Reaps Moss Wind Farm - Rossendale · Salford Quays M5 3NN . ... For further copies of the SEI...

Reaps Moss Wind Farm

Supplementary Environmental Information

February 2012

Written Statement and Supporting Figures

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Preface

Dulas Ltd February 2012 i

PREFACE

This Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI) has been prepared to accompany an application under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to make minor modifications to the currently approved designs and plans for the consented Reaps Moss Wind Farm, located at the border between Rossendale and Calderdale councils. The Ordnance Survey grid reference for the approximate centre of the site is SD 892 227 and its location is shown in Figure 1-1.

The section 57 planning application seeks to make minor amendments to the approved designs for the wind farm site entrance and access infrastructure. There are no proposed changes to the wind turbine locations, which will remain as approved.

This SEI has been prepared and compiled by renewable energy consultancy, Dulas Ltd, who prepared the wind farm design and EIA for the Reaps Moss Wind Farm scheme. Dulas has nearly 30 years’ experience in renewable energy development and planning. Its combined technical and environmental understanding of wind farm development coupled with a detailed knowledge of impact avoidance and mitigation has led to Dulas’ involvement in over 65 renewable energy projects throughout the United Kingdom.

The Environmental Impact Assessment team has been assembled to conduct an objective assessment of all the significant environmental effects likely to arise as a result of the proposed modifications to the development. The specialist advice and support was delivered by the following external, independent consultancies, each of which also has extensive experience in renewable energy planning and environmental assessments:

Landscape and Visual Assessment

Axis PED Well House Barns Bretton Chester CH4 0DH

Ecological Assessment

Ecology Matters Bronhaul Pentrbach Talybont Ceredigion SY24 5EH

Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Assessment

AOC Archaeology Group Edgefield Road Industrial Estate Loanhead Midlothian Scotland EH20 9SY

Hydrological Assessment

SKM Enviros Metro 4th Floor 33 Trafford Road Salford Quays M5 3NN

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Preface

Dulas Ltd February 2012 2

2

Civils Design and Plans

Donaldson Associates Ltd Eastfield Church Street Uttoxeter Staffordshire ST14 8AA

Three (3) copies of this SEI have been submitted to the respective local planning authorities, in addition to the electronic copy submitted through the planning portal and on CD.

For further copies of the SEI please contact:

Michael Phillips Dulas Ltd Unit 1, Dyfi Eco Parc Machynlleth Powys SY20 8AX Tel: 01654 705015 Fax: 01654 703000 E-mail: [email protected]

A copy of the SEI is on display at the council offices of Rossendale and Calderdale. In addition, copies of the SEI are available to download at http://www.coronationpower.com.

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Contents

Dulas Ltd February 2012 iii

CONTENTS

PREFACE I

CONTENTS III

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 CONTEXT AND OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS 1 1.2 STUDY AREA AND THE ‘DEVELOPMENT’ 1 1.3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION SITE AND ITS SETTING 2 1.4 THE APPLICANT 3

2 DESCRIPTION OF CIVILS MODIFICATIONS 4

2.1 INTRODUCTION 4 2.2 OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS 4 2.3 COMPONENTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT 4 2.4 EXPECTED IMPACTS ON CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND DECOMMISSIONING 6 2.5 SAFETY RELATED ISSUES 8

3 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT 9

3.1 INTRODUCTION 9 3.2 CALDERDALE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 9 3.3 ROSSENDALE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 10 3.4 CONCLUSIONS 10

4 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ASSESMSENT 11

4.1 INTRODUCTION 11 4.2 METHOD OF ASSESSMENT 11 4.3 ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS 11 4.4 MITIGATION MEASURES 12 4.5 CONCLUSIONS 13

5 ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 14

5.1 INTRODUCTION 14 5.2 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 14 5.3 BASELINE CONDITIONS AND RECEPTORS 14 5.4 POTENTIAL IMPACTS 14 5.5 MITIGATION PROPOSALS 15 5.6 ASSESSMENT OF RESIDUAL EFFECTS 15 5.7 SUMMARY OF EFFECTS AND CONCLUSIONS 16

6 HYDROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 17

6.1 INTRODUCTION 17 6.2 METHODOLOGY OF ASSESSMENT 17 6.3 BASELINE DESCRIPTION 17 6.4 POTENTIAL IMPACTS 18 6.5 MITIGATION MEASURES 18

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Contents

Dulas Ltd February 2012 iv

6.6 ASSESSMENT OF RESIDUAL EFFECTS 19 6.7 CONCLUSIONS 19

7 CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT 20

7.1 INTRODUCTION 20 7.2 POLICY CONTEXT 20 7.3 METHODOLOGY AND SOURCES CONSULTED 20 7.4 CULTURAL HERITAGE CONTEXT 20 7.5 ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS 21 7.6 MITIGATION 22 7.7 ASSESSMENT OF RESIDUAL EFFECTS 22

8 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 23

8.1 OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS 23 8.2 EIA FINDINGS 23 8.3 CONCLUSIONS 24

9 APPENDICES AND FIGURES 25

Appendix 6-1: Private Water Supplies assessment

Figure 1-1: Site Layout Plan with revised red line boundary

Figure 2-1: Plan on Main Junction with Bacup Road

Figure 2-2: Plan on Secondary Junction with Bacup Road – for AILs

Figure 2-3: Section through Track and Cutting at Chainage 600m

Figure 2-4: Site Tracks Layout, Sheet 1 of 2


Figure 2-6: Temporary Construction Compound

Figure 4-1: Proposed Landscape Mitigation features

Figure 6-1: Site Layout, Topography and Water Features

Figure 7-1: Site Location and Cultural Heritage Features

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Written Statement Introduction

Dulas Ltd February 2012 Page 1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Context and Overview of the Proposed Modifications

1.1.1 The Reaps Moss Wind Farm was approved following a Planning Appeal in July 2009 (APP/B2355/A/08/2067355). It will comprise the installation of three (3) wind turbines, ancillary equipment and on site infrastructure which will operate for a period of twenty-five (25) years on land to the East of Bacup primarily in the Rossendale Borough Council (RBC) area. The wind farm is located on agricultural land, which is under the ownership of four landowners. In addition some of the land to which the application relates is common land.

1.1.2 The majority of the wind farm infrastructure is located within the RBC administrative area; however the access track from the main A681 Bacup Road up to the site will cross over into the administrative area of Calderdale Council.

1.1.3 Each wind turbine would typically have a generating capacity of up to 3 Megawatts (MW), and would be a three-bladed design with a maximum tip height of up to 125m.

1.1.4 On this basis the total installed capacity of Reaps Moss Wind Farm would amount to up to 9MW.

1.1.5 Following the approval of the Reaps Moss Wind Farm, the developer commissioned detailed site investigations in the form of topographical and geotechnical surveys, which would then in turn inform detailed designs to be agreed with the relevant local planning authorities. Following the surveys, it was apparent that minor modifications would be required to enable construction vehicles to better gain access to and manoeuver on the site. The proposed modifications can be summarised as follows:

• new site entrance arrangement with additional feeder road from the north west on the Bacup Road;

• re-arrangement of the construction compound alongside the site access track;

• widening of works with additional cut/fill / pond widening;

• provision of an additional passing place prior to Turbine 1;

• relocation of hardstanding onto west side of track to Turbine 1;

• provision of an additional turning head on the east side of Turbine 2 hardstanding; and

• relocation of hardstanding onto the west side of track to T3.

1.1.6 Full details of the proposed modifications are set out in Chapter 2 of this SEI.

1.1.7 As part of the planning applications to each local authority, revisions to the red line boundary are proposed on the basis of the above changes.

1.1.8 Due to the need to vary the approved plans, non material amendments were agreed with both local planning authorities (Ref 2011/0320 for Rossendale and Ref. 07/00351/NMA for Calderdale) in order to include Conditions to the planning permissions, which were omitted by the Secretary of State for Community and Local Government in the Appeal Decision Notice. A specific condition under each planning permission is now included that includes the design plans for the scheme as submitted as part of the application.

1.1.9 The application for a section 57 application is to seek the modifications to the approved plans following more detailed design work.

1.2 Study Area and the ‘Development’

1.2.1 Given that there are no proposed changes to the turbine locations or dimensions, the study area for the assessments presented in this SEI is defined as the immediate site area for the infrastructure and a buffer from the consented development of up to 1km, dependent on the environmental discipline. References to the “site” means the area within the new planning site boundary as applied for under the s57 application.

1.2.2 Generally throughout this SEI reference is made to the ‘proposed modifications’ to the



development, which are those set out in Chapter 2 of this SEI. On occasion reference is made to ‘the development’ or ‘the scheme’ and such references should be interpreted as relating to the proposed modifications to the consented wind farm scheme.

1.3 Brief Description of the Application Site and its Setting

1.3.1 The wind farm site is located approximately 2km east of Bacup, primarily in the Borough of Rossendale. The wind turbines would be located to the south of Tooter Hill on the Reaps Moss ridgeline which also forms the boundary between Rossendale and Calderdale local planning authorities.

1.3.2 The land use is generally agricultural grazing common land. Parts of the area are typified by high quality peat bog habitat, whilst other areas are degraded peat bog habitats which have been improved for grazing.

1.3.3 Soils across the site predominantly belong to the Winter Hill association, described as blanket peat: thick very acid raw peat soils, perennially wet and hummocky and eroded in places. Soils surrounding the peat deposits comprise Rivington 2 and the Wilcocks 1 Associations. These are well drained, coarse loamy soils with slight seasonal water logging and slowly permeable seasonally waterlogged fine loamy upland soils with a peaty soil horizon, respectively.

1.3.4 Thin soils are likely on steeper parts of the site, increasing in thickness on flatter areas with less erosion potential. Results of a peat probing survey indicate thicknesses of over 1.5m on the saddle.

1.3.5 There are no areas designated nationally for landscape or ecology within the site area itself, and nor is the site in a zone that is at risk from flooding. The site is, however, partly within green belt, whilst blanket bog and peat are present in some areas.

1.3.6 The proposed wind farm access track would cross over into the Special Landscape Area for Calderdale MBC.

1.3.7 The key characteristics of the area around the site, as defined by the Countryside Character Map for the Southern Pennines, are:

• Large-scale sweeping landform with an open character created by exposed gritstone moors at an altitude of 400 m – 450 m, deeply trenched by narrow valleys and wooded cloughs.

• Mosaic of mixed moorland and blanket bog with enclosed pasture of varying qualities at lower elevations, largely defined by dry stone walls.

• Valuable wildlife habitats on the open moorland and the moorland fringe including semi-natural boggy mires, acid flashes and wooded cloughs.

• Reservoirs common throughout the area.

• Densely populated valley bottoms with stone buildings extended along valley sides set against the backdrop of the moorland tops.

• Gritstone towns centred around key features of industrial heritage such as textile mills and other industrial development mainly in the valley but with a group of older settlements on the moorland fringe.

• Main road, rail canal routes located along valley bottoms. Historic packhorse trails traversing the exposed moorland tops.

• Intrusive features, including wind farm developments, numerous transmission masts, overhead power lines and sandstone, gritstone and clay quarries, mainly on the fringe of the area.

• Extensive views from elevated locations in all directions.

1.3.8 There are no inhabited properties within the site area itself but there are several farmhouses and cottages within 1km of the wind farm infrastructure. Generally these are down on the west facing slope of Reaps Moss in an upwind location of the wind farm to the predominant wind direction.

1.3.9 Several rights of way traverse the wind farm site. Three footpaths traverse the site in an



approximate east-west direction (FP394, FP458, FP393), whilst a single bridleway, which in part forms part of the Limers Gate path, is located to the east of the site. The section of the Limers Gate path that is a footpath and not a bridleway is routed from the Bacup Road at the existing site entrance and follows the existing trackway (which will form part of the site access track for the wind farm) through to a point approximately 300m south west of South Grain Farm. Here the path branches off in a south easterly direction. This is also the point at which it joins the bridleway (FP96) which then continues in a south easterly and southerly direction.

1.3.10 The Limers Gate path connects with the wind farm access track at approximate grid reference 389245,423725. In addition, parts of the site access track form part of the Rossendale Way.

1.4 The Applicant

1.4.1 Reaps Moss Wind Farm is under the control of Reaps Moss Ltd (RM Ltd), a Specific Project Vehicle managed by Coronation Power Limited (CPL), which itself is a London-based company developing wind projects in the UK. Its goal is “to develop, own and operate wind farms that strike a fair balance between sustainability, the environment and economic investment, and at all times work in partnership with local communities”.

