Howbrook Environmental Impact Assessment by Simon Jenkins

Environmental Impact Assessment Cobex Ltd. - Open Cast Mine Proposal, Howbrook

LSC 301 Regestration Number:100182268

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Contents 1. 2. 3. 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.1 4.2 4.3 5 6 7 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

Introduction............................................................................................................................................3 Project Summary..........................................................................................................................................4 Baseline Landscape Conditions................................................................................................................5 Landscape Character.................................................................................................................................5 -National scale..........................................................................................................................................5 -Key characteristics of Character area 38 ...............................................................................................5 -Key characteristics of Character area 37................................................................................................6 -NATIONAL POLICY APPROPRIATE TO THE PROPOSAL: Extracts from the NPPF........................................7 -Regional scale.........................................................................................................................................8 -LOCAL PLANNING POLICY APPROPRIATE TO THE PROPOSAL: Extracts from the Barnsley UDP..................9 -Local scale............................................................................................................................................10 Analysis of the Baseline Landscape Conditions.........................................................................................10 Landscape Impact Assessment...............................................................................................................11 -Predicted Landscae Impacts..................................................................................................................11 -Potential Landscae Impacts...................................................................................................................11 Landscape Baseline Summary................................................................................................................12 Landscape Impact Assessment Summary................................................................................................13 Visual Receptors and Important View Points ........................................................................................14 - Woodhead Road.................................................................................................................................15 - Carr House Farm.................................................................................................................................16 - High Green Housing Estate....................................................................................................................17 - Westwood COuntry Park.....................................................................................................................18 - Bromely Carr Road..............................................................................................................................19 - A629 Bus Stop.....................................................................................................................................20 Visualisations........................................................................................................................................21 Visual Baseline Summary .....................................................................................................................22 Visual Impact Summary .......................................................................................................................23 Visual Envelope ....................................................................................................................................24 Mitigation.............................................................................................................................................25 PLANNING POLICY APPROPRIATE TO RESTORATION...........................................................................26 Restoration......................................................................................................................................27-28 Statement of Unavoidable Impacts ......................................................................................................29 Bibliography..........................................................................................................................................30

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Introduction According to the Friends of the Earth’s campaigner’s guide to an EIA an environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an integral feature of deciding the fate of many large scale planning applications. ‘It is a technique which is meant to help us understand the potential environmental impacts of major development proposals.’ This includes both the potential impacts which will occur during the operational phases of a development and the after effects, which can include compensative measures. It then weighs the costs and benefits to come to an Environmental Statement (ES) which summarises the findings of the EIA in an unbiased manner to be submitted to the local planning authority. An EIA is derived from Directive 85/337 of European law which has subsequently been used in UK’s Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations also known as the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. Should a project exceed certain thresholds, set out by The Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2006, and be likely to have significant impacts on its environment then it is required to undergo an EIA and public consultation which must take place before a final consent decision is made. When considering whether the proposed development requires an EIA, it should fall within one of two categories. If it falls within the Schedule 2 projects category of the regulations, an EIA is taken out if development is likely to have a significant impact on the environment by virtue of its nature, size or location. If a development is deemed to fall within the Schedule 1 projects category, an EIA is mandatory. The proposal by its nature – an open cast coal mine, categorises it as a Schedule 2 project. However due to its size – over 25 hectares in extent, ‘more than 10,000 cubic meters of earth or rock’ and also because it entails – ‘recontouring of land through addition, removal or redistribution of earth or other material’, it falls under the category of Schedule 1 projects in the EIA regulations and therefore an EIA must be undertaken. Energy and Environmental Investment and Consulting Ltd. states in their Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Antalya - Turkey Power Plant that a full EIA considers soil characteristics, climatology, topography, ambient air quality, noise, flora and fauna, archaeological and cultural resources, land use, sensitive zones, biological environment, wetlands, vegetation, wildlife, social environment amidst other topics and their potential/predicted impacts the proposal will have upon them. However this report will focus on the landscape and visual impacts.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Project Summary The Howbrook open cast coal mine proposal is located less than 10 miles north of Sheffield in close proximity to Howbrook village and the High Green housing estate. Due to being located near large urban areas the infrastructure is developed and exploitable by the proposal; namely the A629, A616, A61 and the M1 which are all within 2km of the site. The site lies within designated green belt, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough’s area of landscape value and in South Yorkshire Community Forest. It is also important to note that there are no additional cumulative effects of simmilar developments in the surrounding area which would impact on the overal impact. Of the site’s 47 acres, 18 will be quarried, removing 160,000 tonnes of coal and 15,000 tonnes of associated clays by Cobex Ltd. A company based in Wakefield. The quarry will be continually backfilled with the original soil which will have expanded to fill the void due to the reduced compaction. This process has been predicted to take 20 months in a series of phases. Before the restoration the only feature which will not be dismantled and removed or replaced (to the best of the developer’s abilities) is the site entrance which will be left to serve future restoration plans.

