Hartlepool South West Extension

Persimmon Teesside Environmental Statement Non Technical Summary

Insert Picture Title 

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Report Author ............................................ Alastair Cliffe 

Report Date ................................................. August 2014 

Project Number ....................................................... 3393 

Document Reference ........ P0‐TP‐SPA‐RP‐P3393‐0017‐A 

Spawforths has been accepted as a registrant to the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment's (IEMA) EIA Quality Mark scheme. The EIA Quality Mark demonstrates Spawforths commitment to excellence when providing environmental impact assessment services.

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Introduc on ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 

 

EIA Process ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 

 

Site Descrip on ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 

 

Development Descrip on ........................................................................................................................................ 7 

 

Phasing……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 

 

Planning Policy Context ............................................................................................................................................ 9 

 

The Need .......................................................................................................................................................... 10‐11 

 

Considera on of Alterna ves .......................................................................................................................... 12‐13 

 

Design Evolu on .............................................................................................................................................. 14‐15 

 

Noise ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 

 

Socio‐Economic ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 

 

Ecology and Nature Conserva on .......................................................................................................................... 18 

 

Cultural Heritage  ................................................................................................................................................... 19 

 

Air Quality .............................................................................................................................................................. 20 

 

Soils and Geology, Hydrogeology and Hydrology .................................................................................................. 21 

 

Flood Risk ......................................................................................................................................................... 22‐23 

 

U li es ............................................................................................................................................................. 24‐25 

 

Landscape and Visual Impact ........................................................................................................................... 26‐27 

 

Transport  ......................................................................................................................................................... 28‐29 

 

Interac on of Effects ‐ Construc on ...................................................................................................................... 30 

 

Interac on of Effects ‐ Opera on .......................................................................................................................... 31 

 

Cumula ve Effects ................................................................................................................................................. 32 

 

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...33 

Contents

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Introduction

EIA Process

This is the non-technical summary for an Environmental

Statement (ES) which has been prepared on behalf of The Cooperative Group to accompany an outline planning

application for a mixed use development at land at the Basford East site in Crewe.

This document is a summary of the ES that has been

submitted as part of the outline planning application having regard to the Town and Country Planning (Environmental

Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011. The report describes the physical characteristics of the development, its land use

requirements, an outline of the main alternatives considered

and a description of the effects on the environment which are likely to be effected by the development.

These include:

Direct, indirect or secondary effects

Cumulative effects

Short, medium or long term effects

Permanent or temporary effects

Positive or negative effects

The report also identifies any measures required to mitigate

potential adverse impacts of the proposals within and around the application site. Full details can be found within the

Environmental Statement.

Identify Proposed Development

 Scoping Submission 

LPA 5 Week Review Period

Review Response & Prepare EIA Report

Predict Impact on Environment

Identify Baseline

Prepare / Finalise Environmental Statement

Consider mitigation

 Assess Significance of Impacts 

Feedback and consideration of alternatives / Update and amend

masterplan for site

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Indicative Masterplan

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Site Description The site is located within the Borough of Hartlepool, at the

south western edge of the Hartlepool urban area ranging

from approximately 1.65km to 2.65km of the town centre.

The site is located beyond the development limits of

Hartlepool and is currently within the open countryside. The

A689 Stockton Road runs to the south of the site and

provides direct access to the A19 located approximately two

and a half miles to the west of the site.

The site is approximately 97.25 hectares (gross) in size and

currently comprises arable agricultural land of predominantly

Grade 3b and small areas of Grade 4 soil grade. The

boundaries are primarily marked by hedgerows.

The site is defined by the A689 Stockton Road to the south,

Dalton Back Lane to the west, Brierton Lane to the north

and the existing settlement to the east. The site’s western

boundary is onto open countryside with the next significant

settlement being Sedgefield that lies a number of miles to the

west. The existing residential areas of Owton Manor and

The Fens are located to the eastern boundary of the site.

Beyond the A689 Stockton Road to the south of the site are

agricultural fields and the village of Greatham further to the

south east.

The site includes Greatham Beck, which runs diagonally

through the site. This is classed as a main river by the

Environment Agency. A small Local Wildlife Site (LWS) (0.55

hectares) is centred around the beck running the length of

the western edge of the Fens Estate.

Existing vehicle access into the site is currently limited given

its agricultural use; however there are tracks within the site

facilitating access to the fields and the existing farmsteads.

The southern site area contains two farms, accessed from the

A689 Stockton Road, Claxton Farm and Lower Claxton

Farm.

A designated footpath runs alongside Greatham Beck linking

from Greatham village, through the site, to Owton Grange

and Brierton. A further footpath runs from a point on

Stockton Road to the east of the site, linking the two

southern farms (Claxton Farm and Lower Claxton Farm) to

Dalton Back Lane. There is an informal track access across

the fields to Brierton Village and the quarry from the urban

area, and a public byway along Macrae Road through to

Owton Farm and Brierton Lane. Macrea Road also currently

provides access from the site into the existing neighbouring

residential area.

At the north eastern corner of the site, on Brierton Lane, lies

the southern entrance into the 100 acre Summerhill Country

Park, transformed from low-grade farmland into a Local

Nature Reserve that is also an outdoor sports centre.

Approximately 65,000 trees were planted in the late 1990s

and are now maturing into woodland, with ponds and

grassland meadows.

A 200mm gas main runs underground through the site from

north to south, with a 100mm gas main spur running

underground in an easterly direction to Macrae Road. Water

mains also cross the site underground, one runs diagonally

across the site close to the beck and the other crosses the

centre of the site east to west close to the line of the existing

Public Byway. A number of overhead power lines also cross

the site to the south of the beck (66kV) and to the southern

part of the site closest to the A689 Stockton Road (11kV). A

culverted watercourse exists to the north east of the site

which is under the jurisdiction of Hartlepool Borough

Council.

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Development Description

The planning application is a hybrid with part of the proposals

for the site applied for in full and part in outline. For the

outline elements, all details relating to appearance, layout,

scale and landscaping are reserved for consideration at a later

date. The descrip on of development for the hybrid planning 

applica on is as follows: 

Matters of Detail:

The detailed application comprises the demolition of

buildings, earthworks across the site to create development

platforms, creation of drainage features across the site*, the

construction of 144 dwellings (C3), construction of access to

Stockton Road and Brierton Lane, the northern and southern

access road and vehicular bridge with associated structures

over the beck** and vehicular circulation, public open space*,

landscaping*, ecological works* and associated infrastructure.

Matters in outline:

The outline application comprises the construction of up to

1,116 dwellings (C3), public house/restaurant (A3/A4 retail,

500sqm), retail (A1 retail, 2,499sqm), primary school (D1),

medical centre (300m2), public open space, playing fields, play

spaces, drainage features, landscaping and ecological works,

noise mitigation, electrical sub stations, pumping stations, car

parking and vehicle and pedestrian circulation.

*level of detail confined to that shown on the plans

identifying the location and volume of the SUDs, electrical

sub stations, pumping stations, sports pitches and to the

landscaping within the Green Wedge, with the precise details

to be secured through the application of suitable planning

conditions.

** As shown on the submitted plans.

Location Plan

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Phasing

The anticipated start date for enabling works is the second

quarter of 2015. First occupation of dwellings would be

within the third quarter 2015.

The site is anticipated to be developed out by a number of

house builders at an approximate average annual rate of 30

dwellings in the last quarter of 2015, ramping up to 175

dwellings per annum in later years. This results in a total

build of eight to nine years and therefore an anticipated

completion year of 2023. This is identified in the table

below:

In terms of the site’s development, the detailed element of

the hybrid planning application will be implemented initially

along with the access points at either end of the site, with the

remaining development working from these access points

into the site concurrently at the rate of development

identified in the table above. The development of the

northern and southern access roads will be developed as

housing is brought forward from either end of the site.

Construction access will also be from each of these access

points (the A689 Stockton Road and Brierton Lane) to serve

either end of the site.