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Civils Modifications


2 DESCRIPTION OF CIVILS MODIFICATIONS

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 Donaldson Associates Ltd (DAL) on behalf of C A Blackwell was commissioned by Coronation Power to undertake a review of the civil engineering infrastructure required for Reaps Moss Wind Farm construction, in relation to the ‘red line’ site boundary. Reaps Moss Wind Farm is a 3 wind turbine generator (WTG) wind farm site, located off the A681 near to the town of Bacup, Lancashire.

2.1.2 The purpose of this report is to summarise the design amendments and review the design strategy for the site.

2.1.3 Impacts of the amendments on the construction, operation and decommissioning stages, as well as health and safety considerations are also included in this report.

2.2 Overview of the Proposed Modifications

2.2.1 The updated design is of similar arrangement to the initial design and follows the planning and common boundaries as close as possible. The updated design also follows the initial track alignment over the majority of the site.

2.2.2 Design changes have occurred at the site entrance, site compound area, turbine erection hardstanding areas, and in several places along the track route, in particular between chainages 350m and 475m. These design changes are described in further detail in Section 2.3.

2.2.3 The overall length of track is 2087m, comprising 1785m of main alignment to the end of WTG3 turning head, 55m for the turning head adjacent to WTG2 and 247m in total for the track spurs to WTGs 1 and 2. The overall schematic track layout is similar to that previously consented, with localised alignment refinements as set out below.

2.3 Components of the Development

Site Entrance

2.3.1 The site entrance has been redesigned to consist of a main entrance and separate temporary abnormal load entrance.

2.3.2 The main entrance remains in the same location as previous at the Limers Gate –A681 Bacup Road junction to the north of the site. The design has been refined to provide a split entrance which reduces the effective crossfall for vehicles entering the site. The existing longitudinal gradient (8%) adverse camber (up to 5% super-elevation) of the A681 Bacup Road was critical in the design and constrained the achievable adverse cross falls experienced by vehicles turning into the site from the A681. The split junction and resulting increased turning radii of the updated design reduces the cross fall experienced from approximately 7-8% to approximately 5%: while still significant this represents an improvement on the consented proposal.

2.3.3 The geometry and crossfall of the Limers Gate – A681 Bacup Road junction at the main entrance precludes access of WTG delivery vehicles which require a maximum cross fall of 5%. A separate entrance has been provided from the northwest direction to allow abnormal load access. This entrance track will tie into the main track at the site compound area immediately south of the main junction. Some localised watercourse diversion works and culverting will be required to the south west of the new abnormal load junction, because the embankment on which it will be constructed encroaches.

2.3.4 It is intended that access via the abnormal load entrance will be prevented for normal vehicles, using removable bollards or fencing (to be agreed with Local Authority Highways), and that all other vehicles will access the site through the main entrance.

2.3.5 Please refer to Figure 2-1: Plan on Main Junction with Bacup Road and Figure 2-2: Plan on Secondary Junction with Bacup Road – for Abnormal Loads for illustrations of the proposed modified site entrance.



Site Compound Area

2.3.6 The previous site compound area located at the main site entrance was assessed by DAL to require extensive earthworks to achieve a suitably level site due to the existing topography. The revised site compound remains at the same location however has been revised in shape to minimise cut and fill required, being reduced in depth back from the access track and increased in length along it.

2.3.7 Please refer to Figure 2-6 for an illustration of the revised site compound design and layout.

Planning Red Line Boundary

2.3.8 The planning boundary has been extended across the site to allow sufficient space for wind turbine erection; earthworks, cabling and drainage requirements along the side of tracks; and also to provide a greater working space allowance across the site.

2.3.9 The boundary allowance for the control building has been increased to allow for a more realistic building footprint and working space allowance.

Wind Farm Areas

2.3.10 Turbine erection area working space has been increased at each WTG to improve working space allowances during construction. Erection area layout and hardstanding dimensions have been revised and junction radii increased in accordance with requirements of swept path analysis.

2.3.11 During site track and WTG foundation construction, the WTG erection hard standings can be used as local compounds for small materials storage and for mobile welfare facilities. This will increase construction efficiency and reduce the need for travelling to-and-from the main site compound for amenities and materials. Reducing site movement will reduce traffic on the access track and reduce the risk of accident.

2.3.12 Two passing places have been introduced along the access track at chainages 300m and 900m approximately, to aid on site traffic movement and to allow traffic to pull off the main track, allowing the passage of WTG delivery and other large vehicles up and down the inclined access track in the cutting between chainages 475m and 700m.

2.3.13 Additional turning heads have been provided adjacent to Turbines 2 and 3. This ensures flexibility in WTG component delivery orientation, i.e. tractor unit or trailer first. The turning head adjacent to WTG 2 allows the turning of a fully laden WTG delivery vehicle so that both vehicle orientations can be achieved at the turbine erection area. The turning head provided at Turbine 3 allows turning of an un-laden (shortened) vehicle which will be used during each turbine component delivery.

2.3.14 Please reference Figure 2-4: Site Tracks Layout (Sheet 1 of 2) and Figure 2-5: Site Tracks Layout (Sheet 2 of 2) for details of the proposed modifications.

Access Track at Chainage 350m – 700m

2.3.15 The track between chainages 350m and 475m passes through a pinch point between two parcels of third party land which restricts track alignment. The track between chainages 440m and 525m starts to climb up the hill towards the wind farm site. The consented design navigates this section using 3-5m tall gabion retaining walls and a series of bends in the track, with the gradient increasing to 12% up the hill towards the main site. The track crosses the watercourse which flows down the hill twice at this point. The watercourse is deeply incised into the relatively weak weathered rock of the coal measures and is thus prone to further erosion in the future.

2.3.16 The consented track layout has been refined in the proposed layout to avoid impact of third party land whilst still accommodating the swept path requirements of delivery vehicles. To meet these requirements the road has been straightened and road level dropped slightly to reduce required retaining wall height and length. The maximum gradient has been reduced from 12% to 10% up the new track towards the main wind farm. Please refer to Figure 2-3 for an illustration of a typical cross section track design.

2.3.17 The new alignment avoids one of the watercourse crossings at the start of the climb up the hill, by straightening and moving the track east and diverting the watercourse west over a short length. Over this length a cascade formed in rock with geotextile underneath will be designed to maintain flow capacity but reduce the future risk of erosion which would alter the channel course to affect the track. The existing ditch which runs along the south western edge of Limers Gate is currently



poorly defined: it will be improved locally at the point where it crosses underneath the new track which climbs to the main wind farm site.

2.3.18 Dropping the road level has allowed better continuity of Limers Gate and has also reduced the height and length of embankments and retaining walls required on the east side of the track. The retaining walls are likely to be of gabion construction with a maximum height of approximately 2.5-2.75m. This design is subject to further detailed design following geotechnical ground investigation.

2.3.19 An arrestor bed has also been provided between chainages 510m and 560m near the bottom of the 10% gradient down from the main wind farm site towards Limers Gate, in the event of loss of vehicle control. A vehicle barrier restraint will also be provided to the east of the track in the vicinity and past the retained track section between chainages 427m and 452m.

2.3.20 The earthworks required in the cutting between chainages 500m and 700m are similar in scale to the previous proposal. The depth is increased locally to accommodate the reduced track gradient in the cutting and reduced track height at the bottom of the hill.

2.3.21 As part of the refinement between consented and proposed track alignment, consideration has been given to surface water run-off.

2.3.22 The cutting between chainages 500m and 700m will attract surface water flows: for the upper portion of the cutting these will be intercepted by grips and drains and carried across the eastern cutting slope to be disbursed back into the surface vegetation and soils using localised soakaways and vegetation buffer strips.

2.3.23 The lower portion of the cutting cannot be served in this way and the surface flows will be intercepted in the drains as above and attenuated in a lagoon or underground tank in the vicinity of an existing seasonal pond (large puddle) which appears adjacent to the eastern section of Limers Gate downhill of change 490m.

2.3.24 The pond is on the course of the poorly defined ditch carrying surface flows along the south western edge of Limers Gate and appears to be formed by storm waters gathering in a depression in the ground adjacent to the Limers Gate track. The new attenuation lagoon or tank will act as a buffer to peak storm flows such that flows through the existing culvert under the track at change 450m do not exceed current levels. This ditch will be culverted under the new track at chainage 475m and will drain the area from around Limers Gate to the east which would otherwise flow naturally across the new track.

2.3.25 The existing culvert which passes beneath Limers Gate at chainage 450m receives flows from the hill via two watercourses. One is that identified above, to be diverted adjacent to the new track climbing the hill to the main wind farm site. The other is in the form of an area of boggy ground directly uphill of chainage 450m and is not impacted by these proposals. The two flows meet in a widened and bunded ditch which exists adjacent to Limers Gate approximately between chainages 450m and 645m and is in third party land. The flow attenuation measures outlined above are intended to maintain surface water flows into this area to the same levels as existing. If required, track flooding and scour will be prevented through the installation of rock armour, gabions or sheet piling between track and ditch over this length.

2.4 Expected Impacts on Construction, Operation and Decommissioning

Engineering considerations

2.4.1 The consented design has been reviewed with respect to the safety and efficiency of the project for the construction, operation and decommissioning stages.

2.4.2 The refined design includes several features which will improve construction, operation and decommissioning. The impacts of the proposed design are therefore expected to be beneficial to each stage of the project relative to the previous design.

2.4.3 The design provided is subject to detailed design following detailed geotechnical site investigation.

Construction

2.4.4 Anticipated construction methods to be adopted will be as for the previously consented design



with no significant construction methods or components introduced, except for the proposed diversion of the watercourse adjacent to the track at the bottom of the cutting.

2.4.5 Prior to the construction of the new site track up the hill from chainage 475m to chainage 700m, an existing watercourse will be re-aligned.

2.4.6 The flow upstream of the watercourse section will be dammed up and over-pumped or piped down past the section to be diverted and if necessary a temporary attenuation tank will be provided before flows re-join the existing watercourse in the vicinity of chainage 465m.

2.4.7 The ground profile in the vicinity of the existing watercourse will be regulated by fill or cut to suit the requirements of the new track and watercourse cascade. This will either be done in advance of the main cascade construction or step by step in sequence with the construction works.

2.4.8 A new channel will be excavated in steps, starting at the bottom and working up the hill. Each step will be constructed on a base formed with a geotextile to prevent future scour. If necessary and dependent on final profile, concrete may be placed to retain the steps, forming a simple sub-structure.

2.4.9 The steps will be of irregular pitch to follow the prevailing slope gradients and will be formed of a substantial layer of graded rock above the geotextile or concrete base. The rock will be in keeping with local geology, but of sandstone / gritstone rather than of the softer shale and mudstone. This will prevent frost damage and erosion.

2.4.10 When the cascade is completed, it will be connected to the upper watercourse and over-pumping or piping measures will be removed.

2.4.11 The majority of the site traffic during the project lifetime will be seen over the construction stage. Improvements to the track alignment, gradients and turning radii provide a more workable and safer site track and will aid on site traffic movement and thus minimise public disruption throughout the construction stage.

2.4.12 The site entrance will require additional construction scope from the initial design with the additional, but necessary installation of the split junction and additional abnormal load junction. An additional culvert is also required to drain across the abnormal load junction track section.

2.4.13 The ground works required at the site compound have been reduced by the revised shape minimising the cut and fill required.

2.4.14 Although the overall red line site area has increased, the overall effect on the scale of construction is expected to be minimal.

2.4.15 The increased site area will benefit working space allowances and construction efficiency whilst reducing on site traffic by mitigating the need to travel to-and-from the main site compound for amenities and materials.

2.4.16 The refined alignment of the section of track between chainage 350m and 475m rationalises the available construction space and minimises the height of gabion retaining walls required.

2.4.17 Public access during construction of these sections of the track will likely be improved due to the reduction of embankment and retaining wall height. During construction, it is still likely that Limers Gate will be closed or restricted in use for periods of time while the gabion retaining wall is being constructed. Once the site tracks are operational during construction, traffic and pedestrian management and segregation will be required to ensure safe passage for construction traffic and for the public using Limers Gate, when they are allowed to do so.

2.4.18 The use of a cascade ditch to divert the watercourse at the bottom of the cutting between chainages 465m and 515m is the most efficient way of dealing with the drainage issue at this point and reduces the need for numerous culverts draining across the road at watercourse locations.

Operation

2.4.19 Improvements to the track alignment, gradients and turning radii provide more workable and safer access across the site with respect to operational staff and the general public. Many of the track changes proposed are located on the public access section of track on Limers Gate.

2.4.20 Passing places and turning heads will also aid traffic movement and enable more efficient delivery and erection of the WTGs.



Decommissioning

2.4.21 Refinement of the track alignment, gradients and turning radii provide a more workable and safer site track layout and will aid on site traffic movement through decommissioning thus minimising public disruption.

2.4.22 Lowering of track at chainages 350m - 475m near Limers Gate junction improves continuity and therefore public access along Limers Gate through and after the project lifetime.

