunton Hall; a high impact rating on an asset of low heritage value gives rise to a moderate effect; • Ridge and furrow earthworks west of Lea Marston; a high impact rating on an asset of low heritage value gives rise to a moderate effect; • Ridge and furrow earthworks south of scheduled moat at North Wood; a high impact rating on an asset of low heritage value gives rise to a moderate effect; • Archaeological remains associated with the cropmarks of ring ditches and linear features near Curdworth; a high impact rating on assets of moderate heritage value gives rise to a major effect; • Archaeological remains of possible deserted medieval settlement near Curdworth; a high impact rating on an asset of moderate heritage value gives rise to a major effect; • Ridge and furrow earthworks north of Mullensgrove Farm; a high impact rating on an asset of low heritage value gives rise to a moderate effect; • Archaeological remains associated with curvilinear and L-shaped features in woodland north of Lea Marston golf course (map CT‑01-56, C9); a high impact rating on an asset of moderate heritage value gives rise to a major effect; • Ridge and furrow earthworks north of Cocksparrow House; a high impact rating on an asset of low heritage value gives rise to a moderate effect; and • Archaeological remains associated with undated linear feature in the vicinity of North Wood, south-east of Middleton House Farm; a high impact rating on an asset of moderate heritage value gives rise to a major effect.
6.5.8 Some construction phase impacts on heritage assets through changes to settings are temporary, and would not result in residual significant effects. In this study area, no specific heritage assets have been identified which would be likely to experience residual significant effects through changes to their setting. Further mitigation
6.5.9 No further mitigation measures have been identified at this time.
57 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Cultural heritage
6.6 Operation Assessment of impacts and mitigation
6.6.1 There would be no effects on buried archaeological remains arising from operation.
6.6.2 The Proposed Scheme has the potential to introduce impacts on the setting of heritage assets. The specific assets affected are: • Newlands Farm (map CT‑01-56, F5); the setting of this asset has been degraded and the presence of the Proposed Scheme (following removal of the railhead) would further degrade the setting of the asset but to a lesser degree than during construction; • Grade II listed Dunton Hall (map CT‑01-56, C5), barn and pigeon house; the scheme lies in a large cutting to the east and this would substantially change the setting of the complex, in particular the listed barn. The impact on setting arising from the loss of the curtilage of the listed buildings is addressed under construction; • Dunton Hall Garden; the scheme lies in a large cutting to the east and this would substantially change the setting of the garden and it relationship to the surrounding land; • Cuttle Mill; the scheme runs close to the asset on substantial embankment, this would substantially alter the setting of the complex; • Birmingham and Fazeley Canal; the scheme crosses the canal and would slightly further increase the dominance of modern infrastructure in this location but would not substantially affect the setting of the canal; • The scheduled moat at North Wood; the scheme borders the wood and the major embankments and viaducts would substantially alter the asset’s setting and character; and • Fishponds within North Wood; the scheme lies to the east and would sever relationships between the fishponds and the moated site.
6.6.3 The provision of earthworks and planting would provide an effective means of mitigation to reduce the effects of the Proposed Scheme on the historic landscape and specific heritage assets within it. However, mitigation would not be fully effective until planting has matured. Likely residual significant effects
6.6.4 Despite the implementation of the mitigation measures, there would remain significant residual effects on the setting of the following assets: • Newlands Farm (map CT‑01-56, F5); a high impact rating on an asset of low heritage value gives rise to a moderate effect; • Grade II listed Dunton Hall (map CT‑01-56, C5), barn and pigeon house; a high impact rating an asset of moderate heritage value gives rise to a major effect; • Dunton Hall Garden; a high impact rating on an asset of low heritage value gives rise to a minor effect; • Cuttle Mill; a high impact rating on an asset of low heritage value gives rise to a moderate effect; • The scheduled moat at North Wood; a high impact rating an asset of high heritage value gives rise to major effect; and • Fishponds within North Wood; a medium impact rating on assets of moderate heritage value gives rise to a moderate effect.
58 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Cultural heritage
Further mitigation
6.6.5 No further mitigation measures have been identified at this time.
59 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Ecology 7 Ecology 7.1 Introduction 7.1.1 This section of the report provides a summary of the predicted impacts and significant effects upon species and habitats as a consequence of the construction and operation of the Proposed Scheme. This includes effects upon sites recognised or designated on the basis of their importance for nature conservation. 7.2 Policy framework 7.2.1 The planning policy documents (and their status) applicable to this area are described in Section 2.1. Policies of relevance to ecology are set out as follows.
7.2.2 The NWBC Local Plan includes the following relevant policies: • Core Policy 3: Natural and Historic Environment, includes the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and natural habitats; • Policy ENV3: Nature Conservation, protects nationally important sites including SSSIs, regionally important Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), and locally important Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and protected species; and • Policy ENV4: Trees and Hedgerows, resists the loss of trees, woodlands and hedgerows and actively enhances these through planting.
7.2.3 The emerging NWBC Core Strategy retains the environment protection policies of the adopted NWBC Local Plan. In addition, it has two specific policies on natural and historic environment (Policy NW11) and nature conservation (Policy NW12). It also provides a commentary on the Council’s approach to the Proposed Scheme.
7.2.4 In addition, the following local and regional guidance is relevant to this assessment: • Warwickshire County Council (WCC) Biodiversity Strategy19; and • Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Local Biodiversity Action Plan, which is currently under review20. 7.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 7.3.1 The assessment scope and key assumptions for the ecological assessment are set out in Volume 1.
7.3.2 The current assessment draws on existing information gathered from national organisations and from regional and local sources including WCC, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency (EA) (Central Area Office), Butterfly Conservation (Warwickshire branch), and local wildlife recorders.
7.3.3 Field surveys undertaken to date have been limited to locations where landowner permission has been obtained or areas accessible to the public. They include (but are not limited to): botanical survey at Hams Hall Woodlands LWS; Mill Plantation and Lower Mill Plantation east of Marston; and Curdworth Bridge Meadow. Bat surveys have been undertaken at Dunton Hall and various farmsteads, together with otter surveys of the River Tame, its tributaries and the
19 Warwickshire County Council, Biodiversity Strategy ‘Working for Warwickshire’s Wildlife’ http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/Web/corporate/ wccweb.nsf/Links/154325E68157188D8025785100693463/$file/WCC+Biodiversity+Strategy.pdf. Accessed: 31 October 2012. 20 Warwickshire County Council, (Date unknown), Coventry and Solihull Local Biodiversity Action Plan [online]. Available at: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/biodiversity. Accessed: 31 October 2012.
60 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Ecology
Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. In addition, hazel dormouse, water vole, breeding bird, reptile and river corridor surveys have been carried out at a small number of sites.
7.3.4 There have been no deviations from the standard ecological survey methodologies.
7.3.5 Surveys will continue during 2013 and will include (but are not limited to) the following, subject to access: • Tree bat roost assessments in the vicinity of North Wood and Cuttle Mill Fisheries; • Amphibian surveys of approximately 62 ponds and 44 ditches; • Breeding bird surveys at the Hanson Middleton Hall Quarry, Coneybury Farm near Middleton, Cuttle Mill Fisheries and the land in the vicinity of Dunton Hall; and • Otter, water vole and white clawed crayfish surveys on the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, Langley Brook and Gallows Brook. 7.4 Environmental baseline 7.4.1 This section presents the environmental baseline that is relevant to the consideration of impacts and effects reported in Sections 7.5 and 7.6. Details of the environmental baseline for the full search areas investigated in support of the ecological assessment will be provided in the formal ES.
7.4.2 Land within or adjacent to the Proposed Scheme in this area consists mainly of arable agriculture, hedgerows and tree lines. Improved and semi-improved grassland forms much of the remaining area, with smaller areas of semi-natural woodland and broad-leaved plantations. The River Tame and Birmingham and Fazeley Canal support wetland communities and there are numerous ponds.
7.4.3 Statutory and non-statutory designated sites are shown on maps CT‑01-056 through CT‑01‑058 and CT‑02-021.
7.4.4 There is one SSSI within 500m of the Proposed Scheme, which is of national value based on the features for which it is designated, namely Middleton Pool SSSI which is located adjacent to the Proposed Scheme to the east of the A4091. This 12.6ha site is an artificial 16th century lake supporting 46 species of breeding birds. The site is fed by the Langley Brook, which the Proposed Scheme would cross.
7.4.5 LWS located within the extent of or adjacent to the Proposed Scheme or are considered potentially subject to significant effects are relevant to the assessment. There are two LWS which meet these criteria and each is considered to be of county/metropolitan value: • Hams Hall Woodland LWS consists of three pockets of lowland mixed deciduous woodland of which one section is identified as ancient semi-natural woodland Sych( Wood). Only one of the three pockets of woodland (Hams Lane Wood) is within the extent of the Proposed Scheme. This area is not ancient woodland; and • North Wood LWS consists of ancient and lowland mixed deciduous woodland, is within the extent of the Proposed Scheme and would be bisected by the route.
7.4.6 Other habitats located outside of the designated sites identified above and which are relevant to the assessment include the following: • Woodland – secondary woodland likely to be of district/borough value which lies adjacent to the Proposed Scheme include Middleton Pool-head Plantation, Mill Plantation and Lower Mill Plantation;
61 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Ecology
• Parkland – large areas of amenity grassland with scattered broad-leaved trees at The Belfry golf course and Lea Marston golf course, both outside the Proposed Scheme and likely to be of no more than district/borough value; • Watercourses – the River Tame and one tributary, Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, Langley Brook and three minor tributaries and Gallows Brook are crossed by the route. These are considered to be of no more than district/borough value; • Water bodies – there are 13 ponds and 20 ditches within the extent of the Proposed Scheme including a large disused sand and gravel quarry owned by Hanson close to Middleton which has filled with groundwater. The water bodies could be up to district/ borough value; • Hedgerows – the majority of hedgerows are species poor and do not meet wildlife and landscape criteria specified in the Hedgerows Regulations (1997)21. They are, however, valuable as wildlife corridors and as such are considered to be of local/parish value; and • Grassland – there is an area of periodically inundated grassland that does not appear to be intensively managed at Curdworth Bridge Meadow and a mosaic of grassland habitats at Coleshill Sewage Treatment Works, within the extent of the Proposed Scheme; both are considered to be of local/parish value.
7.4.7 A summary of the likely value of species covered by the assessment (excluding any features of species interest for which the sites described above are designated) is provided in Table 8.
Resource/Receptor Value Rationale
Leisler’s bats Unlikely to be County rare Leisler’s bats noted during survey, but further survey required to more than county/ confirm status. metropolitan
Breeding birds Up to county/ Breeding pair of peregrine falcon recorded on a pylon during surveys within metropolitan the area which could be of county/metropolitan value, all other populations likely to be local/parish value.
Terrestrial Up to county/ Populations centred on pockets of non-arable habitat, such as Hanson invertebrates metropolitan Middleton Hall Quarry, Coneybury Farm at which four species of national significance were recorded (county/metropolitan) and Cuttle Mill Fisheries (local/value).
Water voles Up to county/ Species declining nationally and within the county with few remnant metropolitan populations remaining. Unconfirmed evidence found on the River Tame and on an adjacent flooded lagoon.
Amphibians Up to county/ Of the 13 ponds and 20 ditches within the extent of the Proposed Scheme, metropolitan four ponds have been surveyed and all support small populations of common amphibians (smooth newt, palmate newt and common toad) but no great crested newts.
Bats (all other Up to district/borough Breeding and potential hibernation roost for Natterer’s bats at Dunton Hall. species) Natterer’s is uncommon in Warwickshire; majority of other bat observations are for pipistrelle species which are widespread within the county.
Otters Up to district/borough Populations increasing nationally and in the county, restricted to particular habitats (watercourses and adjacent habitat), only a few suitable larger watercourses present. No confirmed observations to date.
Aquatic macro- Up to district/borough Awaiting detailed survey data. Existing EA data for the River Tame assigns invertebrates a moderate conservation importance according to the EA’s Community Conservation Index (CCI) upstream of the route. All other watercourses likely to be no more than local/parish value.
21 The Hedgerows Regulations 1997 (1997 No. 1160). London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
62 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Ecology
Resource/Receptor Value Rationale
Wintering birds Unlikely to be more During wintering bird surveys no particularly notable species or large numbers than local/parish observed.
Reptiles Unlikely to be more Only limited habitat suitable for common species of reptile. than local/parish
Badger Unlikely to be more Species common and widespread in the UK. than local/parish
Fish Unlikely to be more Awaiting detailed survey data. The River Tame is designated as a cyprinid river than local/parish under the Freshwater Fish Directive. However, existing species assemblages are of low conservation importance characteristic of lowland freshwater systems.
White clawed Up to county/ Limited data. Historic records exist for the Langley Brook and observations crayfish metropolitan during surveys for HS2 in 2013.
Table 8: Preliminary evaluation of likely value of protected and/or notable species occurring within this section of the route 7.5 Construction Assessment of impacts and mitigation
7.5.1 The following section considers the impacts and effects on ecological receptors as a consequence of construction of the Proposed Scheme. All assessments made are provisional, based on the preliminary assessment of baseline value as presented in Section 7.4 of this report.
7.5.2 The following measures have been included as part of the design of the Proposed Scheme and avoid or reduce impacts on features of ecological value: • Realignment of the route through North Wood and reduction in extent of earthworks to minimise land take; • Change in the realignment of the A4091 to reduce land take within the Hanson Middleton Hall, Coneybury Farm Quarry site near Middleton which supports breeding and wintering birds and terrestrial invertebrates and takes the Proposed Scheme further from Coneybury Wood LWS; • Reduction in the extent of earth works near Gallows Brook to retain existing ponds within marlpit; • Provision of an approximately 3ha area of woodland planting to address losses at North Wood LWS, to the south of the existing woodland. Detailed proposals are being developed and measures are likely to include: ȃȃ Translocation of woodland soil and associated seed bank with coppice stools adjacent to retained sections of the woodland to encourage natural regeneration of woodland; ȃȃ Additional planting on existing soils and collection of seeds from existing woodland to ensure local provenance and trialling of seed material; ȃȃ Long-term management for newly created woodland; • Provision of woodland planting and a bat roost to mitigate for woodland loss and damage/ loss/isolation of bat roost at Dunton Hall; • Ecological mitigation area incorporating disused Hanson Middleton Hall Quarry, Coneybury Farm near Middleton, to provide improvement to retained habitat (some of the open water and terrestrial habitats would be lost due to land take), particularly for breeding and wintering birds and terrestrial invertebrates; and
63 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Ecology
• Woodland creation to extend Walker’s Spinney and address secondary woodland losses.
7.5.3 Most of the mitigation areas mentioned above will have ponds and terrestrial habitat features incorporated that would act as receptors for amphibians and reptiles that may require translocation.
7.5.4 The assessment assumes implementation of the measures set out within the draft CoCP, which includes translocation of protected species where appropriate. The following measures are considered of particular relevance to the proposed works in this section of the route: control of run-off adjacent to all watercourses (notably for Langley Brook feeder into Middleton Pool SSSI) and restricting vehicle movements and adherence to designated routes to limit adverse effects within North Wood LWS.
