Issue number: BT-JAC-020631 550-0003-EIA Bramford to Twinstead Scoping Report: Volume 2: Appendices May 2021 Page left intentionally blank National Grid | May 2021 | Bramford to Twinstead i Contents Contents ii Appendix 1.1 Transboundary Supporting Information 2 Appendix 2.1 Relevant Environmental Legislation, Policy and Guidance 6 Appendix 2.2 Local Planning Policy 23 Appendix 4.1 Outline Code of Construction Practice 31 Appendix 6.1 Key Characteristics of Landscape Character Assessment 44 Appendix 6.2 Landscape Assessment Methodology 51 Appendix 6.3 Visual Assessment Methodology 72 Appendix 6.4 Wireline and Photomontage Methodology 81 Appendix 6.5 Arboricultural Survey Methodology 87 Appendix 7.1 Biodiversity Supporting Information 91 Appendix 7.2 Ecology Survey Methodology 103 Appendix 7.3 Draft Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report 128 Appendix 17.1 Major Accidents and Disasters Scoping Table 144 Appendix 18.1 Cumulative Effects Assessment Long List Table 153 National Grid | May 2021 | Bramford to Twinstead ii Appendix 1.1 Transboundary Supporting Information National Grid | May 2021 | Bramford to Twinstead iii Page left intentionally blank National Grid | May 2021 | Bramford to Twinstead 1 Appendix 1.1 Transboundary Supporting Information Criteria and Relevant Considerations Result of the Screening Considerations Characteristics of the development: The Bramford to Twinstead project is a proposal to Size of the development consent and build a new c.27km 400kV electricity reinforcement and associated infrastructure between Use of natural resources Bramford in Suffolk and Twinstead in Essex. It includes Production of waste the removal of the existing 132kV overhead line Pollution and nuisances between Burstall Bridge and Twinstead Tee, and a new Risk of accidents substation at Butler’s Wood. It is fully contained within the UK, in the counties of Suffolk and Essex. Use of technologies Some of the resources required for the construction of the project are likely to be obtained from the global market, e.g. steel. It is envisaged that materials would be obtained locally where practicable. It is not likely that any waste, nuisances or accidents would extend beyond the border of the UK. No novel technologies are proposed that have potential for transboundary effects. Location of development and geographical area: The existing land use is largely agricultural land with What is the existing use? interspersed villages. The location of the development is approximately 130km from France (the closest EEA What is the distance to another European Economic state). Area (EEA) state? (Name EEA state) No physical works or impacts are likely to extend What is the extent of the area of a likely impact under beyond the jurisdiction of the UK. the jurisdiction of another EEA state? Environmental importance: There are no European sites within 2km of the project. Are particular environmental values (e.g. protected There are two European sites comprising Ramsar and areas – name them) likely to be affected? Special Protection Area (SPA) designations within 10km of the project. These are primarily designated for a Capacity of the natural environment. range of breeding and overwintering bird populations. A Wetlands, coastal zones, mountain and forest areas, Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Draft nature reserves and parks, Natura 2000 sites, areas Screening Report has determined that the project is where environmental quality standards already unlikely to significantly affect any European site. exceeded, densely populated areas, landscapes of The project crosses the Dedham Vale Area of historical, cultural or archaeological significance. Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which is designated for its national (rather than international) landscape quality and cultural associations. It is the project’s intention to use underground cables within the AONB boundary to reduce the impact on the landscape. The project is likely to result in localised impacts to landscape, cultural heritage (including archaeology), soils, adjacent landowners and residents, biodiversity (including protected species), and the water environment. These impacts would be mitigated to reduce the significance of any effect. These impacts would not result in impacts to any other EEA state. Potential impacts and carrier: The pathways by which impacts could be spread are via By what means could impacts be spread (i.e. what air and water (such as rivers). However, none of the pathways)? anticipated effects are likely impact another EEA state. National Grid | May 2021 | Bramford to Twinstead 2 Criteria and Relevant Considerations Result of the Screening Considerations Extent: The extent of the impacts will vary for different What is the likely extent of the impact (geographical Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) topics. area and size of the affected population)? However, no significant effects are anticipated that could impact on another EEA state. Magnitude: The magnitude of change will vary for different EIA What will the likely magnitude of the change in relevant topics. However, none of the anticipated effects are variables be relative to the status quo, taking into likely to occur at a magnitude that would impact another account the sensitivity of the variable? EEA state. Probability: It is very unlikely that effects from the project would What is the degree of probability of the impact? impact on another EEA state during both normal conditions and exceptional situations such as accidents. Is the impact likely to occur as a consequence of normal conditions or exceptional situations such as accidents? Duration: No significant effects are anticipated that could impact Is the impact likely to be temporary, short-term or long- on another EEA state. term? Is the impact likely to relate to the construction, operation or decommissioning phase of the activity? Frequency: No significant effects are anticipated that could impact What is likely to be the temporal pattern of the impact? on another EEA state. Reversibility: No significant effects are anticipated that could impact Is the impact likely to be reversible or irreversible? on another EEA state. Cumulative impacts: There are a number of other proposed developments Are other major developments close by? within the Scoping Boundary and beyond, including proposed housing developments to the east of Hadleigh and east of Sudbury. The potential cumulative effects will be assessed within the EIA. However, no significant effects are anticipated that could impact on another EEA state. National Grid | May 2021 | Bramford to Twinstead 3 Appendix 2.1 Relevant Environmental Legislation, Policy and Guidance National Grid | May 2021 | Bramford to Twinstead iv Page left intentionally blank National Grid | May 2021 | Bramford to Twinstead 5 Appendix 2.1 Relevant Environmental Legislation, Policy and Guidance 1. Purpose of this Document The application for development consent would be considered by the Secretary of State primarily on the policies in the relevant National Policy Statements (NPSs), as described in Scoping Report Chapter 2: Regulatory and Planning Policy Context. However, when undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the wider environmental legislation, policy and guidance relevant to the assessment is considered. This appendix sets out the environmental legislation, policy and guidance that is considered relevant to the project. This includes guidance produced by the local planning authorities where this is considered to be relevant to the EIA. Table 1.1 sets out the environmental legislation and policy relevant to the project. Table 1.2 sets out the relevant guidance that has been used to inform the technical chapters or guide the proposed assessment methodology. General environmental legislation, policy and guidance, which apply to more than one topic, are presented first in the respective tables, followed by topic-specific legislation, policy and guidance. A summary of the Infrastructure Planning (EIA) Regulations 2017, the relevant NPS (EN-1 and EN-5), the Electricity Act 1989, the Planning Act 2008 and the National Planning Policy Framework is provided in Chapter 2: Regulatory and Planning Policy Context. Table 1.1: Relevant Environmental Legislation and Policy Name/Reference Why it is Relevant to the Project How it Has Been Used/Assessed on the Project General environmental legislation that is relevant to more than one receptor National Grid is a statutory undertaker and under Section 85 of the Act has a duty to conserve and enhance the An assessment of the impacts on the SSSIs will be included within The Act increases measures for the management and protection the Environmental Statement (ES). of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The project crosses Hintlesham Woods SSSI. The Act includes provision for public access to the countryside and Public Rights of Way and through open access land. The project The application for development consent will include a list of Countryside and Rights of Way crosses multiple Public Rights of Way within the Order Limits footpaths crossed by the project and any required temporary Act 2000 comprising bridleways, byways, footpaths, restricted byways, Long diversions or closures. Distance Walking Routes and cycle routes. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are designated The duties under Section 85 of the Act were considered as part of under the Act, which sets out the requirements for conservation the decision making around undergrounding within