Post on 17-Apr-2020
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY BLACKWATER AGGREGATES
CFK Flood Aleviation Scheme Scoping Request Page i
COGGESHALL, FEERING & KELVEDON FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: SCOPING REQUEST
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY BLACKWATER AGGREGATES
CFK Flood Aleviation Scheme Scoping Request Page ii
COGGESHALL, FEERING & KELVEDON FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: SCOPING REQUEST
Honace Document Production & Approval Record
ISSUE NO. 1 NAME SIGNATURE POSITION DATE
Prepared by: S J Smith Director 2018-12
Honace Document Revision Record
ISSUE NO. DATE DETAILS OF REVISIONS
1 2018-08 First Issue for client comment.
2 2019-01-02 ECC Submission
© 2018 Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates. All rights reserved.
This report and its accompanying documents contain information which is confidential and is intended
only for the use of the Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates. If you are not one of the
intended recipients any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken in reliance on the contents of the
information is strictly prohibited.
Unless expressly agreed, any reproduction of material from this report must be requested and authorised
in writing from the Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates. Authorised reproduction of material
must include all copyright and proprietary notices in the same form and manner as the original and must
not be modified in any way. Acknowledgement of the source of the material must also be included in all
references.
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY BLACKWATER AGGREGATES
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................................................................... III
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 5
2 The Applicant(s)........................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 The Environment Agency.............................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 Blackwater Aggregates ................................................................................................................................ 7
2.3 Working in Partnership & the Scheme ........................................................................................................ 7
3 Pre-Application Advice and Pre-Application Consultation ............................................................... 9
3.1 Pre-Application Advice ................................................................................................................................. 9
3.2 Pre-Application Consultation ....................................................................................................................... 9
3.3 Stakeholder Meetings .................................................................................................................................. 10
4 Flood Alleviation Scheme and Site A7 .................................................................................................. 11
5 The Site and Designations ........................................................................................................................ 12
6 Description of the Flood Alleviation Scheme....................................................................................... 13
6.1 “On-Line” Embankment .............................................................................................................................. 13
6.2 “Off-Line” Flood Storage Area ................................................................................................................... 14
6.3 “On-Line” and “Off-Line” Connection Point ........................................................................................... 15
6.4 Delivery of the Flood Alleviation Scheme and the Site ......................................................................... 16
6.4.1 Controlling Extreme Flood Event ....................................................................................................... 16
6.4.2 Combined “On-Line” and “Off-Line” Control ................................................................................. 17
6.4.3 Delivery Through Established Operations......................................................................................... 17
6.4.4 Long Term Commitments and Support To the Scheme ................................................................ 18
7 Policy and Legislation ............................................................................................................................... 19
7.1 The National Planning Policy Framework................................................................................................. 19
7.2 Water Framework Directive ........................................................................................................................ 19
7.3 Essex Minerals Local Plan ............................................................................................................................ 20
7.4 Braintree District Council Local Plan ......................................................................................................... 21
7.5 Reservoir Act ................................................................................................................................................. 21
8 Scoping Opinion & Environmental Assessment Methodology ......................................................... 23
8.1 Environmental Impact Assessment Process............................................................................................. 23
9 Environmental Topics ................................................................................................................................ 25
9.1 Hydrology and Flood Risk Assessment ...................................................................................................... 25
9.2 Hydrogeology ............................................................................................................................................... 26
9.3 Landscape and Visual Impact .................................................................................................................. 26
9.4 Ecology & Biodiversity .................................................................................................................................. 27
9.5 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage ......................................................................................................... 29
9.6 Transport ......................................................................................................................................................... 30
9.7 Land Use......................................................................................................................................................... 31
9.8 Noise & Vibration .......................................................................................................................................... 31
9.9 Air Quality and Dust ..................................................................................................................................... 32
9.10 Social Impacts ......................................................................................................................................... 33
9.11 Lighting ..................................................................................................................................................... 33
9.12 Sustainability and Climate Change .................................................................................................... 34
9.13 Health Impacts ........................................................................................................................................ 35
9.14 Feering and Kelvedon Cumulative Assessment ............................................................................... 35
10 Summary of the Proposed Scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment ............................... 36
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10.1 Water Framework Directive .................................................................................................................. 37
11 Environmental Standards & Commitments .......................................................................................... 39
GLOSSARY
APPENDICES:
APPENDIX SR-1 ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL PRE-APPLICATION PLANNING ADVICE
APPENDIX SR-2 ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL BIODIVERSITY VALIDATION CHECKLIST
APPENDIX SR-3 WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION
(TRIAL TRENCHING)
APPENDIX SR-4 TRANSPORT SCOPING REQUEST
APPENDIX SR-5 BRAWELL QUARRY LIGHTING ASSESSMENT(S)
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1 INTRODUCTION
In October 2001 Coggeshall, Kelvedon, and Feering suffered from significant flooding.
Figure 1: Flooding in Coggeshall
Since then, in May 2012 and February 2014 the villages experienced further flooding.
In 2006 the Environment Agency commissioned a study to explore whether a flood
alleviation scheme would be viable for the villages.
As part of the study a cost benefit analysis was carried out. This demonstrated that the
Environment Agency would require at least £25 Million to deliver a sustainable flood
alleviation scheme to protect residential and business properties within the villages of
Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon. The cost benefit analysis concluded that the costs
of the scheme was too high for it to secure public funding though the Flood Defence
Grant in Aid.
However, the Environment Agency continued to progress its hydrological modelling and
started to explore other options that could result in its development, and in 2015 they
approached Blackwater Aggregates to ask for their support linked to the use of their
normal quarrying operations to construct and create the flood alleviation scheme within
and adjacent to the River Blackwater.
The Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates are working in partnership to
progress towards developing the flood alleviation scheme across land under their joint
control.
The development requires an Environmental Impact Assessment under Schedules 1 and
2 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations
2017 (the EIA Regulations) because its delivery will result in: an infrastructure project
which is designed to hold water within the Blackwater valley during times of flood
delivered through quarrying operations across an area greater than 25 ha.
This Scoping Report is submitted to Essex County Council to notify them that an
Environmental Statement will be prepared in support of the application and to request
guidance regarding the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the
development.
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The Scoping Report gives an overview of the environmental baseline, the potential
impacts and effects associated with the construction, operation and maintenance and
decommissioning of the flood alleviation scheme, and details of how the EIA process will
be progressed; it also makes recommendations, supported by evidence, regarding the
issues that the Applicant proposes to exclude (scope out) of the EIA, to allow a focus on
the key issues.
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2 THE APPLICANT(S)
2.1 THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
The Environment Agency was created by the Environment Act and established in 1996
to protect and improve the environment.
The Environment Agency is responsible for managing the risk of flooding from main rivers,
reservoirs, estuaries and the sea. As the principal delivery body for the environment in
England the Environment Agency’s priorities are to:
• work with businesses and other organisations to manage the use of resources;
• increase the resilience of people, property and businesses to the risks of flooding
and coastal erosion;
• protecting and improving water, land and biodiversity; and
• improve the way it works as a regulator to protect people and the environment
and support sustainable growth.
Working in partnership with others is essential for the sustainable long-term delivery of
some of the Environment Agency’s capital-intensive schemes such as the Coggeshall,
Feering and Kelvedon flood alleviation scheme in line with the Environment 25 Year Plan.
This means looking for external investment opportunities to manage the risks climate
change presents to deliver stronger infrastructure and enhanced landscapes.
2.2 BLACKWATER AGGREGATES
Blackwater Aggregates is a joint venture partnership between Gent Fairhead
Aggregates (a subsidiary company of Gent Fairhead & Co. Limited) and CEMEX (UK
Operations) Limited (a subsidiary of CEMEX). The joint venture was established to
operate the mineral extraction and processing areas at Bradwell Quarry.
Bradwell Quarry is one of the largest sand and gravel quarries in the country, and
Blackwater Aggregates’ quarrying operations and mineral interests extend across
Preferred and Reserve Sites for mineral extraction within the Minerals Local Plan, and
adjacent land.
2.3 WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP & THE SCHEME
The Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates are working in partnership to
progress towards developing a planning application to deliver a flood alleviation
scheme for the communities of Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon that is
environmentally, technically and economically viable across land under their joint
control.
The Environment Agency has taken the lead in developing the design of the scheme
with the support of Blackwater Aggregates which comprises:
Project Title: Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon Flood Alleviation Scheme
Applicant(s): Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates
Location: Land North of Cut Hedge Lane, Grange Farm
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Proposed Development: Creation of a passive flood alleviation scheme through the
construction of a low level “on-line” embankment (or dam) across the River Blackwater
and the creation of an “off-line” flood storage area and connection points within the
flood plain of the Blackwater Valley which will be delivered through the phased
extraction of the underlying sand and gravel and the restoration of land for agricultural
purposes with a wetland flood meadow using the underlying clay.
Drawing CKF-1 indicates the proposed extent of the of the proposed flood alleviation
scheme.
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3 PRE-APPLICATION ADVICE AND PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION
The Environment Agency has been exploring various options associated with the
development of a flood alleviation scheme within the River Blackwater since 2006.
Since that time Environment Agency have: commissioned hydrological modelling and
conceptual design work(s); and, consulted with local landowners, Members of
Parliament, local Councillors, stakeholders, local businesses and residents about the
proposed scheme.
Newsletters and routine briefing notes and/or meetings have been issued and/or held
to explain what the Environment Agency have been doing to develop a flood alleviation
scheme.
3.1 PRE-APPLICATION ADVICE
On the 28 November 2016, representatives of the Environment Agency and Blackwater
Aggregates met with Essex County Council to discuss options that were being
considered for a flood alleviation scheme that could potentially combine the
construction of an “on-line” embankment across the River Blackwater and an “off-line”
flood storage area next to the river.
