Item: 8 Appendix 3

Route Element Environmental considerations Land use and economic development Transportation Considerations (e.g. junction (e.g.natural and built heritage, considerations (e.g. impacts upon the local location, travel safety, active travel archaeology, flooding, noise, economy, opportunities for economic opportunities). contaminated land, major growth, proximity to market hazards) Purple P1 Significant flood risk over the Potential impacts upon Culbin Forest- Majority of housing in Forres is to the south majority of this area. impacts on tourist attraction. Culbin is of the High Street and existing A96. Traffic identified in the Moray Forest and will need to travel through built up area to Archaeology- potential moderate Woodland Strategy as having potential to access the A96 dualling. impact - Small areas of prehistoric expand as a tourist destination. settlement, other cropmark Traffic from Southwest Forres housing would features , setting of Brodie Castle Western access would be remote from need to travel via Grantown Road and Garden and Designed Landscape. Forres but close to Brodie Castle (tourist existing A96 to access junctions. Brodie Castle is A listed. destination). Western junction is remote from built up Private water supply affected. Eastern junction would provide access to area, westbound traffic may use U82E and Kinloss Barracks and Findhorn (tourist U83E to access new A96 (both single track Potential impact on listed buildings destination) and good access to employment roads with passing places). including Grange House A listed, land including the Enterprise Park, Forres. Grange Lodge B listed, Moy House Potential impact on Sustrans Route NCN1. A listed, Invererne House A listed. Tourist traffic from south, A940, would still pass through Forres. Potential impact of access linking Forres and Potential impacts upon Moray Firth beyond to Culbin Forest recreational routes? Special Area of Conservation, Moray and Nairn Coast Special Kinloss-Forres cycleway must be taken into Protection Area, Findhorn Bay considered. Local Nature Reserve and the Coastal Protection Zone designated Eastern junction would result in traffic using in the Moray Local Development B9011 which to the north has constrained Plan 2015. crossing over railway. Upgrading of the B9011 may be required. Potential significant landscape impact across open coastal plain. MacBeth’s hillock- undesignated but of

Compensatory woodland planting cultural importance. would be required.

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

P2 Minor surface water issues. Sections of route run parallel to existing A96 at Burgie and Alves Wood Archaeology- potential major impact – cropmarks of prehistoric Section of route runs parallel to railway at settlement, remains of General Alves. Wade’s Military Road. Route in close proximity to old Alves Station, Impacts upon listed buildings C4E must not be severed. Vertical alignment including Burgie Lodge B listed, of public road is determined by crossing of Alves parish church B listed, railway at this location.

Private water supply (18 See above comments (P1) regarding junction properties) affected. at Forres.

Cuts through Alves wood, affecting recreational opportunities and would require compensatory planting.

Impacts on prime agricultural land. P3 Significant surface water flooding Significantly restricts future development to Of the three options on Western side this is near woodside croft. Fluvial the south of Elgin, however, the junction the closest into Elgin. Traffic from north of flooding north east of Miltonduff, strategy could support employment land Elgin would still require to pass through River Lossie and Linkwood Burn. south of Elgin. urban area to access A96 dualling.

Possible contamination and waste Potential for new service station area at Flood plain issues would mean a junction

management issues associated junction with A941. would need to be located further west than with a former gravel pit on the spur indicated. road through Aldroughty Woods. Possible contamination issues Longer distance traffic coming from South on associated with the former RAF A941 (from A95) would be able to bypass Elgin airfield. Elgin if travelling onwards to east/west.

Major Impact – Miltonduff WWII Western junction requires new link road to airfield remains, cropmarks of connect to existing A96, which would cross prehistoric settlement. both the railway and the river Lossie.

Private water supply (11 properties Junction with existing A96 would need to be affected). a roundabout (not T junction) as local traffic from north of existing A96 would still be Impacts on prime agricultural land. using this route to access Elgin.

Junction on A941 would directly serve new housing at Elgin South.

Active travel corridor on old railway line south of Elgin must be safeguarded.