2.5 Safety Related Issues

2.5.1 Refinement of the track alignment, gradients and turning radii provide an inherently safer route for site traffic and public access.

2.5.2 An arrestor bed has been incorporated near the bottom of the gradient down the hill from the main wind farm site to Limers Gate, and vehicle restraint barriers are added to the east of the track along section of track between chainages 425m and 525m. Both will help to restrain vehicles in the event of loss of control.

2.5.3 The split main entrance design provides greater visibility for vehicles entering and exiting the site. Turning radii reduce the inherent adverse camber experienced by vehicles making the turn.

2.5.4 Providing space for local site compounds at WTG erection hardstandings will reduce overall site traffic on the access track.

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Planning Policy Context


3 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 Due to the fact that the Reaps Moss Wind Farm has been approved for development, it has not been considered necessary for this SEI report to address the development plan framework relevant to wind energy per se. However, it has been considered relevant to outline specific aspects of any relevant policies at the local level that would have a bearing on the applications for modifications to the site entrance and access infrastructure for the scheme.

3.1.2 The development plans for the two local planning authorities considered relevant to this proposal are the Calderdale Replacement Unitary Development Plan 2006 and the Rossendale Core Strategy Development Plan Document 2011.

3.2 Calderdale Development Plan

3.2.1 The Local Development Framework (LDF) will eventually supersede the Replacement Calderdale Unitary Development Plan (UDP), which itself was adopted 25 August 2006. However, until the LDF has completely replaced the UDP planning decisions will be predicated upon both sets of documents, where relevant.

3.2.2 Currently the council is consulting upon its Core Strategy Refined Issues and Options and no Development Plan Document has yet emerged.

3.2.3 The specific policy relating to wind energy developments in the Replacement Calderdale UDP is Policy EP30, Wind Power Developments, which is set out as follows:

Policy EP 30: Wind Power Developments

Proposals for the development or redevelopment of wind farms or individual wind turbines will be permitted provided that:-

• the development does not cause significant harm to the visual quality or character of the landscape, to the local environment or to the recreational/tourist use of the area;

• the development would not significantly harm designated sites of nature conservation value or sites of archaeological or historic importance;

• the development would preserve or enhance any Conservation Areas and not adversely affect Listed Buildings or their settings;

• the development does not detrimentally affect the amenity of local residents;

• the siting, number and massing, design, materials and colour of the turbines and ancillary structures minimise their visual impact;

• access for construction traffic would not give rise to highway danger or permanent damage to the environment;

• the developer undertakes the removal of structures and full restoration of the site, to the satisfaction of the Council, should the whole, or part of the site, become inoperative for power generation purposes; and

• the development would not significantly harm surface water, drainage, groundwater or water supply.

3.2.4 On the basis of the above policy it has been identified that any planning application would need to address the potential impacts on the visual quality and character of the landscape, nature conservation and cultural heritage assets, visual impact, highways safety, and hydrology and hydrogeology. Such matters are addressed in this SEI report.

3.2.5 Given that the construction practices and vehicle movements will not vary significantly to those considered by the Inspector in the appeal for the Reaps Moss Wind Farm, it has not been considered necessary to address effects to residential amenity. However, a full construction method statement along with a traffic management plan will be submitted for approval with the

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Planning Policy Context


local planning authorities in due course.

3.3 Rossendale Development Plan

3.3.1 Rossendale Borough Council adopted the Core Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD) 2011-2026 on 8th November 2011. The DPD is to be used in the determination of all planning applications and future plans received from 9th November 2011 onwards.

3.3.2 The policy relevant to this type proposal, which relates primarily to the wind farm infrastructure required to facilitate a wind energy development, is set out in Policy 20 on Wind Energy.

Policy 20: Wind Energy

Wind energy proposals and provision, including ancillary equipment and access roads, will be given positive consideration subject to the following criteria:

• They do not have an unacceptable harmful impact, alone or cumulatively, on landscape character and value, including urban areas and the wider South Pennine landscape based on the most up to date studies and assessments

• They do not have an unacceptably harmful visual, noise or “shadow flicker” impact on local residents and sensitive users

• They do not adversely impact areas of ecological value or fragment the migration routes of protected bird species

• The integrity of areas of deep peat is not adversely affected, including by dissection for access roads, and water quality and colour is protected

• Adverse impacts on the historic environment have been minimised, and the residual impacts, in particular the harm to the significance of heritage assets, are outweighed by the climate change benefits of the specific proposed development

• The electromagnetic impacts on aviation navigation systems and “line of sight” communications are adequately addressed

• Community benefits, including contributions to energy efficiency measures, would outweigh any residual harm

Developers will be expected to provide evidence to support their proposals including Landscape, Visual and Environmental Assessments and to demonstrate that any impacts can be satisfactorily mitigated where negative impacts cannot be removed solely through site selection.

3.3.3 On the basis of the above policy it is evident that any planning application would need to address the potential impacts of ancillary wind farm equipment and access roads, particularly in respect of potential effects to landscape character, areas or species of ecological value including deep peat, and the historic environment. In addition, potential impacts to areas or species of ecological value may in turn be affected by hydrological changes.

3.3.4 Consequent to the above this SEI addresses the potential impacts to landscape character, ecology, hydrology and archaeology.

3.4 Conclusions

3.4.1 The policy requirements of the relevant development plan frameworks for the two local planning authorities have been appraised for their relevance to this form of development. The criteria set out in the relevant policies on wind energy have informed the assessments undertaken that comprise this SEI.

3.4.2 Landscape and Visual matters are addressed in Chapter 4. Nature conservation and ecology matters are addressed in Chapter 5. Hydrological matters are addressed in Chapter 6 and cultural heritage matters are addressed in Chapter 7. Where necessary and if there have been policy changes since the last ES these are addressed in the chapters.

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Landscape and Visual


4 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ASSESMSENT

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 Axis has been appointed by Dulas Ltd on behalf of the applicant, Coronation Power Ltd, to assess the proposed modifications to the site infrastructure track for the consented Reaps Moss wind farm development. Axis conducted the original landscape and visual assessment.

4.1.2 The proposed modifications to the approved site infrastructure are set out in detail in Chapter 2 of this SEI report and are summarised below:

• New site entrance arrangement with additional feeder road from the north west to facilitate delivery of abnormal loads.

• Re-arrangement of the construction site compound area.

• Localised widening of works with additional cut/fill / pond widening.

• Additional passing place prior to T1.

• Relocation of hardstanding onto west side of track to T1.

• Additional turning head on east side of T2 hardstanding.


4.1.3 Previous assessment and the conclusions of the planning inspector identified that the proposed access track component of the wind farm would have the greatest adverse impact on the localised landscape fabric of the area. In contrast the turbines would have limited impacts on the landscape fabric of the area, but more significant and widespread impacts on landscape character and visual amenity.

4.1.4 All other landscape and visual impacts of the scheme would remain unchanged from those considered acceptable by the planning inspector and Secretary of State when granting consent for the extant development.

4.1.5 As such this chapter focuses on the effects on the landscape fabric of the site and potential mitigation/compensation measures that could be employed to ameliorate the recognised negative effects of the extant scheme and the proposed modifications.

4.2 Method of Assessment

4.2.1 The assessment of effects focuses on the proposed modifications to what has already been consented.

4.2.2 Firstly, the assessment considers the changes to the impacts on the landscape fabric associated with the changes to the extant scheme referenced above.

4.2.3 In addition, commentary is provided in respect of how the changes in the impacts upon landscape fabric would influence the significance of impacts upon landscape character and visual amenity that were assessed for the currently consented development.

4.2.4 Finally, mitigation measures are suggested to integrate the proposed engineering works with the surrounding landscape and to restore elements of landscape fabric.

4.3 Assessment of Effects

4.3.1 The following proposed modifications would result in negligible additional impacts upon the landscape fabric of the area and landscape character/visual amenity due to their temporary nature or limited increase in the physical footprint of the development:

• Re-arrangement of the construction site compound area;

• Relocation of hardstanding onto west side of track to T1; and




4.3.2 The following proposed modifications would result in slight additional impacts upon the landscape fabric due to the small increase in the physical footprint of the development required to facilitate construction:

• Additional passing place prior to T1; and

• Additional turning head on east side of T2 hardstanding.

4.3.3 However, it is assessed that these minor modifications to the extent of development would have no wider influence on the landscape character or visual amenity of the area.

4.3.4 The following proposed modifications would result in moderate additional impacts upon the landscape fabric due to the increase in the physical footprint of the development required to facilitate construction:

• Localised widening of works with additional cut/fill / pond widening; and

• New site entrance arrangement with additional feeder road from the north west to facilitate delivery of abnormal loads.

4.3.5 The localised widening of the works would result in a slight increase in the extent of land incorporated within the proposed cutting. In addition, an existing watercourse would be modified to form a series of cascades.

4.3.6 Notwithstanding the above increases in impact on the landscape fabric of the area, the nature of effects on the wider landscape character and visual amenity would be the same as previously assessed and considered acceptable due to the incremental nature of the changes. The impacts would remain significant due to the substantial engineering works required to construct the cutting. Whilst slightly different in terms of extent and alignment the key elements of the works would be the same as already consented. In addition, the revised design reduces the need to cross existing watercourses and offers greater scope for mitigation as discussed below.

4.3.7 The most significant change to the consented development would be the addition of the new site entrance with additional feeder road. This would cross an area of land that was not included within the previously consented development.

4.3.8 The area of the site entrance arrangements covers approximately 5200m2,

including the area of land between the two site entrance tracks. However, only about a one-tenth of this area would be utilised for construction comprising rough grazing land between the A681 and a dilapidated stone wall which demarcates the district boundary. In addition, a derelict section of wall and post and wire fencing along the tie-in with the A681 would need to be removed.

4.3.9 The new entrance road would cross the area of rough grazing on a low embankment which would require the minor re-alignment of a small watercourse along the toe of the embankment. The side slopes of the embankment would be re-vegetated in accordance with the Habitat Management Plan for the scheme and following establishment the residual impact on the landscape fabric would be diminished.

4.3.10 Due to the relatively small scale of the additional section of road in the context of the existing A681 and surrounding large scale landscape the proposed changes would not have any additional wider ranging effects on the overall landscape character of the area.

4.3.11 In views from the A681 immediately to the north of the site entrance, the proposed new entrance and access road would introduce a degree of visual confusion, particularly at the tie in between the main carriageway, newly proposed access track and an existing field access gate and stile.

4.3.12 As such clear separation of the two routes and access points would need to be established as part of the detailed design of the entrance modifications. Conditions are already in place that would secure this. A number of mitigation measures are suggested below.

4.4 Mitigation Measures

4.4.1 As referenced above one of the key landscape and visual issues in respect of the proposed modifications to the consented access road is to rationalise the access arrangements and to create a degree of separation between the existing A681 carriageway and the proposed wind



farm access points.

4.4.2 In addition, the introduction of new landscape features to integrate the proposed access track with surrounding landscape features would assist in compensating for the acknowledged significant effects of the proposed cutting.

4.4.3 Figure 4-1 illustrates a number of proposed landscape elements that would assist in achieving the above aims. This includes the rebuilding of sections of existing dry stone wall along the existing A681 (subject to the agreement of the Local Highway Authority) and sections of new and re-built stone wall along the upgraded Limers Gate /Rossendale Way.

4.4.4 In addition to the proposed dry stone walls the diverted watercourse near where the proposed access track diverges from Limers Gate would be designed to appear as a series of natural cascades.

4.4.5 Finally, the revised design for the cutting allows greater space for the softening of this engineered feature through the use of variable side slope gradients and creation of rock exposures to break up the engineered appearance of the works. As vegetation becomes established and excavated rock mellows this will assist in reducing the landscape and visual effects of the cutting.

4.5 Conclusions

4.5.1 The revised infrastructure design for the Reaps Moss wind farm would not result in any significantly greater effects on the landscape character and visual amenity of the area than the currently consented proposal.

4.5.2 There would be a slight increase in the loss of rough grazing land as a result of the localised widening of the cutting and the provision of an additional site access. However this is a commonly occurring element in the wider landscape and the additional loss would not be significant in this context.

4.5.3 Mitigation measures have the potential to re-introduce positive landscape features in the form of dry stone walls, natural water cascades and variable cutting slopes. The detailed design appearance of these features is controlled through planning conditions.

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Ecological Assessment


5 ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

5.1 Introduction

5.1.1 This chapter assesses the impact on the ecology of the study area of the minor modifications to the Reaps Moss Wind Farm site design, namely a change in the first section of the access route and an increase in size of the hardstandings. These changes are described in more detail in Chapter 2 of this SEI report.