Source: Google Maps

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Baseline Landscape Conditions

3.1

Landscape Character In order to understand the value of the assessed landscape it is necessary to know what seperates it from other landscapes. This entails considering the landscape character, defined by Natural England as ‘a distinct, recognisable and consistent pattern of elements, be it natural (soil, landform) and/ or human in the landscape that makes one landscape different from another, rather than better or worse.’ Descriptions of the landscape in question, at different scales, give the context necessary to conduct an EIA.

3.2

National Scale

Source: Natural England

When considered in context at the national scale the site falls within character area 38, one of the 159 national character areas identified by Natural England in their 2005 Wildlife and Cultural Features Map. Character area 38 ecompases parts of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfields. 3.3

Key characteristics of the area are as follows: • Widespread evidence of industrial activity including mine buildings, former spoil tips and iron and steel plants, a complex mix of built-up areas, industrial land, dereliction and farmed open country. • Many areas affected by urban fringe pressures creating fragmented and downgraded landscapes, substantial areas of intact agricultural land in both arable and pastoral use, small, fragmented remnants of pre-industrial landscape and semi-natural vegetation, including many areas of woodland, river valley habitats, subsidence flashes and other relict habitats. • Ever-present urban influences from major cities, smaller industrial towns and mining villages, widespread influence of transport routes, including canal, road (M1, M62) and rail, with ribbon developments emphasising the urban influence on the landscape. • Rolling landforms with hills, escarpments and broad valleys, local variation in landscape character reflecting variations in underlying geology and a strong cultural identity arising from history of coal mining and other heavy industry. Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

However it is important to note that due to the proximity to the periphery of character area 37 it is also possible to see character features which can be atributed to the Yorkshire and Southern Pennines Fringe. 3.4

Key characteristics of the area are as follows: • Eastern slopes of the Pennines, dropping from upland in the west down to the east, dissected by numerous steep-sided valleys. • Extensive urban influences from the matrix of large and small towns. • Close conjunction of large-scale industry, urban areas and transport routes with open countryside. • Predominance of local sandstone and ‘gritstone’ as a building material notably in large and dominant industrial buildings. • Urban development mainly confined by valleys creating dramatic interplay of views between settlements and the surrounding hillsides. • Predominantly pastoral farming with strong linear patterns of walled enclosures on plateaux. • Predominantly broadleaved woodlands on steep valley sides forming important backdrops to industrialised areas. • Impression of a well-wooded landscape even though tree cover is relatively sparse overall. • Dense network of roads, canals and railways

Characer Area 37 (left) Yorkshire and Southern Pennines Fringe & Characer Area 38 (right) Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfields Source: Natural England

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

3.5 NATIONAL POLICY APPROPRIATE TO THE PROPOSAL: Extracts from the NPPF 90. Certain other forms of development are also not inappropriate in Green Belt provided they preserve the openness of the Green Belt and do not conflict with the purposes of including land in Green Belt. Mineral extraction 143. In preparing Local Plans, local planning authorities should: •

identify and include policies for extraction of mineral resource of local and national importance in their area, but should not identify new sites or extensions to existing sites for peat extraction;

•

set out environmental criteria, in line with the policies in this Framework, against which planning applications will be assessed so as to ensure that permitted operations do not have unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment or human health, including from noise, dust, visual intrusion, traffic, tip- and quarry-slope stability, differential settlement of quarry backfill, mining subsidence, increased flood risk, impacts on the flow and quantity of surface and groundwater and migration of contamination from the site; and take into account the cumulative effects of multiple impacts from individual sites and/or a number of sites in a locality;

•

put in place policies to ensure worked land is reclaimed at the earliest opportunity, taking account of aviation safety, and that high quality restoration and aftercare of mineral sites takes place, including for agriculture (safeguarding the long term potential of best and most versatile agricultural land and conserving soil resources), geodiversity, biodiversity, native woodland, the historic environment and recreation.