7.5.5 There would be habitat loss and severance within North Wood LWS as a result of the Proposed Scheme including North Wood embankment. There would be permanent loss of approximately 26% (or 1.9ha of the 7.23ha area) of the LWS and ancient woodland within the extent of the Proposed Scheme. The main effects would include: • Direct habitat loss of irreplaceable ancient woodland resource; • Reduced size of remnant blocks causing vulnerability to edge effects; and • Long-term indirect effects of reduced habitat resource, disturbance and population severance for any animal populations associated with the woodland.
7.5.6 This would result in a permanent adverse effect on the integrity of the site, which would be significant at a county/metropolitan level. Although ancient woodland cannot be replaced, the mitigation planting adjacent to North Wood LWS should benefit the conservation status of secondary woodland habitat within this section of the route at up to the district/borough level when established.
7.5.7 The main construction impacts on bats in this section of the route would be likely to include: • Loss of a Natterer’s summer roost and possible hibernation roost at Dunton Hall (from disturbance and/or isolation rather than demolition of buildings); • Other potential roost losses due to demolished buildings or felled trees; • Severance of commuting and foraging routes; and • Displacement due to disturbance and habitat disruption.
7.5.8 Loss of the Natterer’s roost at Dunton Hall could result in a temporary effect, although this is unlikely to be significant given that a replacement roost would be provided and disturbance would be kept to a minimum through measures included in the CoCP. However, there could be impacts on Leisler’s bat due to loss of roosts and severance of commuting and foraging habitat, which could be significant up to a county/metropolitan level. The potential adverse effects on other bat species are unlikely to be significant at more than a district/borough level.
7.5.9 The Proposed Scheme would result in the loss of up to 13 known ponds and loss or culverting of 20 ditches, along with associated terrestrial habitat. These habitats are potentially suitable for amphibians, including great crested newt, and prior to mitigation could result in adverse effects. However, the Proposed Scheme has sought to include habitat within mitigation areas, including replacement ponds and suitable terrestrial habitat for amphibians, which is considered likely to be sufficient to mitigate effect on a small to medium sized amphibian population. The mitigation could benefit some amphibian populations currently within poorly managed ponds in arable fields. However, depending on the result of the amphibian surveys in 2013, further mitigation could be required.
64 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Ecology
7.5.10 The loss of up to 13 known ponds and loss or culverting of 20 ditches within the extent of the Proposed Scheme could have an adverse effect on the conservation status of these habitats. The mitigation areas proposed currently include provision for some pond replacement (see above), although there could still be net loss resulting in a permanent adverse effect on the conservation status of these habitats that would be significant at up to the district/borough level.
7.5.11 There would be habitat loss within the groundwater filled HansonQuarry near Middleton within the extent of the Proposed Scheme as a result of the graded false cuttings near to the proposed A4091 overbridge. This would result in the loss of open water habitats, bare sands/ gravels and gorse scrub. Up to a quarter of the quarry site could be lost. Clearance of existing habitats could result in a temporary adverse effect on the conservation status of terrestrial invertebrate populations through habitat reduction. However, following creation of the proposed mitigation measures for terrestrial invertebrates, there is the potential for a beneficial effect on invertebrate populations that would be significant at up to a district/ borough level.
7.5.12 The works within and adjacent to the disused quarry could also result in a temporary adverse effect on the conservation status of breeding and wintering birds by habitat reduction and disturbance. However, this is considered unlikely to be significant at more than the local/ parish level. Following implementation of mitigation measures within retained areas of the quarry to improve the habitat for birds, the permanent impacts could be beneficial at up to a district/borough level.
7.5.13 There would not be any direct impacts on Middleton Pool SSSI as it is unlikely that construction activities would require groundwater pumping within any adjacent gravel pit ponds. Survey results from wintering bird surveys suggest that wintering birds do not cross the alignment of the Proposed Scheme when landing in the Middleton Pool SSSI water bodies. In addition, it is considered unlikely that birds would be subject to notable changes in visual or noise effects as the SSSI is visually screened by vegetation and already close to the busy dual carriageway of the A4091, the realignment of which would be the closest works to the SSSI. It is therefore considered unlikely that there would be any adverse effect on bird populations utilising the SSSI during construction.
7.5.14 Pylons currently utilised by nesting peregrines would be removed outside of the nesting bird season. This would only represent a temporary loss as the pylons would be replaced in the immediate vicinity. In the interim there are considered to be many similar alternative roosts sites that could be utilised. There may be disturbance from noise and plant movement for nesting peregrines, if they chose to nest close to the Proposed Scheme during construction, although peregrines are known to nest in environments subject to high levels of disturbance (such as cities and quarries). As a consequence, no significant adverse effect on peregrine is anticipated.
7.5.15 A summary of likely residual significant effects is provided in Table 8. Local/parish effects, which in combination may be significant, will be described in the formal ES. Likely residual significant effects
7.5.16 Taking into account mitigation included in the design of the Proposed Scheme, anticipated significant residual ecological effects during construction are detailed inTable 9.
65 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Ecology
Resource/Receptor Residual effect Level of significance
North Wood LWS Permanent adverse effect on site integrity due to loss of over 25% of the County/metropolitan ancient woodland area, fragmentation of the remainder, isolation of the eastern section; possible wind-blow and adverse edge effects of remainder of the woodland adjacent to the cutting.
Leisler’s bats Possible adverse effects on roosts/commuting/foraging corridors for Up to county/ Leisler’s bat. metropolitan
Secondary Permanent beneficial effects on woodland habitats and associated species Up to district/borough undesignated from the planting and establishment and maturation of diverse woodland woodland habitats to mitigate for the loss of habitat.
Bats (all other Potential permanent adverse effect on conservation status due to loss of Up to district/borough species) roosts, foraging and commuting areas.
Terrestrial Permanent beneficial effect on conservation status following implementation Up to district/borough invertebrates and maturation of measures to improve retained habitat within the quarry for invertebrates.
Water bodies Permanent adverse effect on conservation status due to net loss of ponds and Up to district/borough ditches.
Breeding and Permanent beneficial effect due to habitat enhancement. Up to district/borough wintering birds
Table 9: Significant residual construction effects on ecological receptors within this section of the route Further mitigation
7.5.17 Further measures currently being considered but which are not yet part of the design include: • Management of retained areas of woodland for the benefit of wildlife; • Provision of measures to facilitate the passage of species across the route where significant foraging or commuting routes would be disturbed; • Enhancement of river habitats through habitat creation or restoration via input to local initiatives such as the River Tame Living Landscape Scheme; • Provision of an alternative nest platform for peregrine to increase available nesting opportunities in the area; • The provision of alternative sites for roosting bats in suitable locations as required based on further survey results; • Watercourse enhancement adjacent to culvert and viaduct crossing points to address loss of natural bank habitat and effects from shading; • Reducing impacts on aquatic invertebrate and fish communities through appropriate culvert design, in part to allow fish passage by maintaining adequate flow depth and velocity; • Provision of additional replacement ponds in suitable location, as required based on further survey results; and • Creation of species-rich grassland on the cutting and embankment slopes of the Proposed Scheme that could provide a benefit for reptiles and invertebrates, providing foraging and basking habitat.
66 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Ecology
7.6 Operation Assessment of impacts and mitigation
7.6.1 The following section considers the potential effects on ecological receptors during operation of the Proposed Scheme. Assessments made are provisional, based on the preliminary assessments of baseline value presented in Section 7.4 of this report.
7.6.2 There are no mitigation measures that have been specifically included as part of the design of the Proposed Scheme to avoid or reduce operational impacts on features of ecological value.
7.6.3 There are unlikely to be any further direct adverse impacts on designated sites or on notable habitats as a result of operation of the Proposed Scheme. It is considered unlikely that the flight paths of wetland bird assemblages from Middleton Pool SSSI would cross through the route of the Proposed Scheme and therefore no adverse effects are anticipated.
7.6.4 Bats and breeding birds, such as barn owl, could be subject to impacts such as train strike, the risks of which could be increased by air turbulence from passing trains, disturbance from noise, vibration, lighting and visual cues. The potential risk to bats of train strike is likely to be higher where the route passes through woodland habitat or linear features such as hedgerows which bats could use as commuting or foraging habitat. Disturbance could also lead to displacement (i.e. animals avoiding the area which receives high levels of disturbance and possibly abandoning roosts).
7.6.5 Potential impacts on Leisler’s bats could result in long-term adverse effects on the conservation status of the species, which would be significant at up to the county/ metropolitan level. For other bat species, the effect is unlikely to be significant at more than district/borough level and for birds, the effect is unlikely to be significant at more than local/ parish level.
7.6.6 No operational impacts on peregrine falcons are anticipated as they are not expected to be at significant risk of collision from operational trains.
7.6.7 Further work will be carried out for the formal ES to assess the impacts of the Proposed Scheme on bats and birds.
7.6.8 A summary of likely residual significant effects is provided in Table 10. Local/parish effects, which in combination may be significant, will be described in the formal ES. Likely residual significant effects
7.6.9 Taking into account mitigation included as part of the Proposed Scheme design anticipated significant residual ecological effects during operation are detailed inTable 10.
Resource/Receptor Residual effect Level of significance
Leisler’s bat Potential permanent adverse effect on conservation status due to Up to county/ mortality through train strike and disturbance. metropolitan
Bats (all other species) Potential permanent adverse effect on conservation status due to Up to district/borough mortality through train strike and disturbance.
Table 10: Significant residual operational effects on ecological receptors within this section of the route
67 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Ecology
Further mitigation
7.6.10 Further measures currently being considered but which are not yet part of the design include: • A programme of monitoring the movement of bats and birds would be considered further to assess the operational effect of the Proposed Scheme; and • Provision of measures to facilitate the passage of species across the route where significant foraging or commuting routes would be disturbed.
68 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Land quality 8 Land quality 8.1 Introduction 8.1.1 This section provides a summary of the likely impacts and significant effects to land quality and geology, as a result of the construction and operation of the Proposed Scheme. Consideration is given to land that contains contamination and land that has special geological significance, either from a scientific, mining or mineral resources point of view, including: geological sites of special scientific interest (SSSI), local geological sites (LGS), areas of current underground or opencast mining, and areas of designated mineral resources.
8.1.2 Areas of land have been identified, both within and adjacent to construction areas, that could affect or be affected by the construction of the route because they are contaminated (for example contaminated soils may need to be removed or the construction may alter existing contamination pathways). Each of these areas has been studied in order to determine the scale of any potential impacts caused by existing contamination and what needs to be done to avoid significant consequences to people and the wider environment. In addition, a review has been undertaken to establish whether operation of the Proposed Scheme would lead to contamination of its surroundings and what needs to be done to prevent such contamination. This process is known as a contamination risk assessment. 8.2 Policy framework 8.2.1 The planning policy documents (and their status) applicable to this area are described in Section 2.1. Policies of relevance to land quality are set out as follows.
8.2.2 The Minerals Local Plan for Warwickshire aims to safeguard parcels of land where there are mineral resources of economic or conservation value (M1) and safeguards against the sterilisation of Preferred Areas (PAs) and Areas of Search from development (Policy M5) and to win proven and potentially workable minerals prior to development that would affect them. The Warwickshire Minerals Development Framework (MDF) Core Strategy is currently in development.
8.2.3 The NWBC Local Plan contains policies regarding land resources and their protection during development, including the control of contamination (Policy ENV6) and the identification, protection and enhancement of designated sites including Regionally Important Geological/ Geomorphological Sites (RIGS, Policy ENV3). Emerging policy contained in the NWBC Core Strategy includes policies regarding contaminated land and remediation in the context of delivering sustainable development (Policy NW8),the requirement to avoid the sterilisation of mineral reserves (Policy NW8) and the conservation and enhancement of the natural and historic environment including geo-diversity (Policies NW11, NW12). 8.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 8.3.1 The assessment scope and key assumptions for the land quality assessment are set out in Volume 1.
8.3.2 Engagement is being undertaken with NWBC regarding contaminated land and with WCC regarding mineral resources.
69 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Land quality
8.4 Environmental baseline Geology
8.4.1 There is likely to be made ground associated with various areas of infilling and existing infrastructure. The Proposed Scheme would intersect the edge of an expanse of made ground at Hams Hall Distribution Park. This may be related to levelling of the ground undertaken as part of construction works and historical lagoons in the area. Made ground is also known to be present at Marston Lane and in the wedge of land between the M42 and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.
8.4.2 Other, mapped areas of made ground present within the study area relate to historical landfills and small infilled pits or infilled ponds. Although not shown on geological mapping, there are likely to be other areas of made ground associated with highways and the Birmingham and Derby Line which would be intersected by the Proposed Scheme.
8.4.3 Superficial Deposits of fluvial and glacial origin underlie much of the route section. River Alluvium and River Terrace Deposits associated with the River Tame are present from the south of the route section to approximately 100m to the north of the Birmingham and Derby Line. Glacial Lake Deposits and Glacial River Deposits extend from the edge of the River Terrace Deposits as far north as Mullensgrove Farm (map CT‑03-56, B5) in Dunton. Glacial Lake Deposits predominantly comprise clay and silt with abundant organic matter and Glacial River Deposits are composed of sand and gravel with lenses of clay and silt. An area of Head Deposits (a highly varied deposit of clay, silt, sand and gravel resulting from downslope movement) surrounds the southern end of the Leeds spur and the M42 where this would be intersected by the Proposed Scheme. An area of River Terrace Deposits is present almost uninterrupted from Cuttle Mill Fishery (map CT‑03-57, G5) to 300m to the south of Gallows Brook which marks the northern end of the route section. Superficial Deposits, comprising Alluvium, River Terrace Deposits, Head Deposits, Glacial Lake Deposits and Glacial River Deposits are present across the whole of the Hams Hall railhead area.
8.4.4 Bedrock of the Mercia Mudstone Group underlies the entire route section. Mercia Mudstone typically comprises weak, red brown, silty mudstone with minor amounts of carbonate and gypsum when unweathered. Groundwater and surface water
8.4.5 There are four categories of aquifer identified within the study area.The River Alluvium, River Terrace Deposits and the Glacial River Deposits are classified as Secondary A Aquifers22. The bedrock of the Mercia Mudstone Group is classified as a Secondary B Aquifer and Head Deposits are classified as a Secondary (Undifferentiated) Aquifer23. Glacial Lake Deposits are classified as Unproductive Strata.
8.4.6 No groundwater source protection zones are located within this area.
8.4.7 One current, licensed groundwater abstraction is present in the study area. This is located at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground which would be intersected by the Proposed Scheme and is used for spray irrigation. There are ten other groundwater abstractions within 1km of the Proposed Scheme.
8.4.8 The Proposed Scheme would cross the River Tame at the start of the route section, the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal to the north of the M42 and Langley Brook, adjacent to
22 Permeable layers capable of supporting water supplies at a local rather than strategic scale, and in some cases forming an important source of base flow to rivers. 23 Predominantly lower permeability layers which may store and yield limited amounts of groundwater due to localised features such as fissures, thin permeable horizons and weathering.
