Simec Uskmouth Power Station Eia Scoping Report
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EIA SCOPING REPORT SIMEC USKMOUTH POWER STATION Request for Scoping Opinion under Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2017 On behalf of Simec Uskmouth Power Ltd. OXF11035 V3 December 2019 rpsgroup.com SIMEC USKMOUTH POWER STATION Quality Management Version Status Authored by Reviewed by Approved by Date V1 Draft David Gabb Mark Barrett Dan Smyth 27/09/2019 V2 Draft David Gabb Mark Barrett Dan Smyth 04/12/2019 V3 Draft David Gabb Mark Barrett Dan Smyth 23/12/2019 Approval for issue Dan Smyth 23 December 2019 File/Model Location \\brig-lw-03\EnvPlanning\11035 - Uskmouth Power Station\EIA\Scoping\11035 Document location: SUP_Scoping Report Final.docx Model / Appendices location: This report was prepared by RPS within the terms of RPS’ engagement with its client and in direct response to a scope of services. This report is supplied for the sole and specific purpose for use by RPS’ client. The report does not account for any changes relating the subject matter of the report, or any legislative or regulatory changes that have occurred since the report was produced and that may affect the report. RPS does not accept any responsibility or liability for loss whatsoever to any third party caused by, related to or arising out of any use or reliance on the report. Prepared by: Prepared for: RPS Simec Uskmouth Power Ltd. Mark Barret Cara Donovan Associate Environment and Consents Manager 20 Western Avenue 4th floor, Edinburgh Quay 2, Milton Park 139 Fountainbridge, Abingdon Edinburgh, Oxon EH3 9QG OX14 4SH T 01235 821888 T 07469 854528 E [email protected] E [email protected] Scoping Report | December 2019 rpsgroup.com SIMEC USKMOUTH POWER STATION Term Definition GLOSSARY fuel Solid Recovered Fuel Term Definition ZTV Zone of Theoretical Visibility ACT Advanced Conversion Technology power ZVI Zone of Visual Influence plant ADMS Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling System AGL Above Ground Level AOD Above Ordnance Datum APC Air Pollution Control AQMA Air Quality Management Areas BGS British Geological Survey BS British Standard BSI British Standard Institute CCGT Combined Cycle Gas Turbine CERC Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants CIEEM Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management CRTN Calculation of Road Traffic Noise DCLG Department for Communities and Local Government DMRB Design Manual for Roads and Bridges EcIA Ecological Impact Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMF Electromagnetic Fields EPUK Environmental Protection UK ES Environmental Statement FEED Front End Engineering Design FGT Flue Gas Treatment FRA Flood Risk Assessment GGAT Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust GHG Greenhouse Gasses HER Historic Environment Record HGV Heavy Goods Vehicle IAQM Institute of Air Quality Management IEA Institute of Environmental Assessment IEFs Important Ecological Features LAQM Local Air Quality Management LDP Newport Local Development Plan LHV Lower Heating Value LVIA Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment NCC Newport City Council NLCAs National Landscape Character Areas NRW Natural Resources Wales NSR Noise Sensitive Receptors PROW Publics Rights of Way Scoping Report | December 2019 rpsgroup.com Page i SIMEC USKMOUTH POWER STATION Contents GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................................... I 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1-1 Statutory Framework and Purpose of the Environmental Statement .............................................. 1-1 2 THE SITE AND THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ..................................................................... 2-3 The Site and its Surroundings ......................................................................................................... 2-3 Project Description .......................................................................................................................... 2-4 Planning Context ............................................................................................................................. 2-9 3 GENERAL APPROACH TO EIA .................................................................................................. 3-10 Requirement for Environmental Impact Assessment .................................................................... 3-10 Information Required ..................................................................................................................... 3-10 Structure of the Environmental Statement (ES) ............................................................................ 3-12 EIA Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 3-12 4 SCOPE OF ASSESSMENT .......................................................................................................... 4-17 Work Undertaken to Date .............................................................................................................. 4-17 Topics Scoped Out of Assessment ............................................................................................... 4-17 5 TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS ..................................................................................................... 5-20 Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................................. 5-20 Chapter 2: Project Description ...................................................................................................... 5-20 Chapter 3: Need and Alternatives Considered .............................................................................. 5-20 Chapter 4: Environmental Assessment Methodology ................................................................... 5-20 Chapter 5: Geology, Hydrogeology and Ground Conditions ......................................................... 5-21 Chapter 6: Hydrology .................................................................................................................... 5-22 Chapter 7: Ecology ........................................................................................................................ 5-23 Chapter 8: Landscape and Visual ................................................................................................. 5-25 Chapter 9: Historic Environment ................................................................................................... 5-27 Chapter 10: Traffic and Transport ................................................................................................. 5-29 Chapter 11: Noise.......................................................................................................................... 5-31 Chapter 12: Air Quality .................................................................................................................. 5-33 Chapter 13: Climate Change ......................................................................................................... 5-34 Chapter 14: Population and Health ............................................................................................... 5-39 Cumulative Effects......................................................................................................................... 5-42 Summary of Issues Proposed to be Scoped Out of Topic Chapters ............................................ 5-43 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................ 5-44 Tables Table 2.1 Summary of new buildings and approximate dimensions ..................................................... 2-4 Table 2.2 Anticipated logistical movements (both boilers) .................................................................... 2-7 Table 4.1 Structure of the ES .............................................................................................................. 4-19 Table 5.1 Climate Parameter Projections 2020–2039 ........................................................................ 5-37 Table 5.2 Marine Projections 2020–2039 ........................................................................................... 5-38 Table 5.3 Public health statistics. ........................................................................................................ 5-40 Table 5.4 Issues Proposed to be Scoped Out of Topic Chapters ....................................................... 5-43 Scoping Report | December 2019 rpsgroup.com Page ii SIMEC USKMOUTH POWER STATION 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 This Scoping Report has been prepared by RPS on behalf of Simec Uskmouth Power Ltd. It proposes the scope of environmental assessment for the proposed conversion of the existing coal-fired power plant at Simec Uskmouth Power Station to a plant that would generate electricity by combusting fuel pellets derived from non-recyclable waste otherwise destined for landfill, along with associated infrastructure (the proposed development). 1.2 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process of identifying and assessing the significant effects likely to arise from a proposed development. EIA is not required for all developments. A formal request for a screening opinion was submitted to the local planning authority Newport City Council (NCC) on 19th October 2018 and a screening opinion was issued