5.1.2 The overall impact of this wind farm development has been assessed previously (Environmental Statement (ES), 2006) and has been the subject of a public inquiry, where all aspects of the ecological impact were discussed. Planning permission for a three turbine scheme has been granted and the ecological impacts, with proposed mitigation, were deemed acceptable. This Chapter should therefore be read in conjunction with the original ES, the report to the Secretary of State and the decision of the Secretary of State. This chapter is to assess the effects of the proposed modifications set out at Chapter 6 of the original ES on ecology.

5.2 Assessment Methodology

5.2.1 The site was visited in December 2011 by an experienced ecologist who was involved in the previous surveys and assessment, and who has detailed knowledge of the site. The areas where changes to the original design are proposed were all walked and an assessment made of habitat and signs of any protected species.

5.2.2 Given that the proposed minor modifications relate solely to the site infrastructure and not to the wind turbines themselves, only terrestrial surveys were conducted. The survey undertaken was in accordance with the standard survey techniques for Phase 1 extended habitat surveys.

5.2.3 The assessment has been based on the proposed modifications as set out in Chapter 2.

5.3 Baseline Conditions and Receptors

5.3.1 The site visit in December 2011 confirmed that the baseline as set out in the original ES remains largely unchanged.

5.3.2 A badger sett, identified in previous surveys, is present at SD59090 24003. This sett is still actively in use by badgers and is approximately 50 metres from the proposed access route. Mitigation is required as set out in the Inspector’s report from the public inquiry.

5.3.3 A second sett comprising a single hole was also identified in previous surveys near the existing access route at SD8924723661. This sett has had some activity with signs of fresh digging since the previous survey, but it is unclear if it is currently in use by badgers.

5.3.4 The area of the proposed turbines T1 and T2 on the edge of Reaps Moss was surveyed in 2006 using the National Vegetation Classification methodology and found to be a mosaic of M20 mire community with sections dominated by Juncus effusus and sections of Deschampsia caespitose. It appeared to have been heavily grazed in the past, and possibly partially drained and improved. It was ungrazed in 2006. The area was walked in December 2011 and, apart from the fact that the site has been grazed since the original survey, no changes to the vegetation types or condition were noted. The access track runs along the East edge of this mire. T3 is within an agriculturally improved field with areas dominated by rush. This site has not changed since the original survey.

5.4 Potential Impacts

5.4.1 The major change from the original submission is a change to the access off the main road. Rather than following the existing track the new route leaves the main road to the North of the existing track and runs for approximately 100 metres until it joins the previously proposed access. The area is a semi-improved grassland with some areas dominated but rushes. There is an area of previously disturbed ground that may be mining spoil and it is apparent that much of the area has been disturbed in the past. A stream runs through the Northern section of the site,



immediately to the West of the proposed access which disappears underground to re-emerge off site to the South.

Vegetation

5.4.2 The new site entrance arrangement for the access route will result in the loss of approximately 520 square metres of semi improved and partially disturbed ground. There is also the potential for impacts on the watercourse and consequently on water quality during construction. This is addressed in the Hydrology Chapter (Chapter 6).

5.4.3 The crane pads being constructed for turbines 1 and 2 are on M20 mire community. The proposed increase in size to 60m x 20m hardstandings will lead to a slight increase in the loss of peat habitat to that identified in the original 2006 ES and therefore the increase in effects are negligible.

Mammals excluding bats

5.4.4 There is potential for disturbance to badger setts during the construction phase. The sett identified in sub-section 5.3.2 is approximately 50 metres from the proposed access route. This was also the case in the original submission. Within Natural England guidance this separation distance is sufficient to conclude there will be no significant disturbance to badgers using this sett. The sett identified in 5.3.3 will be disturbed if it is occupied at the time of construction.

5.4.5 Overall there will be a very marginal increase in the loss of foraging habitat for badger, roe deer, brown hare, fox and stoat and as such it is predicted that there will be no additional impact on these species to those identified in the original ES.

Bird and Bats

5.4.6 The proposed modifications to the consented wind farm site will have no additional impact on other ecological features surveyed and assessed for the original application. The breeding and wintering birds and bats were all surveyed and collision risk to overflying birds assessed for the original application. No significant adverse impacts were identified. There will be no additional impact to bats as no hedgerow or woodland removal will be required as a result of the modifications.

Overall Conclusion on Predicted Impacts

5.4.7 The proposed modifications have been assessed against the original surveys and it is concluded that the changes will not alter the original conclusion of no significant impacts on these features.

5.5 Mitigation Proposals

5.5.1 Mitigation for the impacts on the peat habitats was proposed for the original application, and subsequently assessed and approved at public inquiry. This includes use of excavated peat to stop up existing drainage ditches and an eroding gulley in and adjacent to the main area of the Reaps Moss scheme. The blocking of ditches will protect the main area of mire. The peat will be re-vegetated using turves taken from the affected area. It is considered that the slight increase in hardstanding will be sufficiently mitigated by the current proposals and no further mitigation is required.

5.5.2 The potential disturbance to badgers has also been dealt with by the Secretary of State. The sett identified in sub-section 4.3.3 will need to be re-surveyed prior to any construction works. If it is occupied Natural England will need to be consulted and a disturbance license with appropriate agreed mitigation measures will need to be obtained prior to works commencing. The changes to the access route does not affect this section of track or change the potential for disturbance, and the existing proposed mitigation will ensure compliance with the law.

5.6 Assessment of Residual Effects

5.6.1 The proposed modifications to the wind farm infrastructure will lead to the loss of an additional area of approximately 520 square metres of semi-improved and disturbed ground for the access route. In addition a very slight additional area of peat habitat will be lost due to the increased size of the hardstandings.



5.7 Summary of Effects and Conclusions

5.7.1 The loss of the disturbed ground at the newly proposed site entrance is not considered to be significant and will have no impact on the conservation interest of the site, nor any protected species. The increased loss of peat habitat will slightly increase the impact on this area of conservation interest but as it is a small increase it is not considered significant and will not decrease the overall conservation status of the Moss any further. The existing proposed mitigation is sufficient to minimize any impact.

5.7.2 The proposed modifications to the approved scheme will not lead to any significant changes to the ecological impact of the scheme and the conclusions of the original ES and the Secretary of State are therefore still valid.

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Hydrological Assessment


6 HYDROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

6.1 Introduction

6.1.1 This hydrological assessment has been undertaken by SKM Enviros. The assessment considers the effects of the proposed modifications to the consented Reaps Moss Wind Farm site infrastructure on the hydrology and water features, including private water supplies at the site and in its surroundings.

6.1.2 An assessment of impacts on hydrology was undertaken in November 2006 forming Section 7 of the original ES. In addition, a report on risks to private water supplies and an assessment of potential impacts to peat were prepared in December 2008. An updated private water supply risk assessment has also been prepared and is provided in Appendix 6-1.

6.1.3 The planning application for the wind farm was subsequently subject to public inquiry and the matter of impacts to hydrology, private water supplies and peat were discussed here at length. The planning inspector concluded that risks to hydrology, water supplies and peat could be controlled by mitigation and through the appropriate use of planning conditions.

6.2 Methodology of Assessment

6.2.1 An assessment of the water environment baseline sensitivity has been made following a review of published data and information from a site visit of the access track on 21 December 2011. A number of other field visits, including private water supply surveys, have previously been undertaken by SKM Enviros as part of the planning application and public inquiry for the consented Reaps Moss Wind Farm.

6.2.2 Data on private water supplies has been collected from the Environmental Health department at Rossendale and Calderdale Council. The Environment Agency (EA) has also been consulted.

6.2.3 The assessment of risks and residual effects of the proposals is based on a guidelines provided by IEMA on EIA methodology and the EA in publication Groundwater Protection Policy GP3 (EA, 2008).

6.3 Baseline Description

6.3.1 The site visit undertaken in December 2011 confirms that the baseline as set out in the original ES remains largely unchanged. However, the footprint of the minor modifications did require new water features to be surveyed. An illustration of the water features across the site is presented in Figure 6-1.

6.3.2 No changes to the geology, soils or peat characteristics have been identified on site.

6.3.3 Midgelden Brook is sourced from Little Tooter Hill and Tooter Hill, which are located to the north west and west of the site. The main site access arrangement for the wind farm and the new proposed site construction compound, are located in part over the culverted Midgelden Brook.

6.3.4 There is also a surface water watercourse which forms a tributary of the Midgelden Brook, which crosses the Limers Gate path and the revised access track routing to the south of the Midgelden Brook. This flows into a number of ponds at South Grain Farm (now referred to as Holden Gate Farm) before discharging into the Midgelden Brook. These ponds form a landscape feature and appear to be new since the last application. They may also be performing a flood attenuation and erosion control function.

6.3.5 As in the previous assessment, the watercourse which crosses the Limers Gate path catches runoff which flows off the south west slopes Tooters Hill. However, recently some extensive rock armouring has taken place on the eastern side of Limers Gate by the landowner at Holden Gate Farm. To the west on the slopes of Tooter Hill, there is also evidence of new soil erosion where runoff from the steep slopes is eroding small gullies. It will be necessary to control runoff in this location.

6.3.6 There are no other changes to surface water catchments compared to the assessment made in



December 2006.

6.3.7 Consultation with the Environmental Health Department at Rossendale Borough Council and Calderdale Borough Council has determined no significant changes to the private water supplies surrounding the site. An update to the risk assessment has been undertaken and is provided in Appendix 6-1, providing details of the private water supplies in the study area.

6.3.8 In general the study concludes that the supply holding tank to Holden Gate Farm is the only private water supply which is potentially at risk from the minor modification proposals. It is located close to the access to Limers Gate, with its source believed to be to the west on Tooter Hill.

6.4 Potential Impacts

6.4.1 The proposed minor modifications will lead to the following additional potential impacts on hydrology and private water supplies.

6.4.2 The new access off Bacup Road will require the culverting of a small stretch of the Midgeldon Brook. This will lead to the loss of a small stretch of watercourse, adjacent to an area of existing culverted watercourse. This stretch of watercourse flows through an area made ground, which could be former mining and quarry spoil.

6.4.3 The temporary construction compound has been modified for these proposed modifications. It remains located over the culverted course of the Midgelden Brook, though the majority of the compound is located to the south of the watercourse. These modifications do not change the potential pollution risks to the Midgeldon Brook, which without mitigation could be of minor significance.

6.4.4 The private water supply tank for Holden Gate Farm will also now be surrounded by access tracks increasing the risk of inputs of turbid runoff. An input of sediment laden runoff to the holding tank would increase the need for treatment prior to use. This is considered to represent a minor significance impact.

6.4.5 Once constructed, the access track, particularly close to where it leaves Limers Gate, will potentially generate more runoff than previously envisaged due to the increase in footprint. An observed increase in soil erosion in this location since the original ES assessment also indicates the need for additional mitigation in this area. This will require a drainage design and erosion control measures to attenuate runoff.

6.4.6 All other impacts will remain the same as though described in the original ES, the Peat report and the Private Water Supply Assessment Report.

6.5 Mitigation Measures

6.5.1 The access track will need to cross the upper reaches of the Midgeldon Brook forming a new culvert crossing. This will create an extension to the culverted course of Midgeldon Brook in this location. Its size will be commensurate with the size of the watercourse and the existing culvert to enable flows to adequately pass through the culvert.

6.5.2 This construction compound is partly located over the course of the culverted section of Midgeldon Brook. It will be necessary to ensure that best working practices to protect the water environment, particularly EA PPG recommendations (see Section 6.2), are adopted throughout the construction phase. It will be incumbent on the site contractor to comply with a Construction Method Statement (CMS) which will outline these measures to be adopted.

6.5.3 Pollution risks to the private water supply tank feeding Holden Gate Farm will form part of the private water supply monitoring plan for the site to be agreed with the local environmental health department. This will be enforced through the existing condition for the wind farm development. As part of this monitoring plan, the water supply tank for Holden Gate Farm will be protected as part of the site activities. Whilst in proximity to the access track construction, measures will be adopted that will prevent sediment input or other pollution. Such measures to include the use of an appropriate cover, adequate fencing and signage to indicate its presence to contractors and the formation of a bund around the tank opening.

6.5.4 Where the steep section of the track leaves the Limers Gate track this will require a scheme to control drainage adjacent to the track as this area already experiences some erosion of soils.



Here adjacent to the track a drainage scheme based on a gabion basket cascade structure has been designed in outline to retain existing runoff in a protected channel that does not present an erosion risk to the access track.

6.5.5 It is also possible to develop an attenuation feature adjacent to this section of access track. There is an existing pond feature on the Limers Gate track which if required could be used to attenuate track runoff where natural soakaways aren’t appropriate. This would attenuate runoff via a new culvert structure under the proposed access track and release flows into the watercourse, which crosses the Limers Gate track, in agreement with the requirements of the EA.