144. When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should: •

as far as is practical, provide for the maintenance of landbanks of nonenergy minerals from outside National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage sites, Scheduled Monuments and Conservation Areas;

•

ensure, in granting planning permission for mineral development, that there are no unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment, human health or aviation safety, and take into account the cumulative effect of multiple impacts from individual sites and/or from a number of sites in a locality;

•

provide for restoration and aftercare at the earliest opportunity to be carried out to high environmental standards, through the application of appropriate conditions, where necessary. Bonds or other financial guarantees to underpin planning conditions should only be sought in exceptional circumstances;

149. Permission should not be given for the extraction of coal unless the proposal is environmentally acceptable, or can be made so by planning conditions or obligations; or if not, it provides national, local or community benefits which clearly outweigh the likely impacts to justify the grant of planning permission.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

3.6

Regional Scale

Source: Regional Map of Barnsley Borough, MOLE 2

At a regional scale the Barnsley Borough Landscape Character Assessment categorises the landscape as falling within the E1 West Barnsley Settled Wooded Farmland category. This is described by Barnsley COuncil as ‘distinguished by rolling landform with hills and broad valleys, and intact farmland interspersed with woodland.’ The report states that its ‘views are generally enclosed by landform and woodland, with some extensive views from higher ground’ and that ‘the landscape is characterised by three dominant land use patterns – agriculture, woodland and residential. Although E1 covers an extensive area, the fairly simple pattern of land uses, elements and features repeats itself throughout the landscape character area, and incongruous land uses and features are relatively uncommon, giving rise to a fairly consistent character.’ A noteworthy characteristic of E1 West Barnsley Settled Wooded Farmland is the fact that it is open, undeveloped and only ‘small scale settlements are dispersed throughout a predominantly agricultural, rural landscape.’ ‘Landscape sensitivity to further built development is judged to be high and landscape capacity is considered to be low.’

The site is situated within a greenbelt attempting to prevent urban sprawl but also is catagorised as an regeneration priority area. Source: The Yorkshire and Humber Plan Regional Spatial Strategy to 2026

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

3.7

LOCAL PLANNING POLICY APPROPRIATE TO THE PROPOSAL: Extracts from the Barnsley UDP

4.14 4.23 4.24 4.25

Mineral extraction operations can also create opportunities for benefits to the community, for example in the form of land reclamation or creation of new facilities. These opportunities will be taken where possible, providing that the environmental effects on local communities can be controlled to a level which is acceptable. The Council will always carry out local consultation wherever these issues are raised, and will liaise closely with the local community during and after operations to ensure satisfactory treatment. Virtually the whole of the Borough is underlain by shallow coal reserves and therefore proposals to mine coal by opencast methods could come forward for almost any location in the Borough. The Council will assess any such proposals in the context of Policy M4, other relevant policies in the Plan, and national policy guidance. Due to a particular settlement pattern in the Borough, and the Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s priority to secure economic regeneration, of particular importance will be an assessment of the effects of proposed workings on residential and visual amenity They often result in very significant increases in HGV traffic on certain roads for a limited period, and therefore careful consideration will be given to this impact. Futhermore, because opencast coal sites are not planned in relation to other forms of development, there is the potential for conflicts to arise and criterion B sets a priority for economic regeneration in such a case where, for example, opencast working would deter or postpone investment. In some circumstances opencasting can create community benefits as a result of land reclamation or the creation of new facilities, and this helps to justify temporary loss of amenity. Standards of restoration are now usually high, although disturbed landscapes take many years to recover their lost maturity and this loss must also be taken into account.

Policy GS12 The best and most versatile agricultural land is a national resource for the future. Considerable weight will be given to protecting such land from development. Policy GS15 The council will seek to safeguard important habitats and species from any activities which would cause disturbance, pollution or other damage. All development proposals should, where appropriate, include measures to conserve and enhance existing features of nature conservation interest and to create new nature conservation areas. Policy GS22 The council will seek the retention and management of existing hedgerows, woodlands and trees both individually and in groups.