The delivery of the local centre is largely market dependent

and an assumed timing of delivery is as an early phase of

development as the southern development area is developed.

The delivery of the primary school will be dependent on

capacity in existing local schools and the build out rate of the

proposed development which is directly related to the

number of children generated by the site. The anticipated

delivery of the primary school is therefore by 2019.

The drainage features will be developed as required to serve

the development as it comes for so they are in place at the

appropriate time.

Landscape buffers and the Green Wedge will be developed as

the scheme develops, however there will be early delivery of

elements of these in order to mitigate the impacts of the

proposals and to ensure planting can become established in

order to fully perform its purpose.

Year Annual Build Out Total

2015  30   

2016  80  110 

2017  150  260 

2018  150  410 

2019  150  560 

2020  175  735 

2021  175  910 

2022  175  1085 

2023  175  1260 

 

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Planning Policy Context

Planning Policy supports schemes that will assist in

regeneration and encourage growth and investment into Hartlepool. Section 38 of the Planning and Compulsory

Purchase Act 2004, states that applications should be determined in accordance with the development plan unless

material considerations indicate otherwise.

Consideration will also be necessary to the appropriate

weight to be afforded to the development plan following the

publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (‘The

Framework’). The Framework indicates that the policies

within it have material weight from the day of its publication.

This is also considered in the context of the National

Planning Policy Guidance (hereafter referred to as ‘PPG’).

The Statutory Development Plan for consideration of this

application comprises the:

Hartlepool Local Plan (Saved Policies), November 2006

Tees Valley Joint Minerals and Waste Core Strategy

Development Plan Document, September 2011

Tees Valley Joint Minerals and Waste Policies and Sites

Development Plan Document, September 2011

The 2006 Local Plan identified strategic land allocations to

meet the demand and needs for new and existing housing,

employment, retail, leisure and sought to guide and control

development in the borough up to 2016. The 2006 Local

Plan was prepared in accordance with the Town and Country

Planning (Transitional Arrangements) (England) Regulations

2004 and not the Town and Country Planning (Regional

Planning) (England) Regulations 2004.

Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004,

unless expressly replaced by a `new` policy, `old` policies of

an adopted Local Plan were automatically saved for three

years from the date the Local Plan was adopted. On 13th

April 2009 the Council saved the vast majority of the policies

included in the 2006 Local Plan as they were considered by

the Council to be relevant and did not repeat national

planning guidance at the time. The saved policies of the 2006

Local Plan were subsequently used as a basis alongside

national planning policy to determine planning applications.

The withdrawal of the 2013 Local Plan (see below) placed the

Council in a situation where the planning policy framework

consists of saved 2006 Local Plan policies which are

consistent with national policy, the guidance contained in the

National Planning Policy Framework and other material

considerations.

The document: ‘Saved Policies 2006 Hartlepool Local Plan:

Planning Policy Framework Justification’ (May 2014)

summarises and provides an opinion on the 2006 Local Plan

saved policies and their consistency with The Framework. Of

the 136 saved policies in the 2006 Local Plan the majority of

the policies were assessed to be in full or partial consistent

with The Framework with only 13 found to not be consistent

with The Framework.

The borough has specific policy areas where the 2006 Local

Plan Saved Policies is silent and/or the relevant policies are

out-of-date and The Framework delegates the decision

making to the development plan. The policy areas are below:

Demonstrating a 5 Year Supply of Deliverable Housing

Site

Affordable Housing

Renewable Energy

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The Need

There is a significant pressing need for housing to be

delivered in Hartlepool and this was confirmed through the

evidence based documents supporting the now withdrawn

emerging Hartlepool Local Plan (2013). The Local Plan (2006)

identified a gross requirement for 2002-2016 of 6,095

dwellings, which equates to approximately 435 dwellings per

annum. The Regional Strategy for the North East identified a

net requirement for 390 units per annum in Hartlepool.

However, the Local Plan (2006) is out-of-date and the RS

revoked. None of the previous housing policies that

restricted housing numbers form part of the saved policies of

the Local Plan (2006). Through the now withdrawn

Hartlepool Local Plan (2013), the Council identified a need

for 4,800 new dwellings (net) to be built during the plan

period, meaning an annual net housing requirement of 320

dwellings. The now withdrawn Local Plan was considered

through due process, although not adopted.

In addition to the known housing need, the Borough has also

persistently under delivered housing, and as such paragraph

47 of the National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012)

(The Framework) is relevant, which requires an increased

housing provision of 20% over the first five years. The

Council, using an evidence base document for the now

withdrawn Hartlepool Local Plan (2013) (‘Future Housing

Provision in the Borough for the Next 15 Years’ (April

2013)), calculate this as requiring 384 dwellings per annum

for the first five years, falling to 288 dwellings per annum

beyond this. This is supported by the more recent May 2014

Framework that the Council has produced.

The Council cannot demonstrate a five year supply of

deliverable housing sites to meet the housing requirement

over the next 5,10 or 15 years when considering the

projected gross housing requirement and the projected

demolitions in the borough. As the Local Plan was

withdrawn in 2013, before its adoption, the supply counted

within the five year supply calculation, does not include any of

the emerging site allocations, such as the Hartlepool South

West Extension.

The Council has identified a 4.6 year supply of housing,

however this does not take account of the undersupply of

housing over previous years. Through work undertaken to

support this planning application, it is believed, that the land

supply position is closer to a 3.3 year supply (informed by the

need to address the undersupply during the last 5 years ). In

any case, there is shown to be a significant need for housing

delivery in Hartlepool to meet the needs of the Borough now

and in the future.

All policy documents and policies (saved, withdrawn and

revoked) identify the town of Hartlepool as the focus for this

growth, being the main town within the Borough. There are

however limited opportunities for this growth to be provided

in a sustainable location, given the nature of the town and its

geographical location with the coast to the east of the

settlement.

The development of the Hartlepool South Western

Extension site would provide a unique opportunity to meet a

significant element of this need over a number of years and

into the future. It will also provide a comprehensive

development, in a sustainable location with a strength of

opportunity to provide significant benefits such as affordable

housing, education inward investment and a mix and choice

of housing provision in the area.

The need for the application site to come forward for

housing was fully considered through the now withdrawn

Local Plan (2013), which whilst not adopted, went through

due process by way of an examination by an Inspector.

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Through this process it was identified as the only strategic

housing allocation, and therefore a key element of the

housing delivery to meet Hartlepool’s housing needs. The

Inspector had indicated that subject to certain modifications,

the plan could have been made sound. Modifications included

confirmation of the delivery of 2,200 dwellings at the

Hartlepool South West Extension within the 15 year plan

period.

The Framework (March 2012) provides an extremely strong

emphasis on sustainable development and growth with a clear

presumption in favour of sustainable development.

The Framework supports sustainable development and the

Ministerial foreword to this document confirms this ‘is about

positive growth – making economic, environmental and social

progress for this and future generations’. Paragraph 14 of the

NPPF identifies that the presumption in favour of sustainable

development is at the heart of the Framework, and that this

should be seen as the golden thread running through both

plan-making and decision-taking. In respect of decision

taking, and where the development plan is absent, silent or

relevant policies are out of date (as in the case of

Hartlepool), planning permission is to be granted, unless any

adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and

demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against

the policies in this Framework taken as a whole, or specific

policies in the Framework indicate development should be

restricted.

The need for the application site to come forward for

housing is also supported by its highly sustainable location. It

is located on the very edge of the urban area immediately

adjacent to key routes into the town (A689 and Brierton

Lane). The masterplan indicates that there are numerous

opportunities to provide both formal and informal linkages

with the adjacent urban area. The site is located close to a

range of services and amenities and within close walking

distance of key bus routes linking to the main Town Centre

to the north-east. The A689 forms the key routeway into the

town from the south. The site located in a sustainable

location and on a key link to significant services and facilities.

The town has a range of large supermarkets and other shops,

as well as a number of major leisure opportunities. There is

also easy linkage to other main settlements in the sub-region

(and beyond).