P4 Archaeology- minor impact – Junction offers reasonable access to The junction would require improvements to cropmarks of prehistoric Barmuckity business park. be made to connecting existing local roads. settlement.

Potential impact on A listed Coxton Tower. From position of the new junction to the south of the railway line, the main access to/from the dualling to/from the old A96

(and Elgin), would be under a restricted height bridge. This could significantly compromise and constrain HGV movements around Elgin.

Potential impacts on Gypsy/ Traveller site at Doohill. P5 Archaeology- moderate impact – See above comments (P4) on junction at cropmarks of prehistoric Elgin. See below comments (P6) for junction settlement, setting of stone-circle. near Mosstodloch

Potential impact upon Loch Oire SSSI.

Compensatory woodland planting will be required.

Impacts upon Pittensair A listed building

P6 River flooding at junction onto Western junction would provide good access The intersection at P6 is quite removed from Fochabers by-pass. for Baxters, business and tourist destination. Mostodloch.

Archaeology- moderate impact – Cuts through employment land site Alignment would follow existing A96 cropmarks of prehistoric designated in the Moray Local Development Mosstodloch bypass, which has the potential settlement. Plan 2015. to reintroduce a significant amount of traffic to the village, including HGVs. Private water supply (2 properties affected) The middle intersection ties into the A96 but not at a key junction point, connection would Compensatory woodland planting be required to the existing roundabout at

required. “Baxters”.

The eastern junction includes a new link road to the existing A96. The junction onto the existing A96 would need to be a roundabout (not T junction) as local traffic from north of existing A96 would still be using this route.

Eastern junction with the existing A96 would be in close proximity to existing roundabout at western end of Mosstodloch and would require a new link to existing A96.

(P5 & P6) Opportunity to use proposed route from Lhanbryde to Mosstodloch to provide an active travel link between settlements.

. P7 Archaeology- minor impact – Could conflict with a housing site identified See above comments (P6) on junction for Former railway line in the Moray Local Development Plan 2015. Mosstodloch.

Potential significant impact on No direct access to B9014 (Spey Bay tourist Route requires new crossing of River Spey Gordon Castle Garden and attractions). Traffic would need to travel and then follows alignment of existing A96. Designed Landscape and A and B through Fochabers/ Mosstodloch. listed buildings. Potential impacts Eastern junction would be provided with upon Fochabers Conservation Route could impact upon Moray Monster dualling route then connecting into existing Area. Trails/ woodland walks (Whiteash woods), A96 alignment (P8) Eastern junction would an important recreation and tourist provide access to A98 and Fochabers. Potential significant impacts on the attraction. River Spey SSSI and Special Area of Conservation and the Moray and Junction is well located to serve current and Nairn Coast Special Protection Area future employment aspirations at Buckie and

and Ramsar site. for tourist access to the coastline.

Significant woodland removal, which would require to be compensated.

Cuts through ENV designations on the west of Fochabers, as identified in the Moray Local Development Plan 2015. Red R1 Some flooding at Brodie but should Junction would provide good access to the Western section runs parallel to existing A96 not affect road. north/ western part of Forres and would be and may have an impact on C10E junction in close proximity to Brodie Castle and (Feddan Farm). Darnaway Gate piers are A listed. Brodie Countryfare. Immediately adjacent to Darnaway The new corridor should not follow the Castle Garden and Designed alignment of the existing A96 at eastern end Landscape. Feddan farmhouse is B of this section otherwise it will sever access listed and Tearie farmhouse C to Forres. Positioning of this section of the listed. route is therefore very important.

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

R2 Flooding east of Newton of Dalvey. Impacts upon Mundole caravan park and Provides three junctions instead of two retirement village. (junction at A940). Possible contamination issues associated with the former RAF Close to existing development and site Intersections at east end will create/ increase Forres airfield, including the bomb designated in the Moray Local Development development demand in that location and store. Plan 2015 for development at Whiterow. must facilitate access to Kinloss Barracks.

Archaeology- major impact – Junction on A940 would serve housing in Mundole WWII airfield remains, southwest Forres and could re-route traffic Neolithic Timber Hall and other from Grantown Road north. cropmarks.