70 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Land quality
Middleton Pool SSSI. Gallows Brook marks the northern end of the route section. The south- western corner of the Hams Hall railhead area would intersect the River Tame and Minworth Effluent Conduit. There are also several other minor watercourses and surface water bodies within the study area, with Mill Pools (map CT‑03-57, F5) and Middleton Pool (map CT‑03-58, F7) lying adjacent to the permanent and temporary land take area.
8.4.9 Groundwater and surface water resources are discussed in more detail in Section 13, Water resources and flood risk assessment. Current and historic land use
8.4.10 Historical land uses identified within the study area which may have caused contamination include former sludge beds at Coleshill Sewage Works in the south of this area, the former Hams Hall Power Station, a former filling station off the A446 Lichfield Road, Cocksparrow Farm (map CT‑03-57, G8) historical landfill which lies on the route of the Leeds spur at Marston and areas of quarrying and historical industrial landfill at Middleton Hall Estate map( CT‑03-58, G8). Contaminants associated with the former sludge beds could include metals, organic and inorganic contaminants and pathogens. The former power station is a potential source of a range of organic and inorganic contaminants including fuels, oils, metals and asbestos. A wide range of contaminants could be associated with landfills, including gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.
8.4.11 There are other landfills, both historical and active, within the area of Curdworth to Middleton, however, they lie outside of the study area and are therefore not included as a potential source of contamination.
8.4.12 Numerous infilled pits, infilled ponds or infilled domestic water wells are scattered along the length of the Proposed Scheme which may have been manually infilled with a variety of waste materials and are a potential source of landfill gas.
8.4.13 Current land uses which may have caused contamination include Coleshill Sewage Works, Dunton Island registered landfill which is located in the Hams Hall railhead area to the east of Curdworth, and a number of farmsteads. Dunton Island landfill is understood to accept only inert waste related to a minerals processing facility at this location, but a range of contaminants including gases such as carbon dioxide and methane could be present. Typical contaminants associated with farmsteads could include fuels, oils and pesticides.
8.4.14 The higher risk sites (both historic and current land uses) identified by the assessment comprise the following24: • Former sludge beds and existing sewage tanks at Coleshill Sewage Works (map CT‑03-56, H5); • Former Hams Hall Power Station (map CT‑03-56 G5); • Dunton Island landfill (map CT‑03-56, D4); • Mullensgrove Farm (map CT‑03-56, B5); • Cocksparrow Farm historical landfill (map CT‑03-57, G7); • Areas of quarrying at Middleton Hall Estate (map CT‑03-58, I5); and • Middleton Hall historical landfill (map CT‑03-58, H6).
24 The definition of ‘higher risk’ sites in this instance relates to the contamination potential of the source, the type of construction works that are proposed close to or at that location (e.g. tunnel, cutting or embankment) and the proximity of receptors e.g. people, groundwater bodies etc.
71 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Land quality
Mining/mineral resources
8.4.15 River Terrace Deposits that overlie the bedrock of the Mercia Mudstone Group form a locally important aggregate resource. The whole of the Proposed Scheme in this area lies within a Mineral Safeguarding Area (MSA) for sand and gravel extraction. Where MSAs cover large areas of a county, they are referred to in the text, but are not shown on the maps.
8.4.16 The Proposed Scheme would intersect two PAs for sand and gravel mineral extraction25. One at Lea Marston (map CT‑03-56, E5), part of which would also be encompassed by the Hams Hall railhead, and the other is the Middleton Hall Estate (map CT‑03-57, B5) the resources of which are already being worked. Geo-conservation resources
8.4.17 There are no geological conservation resources identified within the study area. Receptors
8.4.18 Contaminated land can affect people living or working on or adjacent to the Proposed Scheme, surface and groundwater in the vicinity, the nearby farmland or ecological resources and the built environment. 8.5 Construction Land contamination Assessment of impacts and mitigation
8.5.1 The Proposed Scheme is set in a largely rural area, although it starts on the edge of an industrial area to the east of Water Orton. The major features of the Proposed Scheme include the Hams Hall railhead to the east of Curdworth, and viaducts spanning the Coleshill Sewage Works, the M42 and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and various other minor surface watercourses. The remainder of the Proposed Scheme would be constructed predominantly on embankment, although there would be a 1.3km long cutting extending almost from Faraday Avenue to Mullensgrove Farm, through the Glacial Deposits. The Leeds spur would also be constructed in cutting and two more minor cuttings would be located adjacent to Middleton Pool (map CT‑03-58, F6 and F7) and Middleton village.
8.5.2 Works would include construction of a railhead, earthworks, utility diversions, deep foundations, temporary dewatering and other activities. In addition, significant additional road infrastructure works would be required within the route section.
8.5.3 The draft CoCP sets out the measures and standards of work that would be applied to the construction of the Proposed Scheme. Its requirements would involve detailed ground investigations in order to confirm the full extent of areas of contaminated land. Measures would include: • Methods to control waste, dust and vapours; • Methods to control spillage and prevent contamination of adjacent areas; and • Methods for the management of unexpected contamination.
8.5.4 The draft CoCP requires that a programme of ground investigation would take place prior to construction in order to confirm areas of contamination and a risk assessment undertaken to determine what, if any, site specific remediation measures would be required to allow the
25 Areas where mineral deposits are known to exist and where the County Council considers there would be least planning objection to mineral extraction taking place.
72 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Land quality
Proposed Scheme to be constructed safely and to prevent harmful future migration of contaminants. Any remediation scheme would be agreed with the regulatory authorities.
8.5.5 Localised mobilisation of contaminants during construction may increase the potential for leaching of contaminants to groundwater. This may occur at the following sites: • Coleshill Sewage Works (map CT‑03-56, H5); • Dunton Island landfill (map CT‑03-56, D4); • Cocksparrow Farm historical landfill (map CT‑03-57, G7); • The area of quarrying at Middleton Hall Estate (map CT‑03-58, I5); and • Mullensgrove Farm (map CT‑03-56, B5).
8.5.6 The potential mobilisation of contamination is assessed as not significant.The probability of remobilised contamination reaching the groundwater is considered higher during construction but the consequence would be minor because of the nature and localised scale of potential contamination and the sensitivity of the aquifers. In addition, through the ground investigation and assessment process, the most appropriate piling and ground improvement techniques would be selected to protect the groundwater.
8.5.7 There would not be any significant construction effects regarding land quality and contamination within the study area.
8.5.8 Contaminated soils excavated from the site, wherever feasible, would be treated as necessary to remove or render any contamination inactive, and would be reused within the Proposed Scheme where needed and suitable for use. Techniques are likely to include stabilisation methods, soil washing and bio-remediation to remove oil contaminants. Surplus contaminated soil would be taken to a soil treatment facility, another construction site (for treatment, as necessary, and reuse) or an appropriately permitted landfill site.
8.5.9 Site compounds would be located at various locations along the Proposed Scheme. The compounds would include staff welfare facilities, maintenance facilities for plant and machinery and fuel storage in bunded tanks. The locations and uses of construction compounds in this area are listed in Table 1, Section 2.3.
8.5.10 Whilst the construction compounds would store and use potentially contaminative materials such as fuels, oils and solvents, they would be managed in accordance with the CoCP, thus reducing the impacts of contamination from these sources.
8.5.11 It is considered unlikely that additional remediation works would be required over and above the mitigation measures contained as standard within the CoCP. Likely residual significant effects
8.5.12 There would be a local beneficial effect after construction in those areas where soils are excavated and treated. The beneficial effects are not considered to be significant because only localised sources of contamination have been identified in this section of the route and wide spread contamination is not expected.
8.5.13 No residual adverse effects are anticipated. Further mitigation
8.5.14 As no significant residual effects have been identified, no further mitigation is currently proposed.
73 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Land quality
Mining/mineral resources Assessment of impacts and mitigation
8.5.15 Construction of the Proposed Scheme would affect existing mineral resources within the PA and the MSA.
8.5.16 There is a potential minor adverse impact on the sand and gravel MSA. The effect is assessed as not significant because there would only be a partial loss or severance of a large local reserve.
8.5.17 There is a potential moderate adverse impact on the two PAs. The effect of the Proposed Scheme on the PA at Lea Marston is assessed as significant due to potential sterilisation caused by the Hams Hall railhead and severance caused by the Proposed Scheme. The effect of the Proposed Scheme on the PA at Middleton Hall Estate is assessed as significant because the resource is currently being worked and the Proposed Scheme would be constructed on embankment, resulting in sterilisation of part of the resource.
8.5.18 It is possible that some sand and gravel mineral extraction could be undertaken in advance of, or during, the construction of the Proposed Scheme in the Lea Marston PA.
8.5.19 Through the construction of the cutting slopes and Hams Hall railhead within the Lea Marston PA, some of the mineral resource would be extracted. It is not known what percentage of the resource would be extracted without detailed borehole logs from this area.
8.5.20 A plan would be discussed and agreed in advance of the construction works with the landowner and WCC to ensure an effective management of minerals in these locations. Extraction of all or part of the resources would reduce the impact. Likely residual significant effects
8.5.21 Residual effects are not considered to be significant. 8.6 Operation Assessment of impacts and mitigation
8.6.1 Maintenance and operation of the railway would be in accordance with environmental legislation and best practice. Spillage and pollution response procedures similar to those outlined in the CoCP would be established for all high risk activities and employees would be trained in responding to such incidents.
8.6.2 The Proposed Scheme includes the siting of an auto-transformer station on Kingsbury Road on the west side of the Proposed Scheme just north of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.
8.6.3 An auto-transformer station can, in principle, be a source of contamination though accidental discharge or leaks of coolants. However the proposed auto-transformer station, in common with other modern substations, would use secondary containment appropriate to the level of risk.
8.6.4 There exists the potential of minor leakage of hydraulic or lubricating oils from the trains. However, such leakage or spillage is expected to be very small and would not lead to any significant contamination.
8.6.5 Where contamination remediation works have been carried out during the construction period, there may be a requirement to undertake post-remediation monitoring of, for example, groundwater.
74 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Land quality
Likely residual significant effects
8.6.6 Residual pollution associated with the operation of the Proposed Scheme is not considered to be significant.
75 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment 9 Landscape and visual assessment 9.1 Introduction 9.1.1 This section of the report presents the assessment of the likely significant landscape and visual effects. It starts by describing the current conditions found within and around the route of the Proposed Scheme, the nature and pattern of buildings, streets, open space and vegetation and their interrelationships within the rural and urban environment. A summary of the significant effects that would arise from the construction and operation on landscape character areas and visual receptors is provided. 9.2 Policy framework 9.2.1 The planning policy documents (and their status) applicable to this area are described in Section 2.1. Policies of relevance to landscape and visual assessment are as follows.
9.2.2 The adopted NWBC Local Plan identifies the following designations of relevance to landscape: Green belt (ENV2), scheduled monuments (ENV15 and ENV16), ancient woodland (ENV4), open space (including country parks) and recreational routes (ECON10). Adopted NWBC Local Plan Core Policy 3: Natural and Historic Environment seeks the protection and enhancement of biodiversity, natural habitats, the historic environment and existing landscape and townscape character. Policy ENV1: Protection and Enhancement of the Natural Landscape requires developers to protect and enhance the intrinsic qualities of the existing landscape, using mitigation as necessary. Principles of good quality design are established in Policy ENV12: Urban Design, including designing out crime and minimising sky glow in lighting proposals.
9.2.3 Many of the policy themes of the adopted local plan carry through into the policies of the emerging NWBC Core Strategy, expressed in Policy NW11: Natural and Historic Environment. New themes are also emerging in relation to green infrastructure – Policy NW13 looks to developers to contribute to the maintenance, enhancement and/or creation of green infrastructure, defined as high quality, multifunctional green spaces, corridors and other environmental features, with the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and Kingsbury Water Park within the list of green infrastructure assets. 9.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 9.3.1 The assessment scope and key assumptions for the landscape and visual assessment are set out in Volume 1.
9.3.2 The extent of the landscape and visual study area, the distribution of visual receptor viewpoints and the location of verifiable photomontages have been discussed withWC C and NWBC, although only WCC has responded. Landscape characterisation for the study area has been discussed with Natural England. Field surveys were undertaken from March 2012 to April 2013, including photographic studies of LCAs and visual assessment of viewpoints. Further surveys will be undertaken during 2013 and reported in the formal ES.
9.3.3 The study area has been informed by early drafts of the ZTV, which is being prepared for inclusion in the formal ES. LCAs and visual receptors within approximately 2km of the Proposed Scheme have been assessed. The study area extends beyond all land required for the Proposed Scheme.
76 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
9.4 Environmental baseline 9.4.1 The following section sets out the baseline conditions for the landscape and visual assessment in the study area. Maps LV-11-056 to LV-11-058 show the location of landscape character areas and visual receptor viewpoints.
9.4.2 The topography is dominated by the lowland river valley and associated wetlands of the River Tame, with rising slopes defining the northern side of the area. Most of the area is designated green belt, and the eastern section is designated a Special Landscape Area. Agriculture is predominantly arable, with smaller areas of pastoral land amongst water bodies including the River Tame. Woodlands tend to be located on upper slopes of the valley, and several are ancient woodlands. Principal historic landscape elements include numerous listed buildings. Transport routes include the M6 Toll, M42, several ‘A’ roads, the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal and a network of PRoW, including Centenary Way and Heart of England Way long-distance footpaths. Open space within the area includes Kingsbury Water Park (a country park) (CT‑01‑58, F9) and The Belfry golf club (CT‑01-57, C2). Landscape character assessment
9.4.3 Landscape character areas (LCAs) are defined as areas with broadly homogenous characteristics and are influenced by national and district published character assessments. The Proposed Scheme in this area is located within national character areas (NCA) 97: Arden, NCA 69: Trent Valley Washlands, and NCA 67: Cannock Chase and Cank Wood, as defined by the Character of England mapping and Natural England26. For the purposes of this assessment, the study area has been subdivided into four discrete LCAs, two of which are most likely to be significantly affected. Middleton to Curdworth Tame Valley Farmlands LCA, a landscape formed of the gently undulating and open arable slopes of the western Tame Valley has a medium sensitivity to change. Tame Valley Wetlands LCA, a flat valley-bottom landscape with alluvial river terraces, has a high sensitivity to change. Visual baseline
9.4.4 Viewpoints, split into residential, recreational and transport have been selected to represent groups of receptors within this area. WCC and NWBC have been informed of the locations and invited to comment, to which WCC responded. There are no known protected views located within the study area.
9.4.5 Residential receptors (i.e. residents) have a high sensitivity to change and include scattered properties such as farms and other isolated residential properties; properties along Wishaw Lane and residential properties at the south-eastern and eastern edges of Curdworth; and the south-western and north-western edges of Lea Marston. Recreational receptors also have a high sensitivity to change, and include Kingsbury Water Park (country park) several PRoW including the Heart of England Way long-distance footpath, the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, Lea Marston Hotel golf course and The Belfry golf course. People staying in hotels and healthcare institutions have a medium sensitivity to change; Lea Marston Hotel is located within the area. Transport receptors (i.e. users of private or public transport) have a medium sensitivity to change and are located on roads throughout the study area.