The adjacent urban area has schools, shops and community

facilities that will be in easy walking distance from the site,

particularly once new networks of footpaths, bus route(s)

and other connectivity area established. The surrounding

area is sustainable and whilst the site will also provide

additional services and facilities, these are designed to create

a sense of place and to enhance/complement the existing

provision.

The Hartlepool South West Extension is site is available,

suitable and achievable for development and it is therefore

deliverable and developable in order to help meet the

housing need for Hartlepool.

In terms of the other development proposed, the retail

provision is needed to support the proposed housing and to

create a sustainable community. This will enhance

sustainability through creating walkable neighbourhoods and

reducing the need to travel. The creation of a centre also

contributes to the creation of place. There is therefore

considered to be a need for the level of retail proposed as

part of the overall development of the site given the level of

residential development proposed.

The primary school, medical centre and public house

proposed as part of the application are all uses that are

identified within the scheme to make it more sustainable as

well as to relieve pressure on existing services in the vicinity

of the site and are designed to serve the new population

created. There is therefore also considered to be a need for

these as part of the overall development of the site given the

level of residential development proposed.

In summary, there is considered to be a clear need for both

the level of development proposed and the development of

the application site.

The Need Continued . . .

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Consideration of Alternatives

There is a significant need for development and growth in

Hartlepool to provide the houses and jobs needed as well as

to secure the much needed growth, regeneration and inward

investment. The application site is part of a wider site that is

being promoted for development through the emerging Local

Plan and the previously withdrawn emerging Local

Development Framework (2013).

As the site was allocated within the now withdrawn emerging

Local Plan (2013), it was considered comparatively with other

sites and was chosen as the most sustainable of available

options to meet the identified needs in the Borough. This

site was specifically confirmed as a key and strategic site for

the delivery of Hartlepool’s housing needs in a very

sustainable location. The environmental merits of this have

been considered in detail through the evolution of the now

withdrawn Local Plan (2013), both by the applicant’s

consultant team and the Local Authority in their

consideration of sites for allocation and subsequently the

Inspector through the examination process. Given this need

and the sustainable location of this site, no other forms of

development have been fully considered for the site, and

therefore alternative development options largely

concentrate on the quantum of development and how

environmental considerations have influenced the design

evolution of the proposed residential development.

Do Nothing

To do nothing with the site would mean the site is retained

as existing and therefore as agricultural fields. This would

mean that the housing needs in Hartlepool would not be met

through the development of the most sustainable sites. The

effect of this would be to sterilize the redevelopment of

sustainably located sites. This would therefore not allow the

significant need for new housing to be met, which would be

contrary to local and national planning policy.

Whilst the retention of the site as agricultural fields may have

some environmental benefits, the land is not the best or most

versatile agricultural land as it is grade 3 and 4 agricultural

land. Without the sites development, there are a number of

environmental improvements that would not be secured.

These include the socio economic, inward investment and

regeneration benefits of the proposals, which are much

needed in the area. Furthermore, the ability to secure long

term management of the area alongside the Greatham Beck

which will secure benefits for the beck itself, provision of

managed green infrastructure within the site and the

enhancement of ecological habitats would be lost as would a

managed drainage strategy for the site with at least a 30%

betterment of existing greenfield run off rates compared to

existing, uncontrolled circumstances.

The alternative to the redevelopment of the application site

would mean that development would have to be provided

elsewhere. Given the significant sustainability of the site, with

its location immediately to the west of the urban area of

Hartlepool, development elsewhere would ultimately be in a

less sustainable location and would put pressure on further

development in the countryside or more rural locations.

This is further emphasised by the lack of other suitable sites

and the restriction created by Hartlepool’s location adjacent

the coast to enable development to the east. Development

in less sustainable locations would lead to increased impacts

on the environment, especially from those associated with

traffic, noise and air quality with the development of less

sustainable sites and potentially greater impacts on ecology

and the landscape along with potentially greater visual

impacts.

The Do Nothing scenario would therefore not allow the

significant need for new housing to be met, which would be

contrary to The Framework.

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Consideration of Alternatives Continued . . .

Compliance with the Development Plan

The Local Plan (2006) was prepared in order to replace the

then existing 1994 Local Plan, subsequently a number of its

policies have been saved to be used as a basis for determining

planning applications alongside national planning policy and

guidance.

The site is identified as Tees Forest within the Local Plan

(2006), which seeks to contribute towards sustainable

development and improve the physical environmental of the

countryside area. The site is also identified as being adjacent

to, but beyond the Urban Fence and Limits of Development

of the main urban area of Harltepool, however, the Council

confirms that whilst this is designed to contribute towards

sustainable development and control development beyond

the urban fence, this is not in accordance with The

Framework in respect of housing development, which is

specifically excluded from this policy.

The Council has acknowledged that it does not have an up-to

-date Local Plan and a number of their saved Policies in the

2006 Local Plan are not in conformity with National Policy.

The Council cannot identify a five year supply of deliverable

housing sites and so the weight that may be ascribed to the

Local Plan is significantly reduced and material considerations,

in particular The Framework (and PPG) is afforded greater

weight, and in particular the presumption in favour of

sustainable development applies.

Development of the South West Extension clearly

constitutes a significant change from an area of greenfield land

in agricultural use to one of strategic scale residential-led

development. The land is currently in open countryside

beyond (but on the immediate edge of) the existing Urban

Fence. There will be harm in terms of loss of agricultural

land and potential for increased pressure on existing services

and facilities. However this is weighed heavily in the balance

of the benefits that the site will create in terms of meeting a

significant proportion of the identified housing needs for the

borough as well as providing new built and green

infrastructure that will benefit the Town.

The proposals conflict with the current Local Plan

designation of open countryside, but the Council confirm that

the relevant Policies (RUR1 and RUR12) relating to the

Urban Fence and housing in the open countryside, no longer

accord with National Policy as the Council’s stated housing

supply permission means that the development needs of the

borough cannot be met without reconsidering boundaries for

the Urban Fence and considering sites that may currently sit

in open countryside.

The South West Extension is the next logical strategic scale

development area, following the pattern of development

established in previous decades. Smaller piecemeal

approaches to housing development will not meet the

Council’s significant requirements. This was established

through due process in the withdrawn Local Plan (2013)

where the application site effectively underpinned delivery of

the Plan as by far the most significant allocation. As such, the

proposals would have been in compliance with the now

withdrawn Local Plan (2013) had it been adopted following

the implementation of modifications identified by the

Inspector after the Examination in Public.

14 

 

Design Evolution

The preferred option is for the site’s development with 1,260

residential units with retail, public house/restaurant, medical

centre, primary school and associated infrastructure and

ecological, landscape and drainage mitigation. There have

been a number of iterations to the scheme to reach the

proposed development, which have been influenced by the

quantum of development and environmental and design

considerations.

Initial site promotion for the allocation of the site for a

strategic housing allocation in the emerging Local Plan began

in 2009/2010 by Yuill Homes (Cecil M Yuill Ltd). The

Advocacy Document produced in March 2010 analysed the

site’s deliverability and benefits.  The indicative masterplan

identified an area for development greater in extent than the

planning application. It proposed in excess of 2,750 dwellings

at a density of approximately 30 dwellings per hectare with

neighbourhood hub including provision of education, health,

retail, green wedge and a strategic landscape framework.

This responded to the emerging Local Policy Preferred

Options in January 2010 and influenced subsequent emerging

Local Policy which saw iterations to their emerging Local Plan

from the Core Strategy Preferred Options in November

2010 through to the Publication Core Strategy and

Submission Local Plan in February 2012 and June 2012

respectively. Iterations mainly related to the extent of Green

Wedge and developable areas. The scheme evolved further

through the EiP in January 2013 to include more detail about

how the site could be developed, taking account of

constraints and environmental issues.