Policy GS23 The council will actively support the development of extensive new woodland and hedgerow planting and its appropriate management for landscape, ecological, recreation and ultimately economic benefit.

Policy GS24 The council will support the creation of the south Yorkshire forest. Any development within the forest area must accord with the policies of this U.D.P. and developers will be encouraged to make a positive contribution to the forest. Policy GS28 The council will wherever practicable, preserve, protect and enhance existing public rights of way and will require that new development retains an attractive route for existing rights of way or where diversion is necessary, provides for a satisfactory alternative route. Policy M1 When considering a proposal for mineral working, the council will, where appropriate, have due regard for the supply of and demand for the particular mineral to help meet the needs of society for minerals Policy M11 Proposals for mineral extraction involving the use of agricultural land of grades 1, 2 and 3a will not normally be permitted unless: a) the viability of any agricultural holding affected by the development is not permanently damaged. b) it is demonstrated that all the affected land will be restored to at least its pre-existing agricultural quality not later than the completion of a programme of restoration and aftercare c) the amount of such land included in the development is the minimum reasonably required to carry out the working in accordance with best existing techniques. Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

3.8

Local Scale

Residential Industrial Significant Infrastructure Agricultural Landscapes Wooded Areas

At a local scale it is evident to see examples of the characteristics described at a larger scale for instance industrial activity, urban fringe pressures, fragmented remnants of pre-industrial landscape with semi-natural vegetation, rolling landforms with hills and the simple yet dominating, repeated pattern of land uses; agriculture, woodland and residential. The site itself is located in a depressed part of the valley carved out of the sandstone and clay by the watercourses running south eastward across the site. The council recognises the agricultural land as of national importance and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;considerable weight will be given to protecting such land from developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as stated in policy GS12. However, as agricultural practices have become more industrialised and efficient over the years the area has suffered a reduction in the natural woodland habitats and biodiversity leaving a decreasing number of hedgerows and wooded space. To attempt to reverse this cycle the Barnsley UDP discourages permanent removal of habitat areas such as hedgerows and encourages retaining and replacing where possible and appropriate through policies GS22 and GS23. The same is true for public rights of way with policy GS 28. The built form is typical for the region with large areas on the rural urban fringe succumbing to large amounts of housing compared to the rural landscapes with sparse settlements. However with the increasing amount of infrastructure ribbons of developments are following in their wake. 3.9

Analysis of the Baseline Landscape Conditions

Although the council have placed a significant amount of value on the landscape in question though highlighting the significance of the agricultural elements, the views, the diverse woodland, the heritage and other assets of the landscape, the area as a whole has been identified and prioritised for development at the national scale. This factor suggests the potential for the area and it becomes a process of evaluating, on a site by site basis, the location and the amount of negative impacts compared with the returns and the compensative measures in the post operational period. 10

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Landscape Impact Assessment As Bath Technology Centre Ltd suggests the landscape receptors are concerned with the physical, natural, ‘man made’ and aesthetic attributes of the landscape the effects will be observable directly and indirectly.

4.1

Predicted Landscape Impacts Firstly the direct impacts which will vary over the different phases of the development which are highly likely to occur. During phase 1 the impacts are likely to be as follows: • • • • • • •

Change in character as the land use changes Substantial change to the aesthetics of the landscape as the topsoil is removed and piled The 3m high mounds will change the aesthetics further by preventing access Characterful hedgerows and field boundaries are degraded or removed Disturb habitats and reduce species richness Loose ecological value of species rich field 5 (despite efforts to retain value) Footpath redirection will also alter the land use

Phases 2-4: • • • • 4.2

Larger impact upon the character and aesthetics will occur with the substantial change in topography and this effect will not be isolated but be observable from surrounding viewpoints Increasing change in land use and machinery used on site Increased traffic of HGVs Ecological degradation of the stream habitats and associated wooded strips could occur as the process takes place within close proximity

Potential Landscape Impacts The more indirect potential impacts are observable independently of the site and are as follows: • • • •

