West Somerset Council & Sedgemoor District Council October 2011 Hinkley Point C Supplementary Planning Document Major Projects Office Approval for Release Report Document Title: Hinkley Point C Supplementary Planning Document Name Signature Date Mark Smith 24/10/2011 Arup Approval Approvals Final Issue SDC Approval Claire Pearce 28/10/2011 WSC Approval Andrew Goodchild 28/10/2011 Hinkley Point C Supplementary Planning Document – October 2011 Contents 1 Foreword 2 Purpose of this SPD 3 Consultation and Sustainability Appraisal Consultation Arrangements Sustainability Appraisal Habitats Appropriate Assessment Screening 4 Hinkley Point C Project Proposals 5 Policy Context and Objectives for the Project Planning and Economic Policy Context Hinkley Point C Project Visions and Objectives 6 Project-wide Issues and Policies Climate Change Economic Development Transport Housing Amenity and Construction Working Hours Protection of the Natural Environment Tourism, Leisure and Sports Nuclear Waste 7 Hinkley Point C Main Site 8 Associated Development Accommodation Sites Hinkley Point Main Site Campus Williton Watchet Stogursey North East Bridgwater Accommodation Cluster Eastover Accommodation Cluster Other Central Bridgwater Candidate Sites 9 Associated Development Park and Ride and Freight Management Sites Williton Park and Ride Combwich Wharf Cannington Park and Ride M5 Junction 23 - Dunball M5 Junction 24 - Huntworth 10 Planning Obligations and Community Benefits and Compensation Scheme Appendices: The Dillington Visions Hinkley Point C Supplementary Planning Document – October 2011 Foreword 1.1 The current Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station proposals, as consulted upon by the promoter, are for the construction of two European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) units producing 3,260MW. This represents future low carbon generating capacity well in excess of the combined output of the existing Hinkley Point B units (1,320MW). The power station and associated on-site nuclear waste storage facility, together with some associated development required to construct the station, would be located in West Somerset. The majority and remaining elements of the associated development required to construct the station would be located in neighbouring Sedgemoor. Based on the consultation proposals of the HPC project promoter, the anticipated and considerable scale of infrastructure required to enable the construction of the station is likely to give rise to significant impacts within the Councils‟ areas. The supporting infrastructure is likely to comprise of a temporary jetty, the refurbishment of Combwich Wharf, a bypass at Cannington, Park and Ride sites, freight management facilities and accommodation for construction workers, who in the main are anticipated to be from outside the local area. 1.2 This Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides advice to the HPC project promoter, and other developers who may have an interest in the project1, by expanding upon the national and local policy framework for the proposals. 1.3 West Somerset Council and Sedgemoor District Council (the Councils) recognise the national need to achieve energy security while reducing carbon emissions. The Councils also acknowledge the nuclear new build project could bring substantial investment to the area. New nuclear build represents significant potential opportunities in terms of job creation and strengthening of the local economy. The HPC project could also have important implications for the area in terms of the transport and accommodation strategies pursued, which could enable the delivery of permanent housing in appropriate locations and more efficient, safe transport infrastructure. Given the scale of development and intensity of construction activity connected with the project, any strategies should seek to avoid unacceptable impacts on landscape, the natural environment, highways infrastructure, the quality of life for local residents, and impacts in terms of inward investment by other business sectors. 1.4 The Councils are concerned to ensure there is advice in place that draws together relevant policy to inform the proposals for the HPC project. The SPD promotes a coherent planning and development approach that is consistent with national planning policy and aligns with local spatial plans. The approaches set out seek to ensure that the potential benefits of the project are realised and that the construction of Hinkley Point C does not result in unacceptable economic, social and environmental impacts and harm to local communities and businesses. 1.5 The Councils have agreed a development vision and series of objectives as part of a Planning Performance Agreement, in collaboration with EDF Energy (the HPC project promoter) and Somerset County Council, and this SPD acknowledges that vision. In the context of an objective to realise opportunities and minimise negative impacts for local communities, there is a focus on a number of key areas relating to the HPC project main site and the location and design of associated development. There is also consideration of legacy uses on sites that would be used temporarily for 1 In this context, developers with an interest in the project are those providing supply chain services (e.g. products, accommodation) and/or organisations who have an interest in sites affected by the proposals. 1 Hinkley Point C Supplementary Planning Document – October 2011 associated development that could provide long-term benefit beyond the HPC construction stage. The Councils also seek to ensure there are appropriate measures to compensate any residual harm that would arise over the construction, operation, waste storage and decommissioning phases. The Councils are working closely with Somerset County Council in this regard. 1.6 Throughout this SPD it is recognised that the Councils have a number of functions, including for example as Local Planning Authority and Local Housing Authority. The references to the Councils in this SPD are to the local planning authority unless the context otherwise admits. West Somerset Council is not the local planning authority for the Exmoor National Park so the SPD does not apply to the Exmoor National Park area. 1.7 Somerset County Council are the responsible body for a number of functions referred to in this SPD, notably: Transport and Highways; Lead Flood Authority; Waste; Education and Public Health. Statements on these matters within the SPD have been agreed with the County Council and reflect the District Councils' position as local planning authority. 1.8 Throughout this SPD, any references to the „HPC project‟ shall include the construction of the power station and on-site associated nuclear waste storage facility, as well as any associated development including construction worker accommodation, freight management and Park and Ride sites. 2 Hinkley Point C Supplementary Planning Document – October 2011 2. Purpose of the SPD 2.1 Given the scale of the HPC project proposals, the opportunities for positive local benefits as well as the potential for significant impacts on local communities, the Councils consider it beneficial to prepare supplementary advice in line with the national and local policy framework. It is important to clarify the role of the SPD. 2.2 HPC is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) as defined in the Planning Act 2008. Legislation in the Planning Act 2008 provides that projects like HPC are of such potential importance to the UK that a different consenting process to the “normal” grant of planning permission by the local Council is established. Under this new process, the HPC project promoter will submit an application for the power station to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC)/Major Infrastructure Unit (MIU), who in turn will make a recommendation to the Government on whether development consent should be granted. 2.3 Because NSIPs are subject to a separate planning process within the national planning regime, the West Somerset Local Plan, Sedgemoor Core Strategy and this SPD do not set any policies, tests or requirements for the IPC/MIU/Secretary of State to apply in deciding whether any element of the development comprised in an application for development consent is acceptable, nor the basis on which any such application should be approved. Accordingly, this SPD does not have the same status for decision making by the IPC/MIU as it does for decisions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, where the Councils are the determining authorities. However, the Planning Act 2008 at Section 104(2)(b) and (d) states that the IPC/MIU/Secretary of State must have regard to any Local Impact Report (LIR) together with any other matters they think are both important and relevant to their decision. This SPD will inform the LIR to be submitted by the Council to the IPC/MIU/Secretary of State in connection with the determination of any application for development consent. 2.4 National Policy Statements (NPSs) EN-1 „Overarching Energy‟ and EN-6 „Nuclear‟ (July 2011) set out the national case in principle for NSIPs and provide the primary basis for decision making by the IPC/MIU/Secretary of State2. NPS EN-6 (June 2011) identifies Hinkley Point as a potentially suitable site for the deployment of a new nuclear power station before the end of 2025 (section 4.1). Local policy should conform with and not conflict with NPSs3 and the Councils support the identification of Hinkley Point as a potentially suitable site. 2.5 The IPC/MIU will make a recommendation to Government