A copy of the initial pre-application planning advice offered by Essex County Council
on the 6 January 2017 is presented within Appendix SR-1.
It is proposed that a further pre-application meeting is held with Essex County Council to
discuss the Environment Agency’s outline design proposals that have been developed
for the flood alleviation scheme in greater detail.
3.2 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION
Prior to the submission of this Scoping Request the Environment Agency and Blackwater
Aggregates has commenced its pre-application public engagement plan and has or
will be notifying the following groups and individuals as main stakeholders:
i. Immediate neighbours, landowners and Individual Properties that sit within the
Blackwater Valley: The London Diocesan Fund; the Messer’s Wright’s; Mr Cater;
Curd Hall; and, Blackwater Alpacas & Pygmy Goats (Bradwell Trout Farms);
ii. Local Members of Parliament and local politicians, namely: Priti Patel MP; James
Cleverley MP; Cllr James Abbott; Cllr Robert Mitchell; and, representatives of
Braintree District Council;
iii. Essex and Suffolk Water;
iv. Members of the Bradwell Quarry Liaison Group;
v. Key Officers and Statutory Consultees, namely: Claire Tomalin of Essex County
Council; the Environment Agency local area office key contact(s) such as Roger
Webster and Frank Saunders; and, Christopher Paggi of Braintree District Council;
vi. Stakeholder groups and key consultees including: Natural England; RSPB; North
Essex Badger Group; Essex Wildlife Trust; the National Trust; Historic England;
Coggeshall Heritage Society; Feering and Kelvedon Heritage Society;
representatives of Essex County Council (including the Definitive Map Officer);
Essex Bridleway Association; British Horse Society; and, Ramblers Association;
vii. Parish Clerks at: Bradwell; Coggeshall; Kelvedon; Rivenhall; Silver End; and,
Feering Parish Councils;
viii. Local businesses and residents within the villages of Bradwell, Coggeshall, Feering
and Kelvedon.
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These ‘Key Stakeholders’ have been, or will be, informed of the Environment Agency’s
proposals through direct contact (either by leaflet, letter or email), public notification via
local press notices and an invitation(s) to attend a stakeholder meeting(s).
3.3 STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS
In parallel with the submission of a Scoping Request to Essex County Council, the
Environment Agency are planning to hold a Stakeholder group meeting in January 2019.
The purpose of this meeting is to directly engage with key Stakeholder groups, discuss
fundamental details of the proposed flood alleviation scheme and the potential extent
of the construction works, outline the findings of initial site reconnaissance surveys and
agree the scope of the targeted environmental assessment works and proposed long
term restoration proposals for the scheme.
In due course public meetings will be advertised widely within the affected communities
of Coggeshall, Kelvedon, Feering and Bradwell and stakeholder consultation events
held as the flood alleviation scheme is developed.
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4 FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME AND SITE A7
Blackwater Aggregates require a constant supply of minerals to maintain continuity in
their quarrying operations. They must have somewhere for their quarrying operations to
move into at the right time. Therefore, whilst working in partnership with the Environment
Agency, Blackwater Aggregates are also preparing an application to potentially move
its operations into a Reserved Site within the Minerals Local Plan known as Site A7.
The potential move into either the flood alleviation scheme or Site A7 will coincide with
the completion of Blackwater Aggregates’ existing quarrying operations. However,
Blackwater Aggregates will only commence quarrying operations into one of these sites,
not both.
If the Environment Agency’s and Blackwater Aggregates’ joint application for the flood
alleviation scheme is successful and able to proceed within the required timescales, the
Site A7 application will not be progressed further.
Through stakeholder engagement into either the flood alleviation scheme or Site A7, a
clear and consistent message will be issued to clarify the above position and highlight
that the flood alleviation scheme and Site A7 are two separate but parallel applications.
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5 THE SITE AND DESIGNATIONS
The site is within the Blackwater/Brain & Lower Chelmer Valley Character Area as
described in the Essex Landscape Character Assessment (2002)1. Some of the key
characteristics are narrow with undulating valley sides and predominantly arable
farmland with well hedged medium to large fields.
The “on-line” embankment will be constructed across the base of the Blackwater valley
through an existing willow plantation(s) that is actively managed, coppiced and felled
within the floodplain.
The “off-line” flood storage area will be developed across a 155ha site to the north of
Cuthedge Lane, west of Coggeshall Hamlet and south west of Coggeshall across large
open fields that generally yield cereal, pea and bean crops under a commercial farm
tenancy contract agreement. The line of the River Blackwater (and the Blackwater
valley) is to the north and the former Coggeshall Quarry and Curd Hall to the west.
The site includes Blackwater Aggregates’ existing minerals processing plant, areas of its
existing quarry and the established site access road to the A120. The existing mineral
processing plant lies to the south and west of Cuthedge Lane approximately 3km to the
west of Coggeshall and 1.75km to the south east of Bradwell.
Drawing CKF-1 indicates the extent of the site and proposed flood alleviation scheme.
1 https://www.essex.gov.uk/AnalyticsReports/CB_LCA_Essex_2002.pdf
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6 DESCRIPTION OF THE FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME
Various flood alleviation schemes have been considered over the years, including:
a) Widening the river channel considerable distances both upstream and
downstream of Coggeshall (extending a distance of more than 10km) to
increase the river’s capacity;
b) The creation of extensive retention ditches adjacent to the river (extending a
distance of more than 10km);
c) The construction of flood walls along the banks of the river both upstream and
downstream of Coggeshall (extending a distance of more than 10km)
d) The creation of a number of smaller dams and adjacent holding ditches along
the river (extending a distance of more than 10km upstream);
e) Hybrid schemes comprising dams, holding ditches and upstream tree planting;
and,
f) The creation of a large flood storage area (to provide a large extension to the
flood plain) within the Blackwater valley.
The modelling studies demonstrated that the potential cost associated with these
schemes was too high (environmentally and financially) and the cost-benefit ratios were
too low, to publicly fund. Therefore, rather than “do nothing” the Environment Agency
considered alternative options linked to potential partnership funding to finance a
scheme.
For the Environment Agency to manage flooding along the River Blackwater and deal
with a 1 in 100 year flood event (inclusive of climate change), they need to create a
flood alleviation scheme upstream from the communities of Coggeshall, Feering and
Kelvedon. Based on the Environment Agency’s hydrological modelling, a low impact
and passive scheme has been developed that offers the best environmental, technical
and economic solution to protect local businesses and residents.
The Environment Agency are now proposing to progress a scheme that combines the
construction of an “on-line” embankment across the River Blackwater and an “off-line”
flood storage area next to the river. To achieve the 1:100 year flood event level of
protection, 3 million m3 of water needs to be stored. This will be achieved through the
construction of an “on-line” embankment dam across the River Blackwater and the
development an “off-line” flood storage area next to the river (to increase the storage
capacity of the flood plain). The height of any embankment will be limited to a
maximum elevation of 33 mAOD (i.e. the embankment will be approximately 4 m to 5 m
in height within the flood plain, 800m upstream of Coggeshall Bridge) to prevent any
upstream flooding, and the size and location of any flood storage area is restricted by
the valley side slopes.
6.1 “ON-LINE” EMBANKMENT
For the “on-line” storage, the Environment Agency will need to build a small clay
embankment (or dam) across the valley upstream of Coggeshall. This will include a
passive concrete control structure within the river, allowing water to be held back during
times of flood (and/or high rainfall) within the natural floodplain and “off-line” flood
storage area. Figure 2 indicates the typical arrangement of an established “on-line”
embankment.
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Figure 2: Image of an “on-line” flood storage embankment
The funding and materials required to support the construction of the “on-line”
embankment would be provided by Blackwater Aggregates.
This can only be realised through their normal quarrying operations across a 155 ha site
to the north of Cuthedge Lane, west of Coggeshall Hamlet and south west of
Coggeshall.
6.2 “OFF-LINE” FLOOD STORAGE AREA
Figure 3: Proposed footprint of Blackwater Aggregates’ quarrying operations and “off-line” flood storage area
shown edged in red.
Based on Blackwater Aggregates’ normal quarrying operations to establish the “off-line”
flood storage area, the financing and materials to construct the “on-line” embankment
would become available during the fifth year of their quarrying operations. The
construction of the “on-line” embankment 5 years after the commencement of the
scheme, would provide flood protection against some flood events (i.e. <1:50 year
events) to the villages of Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon on an interim basis.
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As Blackwater Aggregates’ quarrying operations progress across the southern side of the
Blackwater valley, in a phased and systematic manner, it would create the 62 ha “off-
line” flood storage adjacent to the River Blackwater over a further period of
approximately 15 years (edged blue on Figure 3).
The quarrying operations will be designed to allow the sequential release of the “off-line”
flood storage area, which would provide an increase in the interim flood storage
capacity offered by the flood alleviation scheme every fifth year, with the entire scheme
completed within 20 years. The works would create a new 62 ha flood meadow within
the Blackwater valley (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Image of a flood meadow
6.3 “ON-LINE” AND “OFF-LINE” CONNECTION POINT
A Connection Point will be established from the River Blackwater into the “off-line” flood
storage area between Nunn’s Bridge and Coggeshall (Figure 5). The connection point
will comprise a shallow cutting(s) or open area which will allow flood water to passively
drain to and from the flood storage area, which will act as an extension to the natural
flood plain. The level of the Nunn’s Bridge connection point and the base of the flood
storage area would be at the same level as the existing flood plain.
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Figure 5: The existing flood plain at Nunn’s Bridge that would extend into the “off-line” flood storage area.