The scheme submitted for EIA Scoping in February 2014

identified a refined scheme which had evolved to take

account of further assessment, liaison with key consultees,

the community and HBC and further design work. The

proposals included 2,650 dwellings, public house/restaurant

(500sq m), retail (2,499sq m A1), primary school, medical

centre (300sq m), a petrol filing station, access to Stockton

Road and Brierton Lane linked by a spine road through the

entire site, public open space, playing fields, play spaces,

drainage features, landscaping and ecological works, noise

mitigation, substations, pumping stations, car parking and

vehicular and pedestrian access.

Following receipt of the Scoping Opinion from HBC in April

2014, further assessment work and ongoing discussions with

key consultees, in particular the Highways Agency and HBC

Highways, the scheme evolved to reduce the quantum of

development to 1,260 dwellings in order to address concerns

with the highway capacity, mainly at the A1 junction with the

A689. This is with a view to resolving the issues to allow a

future application to come forward for the remaining

development once a solution is found to address the highway

capacity issues.

This also lead to a reduction in the application site boundary

and lead to the creation of two distinct development areas,

one accessed from Brierton Lane to the north and Stockton

Road to the south. There is no longer the need for a link

road through the site, so each area of development is now to

be served from its respective north and south access points.

This ensures the traffic generation from the site is managed

within highway capacity whilst talking account of the

proposed off-site highway works proposed as part of the

application proposals. These proposals also now negated the

need for an eastern access to Macrae Road which was a

concern for Local Members and community. The proposals

do not however preclude the link road or access to the east

from becoming part of future development of the site, which

would be the subject of further environmental assessment as

part of a separate planning application in the future.

15 

 

Design Evolution Continued . . .

Parameters Plan

16 

 

A Noise Assessment associated with the proposed

development has been undertaken which is provided as a supporting report to the Hybrid application. In summary a

noise survey was undertaken on site to establish existing background noise levels with the main sources of noise

pollution identified as Stockton Road (A689) adjacent to the

southern boundary of the site and an existing quad bike facility to the north west of the site. The assessment also

identified potential noise impact from the proposed on-site access roads which serve the northern and southern

development areas as well as potential noise impact on

existing and proposed adjacent residential properties from the proposed primary school.

Noise Impact from Stockton Road (A689)

It is proposed that the development will incorporate

mitigation to protect the new residential dwellings in the

southern part of the site that are within 175m from Stockton Road (A689) by way orientating the proposed units to face

towards Stockton Road (A689) so that the residential units themselves screen the amenity gardens and the 55dB(A) or

less criterion will be met. The proposed development at the

south eastern extremity of the site increases in distance from Stockton Road (A689) which once the distance exceeds 175

metres there will be sufficient attenuation of noise by distance that it will not be necessary to orientate residential

units to screen the associated amenity gardens. Based on the

orientation of the proposed residential units on the southern boundary front facing towards Stockton Road (A689)

supplementary measures (enhanced glazing, ceiling construction and sound attenuated ventilators) will be

necessary with a reasonable design target to limit Daytime

Internal Noise Levels to 35dB(A) and Night Time Internal Noise Levels to 30dB(A). This would generally be considered

to be representative of a “good” internal noise environment. Furthermore it is considered that all other proposed

residential units that will be screened by the proposed units

on the southern boundary will not require mitigation to protect against noise from Stockton Road (A689) subject to

detailed design.

Noise Impact from the Existing Quad Bike Facility

Based on the closest proposed residential units being located

at a minimum distance of 650 metres away from the existing

quad bike facility the resultant noise level is 35dB(A) and (noting that it will be further reduced by screening, ground

attenuation or further distance) is extremely unlikely to give rise to any noise related complaint and as such no mitigation

is required.

Noise Impact from the proposed on site northern and southern access roads

Based on residential units being within 10m of the on site northern and southern access roads there will be mitigation

requirements by way of orientating units to front face the

access roads in which to protect rear amenity gardens. However, where proposed residential units are within 10m

of the on site northern and southern access roads and are orientated with amentity gardens having views of the

proposed access roads then screen fencing or walls to an

effective height of 2.0m will be required to achieve the following:

Northern Access Road – Reduction from 59dB(A) to less than 55db(A)

Southern Access Road – Reduction from 61dB(A) to less

than 55dB(A)

However, noise levels are not likely to be severe and all

relevant guidance levels and criteria can be easily met with no additional mitigation to that of enhanced glazing, ceiling

construction and sound attenuated ventilators in which to

achieve a reasonable design target to limit Daytime Internal Noise Levels to 35dB(A) and Night Time Internal Noise

Levels to 30dB(A). This would generally be considered to be representative of a “good” internal noise environment.

Noise Impact from the Proposed Primary School

The proposed primary school at detailed design stage will ensure that noise pollution from external playgrounds is

suitably screened to ensure minimal likelihood of noise related complaints from existing or proposed

“receptors” (residential properties). The required screening

will be created by protection from the proposed school building through orientation and/or building footprint or by

screen fencing or wall.

Noise

17 

 

Socio - Economic

The proposed residential development brings a series of

significant benefits to the Manor House, Fens & Rossmere

and Rural West wards, Hartlepool and the Tees Valley. The

overall impact of the proposal in terms of socio-economic

issues is considered to be negligible to minor / moderate

beneficial due to the delivery of new homes some of which

will be affordable, self-build and senior living housing, a local

centre comprising of a two form primary school, a medical

centre and retail and leisure uses, which confirms the positive

effects that the development will have to the local community

and economy.

The provision of new housing within the Manor House, Fens

& Rossmere and Rural West wards could have a moderate

beneficial impact upon the current migration rates and

expected levels of population growth as more homes will be

made available to the local population. The delivery of a range

of housetypes including self-build and senior living homes will

be provided on the site to respond to the existing housing

market need within the area which again provides a positive

impact on the need for housing within the area. Delivery of

affordable housing if viable will assist in addressing the need

within the area.

The proposed residential scheme will provide a range of

employment opportunities for the local population. The

Technical Paper indicates that the scheme will deliver 1,890

temporary direct jobs (construction of housing only) and a

range of spin off jobs whilst 2,890 extra jobs could be created

in the wider economy for the houses constructed (assuming

1,260 units are delivered). The employment opportunities the

development could bring are significant and provide

moderate benefits. The proposed commercial area and

community infrastructure could provide 289 new jobs within

the area. There will be additional demand for local services

which would have a potential positive impact on the

employment of additional staff by existing businesses in the

locality.

The proposed project could generate £30,281,580 of net

additional Gross Value Added within Harltepool per annum.

This relates to construction jobs which will be for a finite

period. The development of the site opens the local area and

presents its assets to the wider area which could in turn

benefit the local economy

The total household expenditure the scheme can achieve is

£26.7 million, however this would not be additional

expenditure as some people would not be completely new

households. The proposed development could provide the

Local Authority with £9,286,741 (30% affordable homes) –

8,492,941 (0% affordable homes) over 6 years as part of the

New Homes Bonus which could assist in delivering housing

growth within Hartlepool. The scheme has the potential to

generate £1.6 million in additional Council Tax payments to

Hartlepool Borough Council.

The creation of a series of new footpaths and cycleways and

the provision of new areas of public open space for use by

both the existing community and new residents to the site

will encourage activity, walking and cycling.

The redevelopment of the site for 1,260 new homes within

Hartlepool will inevitably impact upon community

infrastructure within the locality in particularly in terms of

the of available health and education services. The delivery of

a two form entry primary school and a medical centre within 

the local centre will help to address capacity issues within the 

local area.  

18 

 

Ecology and Nature Conservation Section 6 of this Environmental Statement looks at the

potential impacts arising from the development upon features of ecological and nature conservation interest.

A thorough desk based assessment has been completed, collating data from the local environmental records center,

statutory consultees, conservation groups and local residents.

A comprehensive scoping and consultation process has also been completed. Included within this consultation process

were the local planning authority’s ecology officer, Natural England, the Environment Agency and various local

conservation and residents groups.

Ecological survey of the site has found that the current development boundary supports a number of habitats that

are of ecological value. These include broad-leaved semi-natural woodland, standing and running water and semi-

improved grassland. The habitats present have been valued

from Site to Local significance. The Site has also been identified as having habitats suitable to support a number of

protected species including bats, great crested newts, potential water vole, and nesting birds.

