Walleys Quarry, Silverdale - Staffordshire County Council

aggregates
Walleys Quarry, Silverdale
Environment Act 1995
Review of Old Mineral Permission
Non Technical Summary
LAFARGE AGGREGATES LIMITED
WALLEYS QUARRY
CEMETERY ROAD, SILVERDALE
STAFFORDSHIRE
REVIEW OF MINING PERMISSION
UNDER THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE
ENVIRONMENT ACT 1995
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
PREPARED BY:
DAVID L WALKER LIMITED
NOVEMBER 2012
Lafarge Aggregates Limited
Walleys Quarry
Review of Mining Permission
Non-Technical Summary
Contents
Section 1
General
Section 2
Site Operations
Section 3
Environmental Assessment
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Non-Technical Summary
List of Plans
Plan NTS1
Site Location
Plan NTS 2
Existing Situation
Plan NTS 3
Working Plan
Plan NTS 4
Restoration Plan
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Review of Mining Permission
Non-Technical Summary
Section 1
General
1.1
This document comprises a non-technical summary (NTS) to the
Environmental Statement which accompanied the application for
determination of new conditions at Walleys Quarry, Silverdale,
Staffordshire.
1.2
The NTS seeks to provide sufficient detail for individuals to understand
the proposals, along with any significant environmental impacts.
1.3
Planning permission for mineral extraction and associated
development often has a long life span, during which time technology
and environmental requirements can change.
In 1995, the
Environment Act was introduced which placed a duty on Mineral
Planning Authorities (Staffordshire County Council in the case of
Walleys) to review mineral extraction operations on sites in their area
in order to update planning permissions to more modern standards.
The Act set a timetable for review of conditions attached to previously
permitted mineral extraction sites. Generally every mineral extraction
site is required to have its conditions review every 15 years.
1.4
Whilst the operations at Walleys Quarry are now limited to waste
disposal (and operations associated with this use), the planning
permission (Consent reference M23/2/011 related to IDO/N1) was
initially for the extraction of minerals and subsequent importation of
waste to facilitate restoration. The consent, therefore, falls within the
provisions of the Environment Act, and is required to be reviewed.
1.5
The date of the controlling planning permission is 14 November 1997,
and therefore an application for determination of new conditions
(ROMP application) is required to be submitted by 14 November 2013.
1.6
The boundary of Walleys Quarry (the review site) is shown on Plan
NTS1, the Site Location Plan, and NTS 2, the Existing Situation Plan
attached. The review site comprises a worked out quarry void
currently used as an active landfill operation, and extends to
approximately 23.5 hectares in area.
1.7
The updated Scheme of Conditions is contained within Appendix 6 of
the Environmental Statement, and has been amended to reflect
modern best practice for minerals and associated operations, and is
consistent with the requirements of the Environment Act 1995 and
associated guidance.
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November 2012
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Walleys Quarry
Review of Mining Permission
Non-Technical Summary
Section 2
Site Operations
2.1
The review site extends for an area of approximately 23.5 hectares,
and comprises the following, distinct, landuses:


site reception area (including offices, storage area, wheelwash
facilities, weighbridge and access road); and
active landfill phase/quarry void.
2.2
Historically, the review site was used for the extraction of clay used in
brickmaking; however, mineral extraction operations have ceased,
and the site is now a dedicated landfill site with infilling of the quarry
void using non-hazardous materials. The purpose of the infilling is to
restore the review site to nature conservation grassland and woodland
in line with the controlling planning permission.
2.3
All of the operations at Walleys Quarry are regulated by the
Environment Agency, who have issued an Environmental Permit for
the site operations.
2.4
The Environmental Permit controls all aspects of operations at
Walleys Quarry including amenity control, waste management
procedures, environmental management, administration and record
keeping. The Environmental Permit is subject to regular monitoring
and review by the Environment Agency in line with the appropriate
legal requirements.
The infilling of the review site with waste
materials is being undertaken on a phased basis, with 7 main
phases/cells infilling covering the full extent of the quarry void. The
extent of these phases is shown on Plan NTS 3 attached.
2.5
The landfill cells are constructed to a specification agreed with the
Environment Agency, and have low-permeability clay seals up to 3m
thick in order to satisfactorily contain the waste. The construction and
specification of the landfill cells is a fundamental part of the
Environmental Permit that regulates operations at the review site.
