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BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement: Vol. 2 Main Text
16. Cumulative and In-combination Impacts
Introduction
16.1 For impacts associated with the Dissolved Acetylene Project that are assessed to be of an
adverse nature, this Chapter addresses, so far as is possible, the potential for combined and
cumulative impacts. The assessment of combined and cumulative impacts is an integral part of
the EIA process and ensures that all aspects of potential impacts from the proposed development
have been addressed to ensure minimum overall impact on communities and the natural
environment.
16.2 Cumulative impacts can arise when an impact from one project occurs at the same time as an
impact from another project in the vicinity (for example, two concurrent construction projects). The
cumulative impacts of existing operational facilities are accounted for through the baseline studies
(as described in Chapters 6 to 15). Thus, only proposed developments are considered in the
assessment of cumulative impacts. Proposed developments have been identified through
consultation with NELC and only include ‘known’ developments (i.e. those that have already
applied for Planning Consent).
16.3 In-combination (or ‘combined’) impacts may occur when an operation (or operations) associated
with a development gives rise to several types of impacts on a single receptor (e.g. the
combination of air quality, noise and traffic impacts at a particular residential property).
16.4 It is noted, that none of the phases of the Dissolved Acetylene Project has been predicted to result
in significant adverse residual impacts and, as such, the probability of cumulative and incombination
impacts is considered to be low.
Cumulative Impacts
Identification of Other Developments
16.5 For the purpose of the cumulative assessment, consideration has been given to proposed
development schemes that will be under construction in operation at the same time as the
Dissolved Acetylene Project. The Dissolved Acetylene Project construction works are due to take
place over a 9 month period from Q1 of 2012, with operation commencing before the end of 2012.
The design life of the process plant is 25 years; thus it is expected that the site will operate until
2037.
16.6 Planning Applications have been submitted for seven industrial developments within the locality of
BOC site (see Nos. 2 to 8 in Table 16.1 and on Figure 16.1). In addition, a new Biomass power
plant (No. 9 in Table 16.1 and on Figure 16.1) has been proposed by Real Ventures at
Immingham Docks; however, a Planning Application has not yet been submitted and detailed
information is not available. It was agreed with NELC that Real Ventures will need to account for
the potential cumulative impacts of their development and the BOC development in their ES.
16.7 Table 16.1 provides summary details and a description of the proposed developments as well as
commentary on whether each development has the potential for cumulative impacts with the
Dissolved Acetylene Project. The approximate locations of the proposed developments are
indicated on Figure 16.1.
5100935.404 Environmental Statement August 2011 269