Breeding bird survey found that the site supported a total of

41 breeding species. Wintering bird survey recorded several notable species including shelduck, and lapwing.

Survey for bats, great crested newt, otter, water vole and badger were completed. No notable populations of

protected species were recorded, although a small population

of great crested newt was recorded in a pond offsite to the west. A modest assemblage of bats also utilise the site,

including a small population within Claxton Farm.

A number of potentially damaging impacts have been

highlighted as part of the assessment process. Key impacts

considered included potential impacts upon sites of international and national conservation importance, impacts

upon the Greatham Beck Local Wildlife Site (which runs through the center of the site), impacts upon breeding birds,

loss of habitat and impacts upon protected species.

These impacts have all been assessed and it is considered that through a combination of development phasing, carefully

targeted ecological mitigation measures, landscaping, habitat creation and GI provision all potential negative impacts

arising from the development can be effectively managed.

This will ensure that no significant long term impacts will occur as a result of the proposed development. In many

cases it is considered likely that beneficial effects will occur.

In summary it is considered that following development, the

area within the development boundary will benefit from a net

increase of biodiversity provision. Providing a mosaic of well-connected habitats of greater value than are currently

present, benefitting both the species resident within the site and those in the wider area.

Ecology and Nature Conservation Receptor Plan

19 

 

Cultural Heritage

Research into the archaeology and history of the proposed

development area has taken place. This involved the examination of pertinent historic mapping and other

secondary sources, including the Historic Environment Record, a record of all known historic sites in the area. This

concluded that there was a possibility of parts of the site

having been occupied in the prehistoric and Romano-British periods. There were no indications of a mediaeval settlement

being present, other than a medieval post-mill slightly beyond the north-east boundary of the site. Two post-medieval farms

were noted, one of which has standing buildings of 19th

century origin. Next to this is a small area of upstanding ridge and furrow.

A geophysical survey was conducted across much of the area,

which identified a possible later prehistoric / Romano-British enclosure, together with some other features which may also

be archaeological in origin.

No archaeological or cultural heritage resource has been

identified which needs to be preserved. Whilst the impact of

the development on the resources will be negative, a series of mitigation measures have been put forward, comprising

archaeological recording, which will limit the extent of this impact.

Cultural Heritage Receptor Plan and Proposed Further Archaeological Works

20 

 

An Air Quality Assessment has been undertaken for the

proposed development in accordance with Planning Practice Guidance produced in March 2014 to support The National

Planning Policy Framework, guidance provided by Environmental Protection UK and the Institute of Air Quality

Management. The scope of the assessment has included

existing and proposed receptors along with any sensitive ecological locations. Air pollution associated with additional

road traffic generated by the development is the main long term consideration with impact from dust associated with

construction and demolition also being a short term

consideration.

Due to the current absence of air quality issues, the low

background concentrations predicted for the area and the imperceptible or small adverse changes in pollutant

concentrations associated with the additional road traffic

flows, the overall impact of the development is predicted to have a negligible effect on the local air quality. This applies to

receptors local to the development and within the wider borough. New receptors within the development will be

exposed to concentrations of air pollutants well below the air

quality standards. A significant buffer zone has been allowed between the A689 and the nearest properties to further

minimise exposure to road traffic pollution. Although there is

a low risk of dust nuisance associated with the southern phase of the development, there is potential for existing

receptors close to the northern development area to be affected by nuisance dust associated with earthworks,

construction and trackout. However, with the inclusion of

appropriate mitigation measures, the impact of these activities will be controlled to a satisfactory level.

The extraction system from the kitchen of the proposed public house/restaurant will be designed in accordance with

DEFRA guidance to prevent odour nuisance. The waste

water pumping station will also be designed to appropriate standards to prevent odourous releases and remove the

potential for odour nuisance. There are no intensive farming activities surrounding the development site and adequate

buffer zones have been preserved around the perimeter to

prevent odour nuisance from general agricultural activities and livestock sheds.

The findings of the Air Quality Assessment has indicated that the site can be developed with no risk of future residents

being exposed to adverse air quality and negligible effects at

existing receptors. Therefore development of the subject site is considered appropriate on the scale proposed.

Air Quality

Air Quality Indicative Extent of Potential Receptors

21 

 

Made Ground

A review of the 1:10,000 scale BGS geological plans indicates

a small area of made ground shown within the northern site

boundary immediately off Brierton Lane which may have been

a former clay borrow pit or an infilled depression. An area of

infilled ground is also noted off-site to the northern boundary

of the site, also believed to be associated with small scale

sand and gravel extraction off-site.

Organic deposits (alluvium) and other deposits of potential

Made Ground (including inert, household, commercial and

industrial construction waste such as slate clay and brick) are

locally anticipated. Organic alluvium is likely to be restricted

to the low lying ground adjacent the Greatham Beck.

Made Ground associated within the site (farms and tracks) is

anticipated which have the potential to contain asbestos

containing materials (ACMs).

Superficial Soils

Undifferentiated glaciolacustrine deposits, typically comprising

normally consolidated silt and clay with horizons of sand and

occasional gravel are recorded occupying the majority of the

southern half of the site.

River Terrace Deposits occupy the eastern boundary,

extending down from the north to the broader sections of

the central and southern area of the site and around the

flanks of Greatham Beck. These deposits comprise sand and

gravel and silt.

Overlying these deposits mainly along the fringes of the

Greatham Beck in the southern and central areas, alluvium

(poorly consolidated gravel, sand, silt and clay locally

including organic clay and peat) is recorded. Localised

deposits of alluvium are also indicated along the north-

eastern boundary, down to the central area joining the

Greatham Beck.

A localised area of Head deposits (gravel, sand and silt) are

noted to be present in the far south of the site, immediately

south of Lower Claxton Farm at the point where the

Greatham Beck leaves the site.

Glacial till (locally referred to as ‘Boulder Clay’) is present at

the ground surface across the majority of the northern half of

the site and present within the southern half of the site

beneath the overlying surface soils described above. These

soils generally comprise predominantly medium and high

strength clay with variable subdominant quantities of silt,

sand, gravel, cobbles and boulders. Such deposits are likely

to extend down to rockhead.

The full drift thickness was proven in two BGS boreholes

confirming drift depths of 26m (to the northwest) and

17.37m (to the southeast) over bedrock comprising a variable

sequence of sandy clay, sand and gravel.

Similar drift soils were proven in the southwest, confirming a

variable sequence of silty clay, sandy silt and sandy gravel

(Glaciofluvial Deposits) to 25.00m bgl. BGS borehole in the

east confirmed the presence of laminated clay

(Glaciolacustrine Deposits) from surface to at least 18.00m

bgl.

Bedrock

Bedrock comprises of sandstone of the Sherwood Sandstone

Group beneath the entire site. This unit comprises fine

grained thickly bedded red sandstones with subsidiary grey

sandstones, red mudstones and siltstones. A BGS borehole,

located in Brierton Quarry approximately 500m east of the

site, proved this sequence of sandstone with subordinate,

siltstone and mudstone to a full depth of 96m bgl.

Soils and Geology, Hydrogeology and Hydrology

22 

 

Flood Risk

Flood Risk

A Flood Risk Assessment has been undertaken for the proposed development in accordance with the Technical

Guidance to The Framework, and is provided as a supporting report to the Hybrid application. In summary the overall

development site falls within Flood Zone 1, 2 and 3a in

accordance with the Environment Agency flood maps associated with the Greatham Beck which crosses the central

part of the site from west to south east. Furthermore the proposed mixed use development will be wholly within the

Flood Zone 1 area which is an area at low risk of flooding

with an annual probability of flooding of <1 in 1000 (<0.1%) from river or sea flooding. The southern area of the mixed

use development is served by a proposed main access road off Stockton Road (A689) which crosses the Greatham Beck

and Flood Zone 2 and 3a areas via a proposed road bridge.

