October 2013 Progress Power Project Preliminary Environmental Information Report [PEIR] Progress Power 3512438B Final Progress Power Project Preliminary Environmental Information Report Prepared for Progress Power Limited 49 York Place Edinburgh EH1 3JD Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff Amber Court William Armstrong Drive Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YQ www.pbworld.com Progress Power Project Preliminary Environmental Information Report CONTENTS Page List of Abbreviations 7 Introduction 13 1 Introduction 15 1.1 Overview 15 1.2 Structure of the PEIR 16 1.3 Application for an Order granting Development Consent 17 1.4 Need for and Benefits of the Project 17 1.5 The Developer 20 1.6 Purpose of this Document 21 Regulatory and Policy Background 23 2 Regulatory and Policy Background 25 2.1 Introduction 25 2.2 European Union (EU) 25 2.3 Overview of Decision Making under the Planning Act 2008 and Policy Context 27 2.4 National Policy Statements 28 2.5 National Planning Policy Framework for England (NPPF) - 2012 31 2.6 Local Planning Policy 32 2.7 Other Relevant Policy and Guidance 35 Environmental Impact Assessment Methodology 39 3 Environmental Impact Assessment Methodology 41 3.1 Content of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report 41 3.2 Methodology of the Environmental Impact Assessment 44 3.3 Description of the Proposed Development and Identification of Potential Impacts 47 3.4 Mitigation and Monitoring 50 3.5 Presentation of the Environmental Impact Assessment in this Document 51 Project and Site Description 55 4 Project and Site Description 57 4.1 Overview of the Proposed Project 57 4.2 Site and Surroundings 58 4.3 Relevant Planning History 60 4.4 Detailed Description of Power Generation Plant and Generating Technology 60 4.5 Gas Connection 65 4.6 Electrical Connection 71 Site Selection, Alternatives and Design Evolution 77 5 Site Selection, Alternatives and Design Evolution 79 5.1 Introduction 79 5.2 Alternative Development Sites 79 5.3 Power Generation Plant 80 PRO-4200-PB-ENV-RPT-R50.docx Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff October 2013 for Progress Power Limited - 1 - Progress Power Project Preliminary Environmental Information Report 5.4 Gas Connection 83 5.5 Electrical Connection Compound (Substation and SEC) 84 5.6 Electrical Connection Route Corridor 84 Air Quality 87 6 Air Quality 89 6.1 Introduction 89 6.2 Legislative and Policy Context 89 6.3 Project Scenario for Assessment 94 6.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 95 6.5 Embedded Design Mitigation 116 6.6 Consultation 117 6.7 Baseline Conditions and Receptors 123 6.8 Table 6.14 - Annual Averages of NO2 (µg/m3) 124 6.9 Preliminary Assessment of Potential Impacts 125 6.10 Preliminary Assessment of Residual Impacts 133 6.11 Next Steps 133 Noise and Vibration 135 7 Noise and Vibration 137 7.1 Introduction 137 7.2 Legislative and Policy Context 137 7.3 Project Scenario for Assessment 140 7.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 141 7.5 Embedded Design Mitigation 145 7.6 Consultation 146 7.7 Baseline Conditions and Receptors 153 7.8 Preliminary Assessment of Potential Impacts 155 7.9 Potential Mitigation / Management Techniques 166 7.10 Preliminary Assessment of Residual Effects 168 7.11 Next Steps 170 Ecology 171 8 Ecology 173 8.1 Introduction 173 8.2 Legislative and Policy Context 173 8.3 Project Scenario for Assessment 177 8.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 178 8.5 Embedded Design Mitigation 186 8.6 Consultation 187 8.7 Baseline Conditions and Receptors 202 8.8 Preliminary Assessment of Potential Impacts 212 8.9 Potential Mitigation / Management Techniques 219 8.10 Preliminary Assessment of Residual Effects 219 8.11 Next Steps 219 PRO-4200-PB-ENV-RPT-R50.docx Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff October 2013 for Progress Power Limited - 2 - Progress Power Project Preliminary Environmental Information Report Water Quality and Resources 221 9 Water Quality and Resources 223 9.1 Introduction 223 9.2 Legislative and Policy Context 223 9.3 Project Scenario for Assessment 226 9.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 227 9.5 Embedded Design Mitigation 229 9.6 Consultation 230 9.7 Baseline Conditions and Receptors 244 9.8 Preliminary Assessment of Potential Impacts 249 9.9 Potential Mitigation / Management Techniques 256 9.10 Preliminary Assessment of Residual Effects 257 9.11 Next Steps 262 Geology, Ground Conditions and Agriculture 263 10 Geology, Ground Conditions and Agriculture 265 10.1 Introduction 265 10.2 Legislative and Policy Context 265 10.3 Project Scenario for Assessment 268 10.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 269 10.5 Embedded Design Mitigation 273 10.6 Consultation 273 10.7 Baseline Conditions and Receptors 279 10.8 Conceptual Site Model 282 10.9 Preliminary Assessment of Potential Impacts 284 10.10 Potential Mitigation / Measures Techniques 290 10.11 Preliminary Assessment of Residual Impacts 292 Landscape and Visual Impact 293 11 Landscape and Visual Impact 295 11.1 Introduction 295 11.2 Legislative and Policy Context 296 11.3 Project Scenario for Assessment 300 11.