MINERAL INVESTMENTS

 

Redevelopment of Midland Quarry

Tuttle Hill Road, Nuneaton

 

Camp Hill Urban Village

 

 

Environmental Scoping Report

 

January 2002


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATE ISSUED:

January 2002

JOB NUMBER:

WM02457

REPORT NUMBER:

002

 

 

CLIENT’S REFERENCE:

 

MINERAL INVESTMENTS

 

Redevelopment of Midland Quarry

Tuttle Hill Road, Nuneaton

 

Camp Hill Urban Village

 

Environmental Scoping Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

F MacKenzie, Environmental Scientist; ........................................................................

 

APPROVED BY:

T Bason, Partner:  .........................................................................................................

 

 

 

 

 

This report has been prepared by Wardell Armstrong with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, within the terms of the Contract with the Client. 

No part of this document may be reproduced without the prior written approval of Wardell Armstrong.

 


 

Contents

1          Introduction

2                    Site Description

3                    Project Description

4          Planning Policy Context

5          Environmental Impact Assessment Methodology

6          Anticipated Scope of Work

6.1       Flora and Fauna

6.2       Ground Conditions

6.3       Water Resources

6.4       Noise and Vibration

6.5       Air Quality

6.6       Cultural Heritage

6.7              Landscape And Visual Impact

6.8              Traffic

6.9              Geology

 

DRAWINGS

WM02457/01 Site location

WM02457/02 Strategic Development Framework

 

APPENDICES

1          Baseline noise survey


1                    INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this document is to outline the scope and range of environmental issues to be considered in the design and construction of the proposed    redevelopment of Midland Quarry, Tuttle Hill Road, Nuneaton (see Drawing WM02457/01 for site location).

 

The Strategic Development Framework for Camp Hill Urban Village (Feb 2000) and the subsequent Supplementary Planning Guidance (July 2000) propose a mixed use redevelopment of the Midland Quarry Site and associated land as part of the regeneration framework for the Camp Hill Urban Village. The Midland Quarry study area contains the following developments (see Drawing WM0245702 for layout of the development areas):

·                     INF 3

·                     DEV 5

·                     DEV 11

·                     ENV 2

(See Section 3 for further details on the development proposals).

 

This document has been prepared to enable statutory and non-statutory consultees to identify any constraints within the development areas, prior to undertaking a baseline survey.

 

A screening opinion was requested from Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC) relating to the development proposals at Midland Quarry.  NBBC issued a Screening Opinion, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999, on 17 October 2001. The Opinion stated that an Environmental Impact Assessment would be required as:

 

‘the development falls within Category 10(a) of Schedule 2 of the above Regulations. Since the site area exceeds the threshold of 0.5ha, the proposal is Schedule 2 development’     

 

2                    SITE DESCRIPTION

The study area is located approximately 1.5 km to the north west of Nuneaton Town Centre, off Tuttle Hill Road (B4114).  The site is located within Ordnance Survey Grid Squares SP 3492 and 3592 (Landranger Map 140) and occupies approximately 14 ha. The south eastern boundary of the site is formed by the Coventry Canal and the B4114 Tuttle Hill Road lies adjacent to the north eastern border. The existing Pool Road Industrial Estate forms the south western boundary and development area INF3 borders the north western boundary beyond which lies Holly Stitches (a designated Site of Nature Conservation Interest), existing and proposed residential development.

 

The areas under consideration for redevelopment are within the confines of the dormant quarry and include a shallow void (DEV 11) and an overburden mound (DEV 5). The mound contains the materials excavated from the surface of the quarry at the commencement of the mining operations.  This mound is now vegetated with scrub. The centre of the study area contains a large void (ENV 2), which is currently partially filled with water. 

 

The main site entrance is located of Tuttle Hill via ‘Intercity Shot Blasting’, however there is a second access, also off Tuttle Hill adjacent to the Crazy Horse Public House and existing industrial units.

 

The existing quarry entrance on to Tuttle Hill Road has sufficient visibility splays to provide for the safe passage of the limited number of vehicles entering and exiting the site. 

 

3                    PROJECT DESCRIPTION

In February 2000 a Strategic Development Framework for Camp Hill Urban Village was published, this was followed by the Camp Hill Urban Village Supplementary Planning Guidance in July 2000.  These documents outline the framework and context within which the proposed redevelopment of Midland Quarry will be taken forward.  The development projects principally referred to within the Midland Quarry study area are as follows:

·                     INF3 -  ‘a new road’ adjacent to the north western site boundary (See Drawing WM02457/02).

