Great Billing Sand and Gravel Extraction and Restoration Environmental Statement On behalf of Project Ref: 30755 | Rev: Final | Date: September 2017 Office Address: 10 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4NT T: +44 (0)117 332 7840 E: [email protected] Environmental Statement Great Billing Sand and Gravel Extraction and Restoration Document Control Sheet Project Name: Great Billing Sand and Gravel Extraction and Restoration Project Ref: 30755 Report Title: Environmental Statement Vol 1 Main Report Date: September 2017 Name Position Signature Date Prepared by: Various Reviewed by: Stefan Boss Senior Associate SB 5/9/17 Approved by: Mark Brenton Equity Director MB 5/9/17 For and on behalf of Peter Brett Associates LLP Revision Date Description Prepared Reviewed Approved 00 5/9/17 Planning Application SB SB MB This report has been prepared by Peter Brett Associates LLP ("PBA") on behalf of its client to whom this report is addressed ("Client") in connection with the project described in this report and takes into account the Client's particular instructions and requirements. This report was prepared in accordance with PBA's Fee Proposal and Terms and Conditions addressed to the Client ("Appointment"). This report is not intended for and should not be relied on by any third party (i.e. parties other than the Client). PBA accepts no duty or responsibility (including in negligence) to any party other than the Client and disclaims all liability of any nature whatsoever to any such party in respect of this report. © Peter Brett Associates LLP 2017 \\Pba.int\bri\Projects\30755 Great ii Billing\Technical\Environment\Environmental\ES\PLANNING APPLICATION ES\Vol 1 Main Report\Great Billing ES Vol 1 Main Report.docx Environmental Statement Great Billing Sand and Gravel Extraction and Restoration Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 The Proposed Development .......................................................................................... 1 1.2 The Site ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Terms and Definitions ................................................................................................... 1 1.4 The EIA, ES and Related Documents ........................................................................... 2 1.5 Consultation ................................................................................................................... 2 1.6 Project Team ................................................................................................................. 3 2 Site and Surrounding Area ......................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Site Location and Surroundings .................................................................................... 4 2.3 Site Description ............................................................................................................. 4 2.4 History of the Site .......................................................................................................... 5 2.5 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................... 5 3 The Proposed Development ....................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Description of the Proposed Development .................................................................... 7 3.2 Working Process ......................................................................................................... 12 3.3 Incorporated Mitigation ................................................................................................ 14 3.4 Consideration of Alternatives ...................................................................................... 14 4 Assessment Method ................................................................................................................. 18 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 18 4.2 EIA Regulations ........................................................................................................... 18 4.3 EIA Process ................................................................................................................. 18 4.4 Screening and Scoping ............................................................................................... 18 4.5 Consultation ................................................................................................................. 19 4.6 Committed Developments ........................................................................................... 19 4.7 Assessment Assumptions ........................................................................................... 20 4.8 Assessing Effects ........................................................................................................ 21 4.9 Uncertainty .................................................................................................................. 22 4.10 Mitigation of Adverse Effects ....................................................................................... 22 4.11 Residual Effects ........................................................................................................... 22 4.12 Significance Criteria..................................................................................................... 23 4.13 Cumulative Effects ....................................................................................................... 24 4.14 Impact Interactions ...................................................................................................... 24 5 Planning Policy Context ........................................................................................................... 25 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 25 5.2 National Planning Policy Framework ........................................................................... 25 5.3 Northamptonshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (2014) ......................................... 25 5.4 Northamptonshire Minerals and Waste Update (Adopted 2017) ................................ 27 \\Pba.int\bri\Projects\30755 Great iii Billing\Technical\Environment\Environmental\ES\PLANNING APPLICATION ES\Vol 1 Main Report\Great Billing ES Vol 1 Main Report.docx Environmental Statement Great Billing Sand and Gravel Extraction and Restoration 5.5 Borough Council of Wellingborough ............................................................................ 28 5.6 Northampton Borough Council .................................................................................... 28 6 Landscape and Visual Impact .................................................................................................. 30 6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 30 6.2 Policy Context .............................................................................................................. 30 6.3 Methodology ................................................................................................................ 32 6.4 Baseline Conditions ..................................................................................................... 34 6.5 Potential Effects ........................................................................................................... 46 6.6 Mitigation and Enhancement ....................................................................................... 47 6.7 Residual Effects ........................................................................................................... 48 6.8 Cumulative Effects ....................................................................................................... 53 6.9 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 54 6.10 References .................................................................................................................. 56 7 Ecology ...................................................................................................................................... 57 7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 57 7.2 Policy Context .............................................................................................................. 57 7.3 Methodology ................................................................................................................ 58 7.4 Baseline Conditions ..................................................................................................... 64 7.5 Potential Effects ........................................................................................................... 74 7.6 Mitigation and Enhancement ....................................................................................... 78 7.7 Residual Effects ..........................................................................................................