The bridge structure supporting the main access road serving the southern area of the development will be designed with

the full supporting structure within the Flood Zone 1 area.

Furthermore the proposed level of the underside of the bridge supporting deck will be above the 1 in 1000 year flood

level plus climate with a minimum of 600mm freeboard provided. The proposed development will also incorporate

additional flood shelving areas on the western side of the

Greatham Beck in the southern part of the site providing additional flood areas to accommodate flood waters which

will improve existing flood risk on the site and reduce the flood risk impact on adjacent third party land and properties.

The findings of the Flood Risk Assessment report has

identified that the subject site can be developed with no increased risk of flooding to the proposed development or to

third party land with improvement and betterment provided as part of the proposed scheme, therefore development of

the subject site is considered appropriate.

Flood Risk & Drainage Indicative Extent of Potential Receptors

23 

 

Flood Risk Continued . . .

Proposed Drainage Strategy

The response to a NWL Pre Development Enquiry indicated

that proposed surface water flows from the development

should discharge to the Greatham Beck with proposed foul

water flows discharging to existing public combined and foul

water sewers to the east of the development.

Proposed Surface Water Drainage

It is proposed that the surface water drainage design

associated with the mixed use development will consist of

discharging the proposed surface water run-off into the

existing Greatham Beck within the site boundary at a

restricted rate equivalent to the existing Greenfield run-off

rate for a 1 in 100 year storm event, plus a minimum

betterment of 30% in accordance with the Environment

Agency requirements. The proposed drainage strategy is

based on discharging proposed surface water at restricted

rates via 6No discharge points into the Greatham Beck. This

will split the development areas to allow variation in the rates

of discharge, points of discharge and timing of each individual

discharge in which to replicate the current Greenfield run-off

mechanism as advised by the Environment Agency. The

proposed surface water drainage for the development will be

designed to achieve the restricted discharges via the use of

hydro-brakes, orifices and other similar flow control devices

with on-site attenuation provided through a combination of

swales and attenuation basins to accommodate up to a 1 in

100 year storm return period plus an allowance for climate

change in accordance with Environment Agency and the Local

Authority SUDS Approving Body (SAB) requirements. The

principles of the proposed surface water drainage strategy

have been agreed with the Environment Agency and the Local

Authority SUDS Approving Body (SAB) subject to detailed

design. It is proposed that on site surface water piped sewer

systems will be adopted and maintained by NWL under a

Section 104 Agreement with proposed on site attenuation

basins and swale networks adopted and maintained by the

Local Authority.

Proposed Foul Water Drainage

It is proposed that foul water flows from the northern area

of the development will discharge via a combination of gravity

foul water sewers and an on-site pumping station and rising

main to an existing public 375mm diameter combined sewer

at existing manhole MH8801 in Wynyard Road to the north

east of the development in accordance with NWL

requirements. Furthermore proposed foul water flows from

the southern area of the development will discharge via a

combination of gravity foul water sewers and 3No. on-site

pumping stations and associated rising mains with flows

discharging to an existing public 375mm diameter foul water

sewer to the south east of the development on the northern

side of Stockton Road (A689) at existing manhole MH6603 in

accordance with NWL requirements. The design and location

of the proposed on site foul water pumping stations will be in

accordance with current Sewers for Adoption with pumping

stations no closer than 15m to habitable buildings in order to

minimise the risk of odour, noise and nuisance. It should be

noted that all proposed on site and offsite sewer

infrastructure including foul water pumping stations and

associated rising mains will be adopted and maintained by

NWL under a Section 104 Agreement.

24 

 

Utilities Assessment associated with the proposed

development has been undertaken which is provided as a

supporting report to the Hybrid application. In summary the

existing record plans received from the various utility

providers detail the following apparatus crossing the Site:

A twin overhead high voltage 66kV cables crossing the

southern part of the Site, extending from the south-east

corner of the site in a north-westerly direction

a single overhead high voltage 11kV cable run crossing

the southern part of the site

a 200mm-diameter regional high pressure gas main

bisecting the Site running north to south

a 100mm-diameter regional high pressure gas main

crossing the centre of the Site

two potable trunk water mains, 30”-diameter and

700mm-diameter, crossing the southern part of the

Site

a 8”-diameter trunk water main crossing the centre of

the Site

a 25mm-diameter water distribution main extending

east-west across the southern part of the Site

underground and overhead telecommunication cables

crossing the southern part of the Site extending from

Stockton Road (A689) on the southern boundary

underground telecommunication cables in the highway

verge of Brierton Lane and Stockton Road (A689)

immediately north and south of the Site respectively.

There is also further electric, water, gas and

telecommunications apparatus located off site but in close

proximity to the Site within the residential development to

the east, in Stockton Road to the south and within the open

agricultural land to the west.

The proposed development allows for the existing twin

overhead high voltage 66kV cables, the regional high pressure

gas mains and the 30”-diameter, 700mm-diameter and 8”-

diameter potable trunk water mains to remain in their

current location within easements/wayleaves.

Diversions will be required on the existing high voltage 11kV

cables in the south, the existing 30”-diameter and 700mm-

diameter trunk water mains adjacent to the proposed

highway crossing of Greatham Beck, the existing 25mm-

diameter water distribution main located in the south and the

existing underground telecommunications cables located on

the north and south boundaries of the site in order to

facilitate the new development. In addition, the existing high

pressure gas mains crossing the site will need protective slabs

at the location of new highway crossing points and the

existing telecommunication cables in the south of the site will

need to be disconnected. It is also anticipated that the

location of 2 No. telecommunication masts to the west of

the site will not affect the proposed development.

In order to provide electric services to the proposed

development a series of 4 No. ground mounted sub-stations

will be established, linked to the existing high voltage

network via underground cables, with a network of

underground distribution cables installed to provide individual

connections. Public utility providers have also confirmed that

there is sufficient capacity within the existing local gas and

water networks to supply services to the development and

reinforcement of the existing networks is therefore not

anticipated. It is also anticipated that no reinforcement works

will be required to supply telecommunication services to the

development

Utilities

25 

 

Utilities Continued . . .

Utilities Site Constraints Plan

26 

 

Landscape

This section summarises the impacts of the development and

recommendations for further work.This assessment has

examined the landscape and visual impacts in relation to

proposals for the development. The potential impacts have

been thoroughly assessed though a combination of desk study

research and walk over surveys of the site and the

surrounding context.

The proposed development will change the existing arable

fields to a residential area incorporating a new Green Wedge

corridor running from the north to the south of the

Application Site. In most part important trees and scrub along

the Greatham Beck and hedgerows will be retained and

enhanced where this is feasible, as part of a comprehensive

landscape infrastructure planting strategy. The latter actions

and the establishment of new hedgerows and species-rich

grassland with scrub will help soften the proposed built form

and assimilate the development into the wider landscape

context. There will be a large change to the nature of the

proposed Application Site, although this will occur in phases

over an eight year period.

Mitigation measures have been introduced to reduce the

impact on receptors with ‘significant effects’. These measures

could include pre-construction phase and construction phase

establishment of new trees and hedgerows. Mitigation will

also be achieved through retention of existing vegetation,

where this is feasible, including trees to watercourses and

hedgerows, and their enhancement (as visual screens and

wildlife habitats) through additional planting and appropriate

management and maintenance of these features. General

design principles applied through the masterplan to further

help assimilate the development into the surrounding

landscape during operation include location of open space,

play space and infrastructure planting and orientation of

properties,

The requirement for mitigation has been identified for several

local representative receptors which would experience

‘significant’ effects. There are no residual impacts deemed

significant, although if proposed vegetation is not

appropriately managed and maintained during the life of the

scheme it is possible that representative receptors R4

(change to the view from Greatham village dwellings), R5

(change to the view from designated footpaths within the

site), R7A (change to the view from designated footpaths

within Greatham Conservation Area), R7B (change to the

view from designated footpaths outside of the site), R11

(change to the view from Greatham Beck LNR) and R12

(change to the view from Summerhill CP permissive access)

which have been assessed as experiencing Minor Adverse

residual impacts could experience increased negative impact.