6.5.6 The principles of hydrology management and pollution control described in the original ES are also applicable to controlling potential impacts of changes to hydrology and water quality from the proposed modifications.


6.6.1 Through the culverting of a section of the Midgeldon Brook a section of open watercourse will be lost. This watercourse is modified, being in an area of made ground (mining and quarry spoil), and as such its quality is poor. It will also form the extension of an existing area of culverted watercourse. The effect, which is considered to be of minor significance will remain for the duration of the project.

6.6.2 The use of best practice measures and the agreement of a CMS with the EA and the planning authority will ensure that the risks of spills and leaks are contained within the proposed modification to the site construction compound. Any spills or leaks not contained are likely to be very small in volume and have only a short term effect of low magnitude and would not be considered to represent a significant effect of the proposals.

6.6.3 The only surface water private water supply abstraction which will remain at risk from the proposals is the water supply holding tank to Holden Gate Farm. The mitigation described to protect this supply will ensure that any residual risk is very low. This is not considered to represent a significant effect of the proposed modifications or a change to the original assessment in the ES.

6.6.4 Drainage off Tooter Hill towards Holden Gate Farm currently follows a valley feature which is subject to soil erosion. This channel will be formed into a new gabion basket cascade to prevent erosion of this valley. This is regarded as a positive feature of the proposals in terms of preventing future erosion and sediment input into the existing watercourse. Whilst this is a positive proposal of the application it is considered to be of low magnitude and sensitivity and therefore is not considered to be a significant effect.

6.7 Conclusions

6.7.1 The applicant has previously gained consented planning permission for a wind farm at Reaps Moss, near Bacup. The proposed modifications do lead to potential impacts on hydrology and private water supplies and these changes have been assessed.

6.7.2 A site visit was undertaken to confirm and update the hydrological baseline. The changes identified were erosion of soils adjacent to Limers Gate where the proposed track rises on to Reaps Moss and flood control and landscape works at Holden Gate Farm.

6.7.3 As with the previous application many of the potential impacts and risks can be controlled through the best practice mitigation previously recommended and accepted at public inquiry. A number of planning conditions recommended, such as the development of a private water supply monitoring plan and the development of a drainage design remains valid for the proposed modifications.

6.7.4 The only additional impact predicted due to the proposed modifications is the need to culvert part of the upper reaches of the Midgeldon Brook. This residual effect is considered to be of minor significance for the duration of the project.

Reaps Moss Wind Farm (Insert - Field - Subject)Supplementary Environmental InformationCultural Heritage Assessment


7 CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT

7.1 Introduction

7.1.1 AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by Dulas Ltd, on behalf of the applicant, to undertake an assessment of proposed modifications to access and servicing arrangements for a consented wind energy scheme at Reaps Moss, Lancashire. The application site straddles the county boundary of Lancashire and West Yorkshire, meaning that whilst the greater proportion of the application area lies within the Borough of Rossendale, Lancashire, the northern part of the site is located within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Rossendale are advised on archaeological matters by Lancashire County Council, whilst Calderdale are advised by the West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service.

7.1.2 This assessment is intended to assess the cultural heritage implications of the revisions to the consented scheme and draws on new data supplied by both the Lancashire and the West Yorkshire Historic Environment Records. As such it should be seen as an update to the original Environmental Statement (November 2006), prepared in relation to the consented scheme (APP/B2355/A/08/2067355). Changes in planning policy since 2006 are also considered in this report.

7.2 Policy Context

7.2.1 This assessment is in compliance with legislation and planning policy detailed in the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment (2010) and its accompanying English Heritage Practice Guide (2010). In addition the policy frameworks in the Rossendale Local Development Framework Core Strategy (2011) and amendments (2009) to the Replacement Calderdale Unitary Development Plan of 2006. The implications of English Heritage’s 2005 guidance on wind farm developments are also considered as is the emerging national planning policy represented by the recent consultation draft of the National Planning Policy Framework (2010).

7.3 Methodology and Sources Consulted

7.3.1 The assessment conforms to the standards of professional conduct outlined in the Institute for Archaeologists' (IfA) Code of Conduct and the IfA Standards and Guidance for Desk Based Assessments. AOC Archaeology Group is a Registered Archaeological Organisation of the Institute for Archaeologists. Conclusions drawn during the assessment have been made in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (as amended) and Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.

7.3.2 The following data sources were consulted during preparation of this assessment: Lancashire County Council Archaeological Service, the West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service, the original Reaps Moss Environmental Statement (AOC 2006), The Lancashire Records Office at Preston, The National Coal Authority, Groundwork Rossendale - A Flag Fence Survey of Rossendale (unpublished) and The Rossendale Quarrying Industry: Archaeological Assessment Report (Gregory and Lloyd 2003).

7.4 Cultural Heritage Context

7.4.1 The Southern Pennines around Rossendale were the focus of a thriving mining and quarrying industry, which operated from the late 18th century until the First World War. The remains of quarries, earthworks and sinkholes deriving from this industry are scattered across the landscape. The undesignated remains of a brickworks (Site 81), a tramway (Site 82), its associated drainage (Site 79), South Graine Colliery (Site 41) and 3 quarries (Sites 15, 77 and 78) lie within the application site. The site’s eastern boundary mostly follows the historic border between Bacup and Todmorden. Whilst these settlements both originally lay within Lancashire, 19th century boundary changes placed Todmorden in Yorkshire. The boundary markers thus



define the modern boundary between Lancashire and West Yorkshire. At its northern end the proposed site entrance to the application site lies wholly within West Yorkshire. A line of sandstone boundary markers (Sites 2, 10, 11, 38, 39, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59, 101) indicating the line of the border survive on the eastern edge of the site and are recorded on the 1849 1st Edition Ordnance Survey.

7.4.2 Evidence for earlier prehistoric, Romano-British or medieval settlement is scarcer in this location although artefacts of Mesolithic, Early Neolithic to Early Bronze Age and Bronze Age date have been found within the vicinity of the application site at Tooter Hill (Sites 3 and 4) and Todmorden Moor (Site 84). Although no prehistoric remains have been identified on the application site itself it is possible that this reflects the paucity of previous archaeological research within the area and there is a possibility that further evidence for Mesolithic occupation may be sealed beneath blanket peat.

7.4.3 No Romano-British or medieval remains or artefacts are known within 500m of the application site.

7.4.4 Designated heritage assets located within the vicinity of the application site are limited to four Grade II Listed structures of 18th and 19th century date (Sites 1, 2, 99 and 100). No Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Conservation Areas, Registered Parks and Gardens or Registered battlefields are located within 500m of the application site.

7.4.5 A walkover survey of the revised application site undertaken on the 13th of December 2011 revealed only assets previously identified on the site and recorded on either the Lancashire or West Yorkshire Historic Environment Records.

7.4.6 An illustration of cultural heritage features across the site is presented in Figure 7-1.

7.5 Assessment of Effects

7.5.1 Impacts relating to the main scheme, consented following appeal in 2009, were examined against policy extant at the time of the application. The proposed site infrastructure modifications are comparatively minor and do not significantly alter the original baseline established in the Environmental Statement. On the issue of ‘setting’, a critical issue in the determination of wind farm applications, the proposed alterations to the access route will have no indirect impact beyond that allowed for in the consented scheme. Whilst goods movement will be required by the development, the proposed amended site access will not result in any increased levels of traffic beyond the consented levels. The current amended proposals will not therefore increase indirect impacts beyond those consented for.

7.5.2 Direct impacts include the construction of access tracks and associated amenities, including potentially the laying of sub-surface cables which could disturb or remove any buried remains which may be present on the site. Twenty heritage assets of local and negligible significance are known within the application site that could potentially be impacted by the development. In addition, the potential for previously undetected buried remains surviving on the application site also needs to be considered.

7.5.3 Whilst the boundary stones are well preserved and form a coherent group they are of comparatively late post-medieval date and relate to local tier borough boundaries as such whilst they are clearly worthy of preservation they are deemed to be of local importance, although where they have been removed, their former sites are clearly of negligible value and do not warrant further consideration. The remains of the brickworks and the collieries bear witness to the industrial use of the now barren moorland and are therefore also of local value, as are the remains of a tramway (Site 82) and its drainage (Site 79) associated with their use. The quarries are less significant as quarry workings are widespread within upland areas and are of negligible cultural heritage value.

7.5.4 Given the known presence of upstanding remains of post-medieval date on the application site there is the potential that undesignated boundary stones, earthworks and quarry hollows could become dislodged, truncated or infilled unless either care is taken during the construction works or their removal is mitigated within the development program. The boundary stones would be particularly vulnerable as they could easily become dislodged and it is recommended that a specific mitigation strategy be employed to avoid this.



7.5.5 Whilst no prehistoric remains are known on the site, Mesolithic, Neothithic and Bronze Age lithic artefacts have previously been found on the surrounding moors and there is clear potential for further artefacts to be recovered during the groundworks for this development, particularly if peat deposits are to be disturbed and any prehistoric deposits, such as spreads of in situ Mesolithic flint workings, could potentially be of higher than local cultural heritage value.

7.6 Mitigation

7.6.1 This assessment has identified a range of potential direct impacts which may require mitigation:

The 19th century boundary stones

7.6.2 These should be individually photographed, located with a handheld GPS and fenced off prior to the commencement of development. If it proves necessary to remove them during construction they should be returned at the completion of the works either to their original position or to a nearby location along the county boundary. The stones should not be positioned away from the county border as they mark current local government boundaries. This will be enforced through the construction method statement condition currently in place (condition 6(o)).

Buried Archaeological Remains

7.6.3 Although no buried archaeological remains are currently known within the application area, their presence cannot be discounted. It is therefore recommended that an archaeological watching brief be undertaken by a suitably qualified archaeologist over the course of the development. In line within Condition 16 of the 2009 planning permission a contingency should be allowed for the discovery of significant, previously unexpected archaeological remains.

The Reaps Moss Tramway, its associated drainage and the sites of the Clough Head Brickworks and South Graine Colliery

7.6.4 Although these assets are of local significance they contribute to our understanding of the site’s previous industrial past and should therefore ideally be avoided by the development. If this is not possible then it is recommended that an archaeological survey be undertaken using either a differential GPS or a Total Station EDM be undertaken prior to the commencement of groundwork.

7.6.5 The three former quarries located within the application area (Sites 15, 77 and 78) are of negligible cultural heritage value and do not require specific mitigation, although a photographic record should be made during the watching brief if the development is to impact directly upon them.

7.6.6 Any archaeological mitigation strategy should allow for post-excavation analysis, production and dissemination of appropriate reports and the deposition of any artefacts in a relevant museum collection. Conditions 6 and 16 will work to ensure this is carried out.


7.7.1 The proposed modifications to the development will not result in any residual effects apart from those consented in the 2009 scheme. All direct impacts will be successfully addressed through the mitigation strategy outlined above and no residual direct impacts will result from the development.

7.7.2 Copies of all cultural heritage assessments and archaeological reports, including this assessment and the results of any subsequent watching brief will be submitted to the relevant local authorities throughout the planning process. The results of this work will then be made publicly accessible through the Lancashire and West Yorkshire Historic Environment Records, thereby contributing to an improved understanding of the settlement chronology of the South Pennines, resulting in a positive beneficial legacy.

Reaps Moss Wind Farm (Insert - Field - Subject)Supplementary Environmental InformationSummary and Conclusions


8 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

8.1 Overview of Proposed Modifications

8.1.1 The Reaps Moss Wind Farm was approved following a planning appeal in July 2009 and the scheme will comprise the installation of three (3) wind turbines, ancillary equipment and on site infrastructure which will operate for a period of twenty-five (25) years. Each wind turbine would typically have a generating capacity of up to 3 Megawatts (MW), and would be a three-bladed design with a maximum tip height of up to 125m. On this basis the total installed capacity of Reaps Moss Wind Farm would amount to up to 9MW.

8.1.2 The majority of the wind farm infrastructure is located within the RBC administrative area; however the access track from the main A681 Bacup Road up to the site will cross over into the administrative area of Calderdale Council.

8.1.3 Following detailed site investigations in the form of topographical and geotechnical surveys, it has been identified that minor modifications would be required to enable construction vehicles to better gain access to and manoeuvre on the site. The proposed modifications can be summarised as follows:

• new site entrance arrangement with additional feeder road from the north west on the Bacup Road;

• re-arrangement of the construction compound alongside the site access track;

• widening of works with additional cut/fill / pond widening;

• provision of an additional passing place prior to Turbine 1;

• relocation of hardstanding onto west side of track to Turbine 1;

• provision of an additional turning head on the east side of Turbine 2 hardstanding; and

• relocation of hardstanding onto the west side of track to T3.