6.4 DELIVERY OF THE FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME AND THE SITE
The Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates are working in partnership to
develop a planning application to deliver a flood alleviation scheme for the
communities of Coggeshall Feering and Kelvedon. The outcome of the public
consultation and planning process will have an influence on the progress but the
fundamentals of the scheme should not change.
The grant of planning permission would allow for the extraction of approximately thirteen
million tonnes of sand and gravel over a period of 20 years, and the construction of a
flood alleviation scheme to protect the villages of Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon.
The proposed “on-line” embankment dam, “off-line” flood storage area and Nunn’s
Bridge Connection Point will provide a passive low impact scheme.
6.4.1 CONTROLLING EXTREME FLOOD EVENT
During extreme 1 in 100 year flood events, the scheme would manage and control,
the flow of more than 3 Million m3 of water within the Blackwater valley and its natural
flood plain for a distance of approximately 4.5 km from Coggeshall to the fringes of
Bradwell.
The control of the flood water within the Blackwater valley will not result in any change
to the upstream flows or river controls during a 1:100 year flood event and will not
impact Bradwell village.
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6.4.2 COMBINED “ON-LINE” AND “OFF-LINE” CONTROL
The construction of the “on-line” embankment is simply designed to hold back flood
water within the river channel and the “off-line” flood storage area within the
Blackwater valley floodplain, by controlling the flow of water within the river
downstream through Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon. The height of the
embankment will be of an equivalent or lower level than the existing weir at Bradwell,
therefore in extreme flood events (beyond 1 in 100 year flood events) water within the
river will overtop the dam and flow through Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon to
prevent upstream flooding within Bradwell. The proposed excavation and restoration
operations across the “off-line” flood storage area would be carried out by
Blackwater Aggregates in a phased and systematic manner to maximise the
recovery of mineral reserves across the Site. Overburden materials would be used to
restore the site within the Blackwater valley (similar to the way in which they were used
to restore the former Coggeshall Quarry, Figure 6) to partially reinstate the land for
beneficial agricultural uses and create an ecologically biodiverse 62 ha flood
meadow adjacent to the River Blackwater.
Figure 6: Image of the Blackwater Aggregates’ former quarrying operations across Coggeshall Quarry.
6.4.3 DELIVERY THROUGH ESTABLISHED OPERATIONS
Advance woodland planting has already taken place, which will be supplemented
by further woodland and hedgerow planting to screen the quarrying operations as
they progress across the site and connect the “on-line” embankment and “off-line”
flood storage to local landscape and ecological features within the Blackwater
valley.
Sand and gravel recovered from the flood storage area would be transported and
processed through the existing on-site washing and screening plant, located within
Bradwell Quarry.
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The development of the flood alleviation scheme will extend Blackwater Aggregates’
quarrying operations and result in the continued use and retention of its existing
processing plant and infrastructure which includes a mineral washing plant, office
and weighbridge, ready mix concrete plant, bagging unit, DSM plant, water and silt
management systems. Sand and gravel recovered from the flood storage area will
be transported to the existing processing plant via a haul road or field conveyor
constructed below ground level. The haulage or conveyor route would pass beneath
Cuthedge Lane via a cut and cover tunnel.
The proposed application boundary includes the established vehicle access from the
A120 (Coggeshall Road) and other areas of Bradwell Quarry which would allow the
potential connection of the quarry to the preferred alignment of the new A120 to the
south of the site. All HGV vehicular access to and from the site would be via the A120.
Access to the site for private vehicles used by Blackwater Aggregates’ earthworks
staff, Light Goods Vehicles used by the earthworks maintenance staff, fuel deliveries
and general support vehicles to the flood storage area will be via the former
Coggeshall Quarry access road via West Street and/or via Cuthedge Lane adjacent
to Haywards Cottage.
Blackwater Aggregates’ quarrying operations across the flood storage area will be
carried out in four main phases. Each of which will be worked over a period of
approximately five years yielding approximately three and a quarter million tonnes of
sand and gravel. Quarrying operations would progress in a planned and systematic
manner in an easterly direction from the boundary of the former Coggeshall Pit
towards Coggeshall in a downstream direction across the southern slope of the
Blackwater valley.
There is no intention to expand, alter or modify the productive capacity of the
washing and screening plant, nor the concrete batching plant, DSM and bagging
facilities. Therefore, the impact of Blackwater Aggregates’ quarrying operations
across the proposed flood storage area, will be that of extending the life of the
existing on-site infrastructure and support in the delivery of the flood alleviation
scheme.
6.4.4 LONG TERM COMMITMENTS AND SUPPORT TO THE SCHEME
Following the construction of the “on-line” embankment and the sequential delivery
of the “off-line” flood storage area, the Environment Agency will be responsible for
the maintenance and long-term management of the scheme under its normal
obligations associated with managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, reservoirs,
estuaries and the sea.
By working in partnership, the Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates are
proposing to construct a passive and low impact flood alleviation scheme for the
communities of Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon which will deliver a scheme that is
environmentally, technically and economically viable across land under their joint
control.
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7 POLICY AND LEGISLATION
The design, construction and operation of the proposed flood alleviation scheme will be
developed, in line with the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan2 and in support
National and Local planning policy.
Full consideration will be made of planning policy by the Environment Agency and
Blackwater Aggregates in developing the planning application.
7.1 THE NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK
The National Planning Policy Framework3 sets out the Government’s planning policies for
England and how these should be applied.
The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable
development. At a very high level, the objective of sustainable development can be
summarised as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
One of the overarching objectives to achieve sustainable development is set out with
paragraph 8c of the National Planning Policy Framework:
an environmental objective – to contribute to protecting and enhancing our natural,
built and historic environment; including making effective use of land, helping to improve
biodiversity, using natural resources prudently, minimising waste and pollution, and
mitigating and adapting to climate change, including moving to a low carbon
economy.
The above is a fundamental objective of the proposed flood alleviation scheme.
7.2 WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE
The Water Framework Directive4 introduced a comprehensive river basin management
planning system to help protect and improve the ecological health of rivers, lakes,
estuaries and coastal and groundwaters. This is underpinned by the use of
environmental standards to assess the risks to the ecological quality of the water
environment and to identify the scale of improvements that would be needed to bring
waters of a lower quality or status back into a good condition.
The Directive establishes a framework for the protection of the River Blackwater and sets
out assessment criteria relating to: Biological standards; Water quality standards; and
Water level and flow standards.
In developing the flood alleviation scheme the Environment Agency will ensure that the
proposals protect the environmental setting and standards of the River Blackwater, whilst
mitigating risks associated with flooding.
2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan
3 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2
4 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/407/contents/made
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7.3 ESSEX MINERALS LOCAL PLAN
The Minerals Local Plan5 provides up-to-date planning policy for minerals development
in Essex until 2029. The policies and proposals in the Plan are consistent with the National
Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Particular regard has been paid to the NPPF’s
emphasis on supporting economic growth through the plan- led system and its
presumption in favour of sustainable development.
Whilst the Minerals Local Plan is based on the delivery of ‘Preferred and Reserve Sites’ for
future mineral extraction, Policy S6-Provision for sand and gravel extraction, highlights
that:
Mineral extraction outside Preferred or Reserve Sites will be resisted by the Mineral
Planning Authority unless the applicant can demonstrate:
a) An overriding justification and/ or overriding benefit for the proposed extraction,
and,
b) The scale of the extraction is no more than the minimum essential for the purpose
of the proposal, and,
c) The proposal is environmentally suitable, sustainable, and consistent with the
relevant policies set out in the Development Plan.
Within the Minerals Local Plan ‘sterilisation’ is the term used when development or land-
use changes take place which permanently prevent the extraction of mineral resources
from the ground. By protecting mineral resources from unnecessary sterilisation, the
Minerals Planning Authority can ensure that:
• Mineral resources remain available to meet the needs of future generations,
• Local flexibility is retained to identify new extraction sites in areas which have the
least impact on people, communities and the environment,
• There is the opportunity to consider the merits of prior extraction of the minerals
where this is environmentally and socially acceptable, and practical to do so.
Similarly, ‘safeguarding’ is the process used in the planning system to ensure the
protection of mineral resources from the risk of sterilisation.
The National Planning Policy Framework requires Minerals Planning Authorities (MPA) to
define Mineral Safeguarding Areas (MSA) and adopt appropriate policies within their
local plans. This is so that known locations of specific minerals are not needlessly sterilised
by other forms of development whilst acknowledging that this does not create a
presumption that the resources defined will ever be worked.
Following consultation with the mineral industry, the Coal Authority, English Heritage,
British Geological Survey, neighbouring Mineral Planning Authorities and other
stakeholders, the following Mineral Safeguarding Areas and consultation thresholds have
been established within the Minerals Local Plan:
5 https://www.essex.gov.uk/Environment%20Planning/Minerals-Waste-Planning-Team/Planning-
Policy/Pages/Default.aspx
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Extract from Table 4. Definitions of Mineral Safeguarding Areas
Mineral Geographic Definition of MSA Extent Consultation Threshold Type
Sand & Gravel
(including silica sand)
All glacial sand and gravel
resources, glaciofluvial
sand and gravel resources
and river terrace deposits
as identified from BGS
mapping and other
supplementary sources of
evidence.
All potential developments
greater than five hectares.
To deliver the flood alleviation scheme, an “off-line” flood storage is required which will
be delivered through the excavation of the sand and gravel reserves beneath the site,
which is consistent with Policy S6 and the principles of mitigating sterilisation of valuable
mineral reserves.
Full consideration will be made of the Policy considerations set out within the Minerals
Local Plan to justify the proposed development of the flood alleviation scheme.