26 Natural England (1996); The Character of England 1996; http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/publications/nca/default.aspx. Accessed: 8 January 2013.
77 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
9.5 Construction Assessment of impacts and mitigation
9.5.1 Due to the scale of the construction activities, works would be highly visible in many locations and would have the potential to give rise to significant effects which cannot be mitigated.This is commonplace with construction of major infrastructure projects, but it should be noted that these effects are temporary in nature and relate to the peak construction phase. Effects during other phases of works are likely to be less due to less construction equipment being required at the time and a reduced intensity of construction activity.
9.5.2 Measures that have been incorporated into the draft CoCP to avoid or reduce landscape and visual effects during construction include: • Maximising the retention and protection of existing trees and vegetation where reasonably practicable; • Use of well-maintained hoardings and fencing; • Replacement of any trees intended to be retained which may be accidentally felled or die as a consequence of construction works; • Early implementation of planting and other landscape measures where there is no conflict with construction activities or other requirements of the Proposed Scheme; and • Appropriate maintenance of planting and seeding works and implementation of management measures, to continue through the construction period as landscape works are completed.
9.5.3 These measures have been accounted for in the assessment of the construction effects in this section. Landscape assessment
9.5.4 The key changes to the landscape character as a result of the construction activities would relate to the presence of construction plant, worksites and compounds, temporary construction features such as road and utility diversions and stockpiles, construction of embankments, excavation work for cuttings and balancing ponds and the removal of existing landscape elements.
9.5.5 Changes would be most notable at the main construction site compound at Marston Lane, the Hams Hall railhead between the M42 in the west and the Hams Hall Distribution Park in the east, which would incorporate extensive temporary stockpiles, and where construction of structures and earthworks would occur.
9.5.6 Table 11 summarises the LCAs that would be significantly affected during construction of the Proposed Scheme.
78 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
LCA Sensitivity Magnitude Level of effect of LCA of change to LCA
Middleton to Curdworth Tame Valley Farmland LCA Medium High Major adverse Construction resulting in vegetation removal, severance of agricultural land and the activity associated with construction of structures, large-scale earthworks and the Hams Hall railhead area.
Tame Valley Wetlands LCA High Low Moderate Construction resulting in loss of woodland, severance of agricultural land adverse and the activity associated with construction of structures and large-scale earthworks.
Table 11: Significant landscape effects during construction Visual assessment
9.5.7 The most apparent changes to views during construction would relate to the presence of construction plant, construction activity, development of worksites and compounds, temporary construction features such as road and utility diversions and stockpiles, construction of embankments, excavation work for cuttings and balancing ponds and the removal of existing landscape elements.
9.5.8 The most visible activities and changes would include a main compound at Marston Lane, the Hams Hall rail head between the M42 in the west and the Hams Hall Distribution Park in the east which would incorporate extensive temporary stockpiles, the construction of viaducts at Curdworth, Birmingham to Fazeley Canal, Cuttle Mill, Northwood, Langley Brook and Gallows Brook, construction of an auto-transformer station near Kingsbury Road, construction of retaining walls and associated piling activities at Dunton Hall, realignments of Marsh Lane, A446 Lichfield Road, Faraday Avenue, Church Road, Bodymoor Heath Road and the A409 and A4091, several of which would require the construction of overbridges and consequently the road would be raised on embankment. The topography in certain locations and the retention of intervening hedgerows and trees would partially screen low-level construction activity.
9.5.9 An assessment of effects arising from lighting during construction where( required) will be prepared and included as part of the formal ES.
9.5.10 Table 12 summarises the views which would be significantly affected by the construction of the Proposed Scheme. The numbers in brackets identify the viewpoint locations which are shown on maps LV-11-056 to LV-11-58. The assessed level of effect is considered to be the maximum level at the height of construction activity in the view at each location. The duration of this effect would in most instances be less than the entire construction period and will be considered in the formal ES. An indicative construction programme is set out in Section 2.3 of this report.
79 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
Viewpoint27 Sensitivity Magnitude Level of effect of visual of change to visual receptors receptors
Residential receptors
View east from Spring Farm (two storey), off Marsh Lane, and west from High High Major adverse Newlands Farm and Orchard Cottage off Faraday Avenue (315.2.005, 316.2.004) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including realigned Lichfield Road and the Hams Hall railhead in the foreground, construction of Curdworth viaduct and vegetation removal around Spring Farm.
View east from residential properties along Farthing Lane including High Low Moderate Curdworth Hall Farm (317.2.005) adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme including extensive activity associated with Hams Hall railhead.
View west from Reindeer Park Lodge Caravan Park, off Kingsbury Road High High Major adverse (320.2.003) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, vegetation removal and diversion of Kingsbury Road.
View north-west from residential properties adjacent the A4097, High High Major adverse Kingsbury Road, including Chestnuts and Bella Vista and north- west from Mullensgrove Farm and adjoining residential properties (320.2.004, 320.2.009) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme including demolition of buildings at Mullensgrove Farm and the introduction of worksites and main construction site compound area, construction of cuttings and embankment for the main line and Leeds spur, and vegetation removal off Marston Lane, construction of a viaduct and an underpass.
View east from Dunton Hall (319.2.007) High High Major adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme including Hams Hall railhead site, cutting, retaining wall, highway realignments, viaducts, demolition and vegetation removal.
View east from private residence within The Belfry golf centre (321.2.004) High High Major adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including Mill Pond embankment, balancing pond, Kingsbury Road auto-transformer station, and the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal and Cuttle Mill viaducts.
View north-east from Cuttle Mill Farm and Fishery (321.2.006) High High Major adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme including worksite compound and construction of Cuttle Mill viaduct in the foreground, and loss of mature vegetation at North Wood.
View north-east from residential property at Dunton Stables off Marston High High Major adverse Lane (322.2.009) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme including work compounds, Mill Pond and Dunton Wood embankments, and Cuttle Mill viaduct and Curdworth cutting.
View south-east from Grange Farm Cottages, off A4091 (321.2.001) High Medium Moderate Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed adverse Scheme including M42 and Birmingham to Fazeley Canal viaduct, Marston Lane underpass, Mill Pond embankment, balancing pond and an auto-transformer station on Kingsbury Road, as well as construction site compounds on Mullensgrove Farm.
80 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
Viewpoint27 Sensitivity Magnitude Level of effect of visual of change to visual receptors receptors
View north-west from the residential property at Dunton Stables, off High Medium Moderate Marston Lane (322.2.009) adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including Mill Pool embankment, Birmingham to Fazeley Canal viaducts, the Leeds spur and vegetation removal at Marston Lane/Barn Covert.
View east from residential property Maple Lea Farm (323.2.002) High High Major adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including Middle House Farm embankment and Hunts Green viaduct, Bodymoor Heath Road and A4091 overbridges and highway embankments.
Views north, south and west from The Bungalow and Middleton House Farm High High Major adverse (323.2.004) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including Hunts Green and North Wood viaducts, Middleton House Farm and North Wood embankment, A4091 embankments and Hunts Green bridge, Bodymoor Heath Road embankments and overbridge and a large pond.
View west from residential properties around Bodymoor Heath (324.2.004) High Medium Moderate Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed adverse Scheme, including the A4091 embankment, Bodymoor Heath overbridge, Hunts Green viaduct and Middleton House embankment.
View east of Pool House Farm (325.2.006) High High Major adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including A4091 overbridge and embankment, Bodymoor Heath rail embankment, Hunts Green and North Wood viaducts and Middleton House Farm embankment.
View west from Primrose Cottages, off Bodymoor Heath Road (326.2.006) High High Major adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including Bodymoor Heath Road realignment, Hunts Green viaduct, Middleton House Farm embankment and North Wood viaduct.
View west from properties on the corner of Church Lane and Crowberry High High Major adverse Lane, Middleton (327.2.001) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including cuttings, embankments and overbridge of Church Lane.
View east from property on Coppice Lane and PRoW T3 (329.2.003) High Medium Moderate Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed adverse Scheme, including the wide false cutting and the realignment of Church Lane.
Recreational receptors
View east from PRoW Footpath M21 east of Curdworth (317.3.002) High Medium Moderate Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed adverse Scheme including removal of vegetation at Spring Farm and realignment of A446 (Lichfield Road).
View west from PRoW Footpath M16 traversing west from Hams Lane, High Medium Moderate PRoW M16, north of Hams Lane, Marston Lane (318.3.002, 318.3.004) adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, particularly associated with the railhead.
View east from the PRoW Local Cycle Route M6 adjacent Birmingham and High High Major adverse Fazeley Canal and north-east from PRoW adjacent to the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal (319.3.003, 319.3.009) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, dominated by the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal viaducts and the Dunton Wood embankment.
81 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
Viewpoint27 Sensitivity Magnitude Level of effect of visual of change to visual receptors receptors
View west from Byway T154 open to all traffic, traversing the M42, and from High High Major adverse Byway and footpath T18 (322.3.005, 322.3.006) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including worksite compounds, Cuttle Mill viaduct, loss of mature trees at North Wood.
View from PRoW T17 near Hunts Green Farm (325.3.007) High High Major adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including A4091 and Park Lane realignment.
View west from PRoW Footpath T18 near to The Homestead Farm, High High Major adverse Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and traffic-free cycle route near to Cheatle’s Farm Bridge, PRoW bridleway/footpath near Oak Lower Farm, FootpathT17 near former gravel pit adjoining Bodymoor Heath Training Ground, PRoW footpath between Roger’s Coppice and Wishaw Lane from the grounds of Middleton Hall and to the south-west from PRoW T22 near Middleton Hall (324.3.003, 324.3.006, 326.3.002, 326.3.003, 327.3.003, 328.3.001) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including Bodymoor Heath Road realignment, Hunts Green and North Wood viaducts and demolition of Middleton House Farm.
View to the east from the PRoW T5 and T6 near Roger’s Coppice, High High Major adverse and south-west from the PRoW Footpath T22 near Middleton Hall (327.3.004, 328.3.002) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme, including Langley Brook viaduct and the A4091 realignment.
Transport receptors
View east from Park Lane, near Middleton (327.4.002) Medium High Moderate Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed adverse Scheme including Crowberry Lane realignment, worksite access via Park Lane and worksite compound.
View from the A446, Lichfield Road and east from Marsh Lane, M42 Medium High Major adverse overbridge, Curdworth (315.4.004, 315.4.006) Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme including plant associated with the Hams Hall railhead site, vegetation removal and plant for the Curdworth viaduct construction.
View east from Kingsbury Road, A4097 (319.4.006) Medium High Major adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme including construction of Curdworth cutting and viaduct, loss of vegetation, the A4097 (Kingsbury Road) bridge over the cutting, and the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal viaduct.
View north and east from the A4091 (321.4.011) Medium High Major adverse Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed Scheme including construction of Cuttle Mill viaduct, diversion of the A4091, an embankment, Bodymoor Heath overbridge and works compounds.
Active sports receptors
View to the west from Bodymoor Heath Training Ground (326.7.044) Low High Moderate Visibility of construction plant and activity associated with the Proposed adverse Scheme, including Bodymoor Heath Road realignment, Hunts Green viaduct, Middleton House Farm embankment and North Wood viaduct.
Table 12: Significant visual effects during construction
27 Selected viewpoints have been described to provide a broad range of the likely impacts for this draft ES. Assessment will be provided for all viewpoints in the formal ES.
82 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
Likely residual significant effects
9.5.11 Due to the highly visible nature of the construction activities along the Proposed Scheme there would be significant residual effects, as set out in Tables 11 and 12. These effects would be temporary and reversible in nature, lasting only for the duration of the construction works. Residual effects would generally arise from the foreground visibility of construction activity and features from residential receptors, PRoW and travellers on roads within the study area. 9.6 Operation Assessment of impacts and mitigation
9.6.1 The operational assessment of impacts and mitigation measures is based on the first year of opening of the Proposed Scheme (2026). A process of iterative design and assessment has been employed to avoid or reduce adverse effects during the operation of the Proposed Scheme. Measures that have been incorporated into the design of the Proposed Scheme include: • Reinstatement of severed lengths of hedge/enclosure of fields; • Replacement of lost vegetation/woodland; • Introduction of screening through new planting where this fits into the existing landscape pattern; • Integration of embankment landforms into the natural topography; and • Creation of raised embankments on both sides of the route to screen the Proposed Scheme.
9.6.2 These measures have been taken account of in the assessment of the operational effects. Landscape assessment
9.6.3 The potential significant effects on the landscape in 2026 (i.e. the assumed year of opening) occur within the same LCAs experiencing effects during construction. Effects on LCAs would arise from newly engineered landforms cutting across the existing landscape, and the introduction of built components and rail traffic. These changes include the introduction of new embankments, including those close to Mill Pool and Curdworth, other earthworks and viaducts such as the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal viaduct, realignment of existing transport and PRoW routes, including the A446, A4091, Bodymoor Heath Road and the junction of the A4091, alterations to watercourses including the culverting of Gallows Brook, loss of existing vegetation including areas of North Wood (ancient woodland), interruption of the pattern of retained existing vegetation, and the introduction of high speed trains, resulting in noticeable alteration to tranquillity.
9.6.4 Table 13 summarises the LCAs that would be significantly affected by the Proposed Scheme in year one of operation (2026). The numbers in brackets identify the viewpoint locations shown on maps LV-11-002 – LV-11-003.
83 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
LCA Sensitivity Magnitude Level of effect of LCA of change to LCA28
Middleton to Curdworth Tame Valley Farmland LCA Medium Medium Moderate Presence of the Proposed Scheme, including new linear transport corridor, adverse viaducts, embankments, cuttings, balancing ponds, auto-transformer station, highway realignments and structures, retaining wall at Dunton Hall, and reduced mature vegetation.
Tame Valley Wetlands LCA High Low Moderate Presence of the Proposed Scheme, including new linear transport corridor, adverse embankments and cuttings, highway realignments, viaduct, and reduced mature vegetation.
Table 13: Significant landscape effects during operation year 1 (2026) Visual assessment
9.6.5 For residential and recreational receptors, the most apparent changes to views would result from changes to landform and vegetation pattern, and the introduction of built components and rail traffic. These changes would occur in the middle to foreground of several views and in longer views across the agricultural landscape. The changes would include the introduction of several viaducts in this area including the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal Viaducts; realignment of existing transport routes including the A446, A4091, Bodymoor Heath Road and several lengths of embankment including those close to Mill Pool and Curdworth.
9.6.6 Photomontages have been produced illustrating the view of the Proposed Scheme during operation year 1 from viewpoints 317.3.002, on PRoW M21 (figure LV-12-58) 320.3.005 on Byway M450 (figure LV-12-59) and 324.2.004 at Bodymoor Heath (figure LV-12-60).
9.6.7 Table 14 summarises the visual receptors that would be significantly affected by the Proposed Scheme in year one of operation (2026). The numbers in brackets identify the viewpoint locations shown on maps LV-11-056 to LV-11-058.
9.6.8 Where planting has been proposed, effects in year 15 (2041) and 60 (2086) of operation would be reduced compared to year one (2026), due to the increased height and maturity of trees. An assessment of effects for these assessment years will be prepared and presented within the formal ES.
