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BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement: Vol. 2 Main Text
are Stallingborough (~1.8 km to the south west), Healing (~2.3 km to the south south west),
Immingham (~3 km to the north west) and Grimsby (~3 km to the south east). The nearest
residential receptor is Poplar Farm on South Marsh Road, approximately 550 m south west of the
site (see Figure 11.1). Other isolated residential properties are located within 1.3 km of the site, as
summarised in Table 6.2 below.
Table 6.2 Nearby Residential Properties
Property Name Distance from Site (a) (m)
Poplar Farm, South Marsh Lane 550
Grasmere, North Moss Lane 770
Brickfield House, South Marsh Road 1,000
Brickyard Cottage, South Marsh Road 1,050
Eleanor House, Ephams Lane 1,220
Primrose Cottage, Marsh Lane 1,260
Table Notes:
a As measured from nearest corner of development site
Ecological Receptors
6.48 A review of statutory ecological designations within a 10 km radius of the project site has identified
the Humber Estuary SSSI, SAC, SPA and Ramsar site to be the nearest relevant location, located
approximately 1 km to the north east of the site. The primary reasons for the SAC designation are
the presence of Annex 1 Habitats. The Humber Estuary SPA covers virtually the same area as the
Humber Estuary SAC, but is designated under the Birds Directive due to its importance in
protecting and conserving certain European wild bird populations and their habitats, as well as
protecting migratory birds and those considered rare or vulnerable.
6.49 The Estuary comprises component habitats of intertidal mudflats and sand flats and coastal salt
marsh. The salt marsh habitat and sand dunes are potentially sensitive to air pollution and are
therefore considered in the assessment.
6.50 There may be salt marsh present within the Pyewipe Mudflats (approximately 1 km from the
development site); however, the closest sand dunes are at least 4 km from the development, on
the northern banks of the Humber, and are therefore extremely unlikely to be affected by facility
emissions.
6.51 The background ammonia concentration within the SAC at its closest point to the site is 1 µg/m 3
(three year average concentration, APIS 23 website) compared to a critical level of 3 µg/m 3 .
Ammonia can contribute to nitrogen deposition; the critical load range for saltmarsh is 20 to 30
kg/ha/year. The existing deposition rate for nitrogen at this location is 16 kg/ha/year (i.e.
background levels are below the lower critical load for salt marsh).
6.52 Apart from the Humber Estuary SSSI, there is only one other SSSI within 10 km, North
Killingholme Haven Pits, which is situated on the south bank of the Humber Estuary near
Immingham. The main reasons for notification of these pits are their importance as large saline
lagoons with an exceptionally rich fauna, and their significance as roosting and feeding grounds
for waterfowl, which occur in internationally important numbers in the Humber Estuary in winter.
Further information on the ecological designations and receptors is provided in Chapter 10.
5100935.404 Environmental Statement August 2011 77