Caulmert Limited Engineering, Environmental & Planning Consultancy Services RHEILFFORDD LLYN TEGID LTD LLYN TEGID RAILWAY EXTENSION LAND AT LLYN TEGID, BALA, GWYNEDD VOLUME 1 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Prepared by: Caulmert Limited Intec, Parc Menai, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 4FG Email: [email protected] Web: www.caulmert.com Doc ref: 4369.CAU.XX.XX.RP.T.0301.S4.C1 July 2021 APPROVAL RECORD Site: Land at Llyn Tegid, Bala, Gwynedd Client: Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Ltd Project Title: Llyn Tegid Railway Extension Document Title: Environmental Statement Document Ref: 4369.CAU.XX.XX.RP.T.0301.S4.C1 Report Status: DRAFT FOR PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION Project Director: Howard Jones Project Manager: Neil Foxall Caulmert Limited: Intec, Parc Menai, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 4FG Telephone: 01248 672666 Neil Foxall BA (Hons) MCD MRTPI July 2021 Author Associate Director of Planning Date Howard Jones Reviewer Date July 2021 Director of Planning Howard Jones Approved Date July 2021 Director of Planning DISCLAIMER This report has been prepared by Caulmert Limited with reasonable skill, care and diligence, in accordance with the instruction of the above named client and within the terms and conditions of the Contract with the Client. The report is for the sole use of the above named Client and Caulmert Limited shall not be held responsible for any use of the report or its content for any purpose other than that for which it was prepared and provided to the Client. Caulmert Limited accepts no responsibility of whatever nature to any third parties who may have been made aware of or have acted in the knowledge of the report or its contents. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced without the prior written approval of Caulmert Limited. Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Ltd Llyn Tegid Railway Extension Volume 1, Environmental Statement Chapter 1 - Introduction CONTENTS Page No. CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1 CHAPTER 2 – SITE & SURROUNDINGS ............................................................................................. 48 CHAPTER 3 – NOISE ......................................................................................................................... 57 CHAPTER 4 – DUST, ODOUR & EMISSIONS ...................................................................................... 88 CHAPTER 5 – ECOLOGY ................................................................................................................. 114 CHAPTER 6 – LANDSCAPE.............................................................................................................. 183 CHAPTER 7 – CULTURAL HERITAGE ............................................................................................... 293 CHAPTER 8 - CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................ 334 Caulmert Ltd 4369.CAU.XX.XX.RP.T.0301.S4.C1 July 2021 Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Ltd Llyn Tegid Railway Extension Volume 1, Environmental Statement Chapter 1 - Introduction CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION Caulmert Ltd 4369.CAU.XX.XX.RP.T.0301.S4.C1 1 July 2021 Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Ltd Llyn Tegid Railway Extension Volume 1, Environmental Statement Chapter 1 - Introduction CONTENTS Page No. 1.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................. 6 1.3 PLANNING POLICY .............................................................................................................. 11 1.4 ALTERNATIVE SITES ............................................................................................................ 45 Caulmert Ltd 4369.CAU.XX.XX.RP.T.0301.S4.C1 2 July 2021 Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Ltd Llyn Tegid Railway Extension Volume 1, Environmental Statement Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.1 INTRODUCTION 1.1.1 The Environmental Statement 1.1.1.1 The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a means of systematically drawing together an assessment of a project’s likely significant environmental effects. It enables the importance of the predicted effects and the scope for mitigation to be fully understood by the public, statutory consultees and by local planning authorities in reaching a decision about a proposed development. Where an EIA is required the relevant information must be provided by the developer in the form of an Environmental Statement (ES). 1.1.1.2 This ES has been complied by the Caulmert Ltd, with specialist Consultant input where necessary, on behalf of the applicant Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Ltd to accompany a planning application which has been submitted to Snowdonia National Park Authority. 