construction method statement proposed solar farm …

For and on behalf of DELTA SOLAR

CONSTRUCTION METHOD STATEMENT

Proposed Solar Farm Land at Saddler Nook Lane, near Whittington

November 2015

Delta Solar

Matrix Transport and Infrastructure Consultants Limited disclaims any responsibility to the client and others in respect of matters outside the scope of this report. This report has been prepared with reasonable skill, care and diligence. This report is confidential to the client and Matrix Transport and Infrastructure Consultants Limited accepts no responsibility of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report or any part thereof is made known. Any such party relies upon the report at their own risk.

Prepared by:

Farzanah Mamoojee

BSc (Hons) MSc

Transport Planner

Checked by:

Tim Hayman

IEng AMICE MCIHT MTPS

Director

Approved by:

…………………………………….

Tim Hayman

IEng AMICE MCIHT MTPS

Director

Date:

November 2015

First Issue

Matrix Transport and Infrastructure Consultants Limited 1 Blenheim Court Beaufort Office Park Woodlands Bradley Stoke Bristol BS32 3NE Tel: 0845 600 6668 Fax: 01454 410 389

Delta Solar

Contents Page

1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1

2. CMS IMPLEMENTATION .............................................................................................. 3

3. THE SOLAR FARM ........................................................................................................ 5

4. PROGRAMME, PERSONNEL AND PHASING OF DELIVERIES ............................................. 9

5. ROUTING OF DELIVERIES ........................................................................................... 12

List of Appendices

Appendix A Site Layout

Appendix B Site Access and Compound Area

Appendix C Temporary Sign Locations

Appendix D HGV Delivery Route

Delta Solar

CONSTRUCTION METHOD STATEMENT, SOLAR FARM, LAND AT SADDLER NOOK LANE, LANCASHIRE Our Ref: LAN38-1T

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1. INTRODUCTION

Introduction

1.1 This Construction Method Statement (CMS) has been prepared by Matrix Transport and

Infrastructure Consultants Ltd (Matrix) on behalf of Delta Solar to discharge Condition 8 of a

planning decision to Lancashire City Council for a Solar Farm on land at Saddler Nook Lane,

near Whittington, Lancashire. Condition 8 states:

“No development shall take place until a construction method statement has been

submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved

statement shall be adhered to throughout the construction period. It shall provide for:

(a) The parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors

(b) The loading and unloading of plant and materials

(c) The storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development

(d) The erection and maintenance of security hoarding

(e) Wheel washing facilities

(f) Details of working hours

(g) Contact details of the site manager

(h) Temporary highway signage and advanced warning signs alerting drivers to the

likelihood of large slow moving vehicles at the following junctions:

A6070 (Burton Road) at its junction with the C522 (Dalton Lane)

C522 (Hutton Roof Road) at its junction with the C593 (Biggins Lane/nee Saddler

Nook Lane).”

1.2 This statement provides details on how the traffic (both on and off site) during the

construction period for the proposed Solar Farm will be managed.

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1.3 The CMS’s main objectives are to:

Provide a safe route for construction traffic to access and depart the site;

Identify the traffic management measures to prevent or minimise the effects of

construction traffic on the surrounding highway network and to the general public;

Ensure construction HGVs use the identified vehicular route only;

Prevent parking, loading and unloading of construction vehicles on the adjacent road

network; and

Provide details on the number of vehicle movements generated by the project.

1.4 The CMS will be reviewed and amended as necessary during the construction programme in

order to make working on site and the proposed construction access route as safe as possible.

Personnel working at the site shall be provided with access to the CMS.

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2. CMS IMPLEMENTATION

Introduction

2.1 The implementation of the CMS on site will be the responsibility of Delta Solar who will also be

responsible for monitoring of implementation.

2.2 Delta Solar may employ a number of contractors on the site and all will fall under the umbrella

of this statement and will have an obligation to adhere to its contents, as written into their

terms of contract.

2.3 A Site Manager will be responsible for the coordination of all elements of traffic and transport

during the construction process. Once a contractor for the site has been appointed, their

name and contact details will be provided to the Local Highway Authority. In the meantime,

Delta Solar has nominated a senior member of staff as Site Manager, and their contacts

details, are as listed below:

Name: Alexander Miejimolle Rosenberg

Tel: 07438 470716

Email: [email protected]

2.4 The Site Manager will be responsible for:

Ensuring subcontractors and suppliers adhere to procedures set out in the conditions

of contract;

Prevent unauthorised contractors parking and laying over in the highway;

Maintain roads to a clean and safe condition; and

Act as a link with the Local Highway Authority and the Police.

mailto:[email protected]

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Transport Coordination

2.5 Delta Solar will be responsible for the coordination of all elements relating to Heavy Goods

Vehicle (HGV) transport to and from the construction site. The company will be responsible for

coordination and liaison with the Local Highway Authority, the Police and emergency services

when necessary.