Due to the topography the site is visible from considerable distances meaning the character of features such as the public footpaths situated on the overlooking hills to the south west and north east will change to feel less rural Similarly, despite vegetation screening, residential areas on the northern periphery of High Green and those in Howbrook will undergo a change in character from being in an agricultural surrounding to that of an industrial surrounding The increased numbers of HGVs could cause greater congestion and pollution on route to their client River pollutants could cause further degradation downstream especially with a inclement weather conditions

However the potential for positives, due to the Borough Council’s emphasis on restoring or enhancing the landscape in the post operational period.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Landscape Baseline Summary Using Bath Technology Centre Ltd’s definitions: RECEPTORS of landscape and visual impact include both physical and natural elements of the landscape such as biological resources, special interests and groups of viewers. However receptors can encompass subjective landscape components, such as areas of character, or valued areas of landscape. CONDITION of receptors – the state of an individual area or component elements, including ‘health’ and intactness from an ecological, visual and functional perspective. SENSITIVITY of receptor – the degree to which a particular landscape or landscape element can be influenced by change, resulting from the development, without detrimental effect. The sensitivity will reflect aspects such as the ‘replaceability’ of elements, their condition and value, as well as their contribution to the landscape character.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Landscape Impact Summary Using Bath Technology Centre Ltd’s definitions: DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE in relation to receptors – change will be assessed for the construction period and operational phase, where significant changes are experienced. QUALITY OF CHANGE (nature of effects) – this will be assessed as being positive, neutral or negative in relation to the receptors identified, including character areas and the individual elements. MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS – this will be based upon an assessment of the degree of change to the landscape receptors, the nature of the effect and its duration. All available details of the proposed development will be used. SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFECTS – this will assess the relationship between the sensitivity of the receptor and the magnitude of effect. This complex relationship will be discussed as clearly as possible.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

7.1

Visual Receptors and Important View Points Woodhead Road

Baseline Visual Condition The view from Woodhead Road currently displays many of the characterful assets the area has to offer such as being and exemplar the rolling hills of the area. This good vantage point also makes it an important asset of the surrounding landscapes attracting recreational users and becoming irreplaceable for the communities. However the topography which makes it special also causes it to be sensitive to change.

Visual Impacts The most significant change made by the development for this viewpoint will be the alteration of topographical features and thus the character will be altered in a negative fashion. The magnitude of these effects will be significant due to the scale of the site, the fact that there are receptors in the form of residencies situated along Woodhead Road and the recreational footpaths which increase the numbers of users impacted whose nature of use, enjoying the scenery, would be greatly impacted. Furthermore the duration of the impacted views is extensive resulting from the undulating topography with limited screening. This, therefore, makes the change highly significant for this and similar locations.

Exaggerated Y axis Not to scale

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

7.2

Carr House Farm

Baseline Visual Condition The view offered at Carr House Farm displays characterful features attributed with the area, most significantly the agricultural aspects and the urban fringe pressures. However since these features are not infrequent the importance is lessened. Due to the viewpoints location, relative to the proposal, it is very sensitive to change.

Visual Impacts The main changes which will impact upon the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s viewshed will be the view of the excavation, the overburden/screening mounds and the vast changes to the immediate landscape which will obstruct the view of the opposing side of the valley. Furthermore the view is largely unimpeded apart from the screening put in place by the development itself. This has a significant negative impact on those receptors which are subjected to this view, namely, persons residing in close proximity. However the significance of this impact is lessened by the small numbers of people directly affected by this particular negative view.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

7.3

High Green Housing Estate

Baseline Visual Condition The condition of the view of the proposal site, as seen from High Green Housing Estate is currently largely obscured and holds little interest in terms of cultural or character value. This in turn makes the view insensitive to visual change.

Visual Impacts The most significant visual change during the development and operational phases of the proposal will be that of dust clouds and pollution which rises above the treeline although other features of the quarry may be possible to glimpse through the vegetation or from a second storey window as the proposal is within such close proximity. Since there is a large number of residents and therefore receptors, subjected to this view, it is of great significance, however due to the limited view of the site the magnitude of visual impact is reduced.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

7.4

Weswood Country Park

Baseline Visual Condition The raised view from Westwood Country Park makes a large area of the valley visibly accessible including many of the positive character features, predominantly, agriculture and woodland. The sensitivity of the view is moderate since it is largely screened by woodland; however the high vantage point allows the components which are not screened to be very visible despite the distance. The view from such a location is of high importance for recreational value but the value is lessened by the smaller amount of foot traffic.