During the construction and operation phases the

implementation of soft landscaping works, including tree and

hedgerow planting and establishment of formal and semi-

natural grassland and scrub areas, at each stage to streets and

gardens will be completed, and this will help to integrate the

development into the surrounding landscape. Early planting

works within public open spaces implemented ahead of the

construction phases will also be carried out to further aid

assimilation into the surrounding environment. These

mitigation proposals will also help to reduce potential impacts

to the visual amenity of residential and footpath users with

views towards the proposed Application Site.

Cumulative landscape and visual effects can be defined as

those that result from additional changes to the landscape or

visual amenity caused by the proposed development in

conjunction with other developments (associated with or

separate to it), or actions that occurred in the past, present

or are likely to occur in the foreseeable future. For the

medium and long term cumulative impacts it is assessed that

the likely cumulative impact to receptors (landscape or visual)

who have views of both the proposed Application Site and

the new highways works will be of development associated

with Phase 2 of the Hartlepool South West Extension, and a

spread of the Hartlepool urban/rural fringe into the current

rural landscape.

27 

 

Landscape Continued . . .

Landscape Visual Receptors Plan

28 

 

Transport

The Traffic and Transport ES Technical Paper has assessed

the likely significant effects of the Proposed Development in terms of highways and transport related environmental

impact.

Under the IEA’s ‘Guidelines for the Environmental

Assessment of Road Traffic’ consideration has been given to

the baseline conditions, the likely significant environmental effects, the mitigation measures required to prevent, reduce

or offset any significant adverse effects, and the likely residual effects after these measures have been employed.

To establish whether significant environmental effects are

likely a comparison has been made between predicted traffic flows on potentially affected roads, with and without

development taking account of the sensitivity of the receptors as well as any changes in the composition of traffic.

As part of this assessment criteria have been applied in terms

of significance on a National, Regional and Local scale as well as in terms of magnitude, i.e. an adverse impact, no

observable effect or a positive or beneficial effect.

The extent of the study area has been agreed in consultation

with the Highway Authorities. For baseline data reference is

made to traffic surveys undertaken in 2011 and 2014 on highway links and junctions within the study area.

The assessment is focused on understanding the anticipated future changes in traffic demand levels on key movement

corridors routes in the study area during both the

construction process and operational stages of the Proposed Development. Key transport related environmental impacts

that have been assessed include:

Network congestion and delay on key highway links;

The impact on prevailing highway safety conditions and

accident risk as a consequence of changes in

development traffic demand;

he impact on the amenity of the local community and

other local road networks users, in terms of matters such as severance and pedestrian delay / intimidation,

as a consequence of changes in development traffic

demand.

The main transport impacts of construction work are mainly

HGV movements associated with site & ground preparation including removal of surplus soil, general deliveries of

materials, movement of plant and the movement of

construction personnel.

Based upon maximum construction activity at the site, the

number of vehicle movements could reach a peak of around 330 movements per day (36.5% HGV’s). The A689 Stockton

Road, from which access to the Southern Sector of the

Proposed Development is taken, carries in excess of 32,000 vehicles per day. The impact of construction vehicle activity,

predicted to be no more than 220 movements per day, is well below the 30% threshold identified within the IEA

Guidance.

Brierton Lane, from which access to the Northern Sector of the Proposed Development is taken, carries in excess of

1,500 vehicles per day. Again the impact of construction vehicle activity on this link, predicted to be no more than 110

movements per day, is well below the 30% threshold

identified within the IEA Guidance.

In summary, the impact of construction activity will be

negligible in respect of noise, intimidation to other road users, severance or disruption.

29 

 

Transport Continued . . .

For the purposes of assessing the operational phase of the

Proposed Development the Year 2023 has been adopted as this ties in with the projected completion date of the

Proposed Development as well as the assessment horizon adopted in the HA's VISSIM model of the A19(T) / A689

Wynyard Interchange, including the HA's Pinch Point

improvement scheme as well as both committed and planned housing growth in the area.

In agreeing growth factors to the assessment year, the Highway Authorities (HBC / HA) have agreed that the locally

adjusted TEMPro factors take account of committed and

planning future housing growth and are embodied within the TEMPro rates.

Person trip rates for each of the land uses within the Proposed Development have also been agreed with HBC and

the HA. These trip rates have not been adjusted to account

for the significant package of measures promoted through the Movement & Access Strategy to promote sustainable

transport access and achieve a significant modal shift over the lifetime of the Proposed Development.

During the operational phase of the Proposed Development

it has been identified that only Brierton Lane in the vicinity of Masefield Road will experience a change in daily traffic of

more than 30% threshold that triggers an assessment of significance under Year 2023 flow conditions.

The significance of the percentage impact on this link is

primarily linked to the low baseline traffic flows that exist on Brierton Lane. Typically a road corridor of this nature is

designed to accommodate in excess of 18,000 vehicles per day with an HGV percentage of around 10%. Under Year

2023 'with development' flow conditions, Brierton Lane will,

as a maximum carry around 4,100 vehicles per day with around 5% HGVs.

It is also considered that Brierton Lane is not sensitive to the changes in traffic flows during the operational phase of

development as there are residential properties present but

these are set well back from the carriageway.

In the context of any impact or intimidation to road users

such as pedestrians and cyclists, it is proposed to provide additional pedestrian and cycle infrastructure along Brierton

Lane, including a new traffic signal controlled crossing points

at the junctions with Catcote Road and the A689 that will

serve to further reduce conflicts between these more vulnerable road users and general traffic.

In the context of severance or disruption to the community, the scale of impact arising from the Proposed Development

when fully occupied on Brierton Lane would reach the DfT's

lowest level of impact of ‘slight’ but the guidance states that on roads which carry less than 8,000 vehicles per day, such as

Brierton Lane, current journey patterns be maintained and that any hindrance to movement will be low.

It is therefore clear that traffic generated during the

operational phase of the Proposed Development will have only a minor adverse impact on a limited number of highway

links within the study area that are deemed to be sensitive.

With regard to mitigation, access for vehicles throughout the

duration of the Construction Phase will be from either the

A689 Stockton Road (for the Southern Sector of the Proposed Development) or Brierton Lane (for the Northern

Sector of the Proposed Development). Construction vehicle access will be regulated by a Construction Management Plan /

Construction Code of Practice, agreed with the Authorities.

On this basis the potential and residual effects will be minor adverse.

No off-site mitigation measures are required within the IEA Guidelines to address the changes in traffic during the

operational phase of the Proposed Development over a daily

period. The junctions of Brierton Lane with Catcote Road and Brierton Lane with the A689 and Stockton Road have

been identified as requiring mitigation to overcome AM and PM peak hourly capacity constraints.

In addition the Proposed Development will deliver a

comprehensive package of measures to enhance sustainable transport access through a comprehensive Movement &

Access Strategy. The Movement & Access Strategy is also supported by a robust Travel Plan.

Prior to mitigation the potential effects of the Proposed

Development during the operational phase could be considered to be moderate adverse however as a

consequence of the comprehensive package of mitigation measures the residual effects will be no more than minor

adverse.