1.1.1.3 The application seeks full planning permission for the proposed extension of the existing railway from the present terminus at Pen y Bont into Bala Town, covering a distance of 1200 metres. 1.1.1.4 This ES has been prepared under the terms of The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2017 (referred to as the Regulations). 1.1.1.5 To comply with the Regulations an EIA is required to identify, describe and assess as relevant to the proposed development the direct and indirect significant effects on the following: • population and human health; • biodiversity, • land, soil, water, air and climate; • material assets and the landscape; • and interaction between each 1.1.1.6 The Regulations sets out the statutory provisions with respect the content of an ES and requires the following details to be covered: • a description of the development comprising information on the site, design and size of the development; • a description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and if possible, remedy any significant adverse effects; • the data required to identify and assess the main effects which the development is likely to have on the environment; • a description of the likely significant effects of the development on the environment; • an outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant and an indication of the main reasons for the choice, taking into account the environmental effects; Caulmert Ltd 4369.CAU.XX.XX.RP.T.0301.S4.C1 3 July 2021 Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Ltd Llyn Tegid Railway Extension Volume 1, Environmental Statement Chapter 1 - Introduction • a non-technical summary of the above information. 1.1.2 EIA Screening & Scoping 1.1.2.1 A request for an EIA Screening Opinion was submitted to Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) 23rd January 2020. A copy of the EIA Screening Request is available within ES Volume 2, Appendix 1.1. 1.1.2.2 An EIA Screening Opinion was received from SNPA (via email) on the 11th February 2020. A copy of the EIA Screening Opinion is available within ES Volume 2, Appendix 1.1. The Opinion concluded that; “………..that significant environmental effects cannot be ruled out and it appears that the submission of an environmental statement will be required to support any forthcoming application.” 1.1.2.3 Subsequently, an EIA Scoping Opinion was received from SNPA on 24th March 2020. A copy of the EIA Scoping Opinion, along with statutory consultee responses, is available within Appendix 1.1. 1.1.3 Structure and Content of the Document 1.1.3.1 In preparing the Environmental Statement, Caulmert Ltd has sought the advice from a number of specialist firms to provide an expert assessment of various elements highlighted. The following specialist consultants have assisted with the following issues. • Noise – Bureau Veritas UK Ltd. • Air Quality – Bureau Veritas UK Ltd. • Ecology - Etive Ecology Ltd • Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) – DSA Environment & Design Ltd 1.1.3.2 Remaining issues and descriptions are addressed by Caulmert Ltd. 1.1.3.3 In accordance with the Regulations the Environmental Impact Assessment is arranged into three main documents: • Volume 1 - Environmental Statement which includes the main text, figures, tables, plans and photographs. • Volume 2 – Environmental Statement Appendices • Non-Technical Summary 1.1.3.4 Copies of all documents are available for inspection at Snowdonia National Park Authority offices. Alternatively hard copies or electronic copies are available to purchase from Caulmert Ltd 4369.CAU.XX.XX.RP.T.0301.S4.C1 4 July 2021 Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid Ltd Llyn Tegid Railway Extension Volume 1, Environmental Statement Chapter 1 - Introduction Caulmert Ltd at a cost of £100.00 for a hard copy or £25 for a CD copy. Please email [email protected] or telephone 01745 530890 to purchase. 1.1.4 The Applicant 1.1.4.1 Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid/Bala Lake Railway (BLR) first ran trains from Llanuwchllyn in 1972, running initially over 1.5 miles to Pentrepiod. The route was extended over a number of years, reaching its’ present terminus at Pen y Bont in 1976. Reaching the town centre has been a long-held ambition of the railway company. 1.1.4.2 The creation of the Bala Lake Railway Trust (BLRT) in 2013 which has assembled a team of Trustees with the right skills to deliver the project together with a tax-efficient and accountable vehicle to receive donations has enabled the project to develop. 1.1.4.3 Key members of the Bala Lake Railway Trust include; Julian Birley BEM Julian has been involved with railway preservation as a volunteer for over twenty years, initially with the North Norfolk Railway and subsequently all