28 In year one of operation, any new planting along the Proposed Scheme would be immature and therefore not help to integrate the Proposed Scheme into the landscape. As the plants mature, screening of the Proposed Scheme would improve.
84 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
Viewpoint29,30 Sensitivity Magnitude Level of effect of visual of change to visual receptors receptors
Residential receptors
View east from Spring Farm (two storey), off Marsh Lane (315.2.005) High High Major adverse Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, the realigned A446 (Lichfield Road) and Curdworth viaduct.
View west from Newlands Farm and Orchard Cottage off Faraday Avenue High High Major adverse (316.2.004) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, including Curdworth viaduct and embankment, multiple tracks and train traffic.
View east from residential properties in Curdworth and along Farthing Lane High High Major adverse including Curdworth Hall farm, from Ninestone Kennels on Wishaw Lane and from Dunton Hall (assumption farm buildings removed) (317.2.001, 317.2.005, 319.2.005, 319.2.007) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, including cuttings, retaining wall and tunnel, A4097 (Kingsbury Road), multiple rail tracks and rail traffic.
View west from residential properties off Church Lane, Lea Marston High High Major adverse (318.2.005) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, including cuttings, retaining wall and tunnel, A4097 (Kingsbury Road), multiple rail tracks and rail traffic.
View west from Reindeer Park Lodge Caravan Park, off Kingsbury Road, and High High Major adverse north-west from Mullensgrove Farm and adjoining residential properties (320.2.003, 320.2.009) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, including change in landform for Leeds spur and main line, and partial views of rail traffic and OLE.
View south-east from Grange Farm Cottages, off A4091 (321.2.001) High Medium Moderate Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, including Birmingham to Fazeley Canal adverse viaducts and Dunton Wood embankment, the main line with rail traffic in the middle ground.
View east from private residence within The Belfry golf centre (321.2.004) High Medium Moderate Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, including Cuttle Mill viaduct and Mill Pool adverse embankment, Kingsbury Road auto-transformer station and changes to view caused by vegetation removal.
View west from residential properties in Marston adjacent Kingsbury Road, High Medium Moderate adjacent Bodymoor Heath Road, Cocksparrow Farm, residential properties adverse within Marston, and north-west from residential property at Dunton Stables off Marston Lane (322.2.001, 322.2.003, 322.2.007, 322.2.009) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including Mill Pool embankment, Birmingham to Fazeley Canal viaducts, and rail traffic.
View east from residential property Maple Lea Farm (323.2.002) High High Major adverse Visibility of the Proposed Scheme crossing the floodplain on Hunts Green and Middleton House Farm embankments, with A4091 and Bodymoor Heath Road realignments.
Views north, south and west from The Bungalow and Middleton House Farm High High Major adverse (323.2.004) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme crossing Hunts Green and North Wood viaducts, and Middleton House Farm and North Wood embankments in the foreground.
View west from residential properties around Bodymoor Heath (324.2.004) High Medium Moderate Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including the A4091 embankment, Bodymoor adverse Heath Road overbridge, Hunts Green viaduct and Middleton House Farm embankment, with possibly a section of North Wood viaduct also visible.
85 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
Viewpoint29,30 Sensitivity Magnitude Level of effect of visual of change to visual receptors receptors
View east from rear of properties on Wishaw Lane, Hunts Green Farm High Medium Moderate (325.2.005) adverse; Visibility of the Proposed Scheme on shallow embankment before entering reducing to Middleton Pool cutting. minor adverse in summer
View to east of Pool House Farm (325.2.006) High High Major adverse Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, Bodymoor Heath rail embankment and the A4091 realignment, Hunts Green and North Wood viaducts with Middleton House Farm embankment in between the two viaducts.
View to the west from Primrose Cottages, off Bodymoor Heath Road High High Major adverse (326.2.006) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, on Hunts Green and North Wood viaducts with Middleton House Farm embankment in between the two viaducts, compounded by Bodymoor Heath Road realignment on embankment crossing Hunts Green viaduct.
View west from properties on the corner of Church Lane and Crowberry High High Major adverse Lane, Middleton (327.2.001) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme with the cutting, embankments and overbridge associated with the realignment of Church Lane clearly visible, compounded by vegetation removal opening views along the Proposed Scheme.
View to the north-east from the north-eastern edge of Middleton High Medium Major adverse (329.2.001) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme crossing the valley on a series of shallow embankments bordered by false cuttings, with Gallows Brook viaduct and longer distance views of the route as it travels north.
View east from property on Coppice Lane and PRoW T3 (329.2.003) High Medium Moderate Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, crossing the valley on a series of shallow adverse embankments.
Recreational receptors
View west from PRoW Footpath M21 within the National Distribution Park High Medium Moderate (316.3.001) adverse Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including realigned A446 (Lichfield Road) and extensive vegetation removal at Spring Farm.
View east from PRoW Footpath M21 east of Curdworth (317.3.002) High Medium Moderate Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including diverted A446, loss of vegetation at adverse Spring Farm resulting in increased visibility of traffic on the A446, as well as rail traffic, OLE, sound barrier and the Curdworth viaduct.
View east from the PRoW Local Cycle Route M6 adjacent Birmingham and High High Major adverse Fazeley Canal, south-east from the public footpath travelling along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and north-east from PRoW adjacent to the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal (319.3.003, 319.3.008, 319.3.009) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme on Birmingham to Fazeley Canal viaducts in the foreground and Dunton Wood embankment.
View west from Byway M450 and Historic Green Lane, Marston Lane High High Major adverse (320.3.005) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including profiled slopes and the auto- transformer station, with Kingsbury Road bridging the cutting for the route, and vegetation loss causing changes to the view.
86 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
Viewpoint29,30 Sensitivity Magnitude Level of effect of visual of change to visual receptors receptors
View west from Byway T154 traversing the M42 (322.3.005) High Medium Moderate Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including Cuttle Mill viaduct and vegetation adverse removal at North Wood.
View west from Byway and Footpath T18 (322.3.006) High High Major adverse Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including Cuttle Mill viaduct, North Wood embankment and vegetation removal at North Wood.
View south-west from PRoW Local Cycle Route 017 along the Birmingham High High Major adverse to Fazeley Canal (322.3.010) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal viaducts and diversion of Marston Lane.
View east across The Belfry golf course from Wishaw Lane (323.3.005) High Medium Moderate Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including A4091 highway embankments, adverse Hunts Green and North Wood viaducts and Middleton House Farm embankments and Bodymoor Heath Road overbridge and embankments.
View south and west from the public cycleway on the Birmingham to High Medium Moderate Fazeley Canal Tow Path (324.3.002) adverse Visibility of the Proposed Scheme in the middle distance including the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal viaduct and a small section of Mill Pool embankment.
View west from PRoW Footpath T18, near to The Homestead Farm High High Major adverse (324.3.003) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme in the middle distance including several embankments and Hunts Green viaduct.
View west from the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and traffic-free cycle High High Major adverse route near to Cheatle’s Farm Bridge (324.3.006) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme in the near to middle distance crossing the floodplain on Middleton Farm House embankment and North Wood viaduct.
View from PRoW T17 near Hunts Green Farm (325.3.007) High High Major adverse Visibility of the Proposed Scheme as it crosses on embankment and enters Middleton Pool cutting in the foreground.
View to the west from the PRoW bridleway/footpath near Oak Lower Farm High High Major adverse (326.3.002) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme in the middle ground crossing the floodplain on embankment and continuing onto North Wood viaduct, together with A4091 realignment and vegetation removal along Bodymoor Heath Road.
View to the west from PRoW Footpath T17 near former gravel pit adjoining High Medium Moderate Bodymoor Heath Training Grounds (326.3.003) adverse Visibility of the Proposed Scheme as it crosses the edge of the gravel pit on embankment, together with A4091 and Bodymoor Heath Road realignments.
View to the east from the PRoW T5 and T6, near Roger’s Coppice (327.3.004) High High Major adverse, Visibility of the Proposed Scheme with Langley Brook viaduct in the centre of reducing to the view; intervening deciduous vegetation along Langley Brook would reduce moderate visibility in the summer. adverse in summer
View to the west from the grounds of Middleton Hall and to the south-west High High Major adverse, from the PRoW Footpath T22 near Middleton Hall (328.3.001. 328.3.002) reducing to Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, in Middleton Pool cutting, with the A4091 Moderate realignment in the foreground on embankment; intervening tree groups would adverse in improve screening in the summer. summer
87 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
Viewpoint29,30 Sensitivity Magnitude Level of effect of visual of change to visual receptors receptors
View to the east from PRoW Bridleway T5 looking toward Church Lane High High Major adverse (328.3.009) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme in cutting before travelling north on a series of shallow embankments, with wide false cuttings on both sides, with Church Lane crossing on an overbridge.
Transport receptors
View east from Park Lane, near Middleton (327.4.002) Medium Medium Moderate Visibility of the Proposed Scheme crossing Park Lane in cutting and false adverse cutting in the foreground between the junction with Crowberry Lane and the A4091, with roadside vegetation removed to accommodate reconfiguration of the Crowberry Lane/Park Lane junction.
View from the A446, Lichfield Road and east from Marsh Lane, M42 Medium High Major adverse overbridge, Curdworth (315.4.004, 315.4.006) Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including the diverted A446 (Lichfield Road) combined with vegetation removal at Spring Farm.
View east from Kingsbury Road, A4097 (319.4.006) Medium High Major adverse Visibility of Proposed Scheme with cuttings and retaining wall associated with the Curdworth cutting, Leeds spur and main line, together with vegetation removal off Marston Lane.
View north and east from the A4091 (321.4.011) Medium High Major adverse Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including Bodymoor Heath overbridge, with North Wood viaduct in the middle ground.
View to the west from Church Lane near Middleton (328.4.006) Medium High Major adverse Visibility of the Proposed Scheme including realignment of Church Lane and the main line running on a series of shallow embankments to Gallows Brook viaduct.
Active sports receptors
View south-west from Bodymoor Heath Training Ground (326.7.004) Low High Moderate Visibility of the Proposed Scheme, with Bodymoor Heath embankment crossing adverse the foreground, and the realignment of the A4091 being a prominent element.
Table 14: Significant visual effects during operation year 1 (2026) Likely residual significant effects
9.6.9 Due to the highly sensitive nature of the landscape and visible nature of the Proposed Scheme, significant residual effects would remain, as set out in Table 13 and Table 14. The residual effects would arise as a result of alterations to existing transport routes and PRoW and the introduction of new embankments and viaducts. Further mitigation
9.6.10 Further mitigation measures that could be incorporated and are under consideration include: • Additional planting around balancing ponds; • Additional planting to the realigned Faraday Avenue, A446 (Lichfield Road) and Marsh Lane to aid in the visual screening of Spring Farm and the edge of Curdworth;
29 Selected viewpoints have been described to provide a broad range of the likely impacts for this draft ES. Assessment will be provided for all viewpoints in the formal ES. 30 Views of the Proposed Scheme should be taken to include views of the OLE and rail traffic as well as the engineered form of the rail track and track bed itself.
88 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Landscape and visual assessment
• Additional planting adjacent to Kingsbury Road, to aid in the visual screening from Viewpoint 320.2.004; • Additional landscape works to be undertaken on the previous alignment of the A4091, to the east of The Belfry golf course; • Additional planting at the previous Middleton House Farm, to aid visual screening from Bodymoor Heath and assimilate the Proposed Scheme into the landscape; • Additional planting to the realigned roads of the A4091, Bodymoor Heath Road and Park Lane Link to aid visual screening to views from Pool House Farm, Bodymoor Heath and Middleton; and • Additional planting along the realigned A4091, near the previous Middleton Farm, to replace existing highway vegetation and maintain screening.
9.6.11 These will be detailed in the formal ES should they be incorporated into the design of the Proposed Scheme.
89 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Socio-economics 10 Socio-economics 10.1 Introduction 10.1.1 This section provides a summary of the assessment methodology and scope, environmental baseline, and likely significant economic and employment effects during construction and operation of the Proposed Scheme.
10.1.2 The need generally for a socio-economic assessment results from the potential for the Proposed Scheme to affect: • Existing businesses and community organisations and thus the amount of local employment; • Local and sub-regional economies, including employment; and • Planned growth and development.
10.1.3 The beneficial and adverse socio-economic effects of the ProposedScheme are reported at two different levels; route-wide and CFA. Effects on levels of employment are reported on at route-wide level within Report 27 (route-wide effects). Localised effects on businesses and observations on potential local economic effects are reported within eachCF A. 10.2 Policy framework 10.2.1 The planning policy documents (and their status) applicable to the area are described in Sections 2.1.1 to 2.1.23. 10.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 10.3.1 The assessment scope and key assumptions for the socio-economic assessment are set out in Volume 1. 10.4 Environmental baseline 10.4.1 Section 2.1 provides a general overview of the area which includes data of specific relevance to socio-economics, notably demographic data. The following provides a brief overview in terms of employment rates, economic structure, labour market and business premises available within the area.
10.4.2 The Curdworth and Middleton section of the Proposed Scheme lies wholly within the NWBC area.
10.4.3 In 2011, 40,000 people worked in the NWBC area31. The employment rate32 within NWBC area in 2011 was 68% which is higher than that recorded for both the West Midlands (62%) and England (65%). As of September 2012 the unemployment rate for NWBC area was 6% compared to the England average of 8%33. In 2011 20% of North Warwickshire residents aged 16 and over were qualified to National Vocational Qualification Level 4 (NVQ4), compared to 23% in West Midlands and 27% in England, while 28% of these residents had no qualifications which was higher than that recorded both for West Midlands (27%) and England (23%).
10.4.4 In terms of business activities, the NWBC area has the same proportion (at 6%) of agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses as the West Midlands although both are greater than England
31 Office for National Statistics (2012), Business Register and Employment Survey 2011. 32 The proportion of working age (16-74 years old) residents in employment. 33 Office for National Statistics (2012), Annual Population Survey.
90 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Socio-economics
(4%). North Warwickshire has a higher proportion of construction sector (12%) businesses compared to the West Midlands (10%) and England (11%)34. This is shown in Figure 4.
Construction
Professional, scientific & technical
Production
Retail
Business administration and support services
Transport & storage (inc. postal)
Accommodation & food services
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
Arts, entertainment, recreation and other services
Wholesale
North Warwickshire Other West Midlands 0% 5% 10%15% 20%25% 30%
Figure 4: Business sector composition in NWBC and the West Midlands35
Source – Office for National Statistics (2011), UK Business: Activity, Size and Location36
10.4.5 In 2012, total stock of industrial/warehousing floorspace within North Warwickshire, as estimated by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), stood at 1.4 million sq m, having increased 37% since 200237. Although no recent floorspace vacancy rate is available, the Annual Monitoring Report 2010/11 for NWBC identified that 194 hectares of land was available for the development of employment space38. 10.5 Construction Assessment of impacts and effects
10.5.1 No significant direct effects on non-agricultural employment have been identified within the area. Construction of the Proposed Scheme will encroach on some businesses, including industrial/warehousing properties located at Mullensgrove Farm and Middleton House Farm.
