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BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement: Vol. 2 Main Text
17.7 The air quality assessment demonstrated that construction dust emissions are unlikely to affect
sensitive receptors, assuming adherence to good practice measures (which will be defined in the
CEMP). In respect of transport emissions during construction and operation, the projected
changes in traffic flows are insufficient to trigger the need for quantitative assessment of impacts
on air quality (in accordance with the thresholds of the DMRB guidance). Process emissions were
found to be insignificant (i.e. less than 10% of short term and less than 1% of the long term health
and ecological based assessment criteria). Furthermore, process emissions will be managed and
controlled through an ISO14001 and the EA’s permitting regime.
17.8 In summary, impacts on air quality associated with the Project, for both the construction and
operational phases were assessed to be of negligible significance and the Project is considered to
conform to the relevant policy requirements.
Geology, Hydrogeology and Land Quality
Key Policies
17.9 ‘PPS 9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation’ reflects the requirement for the impact of
development proposals on biodiversity and geological conservation assets to be considered. A list
of geological matters that should be examined includes:
� the baseline geological characteristics and their value;
� the presence of any designated assets and their potential relationship with the proposed
development;
� the potential for development proposals to deliver enhancement to relevant geological
features within the design of the development; and
� any requirements for mitigation of adverse effects, which should be embedded in the
proposals.
17.10 PPS 9 includes a presumption against permitting development that may have an adverse effect
upon a SSSI; and advises that sites of regional and or local geological interest should be
maintained for their contribution to quality of life, research and education.
17.11 PPS 23 advises LPAs to assume that the relevant pollution control regime for a given
development will be properly applied and enforced; thus the primary concern is whether the
Proposed Development is an appropriate use for the site in question. This requires consideration
of whether contamination is present; whether the proposed development will give rise to
contamination and or whether appropriate control measures have been considered; and reviewing
the proposals in the context of potential cumulative effects with other existing or planned
development. The guidance recommends the application of the phased approach of CLR 11 (see
Chapter 7) to the identification of potential impacts upon and effects arising from contamination.
17.12 The ‘Consultation Paper on a New Planning Policy Statement: Planning for a Natural and Healthy
Environment’ outlines proposed planning policy on: biodiversity; geological conservation;
landscape and soil protection; heritage coastline; open space; sport; recreation; green
infrastructure; and floodlighting of sports and recreational facilities. Upon adoption, this document
will replace sections of PPS 23 (amongst other PPSs). Part of the document states that protection
will be given to the best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land (Grades 1, 2 and 3a), stating
that where significant development of agricultural land is unavoidable, LPAs should seek to
develop areas of poorer quality land (Grades 3b, 4 and 5) in preference to that of higher quality
this updates the current policy (contained in PPS 7) as it adds an exception to this approach
where protecting BMV land would be at variance with other sustainability considerations.
5100935.404 Environmental Statement August 2011 286