Operating Procedure
2.6
All waste imported to the review site will arrive at the site reception
area on the site access road and weighbridge where it is visually
inspected and the appropriate paperwork checked.
2.7
Vehicles delivering waste material are then directed to the appropriate
landfill cell where the material is tipped in line with the Environmental
Permit requirements. Compaction of waste using mobile plant then
takes place, prior to provision of inert material as temporary or
permanent cover where necessary.
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2.8
Walleys Quarry
Review of Mining Permission
Non-Technical Summary
Access to the review site is via the purpose-built access road from
Cemetery Road which runs along the western boundary of the review
site. The controlling planning permission limits the maximum number
of vehicles that can visit the review site in connection with waste
disposal operations to 440 per week, and no change to this
arrangement is proposed.
Working Hours
2.9
The hours of operation at the review site are limited to 0700 to 1900
Monday to Friday, and 0700 to 1300 on Saturdays. No operations
other than essential maintenance or emergency operations are carried
out outside of these times.
Control of Noise
2.10
It is recognised that emission levels can be significantly reduced to
minimise potential impact on the surrounding area by use of accepted
good practice in terms of site layout, sequencing of operations, choice
of mobile plant and maintenance of plant and equipment. In respect
of measures to minimise noise emissions, mobile plant is regularly
and effectively maintained in line with manufacturers’ specifications.
2.11
Hours of working permitted under the existing planning permission are
no longer than those often associated normal for quarries and landfill
sites, and it is considered that noise can be readily controlled to
acceptable levels consistent with Central Government advice.
Air Quality
2.12
The extant Environmental Permit covers all aspects of the operations
at the review site that have the potential to cause emissions to air
either in terms of dust or odours. The issue of odours and dust is
therefore not a matter that warrants new planning conditions to be
imposed at the review site.
2.13
The Environmental Permit consists of a series of documents that
detail the design and operational standards at the review site, together
with an assessment of the environmental risks associated with the
operations. In respect of landfill gas, a specific gas monitoring action
plan has been prepared (and included in the Environmental
Statement). Landfill gas is actively collected at the review site and
used in a purpose-built landfill gas flare.
Water Quality
2.14
In order to minimise the impacts of the permitted operations (which
currently comprise waste disposal, ancillary activities and site
restoration), the review site has been designed and is operated on the
principle of containment with progressive construction in advance of
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November 2012
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Review of Mining Permission
Non-Technical Summary
waste disposal of low-permeability of clay seals across the base of the
perimeter of the review site.
2.15
Such an operation requires active management of leachates in close
consultation with the Environment Agency. Leachate management
involves the use of specific plant and equipment operated to high
environmental standards detailed within the Environmental Permit.
Site Restoration
2.16
The main objective of the restoration scheme is to provide an area of
nature conservation interest capable of sustaining a wide variety of
plants and animals that will help to enhance biodiversity in the local
area.
2.17
A range of new habitats will be created throughout the restoration
scheme, these habitats indicated as being a priority for the local are in
terms of biodiversity, and will include:



unproved neutral grassland;
woodland; and
treatment of water areas that may remain at the end of the
development to provide opportunities for marginal and
emerging vegetation.
2.18
The restoration of the review site will be undertaken in a series of 7
phases, and is generally shown on Plans NTS 3 and NTS 4 attached.
2.19
Following final restoration, an aftercare management plan for the
review site will be implemented for a minimum 5-year period. The
habitats will be actively managed during this period to develop and
enhance their nature conservation interest and value.
2.20
Aftercare management is a fundamental principle of all mineral
extraction and associated operations, and in the case of the review
site, annual meetings will be held with the Mineral Planning Authority
which will allow restoration on site to be periodically assessed. Any
change to approved details may be necessary in light of experience
gained on site, or that may be desirable to take advantage of
unforeseen opportunities to be discussed and agreed prior to their
adoption.
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November 2012
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Lafarge Aggregates Limited
Walleys Quarry
Review of Mining Permission
Non-Technical Summary
Section 3
Environmental Assessment
3.1
Impact prediction for Walleys Quarry involves the analysis of relevant
potential impacts from the ongoing operations on the environment and
sensitive receptors and the determination of likely effects.