Junction onto A940 may attract longer Impacts upon Darnaway Castle distance traffic to/ from the A9 currently Garden and Designed Landscape using the A941/A95 route. and Darnaway East Lodge, Gatepiers and gates A listed. Impacts upon Mundole equestrian centre and woodland recreational routes south of Significant woodland removal Forres. would require to be compensated.

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

R3 Possible contamination issues See above comments (R1) regarding associated with the former RAF alignment of western end of this section. Forres airfield. Provides access to areas of development Archaeology- moderate Impact – allocated in MLDP. Mundole WWII airfield remains. Siting of junction has potential to sever Private water supply (29 access to U82E. properties) affected. See comments above (R2) on Forres south Proximity to River Findhorn Area of junction. Great Landscape Value and Lower Findhorn Woods SSSI.

Potential impact upon Darnaway and Lethan Special Protection Area.

Impacts upon Darnaway Castle and Designed Landscape and Darnaway East Lodge, Gatepiers and gates A listed.

Significant woodland removal would require to be compensated.

R4 Potential significant impact on Potential impact on the Dava Way. Access would need to be retained, with no Chapelton Reservoir severance of the existing public road Impact upon recreational routes in Altyre network. Potential impact on the setting of Estate. Dallas Dhu Distillery listed A, scheduled monument and Good junction access to Enterprise Park, Mannachie Lodge B listed, Forres. Marcassie farmhouse B listed, Cathay House B listed, Cathay House gatelodge and gatepiers B listed.

Significant woodland felling would need to be compensated. R5 Goes through wetland / bog Good junction to access Enterprise Park, Siting of eastern junction for Forres will permanently flooded area. Forres. require careful consideration and should seek to provide good access to Forres, Forres Impacts on prime agricultural land. Potential for development around new Enterprise Park and Kinloss Barracks. junction, including service station. Wherever the junction is located there will be impacts on B9011 and/ or C6E (level crossing road into Kinloss). Upgrading of these routes may need to be considered as part of the dualling scheme.

If western junction position is chosen this would result in traffic using B9011 which to the north has constrained crossing over railway. Upgrading of the B9011 may be

required.

If eastern junction position was chosen this would result in increased traffic using the C6E, over the level crossing and along part of the public road which is an on-carriageway section of the NCN1 Sustrans route. R6 Archaeology- moderate impact – The new junction would need an improved cropmarks of prehistoric connection to existing A96 (see comments settlement on P4 above). Rail Bridges over the B9103 and C1E have restricted height for HGV. Private water supply (11 properties) affected. The junction is remote from Elgin and therefore may not be used by local traffic. Loch Na Bo Croft B listed.

Appears to be well contained in the landscape, reducing visual impact. R7 See above comments (P6) regarding routes to access junction.

R8 Significant woodland removal Route passes close to Moray Monster trails Ties into existing A96 alignment at eastern would require compensatory and impacts upon trails at both Ordiquish end of section. planting. and Whiteash woods.

Impacts upon water abstraction Junction is well located to serve current and site. future employment aspirations at Buckie and for tourist access to the coastline. Potential significant impact upon the River Spey SSI and Special Area of Conservation.

Impacts upon Speyside Area of Great Landscape Value designation.

Dipple Burial Ground C listed.

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

R9 Significant woodland removal Route passes close to Moray Monster trails Ties into existing A96 alignment at eastern would require compensatory and impacts upon trails at both Ordiquish end of section. planting. and Whiteash woods.

Potential significant impact upon Junction is well located to serve current and the River Spey SSSI and Special future employment aspirations at Buckie and Area of Conservation. for tourist access to the coastline.

Impacts upon Speyside Area of Great Landscape Value designation.

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

Orange O1 Potential significant landscape and For junction comments see R1 above. Northern alignment of route- see comments visual impact on open coastal plain. associated with P1 regarding traffic routing through Forres.

O2 Flood risk and impact on back run Potential impact on Sustrans NCN1. which is part of Findhorn Scheme.

Likely contamination and waste management issues associated with Waterford landfill.

