Cowes Outer Harbour Project Environmental Impact Assessment
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South East of England Development Agency & Cowes Harbour Commission Cowes Outer Harbour Project Environmental Impact Assessment Date: June 2009 Project Ref: R/3752/1 Report No: R.1518 Cowes Outer Harbour Project Environmental Impact Assessment Non Technical Summary See separate document R/3752/1 R.1518 Cowes Outer Harbour Project Environmental Impact Assessment Acknowledgements During this Environmental Impact Assessment, and the Scoping Study that preceded it, a large number of organisations and individuals were consulted to ascertain their views on the Cowes Outer Harbour Project and also to obtain relevant supporting information. We would like to thank all those who contributed including, among others, the following: Karema Warr and Thi Bowlam (Cefas); Dave Moore, Colin Pope, Mark Roland and Mark Wootton (IOWC); Olayinka Omidire, Ricky Evans, Alex McKenzie (MFA); Richard Massey (English Heritage); Nikki Hiorns, Helen Stevens, Roger Morris, Chris McMullon, Claire Lambert, Chris Pirie, Sarah Wiggins (Natural England); Philip Hailey, Charlotte Stride, Adrian Fewings, David Lowthian, Ian Udal, Jo McGrath and Simon McFarlane (Environment Agency); Sue Hawley and the Medina Estuary Partnership (for the managing and part funding the Medina Assessment Tools ); Roger Herbert (Medina Valley Centre); Ken Collins (National Oceanographic Centre); Harriott Dennison (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds); Pauline Holmes, Jolyon Chesworth (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust); and Ian Carrier (Southern Sea Fisheries Committee). We would also like to thank Stuart McIntosh (Cowes Harbour Master), David Holifield (South East of England Development Agency), Mike Ward, Emma Beagley, Alan Inder and Phil Dunn (Marina Projects) and members of the East Cowes Community Partnership for provision of project information and technical advice on the scheme throughout the assessment process. R/3752/1 (i) R.1518 Cowes Outer Harbour Project Environmental Impact Assessment Cowes Outer Harbour Project Environmental Impact Assessment Contents Page Non Technical Summary i Acknowledgements i 1. Introduction....................................................................................................................1 1.1 The Cowes Outer Harbour Project...............................................................................1 1.1.1 Background....................................................................................................1 1.1.2 Benefits of the Scheme..................................................................................2 1.1.3 Implications of the Scheme Not Going Ahead ...............................................2 1.2 Overview of the Application Process............................................................................2 1.3 Approach to EIA...........................................................................................................3 1.4 Consultation .................................................................................................................4 1.5 Report Structure...........................................................................................................4 1.6 Consultants Undertaking the Work...............................................................................5 1.7 Items Excluded From EIA.............................................................................................6 1.8 Definitions ....................................................................................................................7 2. Project Needs/Alternatives ..........................................................................................14 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................14 2.2 Project Rationale........................................................................................................14 2.2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................14 2.2.2 Rationale for Breakwater .............................................................................15 2.2.3 Rationale for Marina.....................................................................................16 2.2.4 Rationale for the Eastern Channel...............................................................16 2.3 Consideration of Alternative Options..........................................................................17 2.3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................17 2.3.2 Outer Harbour Project Overall .....................................................................18 2.3.3 Breakwater Configurations...........................................................................20 2.3.4 Do Nothing...................................................................................................27 3. Description of the Proposed Work...............................................................................28 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................28 3.2 Physical Composition of the Breakwater....................................................................28 3.3 Construction Methodology for the Breakwater ...........................................................29 3.3.1 Project Phases.............................................................................................29 3.4 Extension of the Shrape Breakwater..........................................................................30 3.5 Specifications of the Proposed Eastern Dredged Channel ........................................31 3.6 Proposed Eastern Channel Dredge and Dredge Disposal Strategy...........................31 3.6.1 Considerations for Beneficial Use................................................................32 3.7 Detailed Design of the Marina....................................................................................32 R/3752/1 (ii) R.1518 Cowes Outer Harbour Project Environmental Impact Assessment 3.8 Construction Methodology for the Marina ..................................................................33 3.8.1 Dredging ......................................................................................................33 3.8.2 Piling for the Marina.....................................................................................34 3.8.3 Timeline for Construction.............................................................................34 4. Legislative Framework.................................................................................................37 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................37 4.2 Details of Consents and Legal Considerations ..........................................................37 4.2.1 Powers to Carry Out and Licence Works.....................................................37 4.2.2 The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 ..................................................38 4.2.3 FEPA Licences ............................................................................................38 4.2.4 Environmental Impact Assessment..............................................................39 4.2.5 Appropriate Assessment..............................................................................39 4.2.6 Species Protection.......................................................................................40 4.2.7 Coast Protection Act ....................................................................................40 4.2.8 Water Resources Act...................................................................................40 5. Planning Policy Context...............................................................................................42 5.1 National/Regional Planning Guidance........................................................................42 5.2 Regional Planning Policy ...........................................................................................46 5.3 Local Planning Policy.................................................................................................48 5.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................................55 6. Impact Assessment Approach.....................................................................................57 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................57 6.2 Impact Assessment Methodology ..............................................................................57 6.2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................57 6.2.2 Impact Assessment Framework Structure ...................................................59 6.2.3 Stage 1 - Identify Features and Changes ....................................................59 6.2.4 Stage 2 - Understand Change and Sensitivity .............................................61 6.2.5 Stage 3 - Impact Evaluation.........................................................................62 6.2.6 Stage 4 - Impact Management.....................................................................63 6.2.7 Impact Assessment Guidance Tables .........................................................64 6.3 EIA Cumulative Effects/In-Combination