7.4 BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL LOCAL PLAN
The Braintree District Council Local Plan Publication Draft 20176 sets out the proposed
planning policy for the District in a single document which meets the requirements of the
National Planning Policy Framework. Once adopted it will replace both the Core
Strategy (2011) and the Local Plan Review (2005).
The Local Plan sets out a vision and framework for the future development of the District,
addressing needs and opportunities in relation to new homes, jobs and infrastructure, as
well as safeguarding the environment and includes the presumption in favour of
sustainable development. Until its adoption the Core Strategy is the principal document
within the Local Development Framework, which sets out the Council's overall vision and
objectives, the sustainable spatial strategy for the District, strategic growth locations, and
strategic policies to guide development up to 2026.
The Local Plan and Core Strategy recognise that the Environment Agency retains a
strategic overview of flood risk management relating to main rivers.
In developing the flood alleviation scheme full consideration will be made of existing
and emerging District plan policies to support the Plans’ objectives of sustainable
development.
7.5 RESERVOIR ACT
The “on-line” embankment of the flood alleviation scheme falls under the Reservoir Act7.
The Environment Agency will appoint a Reservoir Panel Engineer to design and supervise
the construction, alteration, repair or any other relevant works associated with the flood
alleviation scheme.
The Environment Agency will be responsible for the design, maintenance and third party
liability of the entire flood alleviation scheme, in line with their normal obligations
associated with managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and
the sea.
6 https://www.braintree.gov.uk/downloads/download/1078/publication_draft_local_plan
7 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1975/23
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The scheme will be designed to provide flood protection to the villages of Coggeshall,
Feering and Kelvedon for at least 100 years and managed and maintained by the
Environment Agency accordingly.
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8 SCOPING OPINION & ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
The Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates have commissioned Honace
Limited and Mott Macdonald to design and prepare a planning application and
Environmental Impact Assessment to support the development of the Coggeshall,
Feering and Kelvedon flood alleviation scheme.
This Scoping Report is submitted to Essex County Council to request their opinion
regarding the scope and level of detail relating to the information to be provided in the
environmental statements that will form the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for
the scheme.
In developing a detailed planning application and EIA, the assessments will consider the
existing baseline conditions and the affect the proposed development will have on the
prevailing environmental setting.
The responses from consultation bodies will be inserted in appendices of the appropriate
technical assessment accompanying the Environmental Statement (ES), and where
comments are addressed in the assessments, references will be made to the relevant
response in the main body of the ES.
The ES will contain assessments and recommendations to mitigate and minimise
potential environmental impacts and promote potential environmental and social
benefits of the proposals, and consider the cumulative impacts associated with its
development alongside other works within the local environment.
8.1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS
The techniques and processes of undertaking EIAs are well developed in the UK and the
following assessment framework will be followed for each topic which forms a component
part of the EIA:
STEP 1
Establish Receptors which could be Affected by the Development and their Sensitivity
Determined through baseline studies on the local environment.
STEP 2
Impact Characterisation
Determine the magnitude and characteristics of impacts.
STEP 3
Impact Significance Assessment
Consider the nature and scale of impact characteristics, combined with the importance/sensitivity of receptors to
produce a judgement of overall significance.
STEP 4
Consider Need for Mitigation
Identify mitigation measures and opportunities for reducing impacts, i.e. their nature, scale, duration or
geographical extent that may be available through sensitive design or alternative methods of development.
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STEP 5
Assess Significance of Residual Impacts
Determine the significance of residual effects. Where the developer has firmly committed to undertaking mitigation
to reduce the predicted significance of environmental effects, the overall significance can be re-assessed to show
the predicted change from baseline conditions with successful mitigation in place.
STEP 6
Cumulative Impact Characterisation
Identify any Cumulative and/or In-Combination Effect due to past, present and reasonably foreseeable future
developments.
STEP 7
Monitoring and Management Strategies
The success of mitigation measures may need to be monitored to ensure impacts are no worse than those predicted.
Environmental information (based on surveys) and stakeholder input will used to
influence the design of the flood alleviation scheme.
In preparing the ES the likely significant effects both before and after mitigation and
design amendments will be considered; and, the significance methodology will be
compliant with the step process outlined above.
The findings of the EIA will use standard terminology as described in Figure 7 (taken from
IEMA, 2011):
Figure 7: EIA Terminology
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9 ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS
Following an initial appraisal of the likely environmental issues, the Environment Agency
and Blackwater Aggregates are now seeking the formal views of Essex County Council
on what it considers the scope of the EIA should address.
The Environmental Statement (ES) will have regard to Schedule 4 (Information for
inclusion in Environmental Statements). At this preliminary stage, we offer the following
areas as our opinion of the scope of the EIA based on the proposed development of the
Flood Alleviation Scheme:
• Hydrology and Flood Risk;
• Hydrogeology;
• Landscape and Visual Impact;
• Ecology;
• Archaeology and Cultural Heritage;
• Transport;
• Land Quality;
• Noise and Vibration;
• Air Quality and Dust;
• Social Impacts; and
• Cumulative Impacts.
9.1 HYDROLOGY AND FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT
The EIA will contain an assessment of the hydrological baseline conditions along the River
Blackwater and the changes and/or improvements that will be realised through the
development of the proposed “on-line” and “off-line” flood storage areas.
The assessment will demonstrate the passive low impact nature of the proposed flood
alleviation scheme and the extent of its operation associated with the management
and control of 1:25, 1:50, 1:75 and 1:100 flood events. The hydrological and flood risk
modelling will demonstrate the frequency the Blackwater valley flood plain will be used
to protect the downstream villages of Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon and the
increase in the transitional zone between the natural wetland and terrestrial
environments.
The assessment will also include the potential impact on surface water flows caused by
the creation of the flood storage area. The assessment will consider the impacts of the
flood alleviation scheme through its long-term operation and provide details of how the
down-stream flows within the River Blackwater will be maintained at existing levels (i.e.
normal river flow rates and water levels) thereby limiting the extent of any impact(s) and
assessment(s) between the proposed “on-line” embankment dam and the existing weir
at Bradwell.
The hydrology and flood risk impact will also outline the long-term management,
maintenance and monitoring arrangements to be implemented by the Environment
Agency associated with the operation of the flood alleviation scheme.
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9.2 HYDROGEOLOGY
The EIA will review the hydrogeological baseline conditions within the Blackwater valley
in and around Coggeshall Hamlet and Coggeshall, including existing groundwater
abstraction points, discharges and land uses that influence baseline conditions, and
identify any changes in the hydrogeological setting likely to arise from the development
of the flood alleviation scheme.
Any identified impacts on groundwater flows and groundwater quality from the
proposed creation of the flood storage area will be included in an assessment of
hydrogeological impacts. This may include changes in the level of the water table
arising from the proposed development works. Mitigation measures will be implemented
to limit any change in the local groundwater resources.
The potential for pollution from construction activities will also be assessed and mitigation
measures evaluated to prevent any contamination of groundwater.
9.3 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT
Proposed footprint of Blackwater Aggregates’ quarrying operations and “off-line” flood storage area.
The potential visual envelope (the approximate area from which the proposals may be
visible) would be established through the preparation of a Zone of Theoretical Visibility
(ZTV), using digital terrain data and specialist proprietary software, which will be verified
by site observations and existing baseline conditions.
The study will seek to identify publicly accessible visual receptors within the study area
with potential views of the proposals. These will be categorised dependent on their
sensitivity to change and assessed for potential visual effects resulting from the
development.
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The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment will identify: the baseline conditions,
potential effects on the landscape and visual amenity during operational and
restoration phases of the flood alleviation schemes development and make
recommendations to mitigate impacts where necessary. The assessment will be
undertaken in accordance with the current best practice guidance written specifically
for landscape and visual assessment, namely: ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual
Impact Assessment’, (GLVIA) produced by the Landscape Institute with the Institute of
Environmental Management and Assessment (Third Edition, April 2013)8.
It is proposed that a 2 km radius study area would be used, though receptors within closer
proximity will be afford greater consideration. Similarly, the ZTV and baseline survey(s)
will be used to inform if distant receptors on the northern side of the Blackwater valley
should be considered further within the assessment.
A desk–based data collection exercise of the study area will be undertaken which will
review information relating to the local landscape character, sensitivity and landscape
planning designations. This will include:
• Listed Buildings/ Scheduled Monuments;
• Landscape Designations/ Constraints;
• Landscape Character Areas;
• Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV); and
• Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s).
The location of potential key visual receptors will be agreed with Essex County Council
and photomontages will be prepared.
A detailed restoration plan will be developed for the proposed flood alleviation scheme,
which will incorporate the “off-line” flood storage area and ecological/landscape
mitigation measures identified. This would be checked against local and national
biodiverse Priority Habitat targets and ecological requirements.
Quarrying operations would progress in a planned and systematic manner in an easterly
direction from the boundary of the former Coggeshall Quarry towards Coggeshall in a
downstream direction across the southern slope of the Blackwater valley. The landscape
and visual impact will consider the operations within each main phase, and interim
restoration plans will be developed to reflect the proposed progression of the quarrying
and restoration works across the site. The impacts associated with the construction of
the “on-line” embankment and connection point will also be considered within the
assessment.
9.4 ECOLOGY & BIODIVERSITY
The “on-line” embankment will be constructed across the base of the Blackwater valley
through an existing willow plantation(s) that is actively managed, coppiced and felled
within the floodplain.
The extensive willow plantations within the base of the valley are managed and
controlled through existing commercial practices that provide wood for use within the
production of cricket bats.
The willows are normally grown from stools planted in the flood plain, which are allowed
to grow and are cropped every fourth year. The life cycle of a commercially grown
tree is typically fifteen to twenty years.