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 300 11.5 Embedded Design Mitigation 317 11.6 Consultation 317 11.7 Baseline Conditions and Receptors 327 11.8 Preliminary Assessment of Potential Impacts 345 11.9 Potential Mitigation / Management Techniques 360 11.10 Preliminary Assessment of Residual Effects 364 11.11 Next Steps 365 Waste Management and Health 367 12 Waste Management and Health 369 PRO-4200-PB-ENV-RPT-R50.docx Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff October 2013 for Progress Power Limited - 3 - Progress Power Project Preliminary Environmental Information Report 12.1 Introduction 369 12.2 Legislative and Policy Context 369 12.3 Project Scenario for Assessment 371 12.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 371 12.5 Baseline Conditions and Receptors 371 12.6 Air Quality 372 12.7 Noise and Vibration 376 12.8 Water Quality and Resources 380 12.9 Geology and Land Contamination 383 12.10 Waste 385 12.11 Public Health Impacts Conclusion 389 12.12 Preliminary Assessment of Residual Effects 389 Traffic, Transport and Access 391 13 Traffic Transport and Access 393 13.1 Introduction 393 13.2 Legislative and Policy Context 393 13.3 Project Scenario for Assessment 399 13.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 399 13.5 Consultation 404 13.6 Baseline Conditions and Receptors 416 13.7 Preliminary Assessment of Potential Impacts 427 13.8 Potential Mitigation / Management Techniques 433 13.9 Preliminary Assessment of Residual Effects 433 13.10 Next Steps 446 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology 447 14 Cultural Heritage and ARCHAEOLOGY 449 14.1 Introduction 449 14.2 Legislative and Policy Context 449 14.3 Project Scenario for Assessment 455 14.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 455 14.5 Embedded Design Mitigation 460 14.6 Consultation 461 14.7 Baseline Conditions and Receptors 463 14.8 Archaeological Interventions 467 14.9 Development of the Scheme Area 467 14.10 Site Visit and Setting Initial Assessment 475 14.11 Gazetteer of Heritage Assets 480 14.12 Significance of the Heritage Assets 500 14.13 Statement of Significance 503 14.14 Preliminary Assessment of Potential Impacts 505 14.15 Potential Mitigation / Management Techniques 512 14.16 Preliminary Assessment of Residual Effects 512 PRO-4200-PB-ENV-RPT-R50.docx Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff October 2013 for Progress Power Limited - 4 - Progress Power Project Preliminary Environmental Information Report 14.17 Next Steps 513 Socio Economics 515 15 Socio Economics 517 15.1 Introduction 517 15.2 Legislative and Policy Context 518 15.3 Project Scenario for Assessment 522 15.4 Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria 522 15.5 Embedded Design Mitigation 536 15.6 Scoping Consultations 536 15.7 Preliminary Assessment 541 15.8 Preliminary Assessment of Potential Impacts 560 15.9 Potential Mitigation / Management Techniques 578 15.10 Preliminary Assessment of Residual Effects 578 15.11 Next Steps 578 Cumulative Impact 581 16 Cumulative Impact 583 PRO-4200-PB-ENV-RPT-R50.docx Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff October 2013 for Progress Power Limited - 5 - Progress Power Project Preliminary Environmental Information Report PRO-4200-PB-ENV-RPT-R50.docx Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff October 2013 for Progress Power Limited - 6 - Progress Power Project Preliminary Environmental Information Report LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ACC Air Cooled Condenser AES Annual Energy Statement AGI Above Ground Installation AQMAU Air Quality Modelling and Assessment Unit AQS Air Quality Standards BAT Best Available Technique BAP Biodiversity Action Plan BDC Babergh District Council BGS British Geological Survey BPD Building Proximity Distance CCGT Combined Cycle Gas Turbine CCR Carbon Capture Readiness CCS Carbon Capture and Storage CEMP Construction Environmental Management Plan CEMS Constant Emissions Monitoring System CHP Combined Heat and Power CO Carbon Monoxide CO2 Carbon Dioxide CSM Conceptual Site Model DBA Desk Based Assessment DCS Distributed Cooling System DECC Department for Energy and Climate Change DEFRA Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs DCLG Department of Communities and Local Government DCO Development Consent Order DMP Development Management Policies DMRB Design Manual for Road and Bridges DPD Development Plan Documents DTM Digital Terrain Mapping EA Environment Agency PRO-4200-PB-ENV-RPT-R50.docx Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff October 2013 for Progress Power Limited - 7 - Progress Power Project Preliminary Environmental Information Report