M3 junction 9 improvement scheme Preliminary Environmental Information Report May 2021 M3 Junction 9 Improvement Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) Contents 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1-1 Background ................................................................................................................ 1-1 Planning history .......................................................................................................... 1-1 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ................................................................... 1-3 The decision maker and planning policy .................................................................... 1-3 Purpose of this PEIR .................................................................................................. 1-4 Structure and content of this PEIR ............................................................................. 1-4 Availability of this PEIR .............................................................................................. 1-5 Consultation ................................................................................................................ 1-6 2 The Proposed Scheme............................................................................................................. 2-1 Need for the Proposed Scheme ................................................................................. 2-1 Proposed Scheme objectives ..................................................................................... 2-1 Proposed Scheme location ........................................................................................ 2-2 Proposed Scheme description ................................................................................... 2-3 3 Consideration of alternatives .................................................................................................. 3-1 EIA Regulations .......................................................................................................... 3-1 Historic consideration of alternatives.......................................................................... 3-1 Summary of on-going design work and consideration of alternatives ........................ 3-6 4 Environmental impact assessment methodology ................................................................ 4-1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 4-1 Surveys and predictive techniques and methods ....................................................... 4-1 Predicting environmental impacts ............................................................................... 4-2 Evaluating significance ............................................................................................... 4-2 Embedded and essential mitigation ........................................................................... 4-6 The Rochdale Envelope ............................................................................................. 4-6 Monitoring of significant residual effects .................................................................... 4-7 Reporting .................................................................................................................... 4-7 Scoped in effects ........................................................................................................ 4-8 Competent experts ..................................................................................................... 4-8 Constraints and limitations ......................................................................................... 4-8 Risk of major accidents and/or disasters.................................................................... 4-8 Cumulative effects .................................................................................................... 4-10 5 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................. 5-1 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 5-1 5.2 Legislative and policy framework ............................................................................... 5-1 5.3 Consultation ................................................................................................................ 5-2 5.4 Assessment methodology and significance criteria ................................................... 5-7 5.5 Assessment assumptions and limitations................................................................. 5-14 HE551511-VFK-EGN-X_XXXX_XX-TN-LE-0004 Revision P07 May 2021 M3 Junction 9 Improvement Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) 5.6 Study area ................................................................................................................ 5-15 5.7 Baseline conditions................................................................................................... 5-16 5.8 Design, mitigation and enhancement measures ...................................................... 5-23 5.9 Assessment of potential effects ................................................................................ 5-24 5.10 Anticipated further assessment ................................................................................ 5-27 6 Cultural Heritage ...................................................................................................................... 6-1 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 6-1 6.2 Legislative and policy framework ............................................................................... 6-2 6.3 Consultation ................................................................................................................ 6-3 6.4 Assessment methodology and significance criteria ................................................. 6-13 6.5 Assessment assumptions and limitations................................................................. 6-22 6.6 Baseline conditions................................................................................................... 6-22 6.7 Design, mitigation and enhancement measures ...................................................... 6-33 6.8 Assessment of potential effects ................................................................................ 6-34 6.9 Anticipated further assessment ................................................................................ 6-46 7 Landscape and Visual.............................................................................................................. 7-1 7.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 7-1 7.2 Legislative and policy framework ............................................................................... 7-2 7.3 Consultation ................................................................................................................ 7-3 7.4 Assessment methodology and significance criteria ................................................. 7-17 7.5 Assessment assumptions and limitations................................................................. 7-27 7.6 Study area ................................................................................................................ 7-27 7.7 Baseline conditions................................................................................................... 7-29 7.8 Design, mitigation and enhancement measures ...................................................... 7-40 7.9 Assessment of potential effects ................................................................................ 7-43 7.10 Anticipated further assessment ................................................................................ 7-56 8 Biodiversity ............................................................................................................................... 8-1 8.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 8-1 8.2 Legislative and policy framework ............................................................................... 8-1 8.3 Consultation ................................................................................................................ 8-4 8.4 Assessment methodology and significance criteria ................................................. 8-16 8.5 Assessment assumptions and limitations................................................................. 8-22 8.6 Study area ................................................................................................................ 8-23 8.7 Baseline conditions................................................................................................... 8-24 8.8 Design, mitigation and enhancement measures ...................................................... 8-43 8.9 Assessment of potential effects ................................................................................ 8-46 8.10 Anticipated further assessment ................................................................................ 8-59 9 Geology and Soils ...................................................................................................................