8 https://www.landscapeinstitute.org/technical/glvia3-panel/
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As a condition of the Felling Licence, each tree is replaced on at least a one for one
basis, either in the same area or at least within the floodplain.
The extensive willow plantation is defined as Local Wildlife Site Bra186 Blackwater
Plantation which forms a wildlife corridor along the Blackwater valley.
The “off-line” flood storage area will be developed across a 155ha site to the north of
Cuthedge Lane, west of Coggeshall Hamlet and south west of Coggeshall across large
open fields that generally yield cereal, pea and bean crops under a commercial farm
tenancy contract agreement. The large open arable fields are occasionally bordered
by hedgerows, and the flood storage area contains two small areas of woodland (Figure
8).
Figure 8: Field Boundaries across “off-line” Flood Storage Area
The proposed excavation and restoration operations across the flood storage area
would be carried out by Blackwater Aggregates in a phased and systematic manner to
maximise the recovery of mineral reserves across the Site. Overburden materials would
be used to restore the site within the Blackwater valley (similar to the way in which they
were used to restore the former Coggeshall Quarry) to partially reinstate the land for
beneficial agricultural uses and create an ecologically biodiverse 62 ha flood meadow
adjacent to the River Blackwater.
The EIA will review the baseline ecological conditions within the Blackwater valley from
the proposed “on-line” embankment dam location upstream to Bradwell weir, and
across the footprint of the proposed “off-line” flood storage area.
To support in understanding the scope of the ecological assessment works, an Essex
County Council Biodiversity Validation Checklist has been completed and is presented
within Appendix SR-2.
Ecologists representing the Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates have
carried out an initial habitat survey within the river corridor from Bradwell weir to
Coggeshall and across the proposed flood storage area.
The survey(s) indicated that across the footprint of the flood storage area the existing
fields do not support assemblages of priority species. Within the Blackwater valley the
proposed construction of the “on-line” embankment and connection point will lead to
the loss of some bankside habitat but the footprint of the proposed structures will be
small compared to that remaining and will not form an ecological constraint.
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The flood alleviation scheme will be designed so that the impacts of the proposed
construction and operation on terrestrial/wetland environments upstream of the
proposed “on-line” embankment during flood events will not be significantly different
from the effects of the flooding that occurs within the Blackwater valley without the “on-
line” structure. At this stage, potential ecological constraints likely to arise from the
construction of the “on-line” embankment will be the long-term siltation of the existing
river channel resulting from its operation. Therefore, hydrological modelling will be
reviewed by the Environment Agency’s ecology and hydrology assessment teams as the
design of the flood alleviation scheme is developed to mitigate potential siltation issues.
The development of the proposed flood alleviation scheme offers the opportunity for
ecological enhancement through the creation of new biodiverse Priority Habitats across
the flood storage area and the creation of complex margins around the site.
The ecological assessment will consider:
1. The impacts of the proposed flood alleviation scheme on the transition zone
between the wetland and terrestrial habits and the River Blackwater extending
250m upstream from the proposed Nunn’s Bridge Connection Point and 100m
downstream from the “on-line” embankment dam; and
2. Impacts associated with the proposed construction of “on-line” embankment
dam, the connection point and the “off-line” flood storage area.
To support the application, arboricultural, amphibian, reptile, badger, bat, water vole,
otter, invertebrates and bird surveys will be carried out across the site.
The ecological assessment will comprise the following key stages:
i. Scoping and consultation;
ii. The identification of the likely zone of influence.
iii. The identification of ecological resources and features likely to be affected
(baseline environment).
iv. The evaluation of ecological resources and features likely to be affected by the
proposed development.
v. The identification of the biophysical changes likely to affect valued ecological
resources and features and an assessment of whether these biophysical changes
are likely to give rise to a significant ecological impact (impact assessment).
vi. The refinement of the proposals to incorporate ecological mitigation measures.
The mitigation measures will seek to avoid, reduce or compensate for any
significant adverse impacts of the proposed development; and
vii. The ecological assessment will seek to minimise and mitigate impacts from the
development. This will include mitigation and enhancement measures and the
definition of the significance of any residual effects.
9.5 ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
Previous archaeological investigations that have been carried out across Bradwell
Quarry have identified the presence and/or potential presence of archaeological
remains of local importance. This information has been shared with Essex County
Council’s Historic Environment team to allow an informed assessment of the likely
archaeological importance of the Site. From the various assessments and studies that
have been completed to date it is apparent that agricultural activities that have taken
place across Rivenhall Airfield (i.e. ploughing) has played a major role in damaging the
archaeological resource and has resulted in archaeological deposits and features being
truncated.
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The “off-line” flood storage area lies within a landscape which contains a number of
surviving historic landscape features as well as potential prehistoric, Roman and
medieval archaeological remains. Cut Hedge Lane is a historic route and evidence
from nearby excavations reveal a likely medieval origin to the road network and
settlement within the immediate area. The field boundaries along Cut Hedge Lane are
likely to be of medieval origin, possibly related to settlement enclosure rather than purely
agricultural and are still extant in places. Cropmarks within the immediate area of the
site reveal evidence for prehistoric and later activity.
Across the footprint of the “off-line” flood storage area a Written Scheme of Investigation
for Archaeological Evaluation (Trial Trenching) has been agreed with representatives of
Essex County Council’s Historic Environment team and is presented within Appendix SR-
3. Trial trenching works are programmed to be completed between August to
December 2018
An assessment of the surviving historic landscape will also be completed to support the
final design of the restoration profile and restored field arrangement(s) across the site.
Whilst the flood alleviation scheme will not impact directly upon any listed buildings, the
scheme has the potential to impact upon the setting of nearby Designated Heritage
Assets.
A Desk Based Heritage Assessment will be carried out and an analysis of views towards
and from all Designated Heritage Assets within a 2 km zone of the site will be completed
in accordance with Historic England’s Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3: The
Setting of Heritage Assets (2015)9.
The findings of the archaeological evaluation and heritage assessment(s) will be
included within the EIA.
9.6 TRANSPORT
The Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates are working in partnership to
develop a planning application to deliver a flood alleviation scheme for the
communities of Coggeshall Feering and Kelvedon.
Sand and gravel recovered from the flood storage area would be transported and
processed through the existing on-site washing and screening plant, located within
Bradwell Quarry.
Therefore, the development of the flood alleviation scheme will extend Blackwater
Aggregates’ quarrying operations and result in the continued use and retention of its
existing processing plant and infrastructure which includes a mineral washing plant,
office and weighbridge, ready mix concrete plant, bagging unit, DSM plant, water and
silt management systems. Sand and gravel recovered from the flood storage area will
be transported to the existing processing plant via a haul road or field conveyor
constructed below ground level. The haulage or conveyor route would pass beneath
Cuthedge Lane via a cut and cover tunnel.
The proposed application boundary includes the established vehicle access from the
A120 (Coggeshall Road) and other areas of Bradwell Quarry which would allow the
potential connection of the quarry to the preferred alignment of the new A120 to the
south of the site. All HGV vehicular access to and from the site would be via the A120.
9 https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/gpa3-setting-of-heritage-assets/
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Access to the site for private vehicles used by Blackwater Aggregates’ earthworks staff,
Light Goods Vehicles used by the earthworks maintenance staff, fuel deliveries and
general support vehicles to the flood storage area will be via the former Coggeshall
Quarry access road via West Street and/or via Cuthedge Lane adjacent to Haywards
Cottage.
If planning permission is granted for the flood alleviation scheme, when Blackwater
Aggregates commence the construction of the flood storage area the capacity to
process minerals excavated from the site and processed within Bradwell Quarry would
remain unchanged. Therefore, in delivering the flood storage area the proposed
quarrying operations will not increase the level of vehicular traffic attracted to Bradwell
Quarry. The transport movements to and from the Bradwell Quarry will remain
unchanged and continue to enter and leave the Site to and from the existing A120.
Considering the above, a Transport Statement (rather than a Transport Assessment) will
be prepared to review the baseline conditions established by Blackwater Aggregates’
existing quarrying operations and demonstrate that traffic movements to and from the
quarry whilst the flood storage area is developed on the Environment Agency’s behalf
will remain unchanged.
Vehicles used by the Environment Agency to support the long-term management and
maintenance of the flood alleviation scheme will access the site via existing agricultural
or wetland plantation access points.
It is envisaged that the scoping discussions with the relevant authorities may require some
aspects of the original traffic plans for the existing quarry to be updated or commented
upon to address concern raised by the statutory consultees. A Transport Statement
(rather than a Transport Assessment) will be prepared to support the application. A
Transport Scoping Request is presented in Appendix SR-4
9.7 LAND USE
The “on-line” embankment will be constructed through the extensive willow plantations
within the base of the Blackwater valley are managed and controlled through existing
commercial practices.
The “off-line” flood storage area will be developed across large open fields that
generally yield cereal, pea and bean crops under a commercial farm tenancy contract
agreement. The large open arable fields are occasionally bordered by hedgerows, and
the flood storage area contains two small areas of woodland.
The EIA will review the existing commercial agricultural setting of the site across the
wetland willow plantation and arable fields and consider the potential impact on
agricultural land. The assessment will consider the existing commercial land uses and
the long-term improvements that could be offered through diversification and the
creation of biodiverse habitats within a working landscape.
The site has not been subject to any form of development likely to result in contamination
of the underlying ground conditions. Consequently, an assessment of contaminated
land is not proposed.