·                     DEV 5 - ‘the extension to Pool Road Industrial estate to be known as Century Park’.  The area where the overburden is to be removed from (DEV 5) will be the subject of a detailed application for industrial and commercial uses in accordance with the Borough Local Plan and the recent Supplementary Planning Guidance for this part of Nuneaton. It is envisaged that the development of area DEV 5 will take place over a period of approximately 7 years.  It is anticipated that 11,148m2 (120,000ft2) of office and light industrial units will be created which will be developed in phases of approximately 1,115m2 (12,000ft2).  Access will be via the Queen Elizabeth Road until the anticipated relief road INF 3, or alternative alignment, has been constructed.

·                     DEV 11 - ‘the shallow quarry void to be reclaimed by limited backfilling, with overburden (removed from the DEV 5 area, approximately 170,000m3 and imported inert wastes up to 300,000m3 to create 1.21ha of developable land.  DEV 11 also includes the redevelopment of existing property fronting Tuttle Hill Road (area IND on Drawing WM02457/02).  The development proposals, identified in the supplementary planning guidance include a mixed use scheme formed by employment and leisure uses.   DEV 11 would be either accessed through the new relief road INF 3, or through a separate junction formed on to Tuttle Hill Road which will be required initially to facilitate the importation of waste.

·                     ENV 2 ‘ the main quarry void’ restoration proposals will be the subject of relevant consultations and a separate application.

 

4          PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT

John Craddock Associates, on behalf of Mineral Investments, requested a screening opinion from Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council (NBBC) relating to the development proposals at Midland Quarry.  NBBC issued a Screening Opinion, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999, on 17 October 2001. The Opinion stated that an Environmental Impact Assessment would be required as:

 

‘the development falls within Category 10(a) of Schedule 2 of the above Regulations. Since the site area exceeds the threshold of 0.5ha, the proposal is Schedule 2 development’     

 

The accompanying Statement of Reasons summarised the potential impacts of the development proposal as follows:

 

‘EIA is required for Schedule 2 projects where there are likely to be significant environmental effects.

In this case, the development proposals are likely to have a significant effect on established features of nature conservation importance and an environmental statement is therefore required.’

                                                                                                                                   

The Scoping Report considers a number of potential developments, which would be submitted as planning applications over a period of time, as itemised below:

1.                  Discharge of mineral permission with respect to the restoration of Midland Quarry to prepare two areas of developable land DEV 5 & DEV 11.  In order to discharge this condition a scheme was submitted to Warwickshire County Council for approval in August 2001.  Determination of the scheme has been delayed until an Environmental Statement has been submitted which considers the redevelopment proposals for Midland Quarry.

2.                  Application for inert waste disposal to prepare DEV 11 for development and complete the restoration of ENV 2.  There will be a detailed application submitted to Warwickshire County Council, which will be linked to the discharge of the restoration of the quarry identified above. An interim access will be formed to allow reclamation of the shallow quarry void (DEV 11) and which may also permit limited development on reclaimed land on DEV 11 in 5 years time when backfilling is complete. See item 4 below.

3.                  Detailed application for DEV 5, with a view to commencing redevelopment in 2002, when the overburden has been removed to infill the shallow part of the quarry void (DEV 11).  This will be linked to the construction of INF 3, providing a new access onto Tuttle Hill Road and Queen Elizabeth Road.

4.                  Outline application for DEV 11.  This application is likely to identify the comprehensive redevelopment proposals for mixed use, including land not in Mineral Investments ownership.  Redevelopment would commence when backfilling of the shallow part of the quarry with imported inert material as been completed.  The total developable area will be reduced from the original scheme, because of the road and the detailed application identified below

5.                  Detailed application for development of commercial units fronting onto Tuttle Hill Road.

 

The study area identified in this Environmental Scoping Report includes all the proposed development identified above.  It would be useful to obtain views on the integrated redevelopment proposals for the site, with particular emphasis on the discharge of the mineral permission and importation of inert wastes, to achieve the development footprint for DEV 5 and DEV 11.

 

5          OUTLINE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The study assesses the impact of the proposals, in terms of the impact of site development upon environmental conditions.  It will incorporate the following:

·                     A full assessment of baseline parameters.  Such assessment will include ground conditions, landscape, flora and fauna, water resources, noise and air quality;

·                     An assessment of potential impacts, including issues drawn to the attention of the applicant in discussion with Nuneaton Borough Council; and

·                     Review of mitigation matters and residual impacts.

 

Consideration will also be given to the relevant issues raised in the strategic appraisal produced by Warwickshire County Council in April 2001, ‘Camp Hill Urban Village Environmental Appraisal Report’.