Archaeology- moderate impact – cropmarks of prehistoric settlement, burial.

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

Potential impacts upon Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation, Moray and Nairn Coast Special Protection Area, Findhorn Bay Local Nature Reserve and the Coastal Protection Zone designated in the Moray Local Development Plan 2015.

O3 Conflicts with North Forres . Routing must take into account the embankment of Findhorn Scheme. alignment of the new road link over the railway. Archaeology- moderate impact – cropmarks of prehistoric Potential impact on Sustrans NCN1. settlement.

Ben Romach distillery is B listed.

Potential significant landscape and visual impact on open coastal plain.

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

Private water supply affected. O4 Archaeology- moderate impact – Cuts through sites I7 and I8 which are Northern route would have only eastern and cropmarks of prehistoric designated for employment use in the western junctions for Forres, see comments settlement. Moray Local Development Plan 2015. on P1 above.

Cuts through land at Cassieford which could Junction to west of Forres is remote from Potential impact on Findhorn Bay be considered for longer term expansion of built up area. See further comments on R5 Local Nature Reserve and coastal Forres. above. natural heritage designations. Good junction access to the Enterprise Park, Archaeology- Potential significant Forres. landscape and visual impact on open coastal plain. Potential impacts on tree nurseries.

Impacts upon listed buildings including Grange House A listed and Lodge House B listed.

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

O5 Potential significant landscape and For western junction see comments on R5 visual impact on open coastal plain. above.

Minor flooding from small burn at Eastern junction would require upgrading of Rosenewton the B9013.

Archaeology- major impact – Local traffic (from west) may remain on cropmarks of prehistoric existing A96 to access central Elgin. settlement, burial

Private water supply (7 properties) affected

Potential impact upon Sparron Castle- B listed, Alves Old parish church B listed, Windsor House, B listed, Wester Kintrae farmhouse B listed

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

O6 Archaeology- major impact – Good direct access to Lossiemouth and new Traffic modelling being undertaken by TS Spynie Canal, cropmarks of planned housing and employment areas at which would identify the potential impacts of prehistoric settlement Findrassie, Elgin. However, route passes the routes on traffic movements within Elgin. through sites R11, I8 and LONG1 designated Potential impacts on Loch Spynie in the Moray Local Development Plan 2015. Route would sever the popular Elgin to Special Protection Area. Lossiemouth cycle path (alongside the A941).

Spynie Palace schedule monument, Burial ground B listed.

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

O7 Significant flood risk Eastern junction would provide good access The junction east of Elgin may not be for ‘Baxters’ (business and tourist attractive because it is accessed off local Archaeology- major impact – destination). roads which are of a poor standard and

cropmarks of prehistoric would need to be upgraded (B9103). settlement, burial At eastern end of section, route follows Potential significant impact on Loch alignment of existing A96 (see comments on Spynie Special Protection Area. P6 above).

Potential impact upon Longhill Mill- For junction at western end of section see A listed, Calcots Bridge B listed. comments above (O6).

Impacts on prime agricultural land. Junction to east of Elgin would be remote from built up area.

Route crosses dismantled railway line which must be safeguarded. This route is already well used by pedestrians and cyclists and is a key route for future development of active travel to the north of Elgin.

Green G1 Possible contamination and waste Local traffic (from west) may remain on management issues associated existing A96 to access central Elgin. with a former quarry at Newton. Sections run parallel to C4E near Cothall and Archaeology- minor impact - small Lachenwells, C4E should not be severed. areas of prehistoric settlement, other cropmark features Route crosses railway at Alves Station, see comments on P2 above. Private water supply (31 properties) affected. Route follows alignment of O5 at eastern end, see comments above on location of Seems to be visually well eastern junction. contained. Western junction, see P2/O5 comments. Potential impacts upon York

Tower, B listed. Junction to east of Elgin would provide direct connection to existing A96 and be in close Impacts on prime agricultural land. proximity to B9013 providing access to coastal tourist areas.

Potential location for service station at junction to east of Elgin.

Eastern junction, see O6 comments.