30 

 

Interaction of Effects of Construction

 

C 

O

N 

S 

T 

R

U 

C 

T 

I 

O

N  

 

I 

M

P 

A 

C 

T 

S 

TOPIC  IMPACT  MITIGATION 

Socio-Economic Positive impact on image of the area

Creation of construction jobs / indirect jobs

Increased expenditure and de-mand for local services

Population increase

Reduced migration

Additional GVA

Beneficial so no mitigation pro-posed

Flood Risk / Drainage

Cultural Heritage and Archaeology

Dust

Noise and vibration due to con-struction works

Increase in construction traffic

Change in traffic emissions

Disturbance to local community

Road safety

Ground gas

Waste

Water pollution

Flood risk / surface water run off

Modification of drains

Human Health impact

Impact on existing utilities and diversions

Export of material

Loss and disturbance of trees and vegetation

Loss and fragmentation of habitats

Loss of arable land

Storage of materials

Disturbance of species

Impact on Greatham Beck and LWS

Impact on species

Provision of a Construction Man-agement Plan

Minimising dust generating activi-ties and dust suppression

Best Practice Measures

Implementation of EA Pollution Prevention Guidance

Site screening / hoardings

Services to be designed and in-stalled in common trenches

Working with site levels and retain material for re-use on site as far as possible

Retention of LWS corridor

Creation of new habitats, includ-ing net increase in hedgerows

New planting for early establish-ment

Retention of existing trees and hedgerows where possible

Work to a NE development li-cence

Site screening / hoardings

Construction Management Plan (location of site hoardings storage of materials and site compounds)

Restricted working hours

Protective fencing for trees pro-tection

Further mitigation to be agreed with Tees Archaeology

Archaeological preservation by record

Earth works and costruction activity

Utilities

Noise and Air Quality

Ecology

Landscape and Visual Impact

Change in views

Impact on below ground ridge and furrow and potential archaeologi-cal deposits

Demolition of farm buildings

Temporary drainage scheme to prevent overland flow during construction

Ecological watching brief where required

Phasing of works and seasonal timing of works

31 

 

Interaction of Effects of Operational

 

O 

P 

E 

R 

T 

I 

O 

N 

A

N  

L 

 

I 

M

P 

A 

C 

T 

S 

TOPIC  IMPACT  MITIGATION 

Development: Up to 1260 residen-

tial dwellings Retail Public House/

restaurant Medical centre Primary school New access roads Two junctions onto

Stockton Road and Brierton Lane

Public Open Space and Green Wedge

Landscaping and ecological works

Drainage features Electrical substa-

tions and pumping stations

Vehicle, pedestrian and cycle circulation

Highway Safety Increased traffic flows / traffic on network Increased traffic on local network Traffic emissions Increased traffic noise

Movement and Access Strategy Production of a Travel Plan Proposed Infrastructure Improve-ments Improved pedestrian / cycle link-ages Boundary screening Consideration of site design, layout and orientation of dwellings Diversion of bus through the site Provision of bus stops within the site Improved linkages throughout the site to wider area Off-site highway improvements Boundary treatments for screen-ing Façade treatments on site Crossing facilities

Increase in hard surfaces – in-creased surface water run off Water quality Increase demand in foul water disposal Flood risk

Impact on Education and Health provision

SUDs and drainage strategy in-cluding on-site attenuation Restricted surface water run off rates Installation of gully traps

Provision of site for primary school and medical centre

Increase in population Reduced out migration for em-ployment Increased employment opportuni-ties Provision of housing to meet demand Increased GVA Retail provision New Homes bonus Increased Council tax Payments Increased household expenditure Increased demand for existing facilities and services Creation of new open space Cycle and pedestrian routes

Impact of local SPA Disturbance to habitats / loss of habitat Fragmentation of habitats Pollution or damage to habitat Spread of invasive species Loss of connectivity Increased human activity

Change to landscape and views Impact on existing residential amenities

Increased load on local utility services

Robust green infrastructure provi-sion Habitat protection, maintenance and retention Tree retention and new planting Control and eradication Appropriate landscaping Management and maintenance Walking routes and cycle paths

Boundary screening Consideration of site design, layout and orientation of dwellings

Provision through construction stage

Beneficial impact no mitigation proposed

32 

 

Cumulative Effects

There are a number of developments that need considering

given the likely impact they will have cumulatively with the

application development. These include developments with

planning permission but which are not yet built; sites

allocated for development or any other known future

proposals. The following list have been agreed with the

Council as part of the Scoping process. The developments

considered as cumulative are set out below:

Golden Flatts Public House and Adjacent Land, Seaton

Lane and Brenda Road

Eaglesfield Road

Brierton School Site

Wynyard (Pentagon areas south)

Wynyard Hospital

Wynyard Business Park

Land at Wynyard Village

Land off Valley Drive, Tunstall Farm

Phase 2 Hartlepool South West Extension site

HBC’s Scoping Opinion said it would be prudent to include a

cumulative assessment of other sites which are reasonably

expected to be brought forward in the vicinity of the site

these include High Tunstall (H/2014/0109 and 10). However,

having reviewed these proposals it is apparent they are

Scoping Requests for 1,200 to 2,250 residential

units. Nonetheless, due to the lack of information available

relating to the proposals, particularly their timescales for

likely delivery and an access strategy plan, which relies on

access to the A689 to the south of the site and through

HSWX that is clearly not deliverable, these developments

have not been considered within the cumulative

considerations.

Overall the cumulative impacts resulting from these varied

developments can be managed through mitigation proposed

as part of each of the proposals in order to manage the

environmental impact so that cumulatively there is not a

more significant impact. There are significant benefits in

terms of the socio economic impacts that can be realised

through the cumulative developments. Those impacts

associated with traffic flows will be managed through

mitigation and only when solutions for the A19 junction can

be found will future development be able to come forward.

33 

 

Conclusion

This ES Part 1 Report presents a detailed project description of the proposals to develop the application site. It sets out the methodology which the Study Team has followed, the alternatives which were considered and the legislative/planning context. Sections 7-9 set out an overview of the environmental impacts on a topic by topic basis, and highlight mitigation proposals as well as sumarise the interaction of effects and the cumulative impacts.

A non-technical summary is provided in a separately bound document.

The Technical Papers in Part 2 of the Environmental Statement provide more detail of this impact of the development during the construction and operational phases against a range of topics including

Soil, Geology Hydrogeology and Hydrology

Traffic and Transportation

Flood Risk and Drainage

Landscape and Visual Impact

Ecology and Nature Conservation

Socio Economic

Noise and Vibration

Air Quality

Cultural Heritage

Utilities

These separate papers contain the detailed analysis of impacts and mitigation and should be referred to for the complete assessment of impact. This ES Part 1 report aims to provide an overview of the predicted effects and how it is proposed to mitigate the impacts. It should be noted that the information submitted for this planning application is extensive given the nature of the site, however, the detailed mitigation strategies will be controlled via the use of planning conditions and the Section 106 Agreement.

As a whole, the majority of potential environmental impacts are negligible or minor adverse and, at worst, some impacts associated with views from properties

and footpaths are considered to be moderate adverse. Other impacts are considered to be beneficial in terms of socio economic impacts such as population increase, increased GVA, increased expenditure, job creation, Council Tax, New Homes Bonus, provision of affordable housing, education facilities and retail. Other benefits are associated with ecology and landscape in terms of public open space provision, net gain in hedgerows, creation of habitats, retention of Greatham Beck corridor which is a local wildlife site and management and maintenance regimes for public open space and the Green Wedge. Where these are during construction, these potential environmental impacts will be temporary and largely intermittent as the site is developed. Where the impacts are greater, they are no more than moderate adverse. This is in respect of landscape impacts, however mitigation will ensure these impacts are kept to a minimum.

The report also assesses the potential for the interaction of effects and concludes that the adverse interaction of impacts in and around the site will occur at its greatest during the short term period (construction and initial phase of operation). It is however considered that the mitigation proposed as part of this environmental assessment is sufficient to deal with these impacts which would be controlled by the use of planning conditions and S106 legal agreement should planning permission be granted. Benefits in the short term relate to direct and indirect employment related to the construction industry. In the longer term, there are benefits resulting from the proposals such as the provision of housing to meet need and encouragement of inward investment.

Cumulative impacts are not considered to be significant and in the majority of cases, negligible. There are positive cumulative impacts in terms of socio economic. Those associated with traffic and transport will be managed by mitigation proposed as part of each proposal to enable them to come forward.

There are therefore not considered to be any potential environmental impacts that cannot be suitably mitigated and which would prevent the proposals from being granted planning permission.

Spawforths Junction 41 Business Court, East Ardsley, Leeds, West Yorkshire. WF3 2AB t: 01924 873873, f: 01924 870777, mail@spawforths.co.uk, www.spawforths.co.uk

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