 

The purpose of this document is to approach all statutory consultees to determine the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment, in order to prioritise the detailed assessment analysis.  The list of consultees (statutory and non statutory) is as follows:

 

 

 


Table 1: List of Consultees

Consultee

Issues

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council

Planning/Landscape/Conservation/Noise and Air emissions

English Heritage

Scheduled Monuments

English Nature

Nature Conservation and Protection

Environment Agency

Water Resources/Conservation

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

Nature Conservation and Protection

Warwickshire County Council

Planning/Landscape/Highways

Countryside Agency

Landscape/built environment

British Waterways

Coventry Canal

 

Separate requests for information have also been sent to wildlife and other organisations that may have an interest in the development proposals.

 

The range of environmental interests and potential effects of the proposed development are summarised in Table 2. 

 

Table 2: Environmental interests

Environmental interest

Potentially vulnerable to:

Landscape Setting

Visual impact

Flora and Fauna

Loss of habitats

Water Resources

Change in volume and run-off regime

Reduction in water quality

Impact upon groundwater

Impact on floodplain

Ground Conditions

Potential contamination linked to the established use of the site and neighbouring areas for industry

Human Resources

Noise , air quality, setting

 

 

6                    ANTICIPATED SCOPE OF WORK

6.1       Flora and Fauna

            The assessment process will involve a Phase 1 habitat survey and desktop assessment of national, regional and local planning policy guidance to establish policies of ecological relevance.

 

Habitats will be evaluated and mitigation measures will be assessed to include any opportunities for nature conservation and/or habitat improvement proposed as part of the development.

 

6.2       Ground Conditions

A desk study will be undertaken to identify the suitability of ground conditions for the proposed development and the existence of any contamination from historic uses of the site.  The study will direct subsequent site investigations that may be undertaken over a period of time to accord with phases of the redevelopment.  Therefore, for certain aspects of the redevelopment the EIA would provide recommendations for further site investigation work required.

 

Measures may be required in order to mitigate adverse ground conditions and residual contamination.

 

6.3              Water Resources

The assessment of water resources within and adjacent to the proposed development will utilise available information from the Environment Agency relating to the floodplain, groundwater and surface water courses. This information will be used to assess the effect, if any, upon adjacent water courses and groundwater.

 

Rising water levels have been recorded within the quarry void.  During the operation of the quarry, water levels were controlled by pumping into the Coventry Canal, in order to maintain a dry void suitable for mineral extraction.  The assessment would consider the local groundwater conditions at the site with a view to providing suitable mitigation measures for the restoration of ENV 2.

 

6.4              Noise and Vibration

A desk study will be conducted using the information derived from the Traffic Impact Assessment and the site design, to assess the noise impact from any likely changes to traffic volume flow.  The nearest noise sensitive receptors will be agreed with the local Environmental Health Officer (EHO), and noise predictions will be made for these properties based upon baseline measurements.  A preliminary baseline noise assessment has already been performed at properties adjacent to the site, and a summary of this survey is included as Appendix 1 of this document.

 

It is likely that draft conditions relating to temporary operations such as construction noise will be discussed with the EHO, although legislation and British Standards exist to control most noise from such operations.

 

 

6.5              Air Quality

The assessment of the impact on air quality from the alteration of traffic volume flow will be considered using data from the transport assessment, as agreed with the EHO.  Potential impacts upon air quality will be assessed with reference to national air quality standards.  Short-term impacts from construction and demolition will also be addressed.

 

6.6              Cultural Heritage

Former quarrying activity has disturbed the majority of the site; therefore detailed analysis is not required.  However, note will be taken of any adjacent or nearby features of interest.

 

6.7              Landscape and Visual Impact

The site is relatively well visually contained with existing vegetation providing a positive attribute in the context of the surroundings. Field study will be carried out to determine the sensitive receptors and the extent to which they are likely to experience visual disturbance. Appropriate mitigation such as new landscape planting and screening will also be assessed.

 

6.8              Traffic

            A Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) has been undertaken (May 2001).  This was based on the development scenario contained within the Strategic Development Framework for Camp Hill Urban Village, which covered the new Local Distributor Road INF3, and addressed any concerns regarding the impact the proposed development would have on existing transport infrastructure of the surrounding area.  The results demonstrated that the proposed highway infrastructure will accommodate the traffic generated by the proposed development as well as future growth and positively contribute towards the Warwickshire County Council Local Transport Plan.  The TIA will be reconsidered with respect to the alternative site access and a summary of the results will be reported in the EIA.

 

6.9              Geology

The quarry has been designated as a Regionally Important Geological Site by the Warwickshire Geological Conservation Group.  The main features of the site are the unconformity between the Quartzite and the Triassic Sandstones and the contact of the sill and the quartzite.  The impact of quarry restoration on these features will be considered.

 

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