10.5.2 It is estimated the Proposed Scheme would result in the displacement or possible loss of around 80 jobs within this CFA39. Taking into account the availability of alternative premises and total employed within the borough (approximately 40,000) the displacement or possible loss of jobs is considered to be relatively modest compared to the scale of economic activity and opportunity in the area.
34 Office for National Statistics (2011), UK Business: Activity, Size and Location. 35 Figure 4 presents the proportion of businesses within each business sector in the borough but not the proportion of employment by sector. 36 Other’ includes Motor Trades; Information and Communication; Finance and Insurance; Property; Public Administration and Defence; and Education and Health sectors. 37 Valuation Office Agency (2012),Business Floorspace (Experimental Statistics), http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/statisticalReleases/120517_ CRLFloorspace.html. Accessed: 28 March 2012. 38 North Warwickshire Borough Council (2012), Annual Monitoring Report 2010/2011. 39 Employment within businesses has been estimated through a combination of sources, for example, surveys of businesses, the Experian employment dataset, employment floor space and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Employment Density Guide (2010). The estimate is calculated using standard employment density ratios and estimates of floor areas and may vary significantly from actual employment at the sites.
91 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Socio-economics
10.5.3 Construction compounds would consist of one main site off Marston Lane, a railhead near Hams Hall and 15 satellite sites (see Table 1). This could result in the creation of up to 1,650 person years of construction employment that, depending on skill levels required and the skills of local people, are potentially accessible to residents in the locality and to others living further afield40. It could also lead to opportunities for local businesses to supply the project or to benefit from expenditure of construction workers. Direct and wider construction employment effects are quantified at a route-wide level (see Report 27 (route-wide effects)).
10.5.4 It is intended that discretionary enhancement measures, such as business support, supply chain engagement and local construction skills development initiatives to enhance local business performance will be included as appropriate in the formal ES. Likely residual significant effects
10.5.5 The likely residual significant socio-economic effects are currently being assessed and will be reported in the formal ES. 10.6 Operation Assessment of impacts and mitigation
10.6.1 The Proposed Scheme will create direct and wider operational employment opportunities at locations along the route including stations, train crew facilities and infrastructure/ maintenance depots. Although no plans exist to locate these facilities within this area, it is considered possible that wider operational employment opportunities could be accessed by residents of the area. Operational effects are captured and assessed at a route-wide level (see Report 27 (route-wide effects)). Likely residual significant effects
10.6.2 The likely residual significant socio-economic effects are currently being assessed and will be reported in the formal ES.
40 Construction labour is reported in construction person years, where one construction person year represents the work done by one person in a year composed of a standard number of working days.
92 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Sound, noise and vibration 11 Sound, noise and vibration 11.1 Introduction 11.1.1 This chapter provides a summary of the likely noise and vibration significant effects associated with the construction and operation of the Proposed Scheme for the Curdworth to Middleton CFA. This chapter should be read in conjunction with Volume 1. 11.2 Policy framework 11.2.1 The policy framework for sound, noise and vibration is set out in Volume 1. 11.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 11.3.1 The approach to the assessment of sound, noise and vibration and the related key assumptions are set out in Volume 1, with local variations as described below. A summary of the operating assumptions is given in Section 2.4 of this report. Assumptions
11.3.2 In addition to the assumptions given in Volume 1 and Section 2.4 of this report, the following assumptions apply to the assessment of sound noise and vibration in this area.
11.3.3 Twenty two trains per hour in each direction have been assumed during the day between 07:00 and 21:00 between Coleshill Junction and the junction for the Leeds spur. North of the junction for Leeds, 12tph in each direction have been assumed during the day on the main line to the north-west, and 10tph on the Leeds spur.
11.3.4 Passenger services have been assumed to operate at speeds up to 270kph on this adjacent section of the Leeds spur. Passenger services to Manchester have been assumed to operate at up to 360kph in this area. 11.4 Environmental baseline 11.4.1 The baseline sound environment for this area is varied due to the presence of major roads (e.g. M42, M6 Toll, A446 and A4091) and aircraft flying to/from Birmingham International Airport are also notable sources over much of this area, although rarely the dominant source of existing sound levels. Close to these roads, high baseline sound levels are experienced during the daytime. Night-time levels remain high in the vicinity of the M42 and M6 Toll. In areas further from these sources, much lower baseline sound levels are measured, fitting the rural setting of many areas.
11.4.2 It is likely that the majority of receptors adjacent to the line of route are not currently subject to appreciable vibration. For the draft ES, vibration at all receptors has been assessed using the absolute vibration criteria as described in Volume 1. 11.5 Construction Assessment of effects and mitigation
11.5.1 This initial assessment has considered the potential effects on community receptors within the study area, their occupants and their use (including annoyance and activity disturbance) arising from construction noise and/or vibration.
11.5.2 The mitigation measures specified within the draft CoCP have been included within the assessment of construction noise and vibration.
93 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Sound, noise and vibration
11.5.3 Potential construction noise or vibration effects could occur on the receptors closest to the construction areas in Middleton, arising from line of route (earthworks, substructure and superstructure) works (refer to Section 2.2/2.3 and to maps CT‑05: Construction features).
11.5.4 Track laying, power system and signalling installation works along the line of route are unlikely to result in significant construction noise effects, given the short duration close to any communities and the presence of the permanent noise barriers. Likely residual significant effects
11.5.5 Further work is being undertaken to confirm significant construction noise and vibration effects, including any temporary effects from construction traffic. Non-residential receptors identified at this stage as potentially subject to construction noise or vibration effects will be further considered, where necessary, on a receptor-by-receptor basis. Any further assessment will be reported in the formal ES. Further mitigation
11.5.6 Further work is being undertaken to confirm the likely significant effects and identify any site specific mitigation considered necessary in addition to the general measures set out in the draft CoCP. Any site specific mitigation will be presented in the formal ES and will include an estimate of the number of properties that may qualify for noise insulation or temporary re‑housing under provisions set out in the draft CoCP. 11.6 Operation Assessment of effects and mitigation
11.6.1 This initial assessment has considered the potential effects on community receptors within the study area, their occupants and their use (including annoyance, activity and sleep disturbance) arising from operational noise and/or vibration. Further assessment will be undertaken for the formal ES.
11.6.2 The ongoing development of the scheme includes noise barriers in the form of landscape earthworks, noise barriers and/or low level barriers on viaducts. The envisaged noise barrier locations are shown on the Operational Sound Contour and Potential Significant Effect Maps SV-01.
11.6.3 The Operational Sound Contour and Potential Significant Effect map SV-01 indicate the likely long term daytime sound level (defined as the equivalent continuous sound level from 07:00 to
23:00 or LpAeq,day) from HS2 operations alone. The contours are shown in 5dB steps from 50dB to 70dB. With the train flows described in Volume 1, the night-time sound level (defined as the
equivalent continuous sound level from 23:00 to 07:00 or LpAeq,night) from the Proposed Scheme would be approximately 10 dB lower than the daytime sound level. The 50dB contour therefore indicates the distance from the Proposed Scheme at which the night-time sound level would be 40dB. This contour represents where the lowest observed community noise effects would be expected to occur during the day (with respect to annoyance) and night (with respect to sleep disturbance). It is generally unlikely that there will be any adverse noise effects outside of this contour. With regard to sleep disturbance the assessment has also taken account the maximum sound levels generated by each train pass by.
11.6.4 Residential receptors within the daytime 65dB contour, and therefore the night-time 55dB contour, have been identified as being likely to experience a significant adverse effect from HS2 noise alone. This is in line with the daytime threshold for in the Noise Insulation Regulations 1996 and the interim target defined in the World Health Organization’s Night Noise Guidelines.
94 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Sound, noise and vibration
11.6.5 The potential for significant noise effects on communities in areas between the0dB 5 and 65dB daytime sound contours, or 40dB and 55dB night-time contours, will be dependent on the baseline in that area and the change in sound level brought about by the Proposed Scheme.
11.6.6 For the draft ES, the criteria used in assessing whether an effect is potentially significant includes factors such as the number and magnitude of impacts in a community as well as the existing sound environment. The further significance criteria set out in Volume 1, including the character of the existing sound environment, any unique features of the Proposed Scheme’s sound or impacts, and the potential combined impacts of sound and vibration will be taken into account in the formal ES.
11.6.7 Public rights of way are by their nature transitory routes, with users not staying in any one location for long periods. Train sound from the Proposed Scheme is intermittent and its level will vary as the right of way moves closer to and further from the Proposed Scheme. Noise effects would generally be reduced by the landscape earthworks envisaged to reduce visual impact of the scheme and envisaged noise mitigation to protect other receptors. No significant noise effects have therefore been identified on PRoW within this area.
11.6.8 Potential minor ground-borne noise and vibration impacts have been forecast at a small number of properties very close to the alignment. Taking account of the number and minor magnitude of the impacts, and the experience of HS1, no significant effects have been identified. Further assessment will be undertaken for the formal ES to confirm whether the impacts currently forecast are likely to occur. Vibration from the operation of the Proposed Scheme will present no risk of any building damage.
11.6.9 No potentially significant noise or vibration effects arising from changes to existing roads are anticipated at this stage. This will be confirmed in the formal ES. Likely residual significant effects
11.6.10 The envisaged mitigation (especially landscape earthworks and noise barriers) described in this chapter substantially reduces the potential airborne sound impacts and noise effects that would otherwise arise from the Proposed Scheme. Nonetheless, potential significant adverse airborne noise effects have been identified for residential receptors in the following communities: • The eastern edge of Middleton in the vicinity of Church Lane and Crowberry Lane (identified by SV20-C01 on maps SV-01); and • Approximately two individual receptors in Curdworth that are closest to the Proposed Scheme (identified by SV20-D01 on maps SV-01). At these receptors, the forecast noise from long term railway operation may exceed the daytime threshold set by the Noise Insulation Regulations 1996 and the night-time interim target identified in the World Health Organization Guidelines41,42. 11.6.11 Further assessment work is being undertaken to confirm operational sound and vibration significant effects, including those at non-residential receptors and quiet areas (as necessary on a receptor-by-receptor basis). This will be reported in the formal ES which will present baseline levels, forecasts for the Proposed Scheme and the change in sound levels brought about by the Proposed Scheme both as impact plans and tables.
41 The Noise Insulation (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations (1996). London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. 42 World Health Organization (2009), Night Noise Guidelines for Europe.
95 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Sound, noise and vibration
Further mitigation
11.6.12 Improvements in the performance of mitigation that may further reduce or avoid the potential significant airborne noise effects are being considered for the formal ES.otential P options are included in Table 15.
Potential significant effect Further mitigation option
Middleton Increase the mitigation to 4m/5m noise barrier or equivalent, for example by landscape (SV20-C01) earthworks or combination of barrier and earthworks and provide a non-standard viaduct parapet barrier to a height of 4m or equivalent.
Table 15: Options for further mitigation
11.6.13 Noise insulation would be offered following the principles of the Noise Insulation (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 1996 where, taking account of the mitigation incorporated into the Proposed Scheme, the long term operational noise level
exceeds 68dBLpAeq,18 hour. It is estimated that two dwellings – marked SV20-D01 on maps SV-01 – would potentially experience noise levels higher than the insulation trigger level.
96 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Traffic and transport 12 Traffic and transport 12.1 Introduction 12.1.1 This traffic and transport section describes the likely impacts and effects arising from the construction and operation of the Proposed Scheme within the Curdworth to Middleton area on all forms of transport. 12.2 Policy framework 12.2.1 WCC’s Passenger Rail Strategy vision is to have ”an affordable, accessible, safe, convenient, environmentally friendly and integrated network of rail services, capable of attracting an increasing market share for rail thereby contributing to the achievement of the objectives in Warwickshire’s Local Transport Plan 2011”43.
12.2.2 WCC’s Policy PTPR4: Rail network capacity and infrastructure improvements, states that: “The County Council will encourage the provision of improvements to the capacity of the infrastructure of the rail network to increase capacity to enable improved performance and to provide additional services and stations.”
12.2.3 North Warwickshire Local Plan (2006) is the Council’s second borough wide Local Plan. Chapter 7: Transport provides a description of the local transport network and identifies that local rail services within North Warwickshire are infrequent and inefficient in meeting needs. The revised Paragraph 7.31: Influencing Future Travel Patterns states: “In a rural area like North Warwickshire and where general road capacities are limited, the Council as planning authority has a concern to ensure proper and full consideration of transport impacts”44. 12.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 12.3.1 The scope and methodology of the traffic and transport assessment are set out inVolume 1.
12.3.2 The impacts in this area are limited to local diversions and existing highway and construction traffic.
12.3.3 It should be noted that the transport and passenger modelling of HS2 is continuing to be developed and therefore the assessment may be updated for the formal ES.
12.3.4 The impact of construction has been assessed on the assumption that all excavated material from the worksites would be removed by road, although investigation will continue to establish the possibility of movement by rail. The construction traffic assessment may be updated prior to the formal ES.
12.3.5 There have been certain scheme design changes following the initial transport assessment work. The assessment that follows in this section will therefore change once the revised scheme has been assessed and this will be reported in the formal ES. These include: • Potentially revised satellite compound locations; and • Potentially revised construction routes.
12.3.6 The scope of this assessment has been discussed and agreed with the relevant highway authority and discussions are ongoing.
43 Warwickshire County Council (2011), Warwickshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2026. 44 North Warwickshire Borough Council (2006), Local Plan 2006 – Inquiry Proofs.
97 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Traffic and transport
12.3.7 The current baseline forecast traffic flows for the future years of assessment have been derived using Department for Transport (DfT)’s traffic forecasting tool, Trip End Model Presentation Program (TEMPRO). The current traffic forecasts take account of traffic generation likely to arise from planned and committed developments in the area. Where necessary the assessment has been supported by local traffic modelling.
12.3.8 Future assessment work to be undertaken includes committed developments over and above those included within TEMPRO.
12.3.9 TEMPRO growth rates have been obtained for each area specific to the location of a junction under consideration. These have each been considered individually due to the limited interaction they have with each other.
12.3.10 Although future transport baseline scenario assessments have been made, as of yet no assessments of the future baseline with the Proposed Scheme have been undertaken. Therefore analyses of junction impacts during construction are not yet known. These will be assessed in the formal ES.
12.3.11 The following key limitations exist in this initial reporting of significant effects: • As yet only limited assessment has been made of the impacts on public transport, although at this stage it is not expected that demand generated by the operation of the Proposed Scheme would be sufficient to have a significant impact on existing public transport services in the area; and
• The following Volume 1 criteria for construction and operational scenarios have not yet been assessed at this stage: ȃȃ Public transport delay; ȃȃ Traffic flows and delays to vehicle occupants; and ȃȃ Vulnerable road user delays, amenity and ambience.
12.3.12 The following effects have not been assessed as there is no impact as a result of the Proposed Scheme: • Parking and loading; and • Disruption at stations/interchanges.
12.3.13 Future year traffic flows are based on an approach that does not etak account of wider effects, e.g. redistribution and reassignment of traffic, modal shift and peak spreading.As a consequence, local transport effects may be over-estimated.