Route bisects to cycle route connecting existing A96 to U105E to east of Alves. G2 Flood risk at Spankie Burn and Intersection G2 helps to access land Western junction, see O6 comments. Barmuckity. designated for development at Barmuckity and in the Elgin South Masterplan. Conflict with cycle track, Sustrans NCN1. Archaeology- major impact – cropmarks of prehistoric Route passes through designated settlement, burial. housing/employment area at western end of the section at Lesmurdie. Potential impact on Coxton tower A listed. Kirkhill burial ground C Potential location for service station at listed. junction to east of Elgin?

Impacts on prime agricultural land.

Blue B1 Flood risk at Cloves. Route passes through area used for Burgie Junction to south of Forres Enterprise Park Horse trials (and other smaller equestrian would require new link road to connect to Possible impact on four known competitions). existing A96 which would pass though MLDP private water supplies serving designated site. nearly 30 properties. Route would follow P3 alignment at eastern Archaeology- minor impact – end, see comments on junction above at P3.

setting of Burgie Castle, and Asliesk Castle New link road to connect B1 to existing A96, see above comments (B1). Impacts on prime agricultural land. See comments on B1 above for junction onto existing A96.

Route runs parallel to cycle link between U96E and existing A96, which would need to be safeguarded.

Potential for good active travel corridor to follow the route, linking eastern Forres to Elgin.

Environment- Summary of Key Considerations

• Significant flood risk and surface water issues related to sections P1, P3, P6, G2 and B1. • Section R4 clips Chapelton reservoir. R5 goes through a wetland/ bog which is a permanently flooded area. R8 crosses the Spey floodplain and would require a large bridge to be constructed. • Section O2 is at significant risk of flooding, O3 conflicts with the north Forres embankment of the Findhorn flood scheme and O7 is at significant risk of flooding. • Potential significant landscape and visual impacts of all route options, notably along the flat coastal plain on sections, impacts upon Findhorn Bay and impacts from southern options on woodland areas. • Potential significant impacts upon natural heritage designations, notably , River Spey Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), The Moray and Nairn Coast Ramsar, Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Findhorn Bay Local Nature Reserve, Darnaway and Lethan SSSI and SPA , Loch Spynie SPA and Ramsar, Lower Findhorn Woods SSSI and Loch Oire SSSI.

• Potential significant impacts upon a number of listed buildings, notably ‘A’ listed Grange House, Darnaway Castle gatepiers, Dallas Dhu distillery, Brodie Castle, Coxton Tower, York Tower, Sparron Castle, Longhill Mill Potential significant impacts upon and Brodie Castle and Gordon Castle Gardens and Designed Landscapes. Also potential impacts on a number of B and C listed buildings and other undesignated areas of cultural heritage interest such as MacBeth’s hillock. • Section P3 impacts upon Miltonduff WWII airfield which was used for storing aircraft at the end of the war and there is potential for unexploded ordnance and radiation from buried instruments. • Section P2 impacts upon General Wade’s Military Road- the surviving section through Alves Wood should be protected where possible. • Spynie Canal appears to be directly impacted by part of section O5. • Possible contamination issues on sections P3, R2, R3, O2 and G1 associated with present and previous land uses. • Potential impacts upon private water supplies. • Potential significant loss of woodland cover which would require to be compensated for, in accordance with national and local policies. • Potential impacts upon protected species which are significant constraints.

Transportation- Summary of Key Considerations

• Potential for increases in traffic on the local road network within built up areas leading to/ from junctions with the dualling scheme. • Sections of the local road network in rural areas may require upgrading if junctions are not located on existing A96/ A941. • Potential for re-introduction of traffic, including HGV, in Mosstodloch/Fochabers if options where the alignment follows the existing A96 are pursued. • Options to the west of Elgin may result in local traffic accessing Elgin remaining on the existing A96 route. • Options to the east of Elgin may result in local traffic remaining on the existing A96 through Elgin and utilising other local roads to access the dualling if travelling to/ from the west.

Land use Planning- Summary of Key Considerations

• A number of route options run through prime agricultural land while others have a direct and indirect effect upon productive and recreational woodlands, such as south of Forres, Culbin, Alves and Whiteash.