9.8 NOISE & VIBRATION
To support the proposed flood alleviation scheme, and the transition of Blackwater
Aggregates’ existing quarrying operations into the “off-line” flood storage area, baseline
noise monitoring will be carried out at the most sensitive residential properties within the
immediate vicinity of the site, namely: Curd Hall; Herons Farm; Deeks Cottage; Haywards;
the Essex Way; and the fringe(s) of Coggeshall and Coggeshall Hamlet. The fully
attended noise monitoring visits will carried out during Blackwater Aggregates’ normal
working hours. Measurements will be supplemented with historical data as appropriate.
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The location of the proposed noise monitoring points will be agreed with representatives
of Essex County Council (or their noise consultant). Where planning condition noise limits
do not currently exist suitable, realistic and achievable limits will be agreed with Essex
County Council in accordance with the relevant guidance.
Modelling of noise associated with key phases of the proposed works will be undertaken
and this will include typical and worst-case operations as necessary. The noise model
and outputs will demonstrate that existing operational practices and standard
construction techniques can employed by Blackwater Aggregates and the Environment
Agency during the construction of the “off-line” flood storage area and “on-line”
embankment without the need for significant mitigation or management. The
assessment will include cumulative impacts related to approved development(s) within
the vicinity of the site. Where appropriate historical knowledge and data will be
included in the analysis to ensure the assessment is robust. A detailed noise assessment
will be prepared to support the planning application and EIA.
Local amenity can be protected by minimising work in sensitive areas and creating
‘buffers’ between residential areas and mineral workings. A minimum of a 100m ‘buffer
zone’ from the working area to the façade of a residential property is normally required
to minimise the impact of working on local amenity.
Stand-offs or ‘buffer zones’ of 100m have previously been applied to heritage assets and
residential properties around Bradwell Quarry, and in certain circumstances, where
properties are either owned by, or under the control of Blackwater Aggregates, at their
closest point the operational face of the quarrying operations has been within 35m.
The buffer zones provide (and have proven to provide) effective protection to the
properties and heritage assets from ground borne vibration.
Owing to the considerable separation distances (>100m) between the “off-line” flood
storage area and surrounding residential buildings and villages, and the nature of the
proposed quarrying operations, it is considered that there is no likelihood of perceptible
levels of ground borne vibration arising. Consequently, an assessment of ground borne
vibration from the sequential delivery of the flood storage area is not proposed.
9.9 AIR QUALITY AND DUST
From the experience of the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM’s) Working Group,
adverse dust impacts from sand and gravel sites are uncommon beyond 250 m from the
nearest dust generating activities (e.g. extraction areas, processing areas and haul
roads).
It is commonly accepted that the greatest impacts will be within 100m of a source and
this can include both large (>30 μm) and small dust particles. The greatest potential for
high rates of dust deposition and elevated PM10 concentrations occurs within this
distance.
The primary emissions to atmosphere likely to arise during the construction and delivery
of the proposed flood alleviation scheme will be dust. The inherent nature of the
proposed “on-line” and “off-line” construction and quarrying operations, mineral
extraction, mineral handling and processing, and transportation of minerals across the
site, have the potential to create sources of fugitive dust.
By maintaining stand-offs or ‘buffer zones’ of more than 100m from residential properties
around the proposed “off-line” flood storage area, air quality and dust impacts will be
minimised, controlled and mitigated through Blackwater Aggregates’ established
working practices within Bradwell Quarry.
The EIA will review the baseline air quality and dust emissions conditions in and around
the proposed flood alleviation scheme, including those from Blackwater Aggregates’
established quarrying operations within Bradwell Quarry.
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The EIA will seek to minimise and mitigate air borne and dust impacts during the
construction of the “on-line“ embankment, connection point and “off-line” flood
storage area to levels equal to the conditions benchmarked and approved by Essex
County Council’s Minerals Planning Authority for Blackwater Aggregates’ existing
quarrying operations.
The assessment of potential dust and particulate impacts will draw on the detailed
understanding of Blackwater Aggregates’ existing quarrying operations and the control
and mitigation measures already established around their site. Because the
development will neither alter nor vary the number of vehicles operating across, or
accessing, the site there will be no change to the existing traffic emissions conditions;
therefore, a specific assessment of emissions from HGVs travelling to and from the site
via the A120 is not considered necessary.
9.10 SOCIAL IMPACTS
The EIA will review the social baseline conditions within Coggeshall, Kelvedon, Feering
and Bradwell and consider the impact of the proposed flood alleviation scheme on
residents and businesses.
The Socio-Economics Impact Assessment (SIA) will identify potential benefits and adverse
socio-economic impacts to local communities, groups or individuals that may arise in
connection with the development of the flood alleviation scheme.
The methodology for this assessment will draw on relevant UK guidance and global best
practice and will be consistent with methodologies developed for Environmental Impact
Assessment and Social Impact Assessments. The SIA methodology will review relevant
background reports, planning documents and statistical data, and will pay particular
attention to addressing key issues and development priorities outlined in relevant
regional and local development planning documents such as Neighbourhood Plans.
The Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates are working in partnership to
deliver the flood alleviation scheme. It is important to note that through hydrological
modelling and cost benefit analysis the Environment Agency has demonstrated that
without the creation of the “off-line” flood storage area and financial support that is
being offered by Blackwater Aggregates to construct the “on-line” embankment dam,
there is insufficient public funding available to deliver the scheme, nor any element of it.
Therefore, the SIA will consider social impacts arising from the development of the
proposed flood alleviation scheme on the local villages, balanced against the potential
impacts should the scheme not come forward.
Through the delivery of the flood alleviation scheme the Environment Agency,
Blackwater Aggregates and local Landowners will consider ways of enhancing local
amenity value through improvements to public access to the Blackwater valley.
In delivering the scheme its impacts on existing public rights of way such as the Essex
Way will be considered and temporary diversions and improvements to existing
permissive rights of way will be assessed.
9.11 LIGHTING
Lighting assessments have been completed to support Blackwater Aggregates’ existing
quarrying and mineral processing operations at Bradwell Quarry, Appendix SR-5.
The assessments have clearly demonstrated that the Site is situated within a
suburban/rural transition area (as defined in the Bortle Scale light pollution assessment,
Figure 9) and the proposed flood alleviation scheme will not affect the current levels of
sky glow and glare within the vicinity.
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Figure 9: Bortle Scale light pollution assessment
No changes are proposed to the existing lighting arrangements associated with
Blackwater Aggregates’ minerals processing area or to the proposed hours of operation
and methods of working that will take place across the “off-line” flood storage area. By
maintaining the existing working practices to deliver the flood alleviation scheme there
will be no changes in the level of sky glow at the Site.
Considering the above, the scope of any lighting assessment will comprise a supportive
statement to clarify that by maintaining: existing hours of working; established quarrying
and mineral processing operations; and, limiting the use of any temporary lighting, there
will be no change in the level of sky glow resulting from the delivery of the flood
alleviation scheme.
9.12 SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The principles of sustainable design and efficient use of resources, including the need to
ensure reduction in carbon emissions and minimising environmental effects leading to
climate change, are embedded within the Environment Agency and Blackwater
Aggregates’ proposals to deliver the flood alleviation scheme and reduce the risk of
flooding associated with extreme weather events.
Sand and gravel reserves can only be extracted from sites where suitable geological
conditions exist. Minerals are a finite resource and because they can only be excavated
once, washing, screening and processing of the primary aggregates must maximise
sustainable beneficial uses of the minerals.
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The aims of sustainable development through the quarrying of primary minerals from “off-
line” flood storage area will be met through the washing, screening and processing of
the sand and gravel through an established plant to produce a range of construction
products, thus optimising the use of the materials recovered from the site. Quarrying
operations across the “off-line” flood storage area will be designed to maximise the use
of the minerals (which are an important natural resource) using a planned and
systematic approach to its operations which are sensitive to the local environment, to
promote habitat creation as an after-use.
It is important to note that the mineral reserves around Bradwell Quarry are a particularly
valuable mineral resource in Essex as it has a very high stone content and low silt content,
unlike many of the smaller sites in the region. Thus, the operation is continuously self-
sufficient in both sand and gravel, thereby preventing the need for importation of stone
for the concrete plant.
Due to the importance of the long-term availability of extractable resources from the
“off-line” flood storage area, the standard of the access road and processing facilities
that have been established and will continue to be used and maintained to support the
long term sustainable delivery of the flood alleviation scheme, and the protection it will
offer local businesses and residents from extreme weather events and flooding, a
climate change assessment is not considered necessary. The impacts associated with
potential climactic changes will be assessed within the Flood Risk Assessment.
9.13 HEALTH IMPACTS
By maintaining stand-offs or buffer zones of 100m (in line with Minerals Local Plan Policy
and industry best practice) health impacts associated with the proposed creation of the
“on-line” embankment and “off-line” flood storage area will have a negligible impact,
directly or indirectly, on people’s health in terms of: the transportation or movement of
materials within the working area that may give rise to dust, noise, safety and local
environment considerations.
The potential environmental health impacts associated with dust and noise likely to arise
from the delivery of the flood alleviation scheme will be specifically assessed within the
relevant Environmental Statement. A health impact assessment is not considered
necessary.
9.14 FEERING AND KELVEDON CUMULATIVE ASSESSMENT
The environmental assessment(s) will consider the baseline conditions established by the
permissions already obtained for the existing operations at Bradwell Quarry and where
relevant, other planned or implemented schemes such as quarrying operations within
Preferred or Reserved Sites for mineral extraction within the Minerals Local Plan, the new
A120, the Integrated Waste Management Facility and any other relevant local
development plan proposals.
The cumulative assessment(s) will consider: site-specific cumulative impacts likely to
influence common receptors (e.g. noise and visual effects on ecology); and, wider
cumulative impacts which may arise from the combined effects (additive or interactive)
resulting from the development of the flood alleviation scheme alongside other planned
or permitted development proposals. The assessments will follow recognised best
practice.