8.1.4 The applicant is seeking to modify the approved plans for this development through a section 57 application under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The plans to be amended are listed in the non material amendments agreed by local planning authorities in 2010.

8.2 EIA Findings

8.2.1 The following findings in respect of the environmental impacts of the proposed modifications were identified. Such impacts, where identified, would be additional to those already identified in the Environmental Statement 2007.

Landscape and Visual

8.2.2 The revised infrastructure design for the Reaps Moss wind farm would result in a slight increase in the loss of rough grazing land as a result of the localised widening of the cutting and the provision of an additional site access. Such land is a commonly occurring element in the wider landscape and the additional loss would not be significant in this context.

8.2.3 Mitigation measures have the potential to re-introduce positive landscape features in the form of dry stone walls, natural water cascades and variable cutting slopes. The detailed design appearance of these features could be controlled through a suitably worded planning condition.

8.2.4 Overall however the modifications would not result in any significantly greater effects on the landscape character and visual amenity of the area than the currently consented proposal.

Ecology

8.2.5 The proposed modifications to the approved scheme will not lead to any significant changes to the ecological impact of the scheme as originally identified.

8.2.6 The loss of the disturbed ground at the newly proposed site entrance is not considered to be

Reaps Moss Wind Farm (Insert - Field - Subject)Supplementary Environmental InformationSummary and Conclusions


significant and will have no impact on the conservation interest of the site, nor any protected species. The increased loss of peat habitat will slightly increase the impact on this area of conservation interest but as it is a small increase it is not considered significant and will not decrease the overall conservation status of the Moss any further. The existing proposed mitigation is sufficient to minimise any impact.

Hydrology

8.2.7 Many of the potential impacts and risks of the proposed modifications will be controlled through the best practice mitigation approved following public inquiry. The planning conditions attached to the planning permission, such as the development of a private water supply monitoring plan and the development of a drainage design, remain valid for the proposed modifications.

8.2.8 The only additional impact predicted due to the proposed modifications is the need to culvert part of the upper reaches of the Midgeldon Brook. This residual effect is considered to be of minor significance for the duration of the project and does not therefore require further mitigation.

Cultural Heritage

8.2.9 The proposed site infrastructure modifications are comparatively minor and do not significantly alter the original baseline established in the Environmental Statement. On the issue of ‘setting’, the proposed alterations to the access route will have no indirect impact beyond that allowed for in the consented scheme.

8.2.10 Overall therefore the proposed modifications to the development will not result in any residual effects in addition to those consented in the 2009 scheme. All direct impacts will be successfully addressed through the mitigation strategy outlined above and no residual direct impacts will result from the development.

8.3 Conclusions

8.3.1 On the basis of the supplementary environmental impact assessment findings it is evident that there will be only negligible or minor effects associated with the proposed modifications to the consented scheme, and that such effects would not be significant in EIA terms.

8.3.2 Consequently it is understood that the overall level of predicted impact arising from the modifications does not vary significantly from the level of impact identified for the consented scheme.

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Supplementary Environmental Information Appendices and Figures

Dulas Ltd February 2012

9 APPENDICES AND FIGURES















Reaps Moss Wind Farm Access Track

PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

� Hydrology Assessment Appendix

� January 2012

The SKM logo trade mark is a registered trade mark of Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd.

Reaps Moss Wind Farm Access Track

PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

� Hydrology Assessment Appendix

� January 2012

Sinclair Knight Merz 4th Floor, Metro 33 Trafford Road Salford M5 3NN United Kingdom Tel: +44 161 873 8500 Fax: +44 161 873 7115 Web: www.globalskm.com

COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Sinclair Knight Merz constitutes an infringement of copyright.

LIMITATION: This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Limited’s Client, and is subject to and issued in connection with the provisions of the agreement between Sinclair Knight Merz and its Client. Sinclair Knight Merz accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party.

Private Water Supply Impact Assessment

K:\Activejobs\E04795 Reaps Moss section 73\ES project file\Consultants and Contractors\Hydrology\JL30502_PWSRA_ReapsMoss_03-01-12_rev1

CPL comments.docx

Contents

1 Introduction 4

1.1 Background 4

1.2 Objectives 4

1.3 Structure of Report 5

2 Private Water Supply Baseline 6

2.1 Introduction 6

2.2 Field Survey Findings in 2008 6

2.3 Field Survey 2011 6

3 Hydrological and Hydrogeological Baseline 7

3.1 Introduction 7

3.2 Hydrology (Surface Water) 7

3.2.1 Water Quality 7

3.3 Hydrogeology (Groundwater) 8

3.3.1 Geology and its hydrogeological properties 8

3.3.2 Mine Workings 9

3.3.3 Current Groundwater Conditions 10

3.4 Evaluation of Groundwater Conditions 11

4 Risk Assessment 13

4.1 Introduction 13

4.2 Water Quality Hazard Identification (Source-Path-Receptor Model) 13

4.3 Water Quantity 15

4.4 Identifications of Consequences and Control Measures 16

4.4.1 Disturbance of old mine workings 16

4.4.2 Sediment entrainment during access track construction 16

4.4.3 Spillages of oil and fuel at the site compound area 17

4.5 Evaluation of Risk Probability, Magnitude and Significance 17

5 Conclusions and Recommendations 19

Appendix A Private Water Supplies, Reaps Moss 21

Figures

Figure 1 : Location of PWS Identified from field Survey

Figure 2: Site Geology (Solid)

Figure 3 : Schematic Geological Cross Sections

Figure 4 : Mining Hazards



CPL comments.docx

Document history and status

Revision Date issued Reviewed by Approved by Date approved Revision type

Revision 1 10 Jan 2012 M Baines M Baines 10 Jan 2012 Revision 1 for comment



CPL comments.docx

Distribution of copies

Revision Copy no Quantity Issued to

Revision 1 1 1 Rachel Harper, Dulas Ltd

Printed: 28 February 2012

Last saved: 3 February 2012 10:03 AM

File name: JL30502_PWSRA_ReapsMoss_03-01-12_rev1.docx

Author: Mark Brown

Project manager: Mark Brown

Name of organisation: Coronation Power

Name of project: Reaps Moss Wind Farm Access Track

Name of document: Private Water Supply Impact Assessment

Document version: Revision 1

Project number: JL30502


SINCLAIR KNIGHT MERZ


CPL comments.docx PAGE 4

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

This report provides an assessment of the impacts of the proposed Reaps Moss Wind Farm access

track realignment application on private water supplies (PWS) surrounding the site. The

assessment forms an appendix to the Hydrology Assessment provided as Section 6 of the

Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI) for the wind farm access track (Dulas Ltd 2012).

It should be read in conjunction with the Reaps Moss Private Water Supply Impact Assessment

Report 2008.

The assessment provides the location of all known properties on a private water supply within a

2 km radius of the site based on information supplied by Rossendale Borough Council and

Calderdale Borough Council, supplemented by field visits, and reviews of OS mapping. Field

visits of private water supplies and properties on private water supplies have also been undertaken

to confirm the location and type of supply. Many of these visits were undertaken in 2008 when the

application for the wind farm was being assessed. This information has been used to undertake an

assessment of the potential impacts from the wind farm access track realignment on the surface

water and groundwater environment and to examine the need for and design of measures to

mitigate any possible impacts.

An assessment of impacts on private water supplies from the construction and operation of the

wind farm was undertaken in December 2008. This application was subject to public inquiry and

the matter of impacts to private water supplies was discussed here at length. The Planning

Inspector (Planning Inspectorate July 2009) concluded on this matter the following:

Based on the information supplied, it strikes me that the work carried out by CP provides a

sufficient level of understanding to acceptably identify the level of risks. The studies

conclude that the risk to private water supplies is low and which could be acceptably

managed through planning conditions.

This report does not repeat the risk assessment previously undertaken and serves only to assess the

potential impacts of the proposed wind farm access realignment. It does not assess potential risks

from the construction of the wind turbines, the installation of the turbine bases or the operation of

the said turbines. Any issues here associated with private water supplies have been previously

addressed and accepted.

1.2 Objectives

The objectives of this assessment were to:





� confirm from previous and recent field survey data the presence and location of private

water supplies and their sources and uses surrounding the proposed wind farm access

track

� evaluate the risks of the proposed wind farm access track on private water supplies

1.3 Structure of Report

The report is set out in the following sections:

� Section 2 Private Water Supplies Baseline

� Section 3 Hydrological and Hydrogeological Baseline

� Section 4 Risk Assessment

� Section 5 Conclusions and Recommendations





2 Private Water Supply Baseline

2.1 Introduction

This section provides an appraisal to confirm the presence and nature of private water supplies

which are located within the catchment of the proposed wind farm access track. This appraisal has

been based on the following approach:

� review of 1:10,000 Ordnance Survey mapping to establish the presence of buildings and

water features (watercourses, ponds, wells, springs, issues) surrounding the site;

� review and collation of data previously provided by Rossendale Borough Council and

Calderdale Borough Council;

� a walkover of the site and surrounding area to identify inhabited properties (which we

assume to be served by private supplies), and/or water supply features (supply piping,

holding tanks, manhole covers); and

� consultation with local households known to be on private supplies, in order to confirm

the presence, source, use and location of their private water supplies.

2.2 Field Survey Findings in 2008

On completion of the appraisal, a total of 27 properties were visited and consulted by an SKM

representative. The results are illustrated in Figure 1 and contained within Appendix A. In

summary, the appraisal identified:

� 16 private water supplies, of these 13 abstractions from springs and one borehole are

confirmed as a private supply;

� 5 properties where no one was home or no information could be obtained which are assumed

to be on a private supply; and

� 6 properties used mains water.

2.3 Field Survey 2011

A field survey was undertaken in 2011, which concentrated on the private water supplies within the

surface water catchment of the proposed access track realignment. Only one private water supply

is located in the surface water vicinity of the site and the source of this supply was visited.

Whilst a new door to door survey has not been undertaken there are no confirmed changes to

private water supplies (ie, new private water supply locations) from Calderdale or Rossendale

Borough Councils.





3 Hydrological and Hydrogeological Baseline

3.1 Introduction

In order to establish the nature of water supplies, in terms of quality and quantity, it is necessary to

understand the surrounding hydrology (surface water) and hydrogeology (groundwater). The

hydrological baselines are outlined within the ES and are summarised in Section 3.2 of this report.

The hydrogeological baseline is also outlined within the ES, but is expanded further in Section 3.3.

3.2 Hydrology (Surface Water)

Surface water drainage across the site is driven by site topography, radiating from the hills to the

north and south and from the Reaps Moss saddle via various watercourses. These surface water

features are located within a number of surface water sub-catchments, which are illustrated on

Figure 1, demonstrating which components of the wind farm fall into the 5 sub-catchments across

the site.

� Table 3.1 Summary of Sub-Catchments

Sub-Catchment

Surface Water Features and Receiving Watercourses

Wind farm infrastructure

1 Unnamed issues that drain to Midgelden Brook

Temporary Construction Compound and approximately 1 km of access road

2 Reaps Clough and Hoyle Hey Clough that drain to Oaken Clough

Turbine 1 and 50 m of access track

3 Numerous unnamed tributaries that drain to Howroyd Clough

Turbine 2, 3 and approximately 1.1 km of access track

4 Unnamed issues that drain to River Spodden

No wind farm infrastructure, but may receive groundwater from beneath wind farm infrastructure – Turbine 3

5 Numerous unnamed issues, sinks, springs and reservoirs

No wind farm infrastructure, but may receive groundwater from beneath wind farm infrastructure – Turbine 3

3.2.1 Water Quality

The Environment Agency (EA) has measured water quality on a range of watercourses in the area

since 1990, as part of the General Quality Assessment (GQA) scheme. This is presented within the

ES and indicates that surface water quality surrounding Reaps Moss is good to very good and

watercourses are likely to be suitable for potable water supply (with normal treatment and

disinfection).

Field measurements were collected during site visits in 2008, and are considered to be

representative of current water quality. The field visit in 2011 did not observe any signs of visible

deterioration in water quality. The main observations obtained from the field visit in 2008 were as

follows:





� pH levels within the surface watercourses were neutral and within the drinking water

standards of 6 to 9.

� TDS and conductivity levels were consistently very low indicating that the water is fresh.

� The surface water was generally not heavily discoloured and therefore unlikely to carry

high suspended sediments (this was confirmed on field visits in 2008 and 2011).

However, significant iron staining was observed on the Midgelden Brook stream bed to

the northeast of the site. This is due to oxidation of iron rich seepage from deep

mineworkings.

3.3 Hydrogeology (Groundwater)

Details of the hydrogeological setting are presented within the ES. However, a more thorough

appraisal of the site hydrogeology is presented herein, in order to understand the hydraulic potential

for private water supplies across the site. The appraisal included a review of the following

information:

� Geology and its hydrogeological properties; and

� Mine workings.

