Greenpark Energy Ltd Proposed Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Gas Extraction at Groundslow Farm, Staffordshire Environmental Statement The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 Prepared by: Reviewed by: Noranne Ellis David Harper First Floor Norham House 15 Walkergate Berwick-upon-Tweed Northumberland TD15 1DS Tel: 01289 334590 Fax: 01289 332691 Email [email protected] Greenpark Energy Ltd July 2009 STATUS: FINAL DATE: 6 JULY 2009 PROJECT MANAGER: PROJECT REVIEWER: Groundslow Farm Environmental Statement Greenpark Energy Ltd July 2009 Contents 1. Executive Summary ..................................................... 1-1 2. Introduction .................................................................. 2-2 2.1 Background ........................................................................................2-2 2.2 The Need for Further Indigenous Energy Sources .........................2-2 2.3 The Benefits of Extracting Coal Bed Methane ................................2-3 2.4 Overview of the proposed development ..........................................2-3 2.5 Environmental Impact Assessment..................................................2-3 2.6 Environmental Statement Structure .................................................2-4 3. Planning Policy Context .............................................. 3-1 4. Site Selection, Description and Proposed Development ......................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Site Selection ......................................................................................4-1 4.2 Site Description ..................................................................................4-1 4.3 Proposed Development .....................................................................4-1 5. Landscape and Visual ................................................. 5-1 5.1 Summary .............................................................................................5-1 5.2 Introduction ........................................................................................5-1 5.3 Relevant Legislation, Policies and Guidelines ................................5-2 5.4 Methodology .......................................................................................5-2 5.5 Baseline Conditions ...........................................................................5-7 5.6 Impact Assessment ..........................................................................5-12 5.7 Mitigation ..........................................................................................5-17 5.8 Statement of Significance ...............................................................5-18 6. Ecology ......................................................................... 6-1 6.1 Summary .............................................................................................6-1 6.2 Introduction ........................................................................................6-1 6.3 Relevant Legislation, Policies and Guidelines ................................6-2 6.4 Methodology .......................................................................................6-2 6.5 Baseline Conditions ...........................................................................6-6 6.6 Impact Assessment ..........................................................................6-11 Groundslow Farm Environmental Statement Greenpark Energy Ltd July 2009 6.7 Mitigation ..........................................................................................6-12 6.8 Statement of Significance ...............................................................6-13 7. Hydrology ..................................................................... 7-1 7.1 Summary .............................................................................................7-1 7.2 Introduction ........................................................................................7-1 7.3 Relevant Legislation, Policies and Guidelines ................................7-2 7.4 Methodology .......................................................................................7-2 7.5 Baseline Conditions .........................................................................7-10 7.6 Impact Assessment ..........................................................................7-13 7.7 Mitigation ..........................................................................................7-15 7.8 Statement of Significance ...............................................................7-16 8. Hydrogeology and Land Contamination .................... 8-1 8.1 Summary .............................................................................................8-1 8.2 Introduction ........................................................................................8-2 8.3 Relevant Legislation, Policies and Guidelines ................................8-2 8.4 Methodology .......................................................................................8-3 8.5 Baseline Conditions ...........................................................................8-9 8.6 Impact Assessment ..........................................................................8-14 8.7 Mitigation ..........................................................................................8-18 8.8 Statement of Significance ...............................................................8-19 9. Noise and Vibration ..................................................... 9-1 9.1 Summary .............................................................................................9-1 9.2 Introduction ........................................................................................9-1 9.3 Relevant Legislation, Policies and Guidelines ................................9-2 9.4 Methodology .......................................................................................9-7 9.5 Baseline Conditions ...........................................................................9-7 9.6 Impact Assessment ............................................................................9-9 9.7 Mitigation ..........................................................................................9-14 9.8 Statement of Significance ...............................................................9-16 10. Transport and Traffic ................................................. 10-1 10.1 Summary ...........................................................................................10-1 10.2 Introduction ......................................................................................10-1 10.3 Relevant Legislation, Policies and Guidelines ..............................10-2 10.4 Methodology .....................................................................................10-2 10.5 Baseline Conditions .........................................................................10-2 10.6 Impact Assessment ..........................................................................10-4 10.7 Mitigation ..........................................................................................10-4 Groundslow Farm Environmental Statement Greenpark Energy Ltd July 2009 10.8 Statement of Significance ...............................................................10-4 11. Air Quality ................................................................... 11-1 11.1 Summary ...........................................................................................11-1 11.2 Introduction ......................................................................................11-1 11.3 Relevant Legislation, Policies and Guidelines ..............................11-2 11.4 Methodology .....................................................................................11-5 11.5 Baseline Conditions .......................................................................11-10 11.6 Impact Assessment ........................................................................11-12 11.7 Mitigation ........................................................................................11-19 11.8 Statement of Significance .............................................................11-20 12. Archaeology/Cultural Heritage ................................. 12-1 12.1 Summary ...........................................................................................12-1 12.2 Introduction ......................................................................................12-1 12.3 Relevant Legislation, Policies and Guidelines ..............................12-1 12.4 Methodology .....................................................................................12-2 12.5 Baseline Conditions .........................................................................12-9 12.6 Impact Assessment ........................................................................12-10 12.7 Mitigation ........................................................................................12-10 12.8 Statement of Significance .............................................................12-10 13. Socio-Economic Impacts .......................................... 13-1 13.1 Summary ...........................................................................................13-1 13.2 Introduction ......................................................................................13-1 13.3 Relevant Legislation, Policies and Guidelines ..............................13-1 13.4 Methodology