Visual Impacts The main change to the view will be the extent to which the extracted mounds and dust pollution will be visible and which may obscure views beyond the development and will change the character of the valley. The extent of the impact will be moderate due to the proportion of the site which will be visible but the significance is reduced due to the relatively small numbers of visual receptors who are exposed to this view.

Exaggerated Y axis Not to scale

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

7.5

Bromley Carr Road

Baseline Visual Condition The condition of the view is similar to that of Carr House Farm and similarly sensitive to the change. However the impact that the change will inflict on this viewpoint is greater due to the depressed nature of the topography and the fact that the screening mounds will obscure such a large proportion of the view. However this will also reduce the amount of negative views through the development site. The resulting overall impact, however, will still be negative.

Visual Impacts The magnitude of the impact for the location is very large because of its proximity to the change and the vast reduction in character and amount of obscured view. The significance of these impacts, although larger than those of Carr House Farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s viewpoint, is still relatively insignificant because of the small numbers of visual receptors to bear witness to the detrimental effects.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

7.6

A629 Bus Stop

Baseline Visual Condition The topography, compared with other viewpoints does not allow for such great visual permeability of the space. This implies that the view at present does not offer much of value. However what is visible is indicative of the character of the area; namely agricultural landscape and native woodland. As with Carr House Farm and Bromley Carr Road the site is very sensitive to the proposed changes as a result of its proximity to the site. However unlike the other viewpoints the A629 is exposed to views of the heavy goods vehicles enroot to and from the site and other infrastructural features associated with the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entrance.

Visual Impacts The visible mounds and increased traffic of HGVs will have a large detrimental impact on the rural character as well as obstructing views further afield. Despite the fact that from this angle the excavation is hidden by the screening mounds the severity of the impact is extreme because of the proportion of the view changed by development. Adding to the severity is the fact that, unlike Westwood Country Park, the road is heavily used. However the main users are using the space for traveling through the space and not specifically to appreciate the views, as is the case in Westwood Country Park and therefore there is a reduction of significance for the impacted view.

Exaggerated Y axis Not to scale

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Visualisation of Visual Impacts Examples of the visual impacts showing the dominance of the added features in the landscape and the degree to which they cause obstruction to views and detract from the character of the area. They are shown in the most extreme phase of operation to know the extent of the impacts. The first visualisation indicates the limited view of being in close proximity to the site and the effectiveness of the screening mounds to shield the excavation area of the site to the public from this and similar view points. However despite this success the screening mounds are clearly a detriment to the visual impacts. To mitigate this, the proposal is to sow the banks facing the more inhabited areas with grass and thus reducing the negative impacts.

The second visualisation shows that the extent of the mounds is significant enough to impact the visual receptors, to a considerable extent, as far away as Westwood Country Park. Although this view point offers a great vantage point over a large area of valley, the size of the overburden mounds and the workings of the quarry, visibly accessible from this location, take up a large enough percentage of the foreground view to be of large significance for this view.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Visual Baseline Summary Using Bath Technology Centre Ltd’s definitions: VISIBILITY zone – the distance of the viewpoint from the site IMPORTANCE of views – the significance of the views to/from ‘designated landscapes’ DURATION of View – the nature of the proccess of capturing the view i.e. part of a sequence, glimpsed, transitory, continuous. EXPECTATIONS of the receptors – the assumption that different receptors will be expecting more or less from a viewpoint and the experience of views from them. Therefore by this methodology car occupants are given a lower expectation of their visual environment than pedestrians, since it is assumed that pedestrians will be focused on the landscape. SENSITIVITY of the view and receptors – this is the considered relationship between the location/ context of the viewpoint, the site and its importance, the nature of receptor and their assumed expectation.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

10.

Visual Impact Summary Using Bath Technology Centre Ltd’s definitions: DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE in relation to the view – the proposed development in terms of its construction and operational phases will be described for each viewpoint. MAGNITUDE OF VISUAL EFFECTS – this will be assessed by reference to the duration and nature of effects; angle of view in relation to receptor; distance of view; scale of changes in view; degree of contrast in existing view. SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFECTS – this will relate the sensitivity of the receptors to the magnitude of the effects.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

11.