Because the flood alleviation scheme will be designed to provide flood protection to
the villages of Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon for at least 100 years, the potential
decommissioning of the proposed “on-line” embankment will not be included within the
cumulative assessments.
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10 SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED SCOPE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report has identified the likely
potential for significant effects to arise from the construction, operation and
decommissioning of the flood alleviation scheme. The following list identifies the
specialist main topic environmental assessments that are proposed to be scoped into
the EIA assessment. Some sub-topic issues within these main topic areas are proposed to
be scoped out:
• Hydrology and Flood Risk;
• Hydrogeology;
• Landscape and Visual Impact;
o No changes are proposed to the existing lighting arrangements, proposed
hours of operation and methods of working. There will be no changes in the
level of sky glow at the Site. Consequently, a statement to confirm that there
will be no change in the level of sky glow will be prepared.
• Ecology & Biodiversity;
• Water Framework Directive Assessment;
• Archaeology and Cultural Heritage;
• Transport;
o When Blackwater Aggregates commence the construction of the flood
storage area the capacity to process minerals excavated from the site and
processed within Bradwell Quarry would remain unchanged. The transport
movements to and from the Bradwell Quarry will remain unchanged and
continue to enter and leave the Site to and from the existing A120. A
Transport Statement will be prepared. A Transport Assessment is not
considered necessary.
• Land Quality;
o The site has not been subject to any form of development likely to result in
contamination of the underlying ground conditions. Consequently, an
assessment of contaminated land is not proposed.
• Noise;
o The potential environmental health impacts associated with noise likely to
arise from the delivery of the flood alleviation scheme will be specifically
assessed within the Noise Assessment. A health impact assessment is not
considered necessary.
o Owing to the considerable separation distances (>100m) between the “off-
line” flood storage area and surrounding residential buildings and villages, it
is considered that there is no likelihood of perceptible levels of ground borne
vibration arising. Consequently, an assessment of ground borne vibration is
not proposed.
• Air Quality and Dust;
o The potential environmental health impacts associated with dust likely to
arise from the delivery of the flood alleviation scheme will be specifically
assessed within the Air Quality and Dust Assessment. A health impact
assessment is not considered necessary.
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o Because the development will neither alter nor vary the number of vehicles
operating across, or accessing, the site there will be no change to the existing
traffic emissions conditions; therefore, a specific assessment of emissions from
HGVs travelling to and from the site via the A120 is not considered necessary.
• Social Impacts; and
o Due to the importance of the long-term availability of extractable resources
from the “off-line” flood storage area, the standard of the access road and
processing facilities that have been established and will continue to be used
and maintained to support the long term sustainable delivery of the flood
alleviation scheme, and the protection it will offer local businesses and
residents from extreme weather events and flooding, a climate change
assessment is not considered necessary.
• Cumulative Impacts.
o Will be considered (where appropriate) within the environmental assessment
topics presented above.
Based on the Environment Agency and Blackwater Aggregates’ existing understanding
of the baseline environmental setting of the site Table SR-1 summarises the proposed
scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment in support of the flood alleviation
scheme:
Table SR-1 Summary of Proposed Environmental Topics “Scoped In” and “Scoped Out”
for the Environmental Impact Assessment.
“Scoped In” “Scoped Out”
Hydrology & Flood Risk Assessment (and WFD) Contaminated Land
Hydrogeology Vibration
Landscape and Visual Impact Health
Ecology and Biodiversity Climate Change
Archaeology and Cultural Heritage “on-line” decommissioning
Land Quality
Noise*
Air Quality and Dust*
Social Impacts
Transport++
Lighting++
* The potential environmental health impacts associated with dust and noise likely to arise from the delivery of
the flood alleviation scheme will be specifically assessed within the relevant Environmental Statement.
++ No changes are proposed to the existing transport and lighting arrangements therefore supportive Transport
and Lighting Statements will be provided (Transport and Lighting Impact Assessments are not considered
necessary).
10.1 WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes a framework for the protection of the
River Blackwater and sets out assessment criteria relating to: Biological standards; Water
quality standards; and Water level and flow standards.
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In developing the flood alleviation scheme a WFD assessment will be carried out to
demonstrate that the flood alleviation proposals protect the environmental setting and
standards of the River Blackwater, whilst mitigating risks associated with flooding.
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11 ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS & COMMITMENTS
The Minerals Working and Active Landfills Environmental Award Scheme is operated by
Essex County Council to benchmark and assess the environmental standards achieved
by operational sites.
Since commencing quarrying operations at Bradwell Quarry in 2000, Blackwater
Aggregates have been awarded the Gold Level Award, i.e. the highest achievable,
reflecting a very good standard in all aspects surveyed in respect of compliance with
planning control and the commitment to minimising the potential environmental impact
of the mineral and/or landfill operations at the Site.
The creation of the “off-line” flood storage area through Blackwater Aggregates’ normal
quarrying operations would follow the established principles of environmental best
practice, thereby minimising any impact of the Site to local residents.
In addition to the benefits that will result from the flood alleviation scheme to residential
properties and local businesses in Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon; through its
commitment to support local stakeholder groups, Blackwater Aggregates has offered
almost £100,000 in voluntary financial contributions and provided materials free of
charge to support a range of local community groups and parish council initiatives.
These contributions have varied from financial donations to support improvements in
local village halls, scout huts and local charitable funds etc, to the supply of quantities
of sand and ballast for local playing fields and historic bridge restoration schemes.
Blackwater Aggregates’ support and partnership with the Environment Agency will result
in the delivery of a £25 Million sustainable flood alleviation scheme, that will provide long
term benefit(s) to the local area.
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GLOSSARY
Air quality
management area
(AQMA)
Area defined by the local authority as an area requiring
management because air quality levels do not meet national air
quality objectives
Agricultural Land
classification
A series of six grades classifying soil in terms of its suitability for
agriculture, from 1 (excellent) to 5 (very poor)
Ancient Woodland Land continuously wooded since 1600 in England and Wales or
1750 in Scotland.
Ancient Semi Natural
Woodland
Sites that have retained woodland and shrub cover since 1600,
previously the site of original woodland. They may have been
managed by coppicing and allowed to regenerate naturally.
Aquifer An underground layer of rock with water storage capability.
Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty
(AONB)
Areas formally designated under the National Parks and Access to
the Countryside Act (1949) to protect parts of the countryside of
high scenic quality that cannot be selected for National Park status
as they do not have opportunities for outdoor recreation. The
Countryside Agency is the government agency responsible for
designating AONBs and advising the government.
Archaeological
Priority Areas
An area specified by Local Planning Authorities to help protect
archaeological remains that might be affected by development.
Baseline A description of the present state of the environment with the
consideration of how the environment would change in the future
in the absence of the plan/programme/project as a result of
natural events and other human activities.
Baseline studies/
survey
Collection of information about the environment which is likely to
be affected by the project
Biodiversity Action
Plan (BAP)
An agreed plan for a habitat or species, which forms part of the
UK’s commitment to biodiversity in response to the Convention on
Biological Diversity, Rio de Janeiro 1992
Brownfield site A site which has been previously developed, often a disused
factory site or industrial area.
Catchment
abstraction
management
strategy (CAMS)
Used to manage water resources to balance the need for
abstraction and management of the aquatic environment in
consultation with local interested parties.
Catchment A surface water catchment is the total area that drains into a river.
A groundwater catchment is the total area that supplies the
groundwater part of the river flow.
Catchment Flood
Management Plan
(CFMP)
A high level plan carried out by the Environment Agency in order to
manage the risk of flooding to people, property and the
environment in an integrated way. These plans form the basis of
future flood risk management proposals.
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Character area An area of land with distinctive landscape features resulting from
an interaction of wildlife, landforms, geology, land use and human
activity as defined by the Countryside Agency.
Connection Point A connection between the river and a flood storage area that
allows water to flow into the flood storage area in times of flood
and allows the water to drain back into the river as the flooding
subsides in a controlled manner
Conservation Area An area designated under the Town and Country Planning Act,
1990 to protect its architectural or historic character.
Countryside and
Rights of Way
(CRoW) Act 2000
This Act applies to England and Wales and has five parts: Access to
the countryside; Public rights of way and road traffic; Nature
conservation and wildlife protection; Areas of outstanding natural
beauty; Miscellaneous and Supplementary
This act increases the protection of SSSIs. Environment Agency
plans/programmes/projects must gain consent for works in or near
SSSIs using a CRoW form.
Countryside
Character Areas
Sub-divisions of England into areas with similar landscape character
as categorised by the Countryside Agency. These are used when
assessing the impact of a plan/programme/project on its local
landscape.
Critical Ordinary
Watercourses
(COWs)
Stretches of Ordinary Watercourse that have been classified as
critical in terms of flood risk by the Environment Agency and local
Authorities. Many COWs are currently being reclassified as Main
River for the Environment Agency to take over responsibility from
the local authority or Internal Drainage Board.
Cumulative Impacts The combined impacts of several projects within an area, which
individually are not significant, but together amount to a significant
impact.
Department for
Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs
(DEFRA)
The government department responsible for flood management
policy in England
Ecological Impact
Assessment (EcIA)
An assessment of the potential effects of a proposed development
on species, habitats and sites that are of value to conservation or
protected by national and/or international legislation.
Ecosystems Services The services that ecosystems provide which can provide value to
people and the wider environment. Includes: Supporting services
(e.g. oxygen production), Provisioning services (e.g. fuel),
Regulating services (e.g. climate), Cultural services (e.g.
recreation).
Historic England (HE) Government statutory advisor on the historic environment, funded
jointly by the government and by revenue from properties and
members.