2.6 The Site Manager will inform the Local Highway Authority of any significant matters that may

affect traffic movement or any significant essential changes to transport plans necessitated by

circumstances.

Monitoring of the CMS

2.7 The CMS will be monitored by Delta Solar who in turn will report any breaches in projected

traffic flows associated with construction vehicles and traffic associated with the employed

workforce to the Local Highway Authority.

2.8 A report will also be provided should there be any incidents regarding speeding or parking

contrary to the restrictions as set out in this CMS.

2.9 Use of the agreed routes by hauliers will be monitored by spot checks undertaken by Delta

Solar and/or the Local Highway Authority. Spot checks will usually take the form of occasional

observations at key locations. Information collected by spot checks will be held by Delta Solar

and be available to the Local Highway Authority and Police on request.

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3. THE SOLAR FARM

Site Location

3.1 The development site is located on two separate fields to west of Saddler Nook Lane,

approximately 1.2km northwest of the village of Whittington, Lancashire.

3.2 Adjacent gated accesses already exist into these fields from Saddler Nook Lane. Saddler Nook

Lane forms the minor arm of a tee-junction with an unnamed road approximately 250m south

of the existing gated field accesses

The Development Proposals

3.3 A site layout plan for the permitted Solar Farm development is attached at Appendix A.

3.4 The Solar Farm will have the following components:

Solar arrays – Fixed solar PV panels, mounted on metal frames and set into the ground

by direct piling or screw piling. The panels are non-reflective. They are arranged in

east-west rows and are tilted southwards at approximately 25-30 degrees from the

horizontal, with a maximum height above ground of 2.7m to the top of the panel

frame on level ground. The panels and frames can be completely removed when the

site ceases operation. The lower edge of the array will generally be approximately

700mm above the ground level, to allow grazing beneath and around them. The

spacing between the rows of panels will be approximately 5m.

Transformers/Inverters – PV panels generate direct current (DC) electricity, which

must be converted to usable alternating current (AC) power for the electricity

distribution network. This is done by inverters. Each megawatt capacity also requires

a transformer to increase the AC current from low voltage to high voltage for efficient

transportation around the site and to the point of grid connection. The inverters and

transformers will be housed in small single storey buildings, measuring up to

approximately 12.2m long by 2.4m wide by 2.9m high.

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Substation – The sub-station will consist of two pre-fabricated cabins, located next to

each other. One will be for the internal connection of the electrical output from the

site, with the other required by the DNO for connection into the wider electricity

network. The former will be 5.9m long, 2.9m wide and 3.5m high including a 400mm

concrete platform whilst the latter will be 5m long, 4.5m wide and up to 4m in height,

including a 400mm platform. Each cabin will be transported in several prefabricated

parts.

Fencing – A deer fence up to 2m high is required around the perimeter of the Solar

Farm. The fence will be welded mesh with steel or wooden posts, and is usually green

(although colour can be as required by the LPA) to integrate with the landscape.

Lighting – No permanent lighting is proposed. Manually operated lights may be

attached to the substation and transformer and / or inverter cabinets in the event of

an emergency maintenance visit being required in the hours of darkness.

Site Access and Compound

3.5 The site access arrangements and location of the temporary construction compound are

shown on the drawing attached as Appendix B.

3.6 A site access will be constructed for the temporary compound area at the eastern side of the

site in the position of the two existing field gates. The details of the site access are discussed

in more detail in a Transport Statement that was submitted in support of the planning

application.

3.7 The temporary construction compound area will be installed for the duration of the

construction period, at the eastern side of the site, close to the construction access, as shown

in the drawing attached as Appendix B.

3.8 This area will be used for the construction activity in both fields.

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3.9 The compound will accommodate temporary portacabin-type buildings in addition to an area

for storage of plant and materials used during construction. These portacabins are required

for offices, toilets, canteen and storage. There will also be a temporary area reserved for

parking directly adjacent to the compound, together with an area for construction delivery

vehicles to turn around. Following the completion of construction, any damage caused to the

part of the access that falls within the adopted highway will be repaired.