Visual Envelope The visual envelope (orange) shows that the areas impacted most dramatically are the immediate surrounding agricultural landscapes and small clusters of houses in particular to the west of the development space. It also would have adverse effects on the north east facing side of the valley, south west of the site, due to the topographical vantage point and absence of heavily wooded areas. To the east of the site, the south west facing slope offers a view raised above the wooded area, which has detrimental effects to the park and visual receptors there. It is also possible to observe with the zone of theoretical visibility (yellow), that the wooded areas (green) are important for screening large areas, most significantly large portions of the urbanised area to the south west of the proposalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s situation. However the permeability of the barriers will change throughout the seasons during which the development is under construction and in operation.

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12.

Mitigation of Development Mitigation can be broken down into three components: • Avoidance by re-location or redesign thus preventing the impact from occurring • Reduction of the landscape and visual impacts by employing techniques such as re-location of features on site, screening and where possible using existing forms, materials or colours to abet the site’s ability to blend in to the surrounding context; and • Compensative steps could be taken, either on or off site, to justify the landscape and visual impacts caused. There are some measures to mitigate the landscape and visual impacts outlined by Cobex Ltd which are as follows: • Screening mounds aimed at reducing the degradation of views from the viewpoints mentioned • Preservation of the high diversity field mix in order to reduce the loss of value and character of the field once the mix has been re-established • Separation of the more fertile top soil will take place so to increase the speed at which the lost value and character can be restored • 5m stand offs from lane, A61, footpath & properties, 8m stand offs from streams, 10m stand off from protected trees and 15m stand off from power cables to avoid more severe landscape and visual impacts from taking place • Screening mounds seeded to reduce landscape and visual impact by reducing the contrast of the site to its surroundings. However in some areas further measures are required to prevent landscape or visual damage where mitigation techniques suggested are not likely to succeed. Mitigation could be furthered by adopting approaches such as improving the compensative measures of installing the golf course which is in the current Cobex Ltd plan, to a compensation which can better return or enhance the character which had been lost, thus according to the South Yorkshire Forest’s restoration policy. For the operational phases, increasing the screening for residents of High Green, perhaps by use of vegetation. Also increasing the stand-off zones the impacts on ecosystems, in particular those which are most sensitive would be reduced by a greater magnitude and therefore greater significance whilst also agreeing with policy GS15.

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13.

PLANNING POLICY APPROPRIATE TO RESTORATION:

NPPF 4.25

In some circumstances opencasting can create community benefits as a result of land reclamation or the creation of new facilities, and this helps to justify temporary loss of amenity. Standards of restoration are now usually high,although disturbed landscapes take many years to recover their lost maturity and this loss must also be taken into account.

Barnsley UDP

Policy M10 It is demonstrated that all affected land will be restored to at least its pre-existing agricultural quality not later than the completion of a programme of restoration and aftercare

Policy GS28 The council will wherever practicable, preserve, protect and enhance existing public rights of way and will require that new development retains an attractive route for existing rights of way or where diversion is necessary, provides for a satisfactory alternative route.

Policy N4 - “Development plans and other strategies and programmes should encourage tree cover in the region to be increased in ways which reinforce and support the regional spatial strategy including land use policies which facilitate the implementation of the South Yorkshire Forest Plan in the development plans for Barnsley, Rotherham & Sheffield. Including substantial woodland planting as part of comprehensive schemes for regeneration of previously used/derelict land.” Non statutory plans of the South Yorkshire Forest Plan L1 - Plant new woodland to help improve derelict and disturbed land and to screen eyesores. L2 - Develop an extensive network of well managed field boundaries (hedges and walls), re-planting and restoring them where necessary. L3 - Expand the framework of urban trees, including small woods, street trees and trees within parks and gardens. L7 - Protect individual trees of historical value and other significant trees. R1 - Develop an extensive and comprehensive network of access routes across the Forest, particularly those linked with people’s homes and those designed for a range of users, including bridle and cycle paths. R2- Ensure that every resident has access to woodland or wooded area within easy reach of their home. R3 - Promote the use of non-motorised access for work, commuting and leisure. R4 - Promote informal outdoor recreation F1 - Plant new woodland, increasing woodland cover to 30% of the non-urbanised Forest area. F2 - Design new woodlands to suit the needs and aspirations of the local community and the character of the local environment. F4 - Develop a local timber related industry supporting new jobs and training opportunities and involving local people. F5 - Develop sustainable markets for wood and wood products including wood produced for energy generation. Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

14.