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Environmental
Action Plan (EAP)
A standalone report or section within another environmental
impact assessment document which ensures that constraints,
objectives and targets set in the main Environmental
Report/Statement are actually carried out on the ground. Actions
are separated into those to be carried out before, during and after
construction.
Environmental
Impact Assessment
(EIA)
“EIA is an assessment process applied to both new development
proposals and changes or extensions to existing developments that
are likely to have significant effects on the environment. The EIA
process ensures that potential effects on the environment are
considered, including natural resources such as water, air and soil;
conservation of species and habitats; and community issues such
as visual effects and impacts on the population. EIA provides a
mechanism by which the interaction of environmental effects
resulting from development can be predicted, allowing them to be
avoided or reduced through the development of mitigation
measures. As such, it is a critical part of the decision-making
process.” www.iema.net/eiareport
Environmental
Report (ER)
(1) The document produced for projects that do not require
statutory environmental impact assessment, but where
environmental impact has been carried out. This includes projects
that require planning permission from the local authority but the
effects of the proposal will not be significant. An ER usually follows
the same template as an Environmental Statement, but is less
detailed.
(2) The document produced to describe the strategic
environmental assessment process carried out for strategies. This
report can be standalone or contained as an appendix to a
strategy.
Environmentally
Sensitive Area (ESA)
An area of particularly high landscape, wildlife or historical
importance within which DEFRA offered inducements to encourage
farmers to adopt agricultural practices to safeguard or enhance
those features. Payments have now been superseded by the ESS
Environmental
Statement (ES)
The document produced to describe the environmental impact
assessment process where statutory environmental impact
assessment is required.
Flood alleviation
scheme (FAS)
Scheme designed to reduce the risk of flooding in a given area
Flood Cell A discrete area subject to flooding from failure of defences at a
specific point or length.
Flood defence A structure (or system of structures) that reduce flooding from rivers
or the sea
Floodline Environment Agency flood warning system, accessible by
telephone or internet and updated every 15 minutes
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Flood risk
management
strategy (FRMS)
A long term (50 years or more) plan for coastal or river
management to reduce the risk of flooding and carry out. They are
more detailed than CFMPs.
Flood management
unit (FMU)
A river or coastal reach subject to flooding from similar processes.
Such a unit may consist of one or more flood cells
Flood risk mapping A system of maps created by the Environment Agency to show
areas that are at risk of a flood that has a 1 in 100 chance (or
higher) of occurring in any given year
Flood storage area
(FSA)
An extension to the river flood plain created by the excavation of
minerals
Geographical
Information Systems
(GIS)
A computer based system for capturing, storing, integrating,
manipulating, analysing and displaying data spatially.
Habitats Directive EC Directive (92/43/EEC) on the Conservation of natural habitats
and of wild flora and fauna. Implemented (with the Birds Directive
(79/409/EEC)) in the UK as the Conservation (Natural habitats and
wild flora and fauna) Regulations (1994). This establishes a system
of protection of certain flora, fauna and habitats considered to be
of International or European conservation importance. Sites are
designated as Special areas of conservation (SACs), special
protection areas (SPAs) and/or Ramsar sites. Any developments in
or close to these designated areas are subject to the Habitat
Regulations for approval of English Nature. Together these sites are
referred to as the Natura 2000 network.
Health impact
assessment
“A combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a
policy, programme or project may be judged as its potential
effects on the health of a population, and the distribution of those
effects within a population.” World Health Organisation.
Higher level scheme See ESS
Indicative
landscape plan (ILP)
Overlay of existing environment and scheme proposals to highlight
environmental constraints and opportunities including designated
sites and landscape character.
Land Drainage
Regulations
The Environmental Impact Assessment (Land Drainage
Improvement Works) Regulations (SI 1999 No. 1783) apply to
improvement works to land drainage infrastructure undertaken by
land drainage bodies, including the Environment Agency. Such
works are permitted development and therefore not subject to the
Town and Country Planning EIA requirements.
Local Biodiversity
Action Plan (LBAP)
A local plan with targets to protect and enhance biodiversity to
achieve national targets and also to protect locally important
species
Local Nature
Partnerships
Local Nature Partnerships were one of the key proposals made in
the June 2011 Natural Environment White Paper. Their purpose is to
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bring a diverse range of individuals, businesses and organisations
together to create a vision and plan of action about how the
natural environment can be taken into account in decision making
in that area.
Local Nature
Reserve (LNR)
Nature reserves designated under the National Parks and
Countryside Act (1949) for locally important wildlife or geological
features. They are controlled by local authorities in liaison with
English Nature.
Main river A watercourse designated by DEFRA. The Environment Agency has
permissive powers to carry out flood defence works, maintenance
and operational activities on main rivers. Responsibility for
maintenance rests on the riparian owner.
Marine
Management
Organisation
An executive non-departmental public body established under the
Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 with responsibilities including
marine licensing and working with Natural England and others to
manage a network of marine protected areas (marine conservation
zones and European marine sites).
Mitigation measures Actions that are taken to minimise, prevent or compensate for
adverse effects of the development.
National Nature
Reserve (NNR)
Nature reserves designated under the National Parks and
Countryside Act (1949) for nationally important wildlife or
geological features (these may be the best examples in the
country). They are controlled by English Nature.
Natural Areas Sub-divisions of England, characterised by wildlife and natural
features. There are 120 Natural Areas in England. Designations are
managed by English Nature.
Natural England Natural England is an Executive Non-departmental Public Body
responsible to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs. Their purpose is to protect and improve England’s
natural environment and encourage people to enjoy and get
involved in their surroundings. Their aim is to create a better natural
environment that covers all of our urban, country and coastal
landscapes, along with all of the animals, plants and other
organisms that live with us.
Nature Improvement
Areas
12 new nature zones in England covering hundreds of thousands of
hectares receiving Government funding to create wildlife havens,
restore habitats and encourage local people to get involved with
nature.
Nitrate vulnerable
zone (NVZ)
Area where surface or ground waters are above the standards set
by the Nitrates Directive (91/676), as implemented in England and
Wales by SI2164/2002
Ordinary water
course
A watercourse not designated as main river. The local authority or
Internal Drainage Board has permissive powers to maintain them.
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Ramsar site Wetland site of international importance listed under the
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance under the
Conservation of Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar) Convention 1973.
Riparian Area of land or habitat adjacent to rivers and streams
Scheduled
monument
Nationally important historic sites, buildings or monuments identified
by English Heritage and designated by the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport. Any work affecting a scheduled
monument must gain consent from English Heritage under the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979).
Scoping
The process of deciding the scope or level of detail of an EIA/ SEA.
During this stage the key environmental issues (likely significant
effects) of a project/strategy are identified so that the rest of the
process can focus on these issues. Issues may result from the
proposal itself or from sensitivities of the site.
Screening (1) For environmental impact assessment, the process of deciding
which developments require an environmental impact assessment
to be carried out and whether this will be statutory.
(2) For strategic environmental assessment, the decision on which
plans, strategies or programmes require strategic environmental
assessment to be carried out and whether this will be statutory.
Screening opinion Statutory opinion from the competent authority as to whether a
proposed project requires statutory environmental impact
assessment according to the Environmental Impact Assessment
Regulations.
SEA Directive European Directive 2001/42/EC “on the assessment of the effects of
certain plans and programmes on the environment”
Site of Special
Scientific Interest
(SSSI)
Nationally important sites designated for their flora, fauna,
geological or physiographical features under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act (1981) (as amended) and the Countryside Rights of
Way (CRoW) Act (2000).
Special Area for
Conservation (SAC)
Sites of European importance for habitats and non bird species.
Above mean low water mark they are also SSSIs.
Special Protection
Area (SPA) and
proposed Special
Protection Area
(pSPA)
An area designated for rare or vulnerable birds, or migratory birds
and their habitats, classified under Article 4 of the EC Directive on
the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC). They are also SSSIs.
Proposed sites receive the same protection as fully protected sites
Standard of
protection (SoP)
The level of protection from flooding, for example an SoP of 1 in 100
means that the flood defences in an area provide protection from
floods up to a size of flood with a probability of occurring of 1 in 100
in any year
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Strategic
Environmental
Assessment
SEA is a process designed to ensure that significant environmental
effects arising from proposed plans and programmes are identified,
assessed, subjected to public participation, taken into account by
decision-makers, and monitored. SEA sets the framework for future
assessment of development projects, some of which require
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). SEA is carried out
according to the requirements of the SEA Directive 2001/42/EC
Sustainable
development
A concept defined by the Brundtland Report (1987) as
“Development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs”
Sustainable urban
drainage systems
(SuDs)
A system of controlling the quality and quantity of water run-off so
as to prevent flooding or pollution.
Washland Area of land adjacent to a watercourse, which is allowed to flood
when the watercourse overtops its banks.
Water Framework
Directive (WFD)
EC Directive (2000/60/EC) on integrated river basin management.
The WFD sets out environmental objectives for water status based
on ecological and chemical parameters, common monitoring and
assessment strategies, arrangements for river basin administration
and planning and a programme of measures in order to meet the
objectives.
Water level
management plan
(WLMP)
A plan that sets out water level management requirements in a
defined floodplain area (usually an SSSI) which is designed to
reconcile different needs for drainage.
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APPENDIX SR-1
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL PRE-APPLICATION PLANNING ADVICE
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APPENDIX SR-2
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL BIODIVERSITY VALIDATION CHECKLIST
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APPENDIX SR-3
WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION (TRIAL TRENCHING)
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APPENDIX SR-4
TRANSPORT SCOPING REQUEST
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APPENDIX SR-5
BRADWELL QUARRY LIGHTING ASSESSMENTS