• There are a number of potential conflicts with sites identified in the Moray Local Development Plan (LDP), or being considered for future designation. Some options would support existing and future employment land designations. Section O4 cuts through designated employment sites north of Forres and then cuts through Cassieford which will be examined for longer term development in the LDP review process. Further discussion is required to ensure future growth options being considered through the LDP2020 are taken account of in developing the preferred option. • Section O6 touches the north of the Findrassie, Elgin housing designation and the edge of I8 employment site then runs through the NE LONG designation, which section G2 also crosses. • The junction for G2 supports Barmuckity Business Park, with P4 also well located. • P3 potentially creates a significant physical barrier south of Elgin constraining future growth, however, the junction location could also support employment land south of Elgin. • P6 cuts through an employment land designation in Mosstodloch. • A number of route options will adversely impact upon prime agricultural land.

Economy- Summary of Key Considerations

• Potential significant economic benefits to support delivery of the Moray Economic Strategy, with significant job opportunities and spin off economic benefits during construction. When complete the improved connection and reduced journey time will make Moray more attractive for inward investment. The junction strategy is key to supporting key strategic business locations such as Barmuckity, Elgin, Buckie Harbour and Enterprise Park, Forres. The dualling will also bring benefits to other business sectors in Moray with reduced journey times, but route choice has to reflect Moray’s wider aspirations and outstanding natural and cultural heritage. • Potential significant impacts on popular tourist venues/ events including Brodie Castle, Burgie international horse trials, Culbin Forest, Findhorn Bay and Fochabers. • Junction location and spacing should seek to provide good access to bypassed towns along the route. • Potential significant impacts on tree nurseries at Newton, Fochabers and Forres, which are 50% of the UK’s tree nurseries and their loss needs to be assessed in relation to the national forest industry. • Potential significant impacts on prime agricultural land. • Potential significant impacts upon woodlands of high recreational/ tourism value east of Fochabers and Culbin.

Social- Summary of Key Considerations

• The route options can potentially bring better connectivity between communities, services and employment opportunities. However, the options can also create severance issues which should be avoided. • The dualling project is a significant civil engineering project and has the potential to impact on the existing community in terms of noise, vibration, air quality (including dust) and artificial lighting from stationary and mobile sources. It is anticipated that creation of the new route will give rise to both increases and decreases in road traffic noise across all route options, and similarly for vehicle emissions. Detailed assessments of these impacts will be required. • All route options will inevitably affect property. The effects on communities and local residents must be carefully considered and minimised through appropriate mitigation measures.

Pollution

General Observations on potential pollution for all route options;

• Noise impact will be a greater issue in less built up areas and therefore mitigation should be provided. • Intersections on the new route need to be as close as possible to the existing A96 or existing local roads that will connect them need to be improved Non- motorised road users need grade separated crossings e.g.at Lhanbryde, Mosstodloch, Alves, Elgin and Forres to maintain existing routes for travel and recreation

Construction phase

Irrespective of the route chosen this significant civil engineering project has the potential to impact on the existing community in terms of noise, vibration, air quality (including dust) and artificial lighting from stationery and mobile sources. Detailed assessments of these impacts will be required within the scope of any environmental report. Local Development Plan Policy EP 8 will require to be given consideration.

Operational phase

The creation of a new route, whilst retaining the existing A 96, is anticipated to give rise to both increases and reductions in road traffic noise across all route options. The same broad comment can be made in respect of emissions to air from vehicles. Detailed assessments of these impacts will be required within the scope of any environmental report. Local Development Plan Policy EP 8

and EP 12 will require to be given consideration. Any potential cumulative impact from the existing and proposed route option, in conjunction with the existing A 96 route, will also require to be evaluated.

Information has been shared with Transport Scotland on any major hazards (e.g. pipelines) which may be affected by route options.

Data Provision

The above comments are intended to highlight considerations on published route options. Full Geographic Information System data has been provided on an extensive range of potential considerations such as hazardous sites, nature conservation designations and buildings/ sites of historic importance.