Restoration As stated in The Yorkshire Forest Plan ‘restoration of coal tips and opencast sites presents a major opportunity to create new areas of woodland and open space that will act as a setting for sport and informal recreation and a framework for new development.’ The plan continues to say that ‘further mineral extraction sites in the Forest will present opportunities to create large new areas of woodland and public access. Restoration plans, which will be agreed by the local authorities, should propose a high standard of restoration that includes tree planting appropriate to the locality and to the end use of the site. Wherever possible, the creation of paths and recreation areas that benefit the local community will be sought as a part of future restoration proposals.’ The Yorkshire Forest Plan, supported by the institutional framework of Policy N4, coupled with the non-statutory policies of the borough council’s applicable policies gives rough criteria to be followed in order to make most use of the potential and mitigate the impacts to the greatest degree. • • • • • • •

Inclusive recreational facilities Appropriate tree planting and tree protection Creation of paths and recreation areas Encourage tree cover Develop field boundaries Ensure design is indicative of local character Consider developing sustainable wood markets, involving people and creating jobs

Restoring the site and removing negative landscape and visual impacts left by the quarry where possible

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Conceptual Plan

Re-intorduce altered paths Intorduce short rotation coppicing which accords to the Yorkshire Forest Planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s objectives to develop sustainable wood markets. Situated away from residential areas Restore field patterns, high diversity fields and improve hedgerows which have degraded or replace those which have been removed. This will ensure design is indicative of the lost character Encourage native woodland to increase tree cover meeting the target of 30% and improving biodiversity especially of the water courses

Plan of the restored site

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

Introduce a recreational space at the confluence of the paths and water courses. Doubles as a space to inform and educate users of the sustainability benefits of coppicing

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Statement of Unavoidable Impacts The unavoidable impacts are those which can not be resolved by mitigation. The nature of an open cast coal mine is going to be disruptive, if only on a short term, to character due to land use changes or the changing of field boundaries, habitats, recreational facilities, topography and mobile elements associated with an open cast mine such as HGVs. These threats have been reduced by the mitigation proposed but not entirely removed. Therefore these are issues which are unavoidable without avoidance measures being undertaken however local authorities, who are advocating development, are opposed to avoiding the development. However it is important to consider this in context of the nonpermanent nature of the project and the potential of the compensative mitigation used to restore and improve the location after the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operational phase. This could go a long way to retrieve some of the lost characterful features but will only be able to replace and not reinstall features such as hedges and vegetation. Another important consideration is the time frame in which the compensative mitigation will be established.

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment

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Bibliography Barnsley UDP (2013) Barnsley UDP. [online] Available at: http://www.barnsley.gov.uk/media/ Development%20-%20Planning%20and%20Transportation/Planning%20Policy/UDP/volume1strategy-policy-justification.pdf [Accessed: 28 Jan 2013]. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENT AND CONSULTING (2013) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT. [online] Available at: http://www.agaportal.de/pdf/nachhaltigkeit/eia/eia_ tuerkei.pdf [Accessed: 28 Jan 2013]. Friends of the Earth EIA (2013) Environmental impact assessment (EIA) a campaignerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide. [online] Available at: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/guides/environmental_impact_asses1.pdf [Accessed: 28 Jan 2013]. GOVERNMENT OFFICE FOR YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER (2013) The Yorkshire and Humber Plan Regional Spatial Strategy to 2026. [online] Available at: http://www.barnsley.gov.uk/media/ Development%20-%20Planning%20and%20Transportation/Planning%20Policy/LDF/(NEW)%20 RSS%20May%202008.pdf [Accessed: 28 Jan 2013]. Idox.bathnes.gov.uk (n.d.) LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY . [online] Available at: http://idox.bathnes.gov.uk/WAM/doc/BackGround%20Papers-152145.pdf?extension=. pdf&id=152145&location=VOLUME1&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=1 [Accessed: 28 Jan 2013]. National Planning Policy Framework (2013) The NPPF. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/ government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/6077/2116950.pdf [Accessed: 28 Jan 2013].

Howbrook - Environmental Impact Assessment