3.3.1 Geology and its hydrogeological properties

The site geology and its hydrogeological properties at the Reaps Moss Wind Farm site are

established from the following information sources:

� Geological Survey mapping at a scale of 1 to 10,000 (SD82SE, SD82NE, SD92SW,

SD92NW);

� British Geological Survey and Environment Agency information contained within

Technical Report WD/00/04 R & D publication 68 (The Physical Properties of Minor

Aquifers in England and Wales);

� Historical borehole logs obtained from the British Geological Survey (BGS);

� Reaps Moss Wind Farm Mining Assessment Report prepared for Dulas Ltd by Nick

Brown (February 2006); and

� Reaps Moss Wind Farm Mining Assessment Adequacy Report prepared for Dulas Ltd by

Nick Brown (June 2007).

A review of these information sources indicates the following:

� The hilltops are overlain by ‘Peat’ drift deposits. Historical borehole information indicates

that the peat deposits are over 1.5 m in thickness on the saddle between Tooter Hill and

Hogshead Law. A Peat depth survey by SKM in 2008 showed that the site is covered in up to

2.5m of peat overlying clay. The hydraulic conductivity of peat is quite low, with Holden and





Burt (2003)1 indicating values of 1.1 x 10

-5 m/s at 0.3m depth and 6 x 10

-8 m/s at 1m depth for

blanket peat in the Pennines. This indicates that a high proportion of rainwater will runoff as

surface water, rather than infiltrate through low permeable, saturated, Peat deposits;

� The solid geology underlying the site and in the surrounding area consists of the Lower Coal

Measures Group which comprises mudstone, siltstone and sandstone with subordinate coal,

ironstone and fireclay (Figure 2). The wind farm site is located upon sandstone of the Darwen

Flags Edge, which is a fine grained sandstone.

� The strata dips shallowly (circa 3o) in a west to north west direction. Large northwest-

southeast tending faults exist to the northeast and southwest of the site, no faulting is shown on

the site. A geological cross section is provided in Figure 3.

� Groundwater flow within inter-bedded sedimentary rock is usually driven by the direction of

the dipping strata. The coal and clay layers will act as low permeability horizons that impede

infiltration and cause groundwater to flow within the sandstone in the direction of the dipping

strata. This is confirmed in OS mapping by many issues and springs which are located at the

boundary of the Darwen Flags Edge sandstone and the less permeable mudstones of the Lower

Coal Measures.

� The dip of the strata at the site is very shallow and it is likely that groundwater flow will also

be driven by topography, fracture orientation in rock strata and possibly preferential pathways

in mined out coal seams. Topography is expected to locally influence the direction of

groundwater flow through the peat with groundwater flow towards Reaps Clough and Hoyle

Hey Clough.

3.3.2 Mine Workings

A report prepared for Dulas Ltd by Nick Brown, Mining Consultant entitled Reaps Moss Wind

Farm Mining Assessment Report (Dulas 2006) has been used to inform the mining history.

The mining assessment report indicated that the area around the site has been undermined by

historic coal mining at shallow to moderate depths. Figure 4 illustrates the mining hazards

associated with the wind farm layout. The drawing shows that the access track realignment lies

within hazard zones associated with potential mining. The mining risks and proposed mitigation

measures prescribed in the mining assessment report for these hazards are summarised in Table 3.2.

1 Holden and Burt (2003). Hydraulic conductivity in upland blanket peat: measurement and variability.

Hydrological Processes 17, pp1227-1237.8m





� Table 3.2 Mining Risks Associated with the access track

Wind Farm Infrastructure

Hazard Zone and Risk

Shafts/adits Rock Cover to seam

Proposed mitigation

Access Road Zone 2 and 3: Moderate to high (25% - 75%) possibility of sections of the track being undermined or quarried.

Sections within Zone 2 are likely to be within 20m of a known location of shaft or adit.

Up to 20 times seam/ workings height

Ground investigation to confirm mining situation and consider treatment of mine workings by drilling and grouting using inert and permeable materials

Mining in the area generally took place between 1862 and 1903 with the main method of mining

being bord and pillar although some plans only show the main roadways. Therefore it is possible

that longwall mining may also have occurred. With bord and pillar it is understood that this may

not necessarily have resulted in settlement at surface unless the pillars failed or the coal in the

pillars was subsequently removed. Had longwall mining taken place over an extensive area

settlement at the surface but would have occurred within 5 years of mining taking place.

There is some evidence to suggest that the workings on the two main seams, Upper and Lower

Mountain, were carried out from adits to the west and south-west. The seam thickness of the

Upper Mountain is between 0.41 and 0.6m and it is possible that mining could have been carried

out to that thickness. However, roadways would have been higher, probably 1.2 to 1.5m.

Construction of the access track in these areas may disturb underlying or adjacent mine workings

and it will be important to investigate this through site investigations to determine the foundation

solution.

3.3.3 Current Groundwater Conditions

In order to establish the potential risks from the wind farm access track on groundwater and then

potentially the private water supplies, an evaluation of geological and hydrogeological properties

beneath the individual wind farm components is needed.

A summary of the geology and groundwater flow conditions of the wind farm layout is shown in

Table 3.3. This provides a more detailed description of the likely groundwater flow potential and

direction of flow from the wind farm.

� Table 3.3 Solid Geology and Groundwater Flow Conditions underlying the Proposed Wind Farm


Solid Geology Sequence

Sequence thickness

Groundwater Flow Conditions

1 Darwen Flags Edge;

Lower Coal Measures Formation;

10m

14m

Groundwater flow is likely to follow topographical gradients south west or south east. Outflows of groundwater






Solid Geology Sequence

Sequence thickness

Groundwater Flow Conditions

Upper Mountain Seam 0.4 to 0.8m from beneath turbine 1 are likely to be to the Reaps Clough or to Howroyd Clough

2 As turbine 1 As Turbine 1, but may also flow to Hoyle Hey Clough.

3 As turbine 1 Groundwater flow will flow west with topography towards Hoyle Hay Clough.

Substation As turbine 1 Groundwater flow will flow west to Hoyle Hey Clough or east to Howroyd Clough

Access Road As turbine 1, except that a fault is located along the track soon after the entrance to the site

For each segment of the track the groundwater flow is described proximal to each wind turbine above. Flow along the segment between the entrance and wind turbines will be north east towards Midgelden Brook.

3.4 Evaluation of Groundwater Conditions

The mining assessment has shown that the mine workings extending beneath the site are on the

Upper and Lower Mountain seams. The Coal Authority abandonment plans also suggest that

fireclay was not widely mined at this locality. The fireclay bands beneath coal seams will restrict

downward groundwater movement. Additionally within the Lower Coal Measures, sequences of

mudstone will also restrict groundwater flow leading to the formation of perched groundwater.

The dip of the strata is at a very shallow angle to the west / north west. Coal Authority plans show

dips of 1 in 50 to 1 in 60 (around 1o). At such low gradients, the flow of groundwater is more

likely to be affected by factors such as the nature of superficial deposits and fracture orientation in

rock strata. The vertical distance between the Upper and Lower Mountain seams in this area is

between 35 to 45 metres. Vertical shafts sunk from surface for ventilation may have passed

through both seams but there is unlikely to be a great deal of linkage between the two sets of

workings.

Many of the properties visited indicated that their water supplies were fed from water discharging

from mine adits or very close to mine adits surrounding the site. This was mainly the case for those

properties located to the south of the site. Properties to the west of the site, for example, Tong farm

used to be supplied from a spring from a mine, most probably from the Lower Mountain Seam.

These properties are no longer on this source due to elevated sulphur and iron content in the water.

Iron and sulphur, plus other metals, are not uncommon from water that has been in contact with

coal.

Some of the properties to the south west would appear to receive their water supplies from within

the vicinity of the outcropping Upper Mountain seam. As already highlighted, and as highlighted





in Appendix A, some supplies might come directly from mine adits. These mine adits may also

extend into mine workings that do reach the wind farm site.

Discussions with local property owners also indicates that many of the springs show a rapid

response to rainfall periods, indicating that there is quick recharge of groundwater. Referring back

to the geological conditions beneath the Reaps Moss site, the site is underlain by low permeability

peat, beneath which are low permeable clays. Below the peat and clay are some 10m of fine

grained sandstone and a further 14m of Lower Coal Measures comprising mudstone and siltstone.

This column of drift and solid strata suggests that if the springs to the south west of the site respond

quickly to rainfall then this does not directly relate to rainfall falling across the Reaps Moss site.

The rapid response to rainfall might be related to rainfall entering vertical mine shafts and

following old workings. The Mining Assessment Report (N Brown 2006) indicates that there is a

single mine shaft within 200m of the proposed wind farm. However, these shafts have been largely

filled in or are surrounded by bunds preventing the inflow of water. Additionally there is no drift

cover restricting recharge into the underlying sandstone on the south west slopes of Hogshead Law

Hill. Topography is also reasonably steep which would all appear to indicate that there could be

fairly rapid recharge of groundwater in this area. This suggests that the springs to the south west

are being fed from groundwater from the near surface sandstones which the mine adits in this

location intercept. Therefore, even if old mine workings are present beneath the turbine locations it

is considered unlikely that groundwater from these workings make up a significant proportion of

the private water supplies to the south west.

In summary, it is anticipated that dipping rock strata, local topography, fracture orientation within

rock strata, principally sandstone, and preferential pathways in mined out coal seams will influence

groundwater flow. Given the dip of the strata is very shallow, it is assumed that groundwater will

generally flow in the same direction as topography. However, it is recognised that groundwater

may flow through mined out areas and discharge out of mine adits which could be to the south west

of the site close to some properties and their private water supplies.





4 Risk Assessment

4.1 Introduction

This section outlines an assessment of the risks from the proposed wind farm construction and

operation on the quality and quantity of water supply to the surrounding private water supplies.

The following approach has been adopted:

� Hazard identification – identifying those private water supplies which might be in

hydraulic continuity with the wind farm, using the ‘source-pathway-receptor’ concept;

� Identification of consequences – identifying the predicted impacts that will result from the

wind farm construction and operation; and

� Evaluation of risk probability, magnitude and significance.

This approach is consistent with guidelines and recommended risk assessment approaches outlined

in Environment Agency Groundwater Protection: Policy and Practice GP3 (EA, 2008)

4.2 Water Quality Hazard Identification (Source-Path-Receptor Model)

The ‘source-pathway-receptor’ model has been used to establish which private water supplies are at

potential risk from the wind farm development. As defined within Groundwater Protection: Policy

and Practice (Environment Agency 2008) groundwater and indeed surface water quality can only

be harmed if there is a source of pollution and an active pathway to a sensitive receptor. In the case

of this assessment, the sensitive receptor is the private water supply abstractions, the pathway is the

groundwater and surface water flow and the source is the works associated with construction and

operation of the wind farm access track. Potential sources (i.e. the hazards associated with the

wind farm construction and operation) and possible pathways linking the source to the private

water supplies are summarised below:

� Table 4.1 Proposed Wind Farm Access Track Sources and Pathways

Sources Pathways

� Generation of suspended sediment during earthworks

� Accidental spillages of small quantities of oil and fuel

� Disturbance of old mine workings, affecting water quality

� Surface water runoff to neighbouring watercourses used as a private water supply

� Lateral and/or vertical migration of groundwater to springs or aquifers used as private water supplies

� Old mine working roadways, shafts and adits

If either one of the above identified pathways exists to a private water supply then it is considered

to be potentially at risk and requiring further assessment as indicated in Sections 4.3 and 4.4

The potential ‘pollutant linkages’ from the wind farm infrastructure to the private water supplies

are summarised in Table 4.2.



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� Table 4.2 Source – Pathway – Receptor Assessment for risks to private water supplies at Reaps Moss

Source Hazard

Pathway Potential Private Water Supply Receptors

Construction phase

Access track Generation of suspended sediments during earthworks.

Surface water runoff – Surface water will flow towards down-gradient surface watercourses of Midgelden Brook, Howroyd Clough, Reaps Clough and Hoyle Hey Clough. Howroyd Clough and associated tributaries draining into Gorpley Reservoir.

Groundwater – Potential interference with old mine workings could lead to movement of sediment or polluted minewater which is currently not connected to groundwater flow paths

The only surface water abstraction which could be affected by suspended sediment is South Grain Farm.

Groundwater supplies surrounding the site

Operation phase

Access track Potential for generation of suspended sediments which could enter surface water.

Surface water runoff – Surface water will flow towards down-gradient surface watercourses.

Groundwater - No impacts predicted on groundwater

The only surface water abstraction which could be affected by suspended sediment is South Grain Farm.