12.3.14 The assessment is based on the Proposed Scheme construction and operation assumptions, as shown in Figure 3, with the following exceptions: • The current forecast construction traffic flows, temporary diversions, traffic management arrangements and phasing of construction interventions are indicative. They will be subject to revision and update in the formal ES;
• Construction traffic volumes, assumptions for truck capacities and periods of movement of excavated materials, construction materials and staff numbers are indicative and will be subject to revision and update in the formal ES; and • The assessment assumes that construction traffic would use the routes to and from the worksites (as described in section 2.3 of this document).
12.3.15 Engineering and construction details associated with required service diversion works are yet to be confirmed, and will be assessed in the formal ES.
98 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Traffic and transport
12.4 Environmental baseline 12.4.1 Comprehensive traffic surveys were undertaken between 18th June 2012 and 12th July 2012 and additional sites were surveyed in November 2012. Traffic flow data have been collected through manual classified counts, automatic traffic counts and queue length surveys.
12.4.2 The proposed route would intersect with the M42 just north of Junction 9 (M6 Toll and M42) to the west of Marston. Two A-roads would intersect with the proposed route; the A4097 Kingsbury Road would cross to the north-east of Junction 10 on the M42 and the A4091 Coleshill Road would cross just to the south of Church Lane and the A4091 junction, situated to the west of Middleton Pool.
12.4.3 None of the relevant roads that would be affected by the Proposed Scheme currently experience any noteworthy demand for on-street parking and/or loading.
12.4.4 Bus services currently operating along the A4097 Kingsbury Road are in the vicinity of the Proposed Scheme.
12.4.5 The proposed route would cross the existing Birmingham to Derby via Tamworth rail services, operated by CrossCountry, between Water Orton and Wilnecote. This service runs with an average off peak frequency of two services per hour and a total of approximately 42 services per day.
12.4.6 All PRoW which would be intersected by the proposed route have been surveyed in August and September 2012, taking account of the nature of the PRoW and their levels of utilisation. As appropriate, these covered weekday and weekend use. A total of 17 PRoW have been identified consisting of public footpaths, bridleways and cycleways.The surveys indicate that none of the roads, footpaths, bridleways and cycleways that would cross the proposed route are used by more than 50 people per day walking, cycling or horse riding.
12.4.7 Accident data have been obtained from WCC, for a three‑year period until 7 June 2012. Analysis shows that there were a total of 52 accidents within the Curdworth to Middleton area over the three‑year period, of which 45 (87%) were recorded as slight, 7 (13%) as serious and no fatal accidents were recorded; the maximum number occurring on the A446 Lichfield Road/ Faraday Avenue junction, with 13 during the three‑year period.
12.4.8 There are two waterways, Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and Langley Brook, situated within the Curdworth to Middleton area. Both waterways would intersect with the Proposed Scheme. The impact on the usage of the waterways has not yet been assessed; this assessment will be included in the formal ES.
12.4.9 Future baseline traffic volumes have been calculated by applying growth factors derived from TEMPRO for the future years of 2021, 2026 and 2041. The factors have been derived for the individual road types and relevant wards. No other changes to the traffic and transport baseline are anticipated in the Curdworth to Middleton area.
12.4.10 The following five junctions have been assessed in terms of their capacity45 for 2021, 2026 and 2041 baseline scenarios; these junctions are either close to the alignment of the Proposed Scheme or are likely to be affected by the scheme either by alignment or as a result of changes to traffic volumes: • A446 Lichfield Road/Faraday Avenue/Marsh Lane;
45 A junction operates with spare capacity when traffic demand is below the maximum volume of traffic this junction can accommodate at any one point in time. A junction operates at capacity when traffic demand is equal to the maximum volume of traffic this junction can accommodate at any one point in time before congestion is likely to occur. A junction operates over capacity when traffic demand exceeds the maximum volume of traffic this junction can accommodate at any point in time and thus congestion is likely to occur.
99 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Traffic and transport
• M42/A446 Lichfield Road/A4097 Kingsbury Road; • A4091/Park Lane; • A38/M6 Toll Exit; and • A4091/A446/M6 Toll.
12.4.11 The baseline results show that of the five junctions tested, the following two would operate with spare capacity in both peak hours in 2021, 2026 and 2041: • A4091/Park Lane junction; and • A38/M6 Toll Exit junction.
12.4.12 The following list shows the junctions (excluding the two listed in paragraph 12.4.11) that would operate in both peak hours with spare capacity and at capacity in the 2021 and 2026 baseline scenario. None of the tested junctions would operate over capacity in any peak hour in the 2021 and 2026 scenario.
• Morning and evening peak hour ȃȃ Spare capacity: ❏❏ A446 Lichfield Road/Faraday Avenue/Marsh Lane; and ❏❏ M42/A446 Lichfield Road/A4097 Kingsbury Road. ȃȃ At capacity: ❏❏ A4091/A446/M6 Toll.
12.4.13 The following list shows the junctions (excluding the two listed in paragraph 12.4.11) that would operate in both peak hours at and over capacity in the 2041 baseline scenario: • Morning and evening peak hour ȃȃ At capacity: ❏❏ A446 Lichfield Road/Faraday Avenue/Marsh Lane. ȃȃ Over capacity: ❏❏ M42/A446 Lichfield Road/A4097 Kingsbury Road; and ❏❏ A4091/A446/M6 Toll. 12.5 Construction Assessment of impacts and mitigation
12.5.1 The following section considers the impacts on traffic and transport and the consequential effects resulting from construction of the Proposed Scheme.
12.5.2 The measures within the CoCP will be implemented during construction of the Proposed Scheme to avoid or reduce impacts on travellers.
12.5.3 Table 16 shows the number of compounds and satellite compounds in the Curdworth to Middleton area and their associated number of workers, average duration of use and trip generation.
100 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Traffic and transport
Number of Number of Average Likely vehicular compounds workers duration (year) two-way peak hour trips
Small satellite compound 9 300 1 312
Medium satellite compound 6 320 1.5 288
Main compound 1 220 5 564
Total 16 840 1164
Table 16: Compound and satellite construction site compound by size, number, workforce number, average duration of use and peak hour trips46,47
12.5.4 It has been assumed that during the compound’s peak time of operation, a third of satellite compounds would also be in operation at their peak at the same time.
12.5.5 Assessment has not yet taken any detailed phasing implications or capacity assessments at individual junctions into account, as the construction strategy is still developing. These will be assessed in the formal ES.
12.5.6 Similarly, assessment of the railhead will take place in the formal ES when further detail and information is available.
12.5.7 The end stage of construction of diversions would be to tie in with the existing highway; in order to do this the following temporary road closures would be required, as shown on maps CT‑06-112 to CT‑06-116 and CT‑06-119: • Faraday Avenue (half day/overnight closure); • A446 Lichfield Road (half day/overnight closure); • A4097 Kingsbury Road (half day/overnight closure); • Bodymoor Heath Road (half day/overnight closure); • A4091 (half day/overnight closure); • Park Lane (half day/overnight closure); • Church Lane (half day/overnight closure); and • M42 (restricted access arrangements48).
12.5.8 Due to the temporary and very short nature of these diversions, they are not deemed to be significant.
12.5.9 A number of access points to the construction sites would be required and so the construction vehicle movements would be spread over a number of roads. Access points are shown on maps CT‑06-112 to CT‑06-116 and CT‑06-119 and any changes will be reported in the formal ES.
12.5.10 The general principle that has been adopted in this area is that replacement road bridges and underbridges across the proposed route would be constructed early in the programme prior to construction of the haul road along the route to avoid conflict between construction traffic travelling along the haul road and traffic on public highways. It is also assumed that the majority of excavated material would be reused within the Proposed Scheme.
46 Rail systems compounds not currently included in assessment, will be included within formal ES. 47 Construction traffic volumes, assumptions for truck capacities and periods of movement of excavated materials, construction materials and staff numbers are indicative and will be subject to revision and update in the formal ES. 48 Restricted access arrangement occurs where routes are not being altered but their use is being temporarily restricted (e.g. Lane closures on highways).
101 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Traffic and transport
12.5.11 Transport related impacts of the Proposed Scheme during construction would arise from traffic generated by construction activities as well as temporary diversions of oW.PR
12.5.12 Construction vehicle movements related to the building of the Proposed Scheme have been calculated based on the quantity of materials required to construct the Proposed Scheme with an additional 10% allowed for ancillary delivery vehicles. These numbers presently exclude any vehicle flows associated with the removal of excavated materials since the project intends that these materials would be retained and transported along the route of the Proposed Scheme and within the construction areas.
12.5.13 Levels of traffic generated by construction activities at the main site compound throughout the construction period would be approximately 550 (total two-way flow) vehicles per day. However in the first three years of construction, traffic levels could be up to 20% higher than this on two or three days a week. The split of construction vehicles is expected to be on average 65% heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and 35% light goods vehicles (LGV), however this excludes workforce arrival/departure trips, and when related to the overall traffic flows, the percentage split of HGVs in these flows during the morning and evening peaks would therefore be lower.
12.5.14 The CoCP would seek to maximise consolidation of construction materials and equipment thus reducing construction lorry trip generation and reducing deliveries of construction materials and equipment during peak traffic periods. The levels of traffic and the access arrangements, together with the controls imposed by the CoCP means that construction traffic would not be expected to have a significant impact on trafficvels le on roads around the construction site.
12.5.15 The measures in the CoCP would include HGV management and control measures. A construction workforce travel plan would be put into operation with the aim of reducing workforce commuting by private car, especially sole occupancy car travel. The combined effect of the CoCP and the construction workforce travel plan is anticipated to reduce construction traffic generation by a minimum of 7% overall and 15% during the peak periods.
12.5.16 A total of six PRoW would either be diverted or temporarily closed during the construction period (subject to consultation with the Local Authority). The numbers of users have been identified during surveys undertaken in August and September 2012 as mentioned in paragraph 12.4.6. Of the six PRoW, five have been identified with user numbers below ten per day. The remaining one which is used more frequently is detailed below: • T15 – Link from Church Lane to Drayton Lane with 24 pedestrian users and one cycle user per day.
12.5.17 The length of the diversions would be kept to a minimum where practicable. The impact of all diversions is considered to be not significant or of minor significance because of the few people that would be affected (less than 50 people per day per PRoW).
12.5.18 The bus services 115 and 116 running along the A4097 Kingsbury Road would be subject to a temporary diversion.
12.5.19 Details of bus diversion distances and durations will be included in the formal ES.
12.5.20 No other significant transport related impacts arising from the construction of the Proposed Scheme have been identified.
102 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Traffic and transport
Likely residual significant effects
12.5.21 Construction of the Proposed Scheme is not anticipated to result in significant increases in traffic flows (i.e. more than 30% for HGV or all vehicles) on roads and junctions within this area.
12.5.22 It is not expected that the increase in traffic flows on major roads and through certain junctions is likely to increase accident risk. In the Curdworth to Middleton area two junctions have been identified which experienced more than nine accidents over the three year period ending in 2011/12. These junctions include: • the A446 Lichfield Road/Faraday Avenue junction in Coleshill (moderate effect); and • Dunton Roundabout, where the M42 slip roads (Junction 9) meets the A446 Lichfield Road and A4097 Kingsbury Road (moderate effect).
12.5.23 It is unknown at present whether the Proposed Scheme would cause a reduction in the frequency of existing rail services due to shifts in patronage.
12.5.24 Resultant residual effects are to be confirmed upon assessment of the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures and will be reported in the formal ES. 12.6 Operation Assessment of impacts and mitigation
12.6.1 The assessments undertaken at this stage have indicated that for this area there are no significant transport-related impacts during operation of the Proposed Scheme that require mitigation. This is due to there being no stations or depots within this area, thus any trips generated by the Proposed Scheme are deemed insignificant.
12.6.2 PRoW diversions as detailed below are not considered significant, as the maximum number affected is no more than 200 people per day per PRoW: • Link from Church Lane to Drayton Lane (T15) (not significant); • Link from Wishaw Lane to Aston Villa Training Ground (T17) (minor effect); • North of Cuttle Mill Farm (T179) (not significant); • Marston Lane (M450) (minor effect); • North of Mullensgrove Farm (M13) (not significant); and • Link from Hams Lane leading to Lichfield Road (M16) (not significant). Likely residual significant effects
12.6.3 There are not considered to be any significant residual effects associated with the operation of the Proposed Scheme.
103 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Water resources and flood risk assessment 13 Water resources and flood risk assessment 13.1 Introduction 13.1.1 This section provides a summary of the likely impacts and significant effects on water resources and flood risk as a result of the construction and operation of the ProposedScheme. The assessment considers effects on surface water resources, groundwater resources and flooding risk. 13.2 Policy framework 13.2.1 The planning policy documents (and their status) applicable to this area are described in Section 2.1. Policies of relevance to water resources and flood risk are as follows.
13.2.2 The adopted NWBC Local Plan Policy ENV8 (Water Resources) requires that water resources are safeguarded and enhanced and that development is protected from floodwater. The policy requires that new development has satisfactory surface water drainage, including the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) where appropriate, and seeks to prevent the contamination of water resources (both surface and groundwater).
13.2.3 The emerging NWBC Core Strategy maintains the general policy approach of the local plan in respect of flood risk and pollution control. Policy NW8 (Sustainable Development) is a criteria- based policy setting out a series of measures required to deliver sustainable development across the borough. One of the measures is to manage the impacts of climate change – it requires careful consideration of the location of development in respect of flood risk, the use of SuDS and the use of trees and natural vegetation to ensure flood storage capacity. The sustainability policy also requires developers to use water efficiently and protect the quality of surface and groundwater. 13.3 Assessment scope and key assumptions 13.3.1 The route of the Proposed Scheme is shown in Figure 2, Section 2.
13.3.2 The assessment scope and key assumptions for the water resources and flood risk assessment are set out in Volume 1. The study area for water is 1km either side of the proposed route although some water features that extend beyond this have been considered.
13.3.3 The assessment of surface water resources and flood risk focuses on the RiverTame, its tributaries and their associated catchment areas and floodplains. It also includes assessment of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and Langley Brook.
13.3.4 The groundwater resources assessment focuses on aquifers that are present within bedrock and overlying deposits. Effects on groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems GWDTEs)( and groundwater users/receptors (both licensed abstractions and private users) would be identified after review of additional baseline data. 13.4 Environmental baseline 13.4.1 Ground levels within the area are gently undulating and range between 70m above sea level in the valley of Langley Brook and 100m above sea level at Dunton Hall. In terms of geology, the Mercia Mudstone Group underlies the whole of this CFA. The mudstone is overlain by superficial deposits including Alluvium, River Terrace Deposits, Glaciofluvial deposits and Glaciolacustrine deposits.
104 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Water resources and flood risk assessment
13.4.2 The Proposed Scheme crosses watercourses 14 times within the study area, including the River Tame, the Birmingham to Fazeley Canal, the Langley Brook and its tributaries. The majority of these watercourses are heavily modified or artificial water bodies (in the case of the canal) and are classed as being of moderate status under the Water Framework Directive (WFD)49. It should be noted that under the requirements of the WFD the status of a water body is determined by the lowest value of the quality elements assessed. All these watercourses have an overall objective of good under the WFD, indicating they need to reach good status by 2027. There are a further 84 water features within the study area.
