Queensway Gateway Volume 1 - Environmental Statement October 2014 Version v.2 Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 The Proposed Development ................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Local Planning Policy Area ...................................................................................................... 7 1.3 The Site ................................................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Terms and Definitions ............................................................................................................. 8 1.5 The EIA, ES and Related Documents ....................................................................................... 8 1.6 Stakeholder Consultation ........................................................................................................ 9 1.7 Project Team ........................................................................................................................... 9 1.8 Structure of the Environment Statement ............................................................................. 10 2 Site and Surrounding Area ............................................................................................................ 11 2.1 The Site & Surroundings ....................................................................................................... 11 2.2 The Proposed Employment Sites .......................................................................................... 11 2.3 History of the Site ................................................................................................................. 11 2.4 Environmental Setting .......................................................................................................... 12 3 The Proposed Development ......................................................................................................... 13 3.1 Description of the Proposed Development .......................................................................... 13 3.2 Indicative Employment Development .................................................................................. 16 3.3 Utilities .................................................................................................................................. 16 3.4 Incorporated Mitigation ........................................................................................................ 17 3.5 Consideration of Alternatives ............................................................................................... 17 4 Construction and Site Management ............................................................................................. 20 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 20 4.2 Construction and Works Programme ................................................................................... 20 4.3 Construction Management ................................................................................................... 20 4.4 Waste .................................................................................................................................... 22 5 Assessment Method ..................................................................................................................... 23 5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 23 5.2 EIA Regulations ..................................................................................................................... 23 5.3 The EIA Process ..................................................................................................................... 23 5.4 Screening and Scoping .......................................................................................................... 23 5.5 Consultations ........................................................................................................................ 24 5.6 Committed Developments .................................................................................................... 24 2 5.7 Assessment Assumptions ...................................................................................................... 25 5.8 Assessing Effects ................................................................................................................... 25 5.9 Mitigation of Adverse Effects ................................................................................................ 27 5.10 Residual Effects ..................................................................................................................... 27 5.11 Uncertainty ........................................................................................................................... 27 5.12 Significance Criteria .............................................................................................................. 28 5.13 Impact interactions ............................................................................................................... 29 6 Planning and Policy Context.......................................................................................................... 30 6.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 30 6.2 National Planning Policy ....................................................................................................... 30 6.3 Regional Planning Guidance ................................................................................................. 33 6.4 Local Development Plans ...................................................................................................... 33 6.5 The Changing Policy Context ................................................................................................. 41 6.6 Policy Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 42 7 Economic impacts ......................................................................................................................... 43 7.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 43 7.2 Appraisal to economic impact assessment ........................................................................... 43 7.3 Policy Context ....................................................................................................................... 43 7.4 Baseline Conditions ............................................................................................................... 45 7.5 Assessment of Construction Effects ...................................................................................... 49 7.6 Assessment and Mitigation of Operations Effects ................................................................ 51 7.7 Assessment of Cumulative Effects ........................................................................................ 52 7.8 Summary ............................................................................................................................... 52 7.9 References ............................................................................................................................ 52 8 Transport and Access .................................................................................................................... 54 8.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 54 8.2 Policy Context ....................................................................................................................... 54 8.3 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 56 8.4 Baseline Conditions ............................................................................................................... 60 8.5 Assessment and Mitigation of Construction Effects ............................................................. 61 8.6 Assessment and Mitigation of Operation & Cumulative Effects .......................................... 62 8.7 Summary ............................................................................................................................... 65 8.8 References ............................................................................................................................ 66 3 9 Noise and Vibration ...................................................................................................................... 67 9.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 67 9.2 Policy Control ........................................................................................................................ 67 9.3 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 72 9.4 Baseline Conditions 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