3.10 The proposed arrangements within the site will ensure that vehicle parking, loading or

unloading will not take place within the public highway.

Wheel Washing

3.11 Wheel washing facilities will be installed within the site construction compound during the

construction period to ensure that no mud or debris is deposited on the public highway.

Washing will be carried out using a high pressure water hose, used to wash down

vehicles/wheels whilst the vehicle is stationary within an area with a clean crushed stone

surface. If debris were to be deposited on the highway, a specialist roadsweeper will be

contracted for this purpose.

Security Hoarding

3.12 As described at para 3.3, fencing will be erected around the perimeter of the site up to 2m in

height. This will be erected at the very outset of construction, so will secure the construction

site. Infra-red CCTV security cameras will also be located around the site, at a height of

approximately 3m. The location of security cameras is illustrated on the site layout attached as

Appendix A.

3.13 During the construction period, the gated access will always be open or otherwise manned to

ensure that vehicles do not have to wait on the adjacent road.

3.14 The two existing field gate accesses will be reinstated after construction to cater for

monitoring and maintenance during the operational life of the Solar Farm.

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Site Access Traffic Management Measures

3.15 The proposed site access and the locations of temporary warning signs on the surrounding

local highway are shown on the drawing attached as Appendix C.

Signage

3.16 A temporary traffic signage scheme is proposed on the local highway network to direct

delivery vehicles to the site access and also to make road users aware of the site accesses and

the site related vehicles turning, some of which will be large and slow moving.

3.17 Temporary “Works Traffic Merging” signs will be placed at intervals either side of the A6070

Burton Road/Dalton Lane junction. Temporary “Heavy Plan Crossing” signs will also be

provided approximately 30m north and south of the A6070 Burton Road/Dalton Lane junction,

on approach to the site.

3.18 Similar signs will also be placed either side of the Hutton Roof Road/Saddler Nook Lane

junction on approach to the site access.

3.19 Additional signage, including two temporary “Works Access” signs will also be provided at the

entrance to the site.

3.20 All temporary signs will be mounted onto steel A-frames and anchored with sandbags.

3.21 Signs will be erected within the access facing drivers leaving the site to remind them to turn

out right.

Banksman

3.22 During the construction period, the site access gates will remain open or otherwise manned by

a Banksman who will manage inbound and outbound HGV deliveries and also vehicular

movements between the compound and site access.

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4. PROGRAMME, PERSONNEL AND PHASING OF DELIVERIES

Programme of Works

4.1 The construction period for the proposed Solar Farm development, from site clearance to

commissioning, is anticipated to be around 7-12 weeks.

4.2 The initial few weeks of the construction period will comprise clearing and setting up of the

site and will experience vehicle movements associated with the delivery of aggregates and

other ancillary works and equipment. The majority of the PV Equipment and components will

be delivered within the first weeks of the construction period.

Personnel

4.3 There will be approximately 25 employees in total working on site at peak times. Whilst it is

not known where the site staff will travel from, it is likely that those from far afield will be

staying in local accommodation and will likely use a mini-bus to get to the site.

4.4 A temporary parking area will be located at the construction compound to provide parking for

site operatives and any visitors. Therefore, no parking will take place on the surrounding local

highway.

4.5 Delta Solar will be responsible for managing the workforce parking area available on site. This

management will include the allocation of spaces to staff members and physical control of the

area to ensure that they are not abused by indiscriminate parking.

4.6 Contractors will be briefed on parking arrangements during induction sessions through regular

staff briefings.

Temporary / Ancillary Works and Equipment

4.7 There will be a requirement on site for crushed stone material or aluminium panels to create

the temporary hard standing for the compound / storage / parking / turning area and possibly

routes around the site.

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4.8 The portacabin-type buildings are required for the construction offices, toilets, canteen, each

measuring approximately 6m in length. Other plant / equipment will include a generator,

excavator, portable crane and a pile hammer (for the posts). None of these deliveries will fall

within the “Abnormal load” criteria.

PV Equipment / Components

4.9 The main components of the Solar Farm are the PV panels, the metal frames they are fixed to

and the posts that are driven into the ground. There will also be cabling between the

inverters, the panels and the main sub-station. The transformers will connect to the

substation. The sub-station will comprise the standard electricity company sized substation

housing. None of these deliveries will fall within the “abnormal load” criteria.

4.10 The following table summarises the number and type of deliveries that are anticipated to be

made to the site during the target construction period of a maximum of 12 weeks.