13.4.3 There are 11 licensed surface water abstractions and 46 consented discharges to surface watercourses within the study area.
13.4.4 The only bedrock groundwater body located within the study area is the Mercia Mudstone (Tame Anker Mease Secondary Combined water body), a Secondary Aquifer located within the bedrock; this aquifer is currently classed as being of poor status under the WFD. There are also a number of superficial Secondary Aquifers within the overlying surface deposits although no information is available regarding the volume of water they contain. No groundwater source protection zones (SPZs) are present within the study area.
13.4.5 The EA has indicated that there are six licensed abstractions from groundwater within the study area. No information regarding unlicensed potable supplies has yet been received from NWBC. There are 14 licensed discharges to groundwater or to land via soakaways within the study area. These are all classed as sewerage discharges. Nineteen springs, sinks and wells have been identified within the study area.
13.4.6 Within the Curdworth to Middleton area, the route lies within the Tame Anker Mease – Secondary Combined unit (Secondary Aquifer), however this unit has not been designated in terms of groundwater availability for licensing by the EA.
13.4.7 The EA Flood Map for Surface Water suggests that a majority of the route within the study area is susceptible to flooding from surface water. The most vulnerable areas that are shown to be at risk of flooding to a depth greater than 10cm in the 1 in 002 annual probability (0.5%) of flooding event are: • An area north of the River Tame and Water Orton; • East and west of Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, and east and north of Marston Lane Bridge; • West of Bodymoor Heath; and • Langley Brook, east of Middleton.
13.4.8 The route crosses the River Tame, Langley Brook, Gallows Brook and two unnamed watercourses near Hunts Green and North Wood. The route crosses Flood Zones 2 and 3 of each of these watercourses. The risk of flooding from canals and reservoirs within the study area has been assessed as low.
13.4.9 The Warwickshire Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), the NWBC Level 1 SFRA and the Warwickshire County Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) all report that there are no known major problems with flooding from groundwater50,51,52. Where groundwater flooding has occurred, it is usually recorded in combination with other sources of flooding.
49 Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy. Strasbourg, European Parliament and European Council. 50 Warwickshire County Council (2006), Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. 51 North Warwickshire Borough Council (2008), Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for Local Development Framework. 52 Warwickshire County Council (2011), Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment.
105 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Water resources and flood risk assessment
13.4.10 The North Warwickshire SFRA reported that there is a low risk of groundwater flooding within the study area. However, the BGS groundwater flood maps show that much of the land within the CFA is at high risk of groundwater flooding. The overall importance of groundwater flood risk associated with this area will be confirmed in the formal ES.
13.4.11 Environment Agency flood mapping is shown on map CT‑04-21 showing the current understanding of the extent of the 1 in 100 (1%) and 1 in 1000 (0.1%) annual probability of flooding events (Flood Zones 3 and 2 respectively)53.
13.4.12 The route crosses the sewer network at several locations within the Curdworth to Middleton area. However due to the nature of the closed sewer system, and the fact there are no inspection covers located in close proximity to the route within the area, the risk of flooding from this source is generally considered low.
13.4.13 Two SSSIs are located within the study area: Middleton Pool and Whitacre Heath both to the east of the Proposed Scheme. No other nature conservation sites of national or international importance are located within the study area. 13.5 Construction Assessment of impacts and mitigation
13.5.1 The draft CoCP sets out the measures and standards of work that will be applied to the construction of the Proposed Scheme. It would provide effective management and control of the impacts during the construction period including those required for utility diversions and strengthening/grouting, tunnelling and vent shaft construction.
13.5.2 The CoCP includes the following provisions: • Implementing, in consultation with the EA, a surface water and/or groundwater monitoring plan as required, particularly in relation to works which may affect groundwater sensitive areas; • Undertaking further risk assessments associated with excavation work and impacts on surface water; groundwater; abstractions; aquifers and private water supplies; • Preparing site-specific flood risk management plans for those areas at risk of flooding; • Avoiding the use of contaminating materials through appropriate design, construction and equipment specification wherever possible; • Following the measures outlined for the provision of suitable site drainage, for the storage and control of oils and chemicals and to mitigate against accidental spillages; and • Undertaking, as required, further pre-construction monitoring to establish baseline water quality conditions for watercourses, groundwater and during construction works. This would enable the effectiveness of those mitigation measures introduced to limit pollution risk to be monitored and any pollution incidents to be identified.
13.5.3 Construction works have the potential to impact surface and groundwater flow and quality due to run-off, sediment, fuels or other construction materials entering the watercourse, or through mobilisation of contamination following disturbance of contaminated ground or groundwater, or through uncontrolled site run-off or direct discharges. Measures defined in the draft CoCP, including detailed method statements, would ensure that there would be no effect on surface water quality or flows associated with construction.The route of the Proposed Scheme would cross a number of small watercourses, some of which would require permanent realignment over a short distance to a new culvert. These are moderate value
53 Environment Agency (2010), Flood Map for Surface Water.
106 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Water resources and flood risk assessment
receptors, and whilst diversion could have moderate potential impacts, by constructing the new channel in advance and following the measures included in the draft CoCP these would be reduced to slight. It is unlikely that there would be any significant effect during construction as a result.
13.5.4 If contaminated land is disturbed, there is the potential to affect groundwater quality. Contamination is discussed further in Section 8 (Land Quality). Excavations and piling could also negatively affect groundwater quality through the introduction of contamination although this should be avoided by following measures within the draft CoCP.
13.5.5 Excavation of cuttings, sheet piling and dewatering during construction could alter the groundwater flow regime with potential for inducing low flows (abstraction/reduced vels)le or increasing groundwater flood risk (cuttings/sheet piling). Measures outlined in the draft CoCP including the use of SuDS and adherence to EA Pollution Prevention Guidance would reduce the potential effects on groundwater quality, whilst techniques such as reinjection of groundwater and use of sheet pile cut offs would be used to address groundwater flow issues.
13.5.6 This is considered to be a particular risk in the vicinity of the Leeds spur where a deep box (approximately 25m) is to be constructed. This has potential to cause dewatering of the superficial deposits (glaciofluvial deposits) by impeding groundwater flow. This could affect issues sourced from this stratum and potentially the flow of water to two ancient woodland sites located to the west. Sheet pile cut-off walls would mitigate the impact of dewatering and reduce the significance of effects to neutral. The use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to provide infiltration towards the east of the cutting should mitigate against the effect of groundwater flow cut-off in the superficial deposits. The effects are thus likely to be limited in extent and therefore unlikely to be significant.
13.5.7 Locally designated wildlife sites along the route are unlikely to be affected by works following inclusion of the measures defined in the draft CoCP and implementation of SuDS including infiltration measures where appropriate.
13.5.8 Five temporary bridges are required to cross the Langley Brook and its tributaries during construction. These bridges would be within Flood Zone 3. Temporary bridges would be designed to convey the 1 in 100 annual probability (1%) of flooding event without increasing flood risk. Mitigation measures outlined in the draft CoCP include signing up to the EA flood warning system and creation of a flood warning and evacuation plan to be used during the construction phase of the Proposed Scheme. In addition, there are several locations where temporary works are within the area identified as at risk of flooding to a depth greater than 100mm during a 1 in 200 annual probability of flooding event including: • An area north-west of Lea Marston; • West of Marston, north of Birmingham and Fazeley Canal; • West of Bodymoor Heath; and • South of Langley Brook, west of Middleton Park.
13.5.9 Any potential for increase in run-off from the development sites would be managed by the measures defined in the draft CoCP.
13.5.10 The proposed temporary railhead at Hams Hall impinges upon the floodplain of the River Tame and may therefore reduce floodplain storage if ground levels are altered. Detailed assessment will be reported in the Flood Risk Assessment. Overall, the flood risk to sensitive receptors would not change.
107 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Water resources and flood risk assessment
13.5.11 Mitigation, such as attenuation and restricted discharge through SuDS, would limit run-off to the existing run-off rate during the 1 in 100 annual probability (1%) of floodingvent, e and more frequent events as appropriate, to mitigate this risk.
13.5.12 Following the inclusion of the measures described above, the significance of effects for flood risk is therefore likely to be neutral.
13.5.13 None of the effects likely to arise during construction has been identified as being significant after mitigation. Likely residual significant effects
13.5.14 No significant residual effects have been identified. 13.6 Operation Assessment of impacts and mitigation
13.6.1 The Proposed Scheme has been designed to control impacts on the water environment through the following: • Drainage has been designed to reduce the rate and volume of run-off from the railway and prevent an increase in flood risk; • SuDS, where appropriate, have been included to encourage water to soak back into the ground where drainage or cuttings intercept groundwater flow; and • SuDS would also provide opportunities to reduce the effect of run-off on water quality by reducing potential contaminants through filtration, vegetative absorption or settlement.
13.6.2 Best practice pollution control guidance would be adopted for maintenance of the Proposed Scheme.
13.6.3 All standard drainage including drainage from associated access roads and hard standings, would discharge either, under agreement, to sewer or to SuDS attenuation ponds, prior to subsequent discharge to sewer/watercourses as appropriate. All discharges to watercourses would be conducted in accordance with EA or Lead Local Flood Authority consent conditions with respect to quality and flow, as appropriate.
13.6.4 A proposed culvert on the Gallows Brook and associated diversion may impact on the existing water environment, potentially changing flow characteristics and the ecology supported. As part of the watercourse diversion, opportunities would be taken to retain and if possible enhance the overall quality of the watercourses, for example by including meanders and enhanced banks. It is considered that mitigation would ensure no significant adverse impacts occur.
13.6.5 Some road diversions would be required as part of the Proposed Scheme. Mitigation would be selected for realignments, using the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and Construction Research and Information Association (CIRIA) guidance to reduce impacts on the water environment54,55.
13.6.6 In some locations, including the stub for the Leeds spur, active groundwater abstraction may need to be continuous to maintain a low water table, or passive drainage into cuttings may occur. This could affect ecosystems and groundwater bodies within 1km of the route. These impacts would be mitigated through the use of SuDS, reinjection of water and the incorporation of low permeable barriers into the ground works design. Further assessment
54 Highways Agency, (1992 plus subsequent addenda).The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB). 55 CIRIA (2007). The SUDS manual (C697).
108 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I Water resources and flood risk assessment
of this impact and any additional mitigation will be detailed in the formal ES. It is concluded that these effects would not be significant.
13.6.7 The design of watercourse crossings would ensure the track level is above the 1 in 1000 annual probability (0.1%) of flooding event and crossing structures are designed to convey the 1 in 100 annual probability (1%) of flooding event (including an allowance for climate change) without increasing flood risk to sensitive receptors. Similarly critical equipment would be raised above the 1 in 1000 annual probability (0.1%) of flooding vente level.
13.6.8 Modelling undertaken to identify and quantify post scheme flood risk is showing that overall the Proposed Scheme is likely to have minimal impact on flood risk within this area. There are receptors within Curdworth to Middleton CFA that have a high or very high value so local flood storage may be required to mitigate increased river flood risk resulting from construction of watercourse crossings in some locations within this area.
13.6.9 Where surface water flow paths are interrupted or surface water flooding is identified as an issue, flows would be mitigated either by discharging run-off to a neighbouring watercourse or through the provision of infiltration ponds. Flow attenuation would also be employed as appropriate.
13.6.10 None of the effects likely to arise during operation of the Proposed Scheme have been identified as being significant after mitigation. Likely residual significant effects
13.6.11 The diversion of the Gallows Brook would offer the opportunity for slight beneficial effects should opportunities to improve the local river environment be identified.This needs to be balanced against the section of the brook that needs to be culverted. This will be reviewed and assessed in the formal ES. No other residual effects have been assessed as being significant. Further mitigation
13.6.12 As no significant residual effects have been identified, no further mitigation is currently proposed.
109 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I References 14 References Arup/URS (2013), Phase One: Draft Code of Construction Practice. HS2 Ltd, London.
CIRIA (2007), The SUDS manual (C697).
Cranfield University (2001), The National Soil Map of England and Wales 1:250,000 scale. Cranfield University: National Soil Resources Institute.
Environment Agency (2010), Flood Map for Surface Water.
HS2 Ltd; Community forums; http://www.hs2.org.uk/have-your-say/forums/community-forums. Accessed: 25 April 2013.
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (2010), Indices of Deprivation.
Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy.Strasbourg, European Parliament and European Council.
Highways Agency (1992 plus subsequent addenda),The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB).
Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) (2010), Employment Density Guide.
Natural England (1996); The Character of England 1996; http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/publications/ nca/default.aspx. Accessed: 8 January 2013.
North Warwickshire Borough Council (2006), Local Plan 2006 – Inquiry Proofs.
North Warwickshire Borough Council (2006), North Warwickshire Local Plan.
North Warwickshire Borough Council (2008), Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for Local Development Framework.
North Warwickshire Borough Council (2012), Annual Monitoring Report 2010/2011.
North Warwickshire Borough Council (2012), North Warwickshire Local Plan Core Strategy – Proposed Submission.
North Warwickshire Borough Council; The Local Plan for North Warwickshire; http://www.northwarks.gov. uk/info/200297/forward_planning/872/local_development_framework; Accessed: 7 February 2013.
North Warwickshire Borough Council (2012), 2012 Air Quality Updating and Screening Assessment for North Warwickshire Borough Council, April 2012.
Office for National Statistics (2011), Population Projections.
Office for National Statistics (2011),Census Resident Population by Ethnic Group and Religion.
Office for National Statistics (2011),UK Business: Activity, Size and Location.
Office for National Statistics (2012),Annual Population Survey.
Office for National Statistics (2012),Business Register and Employment Survey 2011.
Office for National Statistics (2012),Census 2011.
Standing Order 27A of the Standing Orders of the House of Commons relating to private business (environmental assessment), House of Commons.
The Hedgerows Regulations 1997 (1997 No. 1160). London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
110 CFA Report – Curdworth to Middleton/No 20 I References
The Noise Insulation (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 1996. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
Valuation Office Agency (2012);Business Floorspace (Experimental Statistics); http://www.voa.gov.uk/ corporate/statisticalReleases/120517_CRLFloorspace.html. Accessed: 28 March 2012.
Warwickshire County Council; Biodiversity Strategy ‘Working for Warwickshire’s Wildlife’; http://www. warwickshire.gov.uk/Web/corporate/wccweb.nsf/Links/154325E68157188D8025785100693463/$file/ WCC+Biodiversity+Strategy.pdf. Accessed: 31 October 2012.
Warwickshire County Council (Date unknown); Coventry and Solihull Local Biodiversity Action Plan; http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/biodiversity. Accessed: 31 October 2012.
Warwickshire County Council (Date unknown), Definitive Map of public footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways.
Warwickshire County Council (2006), Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
Warwickshire County Council (2011), Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment.
Warwickshire County Council (2011), Warwickshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2026.
Weeds Act 1959 (7 & 8 Eliz II c. 54). London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
Whitfield, W. A. D., (1974),Soils in Warwickshire I – Sheet SP36 (Leamington Spa). Soil Survey Record No.19.
World Health Organization (2009), Night Noise Guidelines for Europe.
111