3.2
The receptors of significant environmental impacts arising from
ongoing waste disposal operations are those elements of the
environment that will be affected in some way by the permitted
operations.
Noise
3.3
Independent consultants have carried out a technical noise impact
assessment of the permitted operations at Walleys Quarry that take
account of development in the vicinity of the site and introduction of
new housing since the original grant of planning permission.
3.4
The Noise Impact Assessment includes noise predictions of the
operations on nearby sensitive receptors, and these are set out in
detail in the Environmental Assessment.
3.5
The proposed new planning conditions require that the development
be carried out in accordance with the findings and content of the
Environmental Statement which includes reference to noise impact
and predicted limits, and as such, are in line with current good practice
guidance and policy.
Air Quality
3.6
All operations at the review site fall under the requirements of the
extant Environmental Permit including those aspects of the permitted
development that have the potential to cause emissions to air.
3.7
The Environmental Permit consists of a series of documents which
detail the design and operational standards at the review site and an
assessment of the environmental risks associated with those
operations.
3.8
The Environmental Permit is subject to routine monitoring by the
Environment Agency (the Central Government body who regulates
such matters), and therefore the issue of emissions to air is not a
matter that warrants a new planning condition to be imposed.
3.9
Notwithstanding, the Environmental Statement prepared in support of
the application for determination of new planning conditions provides
the opportunity of a planning link with the Environmental Permit where
necessary.
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November 2012
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Review of Mining Permission
Non-Technical Summary
Traffic and Highways
3.10
The permitted operations at Walleys Quarry have not led to any
identifiable highways safety impact. Planning condition already exists
limiting the number of vehicle movements associated with waste
disposal operations to 440 per week.
3.11
The Environment Act Review, detailed in the Environmental Statement
and proposed new Schedule of Conditions, does not propose any
alteration to this arrangement.
Impacts on Water
3.12
In a similar manner to matters relating to air quality, the Environmental
Permit controls potential impacts of the permitted operations in terms
of emissions to groundwater (hydrogeology) and surface water
(hydrology).
3.13
The site is operated on the basis of containment (by construction of
engineered cell walls), and a detailed methodology of management of
leachate is in place.
3.14
Management of both surface and groundwater is a fundamental part
of the Environmental Permit in which is included a comprehensive
assessment of the potential impact on the quality of water in the
vicinity of the review site.
Ecology
3.15
A number of desk-based ecological appraisals have been carried out
at the review site which have not identified any significant protected
species or habitats that would be directly impacted upon as a result of
continuation of the permitted operations.
3.16
Notwithstanding, it has been recognised that protected species exist
within the vicinity of the review site, and a further series of ecological
studies will be carried out at the appropriate time of year where
necessary
Landscape and Visual Impact
3.19
The permitted operations will change over the course of time from the
worked out quarry void and active landfill into a restored site with a
primarily nature conservation/quiet amenity use.
3.20
The visual impact of the proposals will change over time as the landfill
site develops; however, provision of screening bunds around the site
perimeter and established vegetation including tree planting will act as
a visual screen of the operational facility.
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Review of Mining Permission
Non-Technical Summary
Summary
3.21
this Non-Technical Summary ha s been prepared in order to explain,
in plain language, the principal aspects of the Environmental
Statement that accompanied an application for updating the planning
conditions at Walleys Quarry, Silverdale.
3.22
Planning permission exists for the extraction of minerals and disposal
of waste at Walleys Quarry (the review site), and in line with current
legislation, the planning conditions are required to be updated to more
modern standards every 15 years.
3.23
A new Schedule of Conditions has been prepared, and these were
submitted to the Mineral and Waste Planning Authority (in this
instance, Staffordshire County Council) in advance of the review date
of 14 November 2012.
3.24
The justification of the new conditions has been accompanied by an
Environmental Impact Assessment, and details of the extant
Environmental Permit (issued by the Environment Agency) which
governs day to day operations at the review site have been provided
where appropriate.
3.25
The process adopted is ongoing, and further studies will be prepared
at the appropriate time of year and submitted to the Mineral and
Waste Planning Authority as appropriate.
3.26
If necessary, amendments will be made to the proposed new
conditions in light of findings of further studies and a consultation
exercise will be carried out.
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Review of Mining Permission
Non-Technical Summary
PLANS
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