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Hours of Operation and Timing of Vehicle Movements

4.11 All construction works will take place between 08.00 and 18.00 Monday to Friday and 08:00

and 13:00 on Saturday. No construction works will be undertaken outside these hours or on

Sundays, Bank or Public Holidays without obtaining prior written agreement from the Local

Planning Authority.

4.12 The majority of construction personnel will arrive on site before 08:00 and depart after 18:00.

4.13 HGV deliveries will be distributed evenly throughout the day. However, they will not be

scheduled during the morning and evening peak hours on the local highway network.

Table 3.1 - Summary of deliveries during the construction period (number of loads)

Weeks 1-4 Weeks 5-12

PV panels – Large Articulated HGV 28 15

Frames / Posts – Large Articulated HGV 25 15

Transformer / Invertor Station – 12m flatbed

2 2

Aggregates – 10 tonne tipper 60 20

Portacabins – 12m flatbed 2 3

Crane 1 0

Cable – 12m flatbed 10 5

Sub-station – 12m flatbed 3 7

Anticipated daily deliveries based upon a 6-day week

5 3

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5. ROUTING OF DELIVERIES

Delivery Route

5.1 All the major components are likely to be delivered to the site directly from the Port of

Felixstowe. The majority of the route will be carried out via the strategic road network which

is likely to be via the A14, M6, A601 (M), A6 and A6070 and then vehicles will use Dalton Lane

and the unnamed road leading to Saddler Nook Lane and the site.

5.2 At the site, vehicles will turn into the temporary construction compound, guided by a

Banksman. An area within the compound is provided to permit the largest vehicles to turn

around within the site so that they are able to leave in a forward gear. The proposed route is

shown on the drawing in Appendix D.

Delivery Route Traffic Management Measures

5.3 Temporary signage will be erected for the duration of the construction period, to warn other

users of the local highway network of oncoming HGV deliveries for the Solar Farm. A location

plan for temporary signs is contained at Appendix C.

5.4 Suppliers and contracted haulage firms delivering or removing equipment or materials from

the site during the construction phase will be required to observed the construction traffic

routing on the main road network. This will be specified in any written contracts, as allocated

by the Site Manager.

5.5 Any proposed changes to routing will be agreed with the Local Highway Authority before they

are written into the contracts of haulage firms.

5.6 Conditions set out in contracts will include provision of penalties to impose a cost on any

hauliers found to be using routes other than those specified.

APPENDIX A

Site Layout

APPENDIX B

Site Access and Compound Area

DRAWN BY CHECKED BY APPROVED BY DATE SCALES @ A3 SIZE ISSUE STATUS

DR CH APREV DATE

CAD FILE NAME :

10mm0-10mm

REV.DRAWING NUMBER

TRANSPORT PLANNING ● DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING

1 BLENHEIM COURT, BEAUFORT OFFICE PARK, WOODLANDS, BRADLEY STOKE, BRISTOL, BS32 4NE TEL: 0845 600 6668 FAX: 01454 [email protected] www.matrixtp.co.ukAlso at: Bedford, Cardiff, London & Sheffield

PROJECT

DRAWING TITLE

CLIENT

Based upon the Ordnance Survey Map with the permission of the Controller

of H.M. Stationary Office @ Crown Copyright Contract No. 100048330

LAN38T-Figure 2 -JD LG 1:12500

LAN38T-Figure 2

SITE ACCESS AND TEMPORARY COMPOUND

DELTA SOLAR

APPENDIX C

Temporary Sign Locations


DR CH APREV DATE

DRAWING NUMBER REV.

NOTES

CA

D F

ILE

N

AM

E:

10m

m0

-10m

m



PROJECT

DRAWING TITLE

CLIENT

LAN38T-001 -JD LG 1:2000

LA

N38T

-001

TEMPORARY SIGN LOCATION PLAN

DELTA SOLAR

APPENDIX D

HGV Delivery Route


DR CH APREV DATE

CA

D F

IL

E N

AM

E:

10m

m0

-10m

m

REV.DRAWING NUMBER



PROJECT

DRAWING TITLE

CLIENTBased upon the Ordnance Survey Map with the permission of the Controller

of H.M. Stationary Office @ Crown Copyright Contract No. 100048330

LAN38T-Figure 4 -JD LG N.T.S

LA

N3

8T

-F

ig

ure

4

CONSTRUCTION ROUTE PLAN

DELTA SOLAR

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