CPL comments.docx

PAGE 15

The Source-Pathway-Receptor Model in Table 4.2 demonstrates the following potential risks to

private water supplies:

� Private water supplies to the south west which may receive a proportion of their groundwater

spring flow from old mine workings that are located in areas which could be affected by access

track construction affecting old workings. This could lead to the movement of sediment laden

water or minewater not previously connected to groundwater flows; and

� The private water supply at South Grain Farm which could be affected by elevated sediment

loading from the earthworks associated with the access tracks.

4.3 Water Quantity

The realigned access track is to be positioned in close proximity to what is believed to be a holding

chamber for a private water supply to South Grain Farm. This holding chamber is illustrated below

in Photo 1 and 2.

Photo 1 – South Grain Farm PWS chamber

Photo 2 – South Grain Farm PWS chamber

The water is located approximately 1m below ground level and an inlet pipe is visible entering the

chamber from an easterly direction. It is likely that the source of water to this chamber is from

surface watercourses or springs to the east on Tooter Hill or Little Tooter Hill. The realigned

access track will be located to the east of this supply chamber. The access track will be constructed

upon a raised embankment and could therefore act as a barrier to surface water flow. It is not

expected that the track would be a barrier to groundwater flow and there are no predicted changes

to groundwater flow regimes.

All surface water from watercourses to the east of the new access track will be collected and

culverted beneath the access track returning flows to existing watercourses. If there is a connection

from surface watercourses to this PWS supply chamber then the flow will be maintained.




The proposal will not result in a change in the quantity of infiltration, groundwater recharge or

runoff of rainfall across the remainder of the development.

4.4 Identifications of Consequences and Control Measures

The proceeding sections provides an assessment of the likelihood of the water environment being

impacted by the risks identified and outlines the control measures proposed

4.4.1 Disturbance of old mine workings

The access track may be underlain by old mine workings. Construction in these areas may disturb

underlying or adjacent mining workings that may affect the quality of groundwater. To prevent

this risk from occurring, the extent and presence of old mine workings will be investigated to

inform the design.

If mine workings are identified then the design of the track will be done in such a way to remove

the likelihood of uncontrolled releases of sediment or minewater into groundwater flow.

Therefore, it is anticipated, even if mine workings are present beneath access track or wind turbines

there will be very limited or no predicted impacts to the flow and quality of groundwater from the

former mine workings during construction. This was supported by the planning inspector during

the public inquiry for the Reaps Moss Wind Farm, where specifically his comments were as

follows:

In light of the above and recognising that absolute precision is not possible, I consider the

RM Private Water Supply Impact Assessment has reasonably assessed the risks to the

water supply of these dwellings particularly in relation to the impact of the turbines on the

old mine workings. The report assesses that the risk of an adverse effect on private water

supplies would be low but as a precaution advocates monitoring. Should it prove

necessary, mine workings in the immediate vicinity of the turbine bases could be treated

and I have no doubt that a range of appropriate treatments are available to the developer

ensuring that ground water supplies would not be adversely affected.

4.4.2 Sediment entrainment during access track construction

Suspended sediments from construction will not result in a change in water quality within

groundwater, as entrained sediments would likely be removed from suspension as groundwater

infiltrates through the rock matrix. Measures to control suspended sediments entering surface

water during the construction and operation are outlined in the ES. These measures include the

preparation of a sediment management plan that will formalise sediment control measures, as

recommended within Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidance Notes and other key

guidance documents.




The PWS supply chamber at Limer’s Gate which supplies South Grain Farm currently receives

drainage from the east through a buried pipe. Whilst the supply chamber is open to the elements,

the contractors would protect this supply by creating a barrier around it and placing a protective

cover over it. No suspended sediment is expected to enter the supply chamber.

4.4.3 Spillages of oil and fuel at the site compound area

The revised application increases the area of the wind farm site construction compound. The

location of this, as with the previous application, is located over the course of the culverted

Midgelden Brook. The Planning Inspector at the planning inquiry for the Reaps Moss wind farm

concluded the following with respect to risk to surface water:

A specific concern is the location of the temporary construction compound over a small

burn that runs through a pipe under Limers Gate (5.186). Clearly it would be preferable to

separate these uses. However, the area available at the site access is restricted and with

strict adherence to a scheme agreed under the CMS and a high standard of operation by

the contractor, I have no reason to conclude that this part of the proposal represents an

unacceptable degree of risk.

As per the inspector’s comment, any activities in this location would be subject to procedures laid

down in a Construction Method Statement and would be based on Environment Agency Pollution

Prevention Guidelines.

4.5 Evaluation of Risk Probability, Magnitude and Significance

In order to classify the risks of the wind farm on private water supplies a simple scale based on

criteria that incorporate probability of occurrence, magnitude of occurrence and significance of

effect has been adopted. This scale defines five levels of risk, which are described below:

� None – no risk predicted and no impact to water supplies;

� Very low – risks unlikely and no measurable change in water supply predicted;

� Low – risks unlikely with a slight change in water quality predicted over a very short

timescale and within the bounds of normal water quality variation;

� Medium – risks probable and impacts on water supply likely; and

� High – risks very probable and very likely to cause significant impact on water supplies.

The risk assessment of the wind farm on the private water supplies is provided in Table 4.3.




� Table 4.3 Risk assessment of the Wind Farm Construction and Operations on Private Water Supplies

Site Hazard and Possible Consequences

Potential Risks

Mitigation Measures Actual Risks

Further Studies

Access track construction impacting old mine workings and leading to changes in groundwater flow

Low � Perimeter grouting walls or pile casings if workings are identified.

� Grouting materials will be inert

Very Low Geotechnical investigations to confirm.

Baseline monitoring of groundwater as described in the conclusions and recommendations.

Access tracks causing sediment entrainment within watercourses after heavy rainfall resulting in a short term increase in sediment levels within private water supplies

Low � Sediment Management Plan

� Sustainable Drainage

� Adoption of EA and CIRIA best practice

Very Low None needed

Spillages of oil and fuel at the temporary compound

Very Low � Storage within bunded areas;

� Designated re-fuelling within contained area;

� Rapid spill response plan.

None None needed




5 Conclusions and Recommendations

A detailed assessment of the risks to private water supplies from the proposed Reaps Moss wind

farm has identified the following:

� Private water supplies to the south west of the wind farm could be partly fed by groundwater

that is from old mine workings which might be located beneath the access track. The review

has established that the groundwater feeding these springs is most likely to be from the

Darwen Flags Edge sandstone, rather than the old mine workings due to the responsive nature

of the supplies and also the water quality issues associated with old mine workings. The

presence of old workings beneath the turbines will be investigated and if present made safe

with a foundation solution. This will prevent sediment or minewater movement through old

roadways to the private supplies. The Planning Inspector at the previous Reaps Moss Wind

Farm public inquiry agreed that the risk could be mitigated through available protection

measures;

� Only one private water supply abstracts directly from surface watercourses and the only

activity which could influence this surface water supply is the construction of the access track

affecting the supply chamber close to the Limers Gate entrance. The potential for sediment

generation in runoff can be controlled during this activity to ensure that there will be no

change in surface water quality. The Chamber itself will remain protected during the

construction of the access track. The supply will also remain intact with drainage from the east

of the track being collected and culverted beneath the realigned access.

In addition to the above conclusion it is worth reiterating the conclusions of the planning inspector

during the Reaps Moss wind farm public inquiry. His concluding remarks where:

Based on the information supplied, it strikes me that the work carried out by CP provides a

sufficient level of understanding to acceptably identify the level of risks. The studies

conclude that the risk to private water supplies is low and which could be acceptably

managed through planning conditions (5.172 & 6.114). In this regard the criticism that the

CP’s assessments of risk at all 3 sites are flawed by the lack of a “conceptual model” is

not sustainable. The evidence produced by CP was not seriously challenged, as such it is

something I attach weight to (5.173).

The inspector went on to say:

The construction of access tracks in upland areas is not a new activity and a variety of

techniques are available to the developer to prevent them and any associated cable runs

from acting as a conduit to redirect surface water. Whilst I understand the objectors’

scepticism regarding CP’s intentions to employ best practice, I have heard nothing in the




evidence to lead me to conclude that, subject to stringent conditions as set out in the CMS

and rigorous monitoring, that tracks could not be developed in a way that did not

materially affect private water supplies.

Whilst residual risks are considered to be very low it is proposed that a water quality monitoring

programme will be implemented, in line with the measures previously proposed and agreed for the

Reaps Moss wind farm, of surface water, groundwater and private water supplies. This will sample

before, during and after construction, and the results will be provided to the local authority.




Appendix A Private Water Supplies, Reaps Moss


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Name Grid Reference Water supply features

Pasture Bottom Farm 388222,423178 Mains Supply

Known 100 ft shaft adjacent to farm.

Tooter Hill (Henbury Hill Farm)

388730,423440 PWS, Borehole approx. 400 ft deep.

South Grain Farm 389430,423775

No answer

Staff on-site indicated PWS from Midgelden Brook with tank in valley.

PWS supply chamber surveyed and located close to the Limer’s Gate entrance.

Consultation with Calderdale Borough Council also indicates a potential supply to the south west toward Midgelden Pasture which is outwith the area of influence of this proposal

House on A691 390440, 423670 Not surveyed

Parrock Farm 388220,423870 Not surveyed Two premises

High Houses 388215,423520 Mains Supply

New Barn 388130,423660 No Answer

Likely to be mains, information obtained from High Houses

Bent House 387700,422670 Mains water supply

Daisy Hall 387645,422620 Not surveyed

Daisy Isle (No. 1) 387645,422620 Mains water supply

Tong Farm 387900,422860

Mains water supply

Owner: Jim Laycock (Fintec), works on Tong quarry, licensed landfill at end of licence.

All supplies below Tong Farm are mains. Spring water used to serve properties down to the mill in Bacup.

The springs in the area of Tong Farm are not suitable for drinking or dairy farming due to sulphur and iron. Evidence of iron ochre was seen in the adjacent watercourse.

Dry Corner Farm 388470,422440

Spring above gable end of house, some piped into holding tank, overflow allowed to continue in field for animals.

Used for drinking water and within the farm. Water receives no pre-treatment.

After heavy rainfall, discolouration occurs.

Causewayhouse Farm 387890,422200 Not surveyed

Hey Head Farm 388225,422240 Two premises - Spring water pumped into holding tank for both properties. Piped from north west of the



PAGE 23


property into a storage tank. Used for drinking water and farm usage.

West View 388140,421970 Three premises. All mains water supply

Gawther Fold Farm 388800,421930

Spring from Upper Mountain mine or Inch Mine coal seam.

Used for drinking water and farm usage.

No treatment. Former farm house subsided into mine opening.

Lots of mine shafts adjacent to the property but not recorded by the Coal Authority.

Coal Pit Field 388675,422058 Not surveyed – believed to be a spring from old mineworkings

Green Brow 389600,421800

Spring from mine shaft area NNW of property, above/level with Upper Mountain seam. Closed mine with stones. Spring sees a fast response to heavy rainfall.

Used for drinking water, receives no pre-treatment.

400-gallon storage tank to rear of the property

No water pumps, all ran under hydraulic head.

Continuous flow for over 35 years

Main road Sharforth flooded 2 years ago after landscaping of quarry / old mining area.

Low Clough Head Farm 389445,422010 Not surveyed

PWS from 3 springs above the property on Hogshead Law Hill.

Higher Hogshead Farm and Barn

388595, 422220

Two premises both on PWS. Spring to north of farm into holding tanking behind the main farmhouse. All overflow is piped to a holding tank. Spring to east of cutting and piped downhill.

Used for drinking water and farm use.

Filtered and UV treated.

Moor View 388210,422105 Not surveyed

Shackleton 389795,421805

PWS. Spring to north west of property piped underground a significant distance to holding tank marked on maps to west of the premise.

Used for drinking water and farm usage.

Shackleton Holmes 389475,421640

Two PWS: one spring, one well / spring. The well / spring is to east of the property. The spring at the north of property feeds a holding tank to rear of the property.

Used for drinking water.

Reddish Hill 388850,421400 PWS

Spring from field behind house, piped into holding tank



PAGE 24


Used for drinking water and general usage, water receives no treatment.

Old House Farm 388950,421305

PWS. Spring from north west of the property near another old mine entrance piped down the hill into an open feature diverting into tank or overflow.

Used for drinking water, filtered and UV treated, regularly tested.

Tank cleaned of discoloration occasionally.

Continuous flow, never ran dry, 3-4 hr response time to heavy rainfall

New Hill 389020,421355

PWS from spring north west of property adjacent to mine entries.

Holding tank north west of property.

Used for drinking water.

Separate spring to Old House Farm.

Drury Lane Farm 389192,421420 PWS. Spring piped from north west of the property into tank north west of property.



Supporting Figures (please see figures detached from this report)











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