Roseacre Awareness Group

LCC DCC Presentation19 June 2015

Barbara Richardson

Impacts of Cuadrilla’s Proposals to Drill and Hydraulically Fracture for

Shale Gas at Roseacre WoodPart 2

Totally Unsuitable Location

NPPF Core planning principles state Planners should be recognising ‘the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside and supporting thriving local communities within it’ NPPF Para 20 requires ‘that a development is appropriate for its location’NPPF Para 121 and 122 regulatory bodies doing their jobNPPF Para 123 ‘authorities must identify and protect areas of natural tranquillity which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are prized for their recreational and amenity value for this reason’NPPF Para 144 ’should not have unacceptable adverse impacts on the environment and local communities’

I WILL DEMONSTRATE THIS LOCATION IS TOTALLY UNSUITABLE (FOR AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT) BY SHOWING THE ADVERSE IMPACTS IT WILL

HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND RURAL CHARACTER OF AREA

Joint Minerals & Waste Plan

Policy DM2 of the LMWLP states ‘a development will only be supported where it can be demonstrated that all material, social,

economic or environmental impacts that would cause demonstrable harm can be eliminated or

reduced to acceptable levels’

I WILL DEMONSTRATE THE APPLICANT HAS FAILED TO DO THIS

Joint Minerals & Waste Plan

Policy CS5 of the LMWDF ‘To ensure that the sensitive environmental restoration and aftercare of sites take place, appropriate to the landscape character of the locality and the delivery of national and local biodiversity action plans’.

‘The amenity, health, economic well-being and safety of the population are protected by the introduction of high operating standards, sensitive working practices and environmental management systems that minimise harm and nuisance to the environment and local communities throughout the life of the development’

‘Proposals for mineral workings incorporate measures to conserve, enhance and protect the character of Lancashire landscapes’

‘Alternatives to the bulk transportation of minerals by road will be encouraged’

I WILL DEMONSTRATE THE APPLICANT HAS FAILED TO DO THIS BY NOT CONSIDERING ALL THE IMPACTS

Fylde Borough Local

PlanThe site is located within a countryside area as designated in the Fylde

Borough Local Plan which states that ‘must limit development in the open countryside to that appropriate to a rural area and necessary for the

wellbeing of the local community’

Policy SP2 requires‘ development within countryside areas will not be permitted except where it relates to that essentially required for agriculture, horticulture or forestry

of other uses appropriate to a rural area’‘development is essentially needed for the continuation of an existing

enterprise, facility or operation of a type and scale which would not harm the character of the surrounding countryside’.

I WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT WILL INDEED HARM THE

CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRYSIDE

Fylde Borough Local

PlanPolicy SP5 states‘The proposal does not lead to dispersal of activity on such a scale as to prejudice town or village vitality’

‘the nature and extent of the proposal would not prejudice the character and appearance of the countryside having regard to the development as a whole …including any requirements for access or other highway improvements’

‘the proposal would not promote the need for additional buildings which would have a detrimental effect on the landscape or the character of the countryside’

‘the proposed use would not promote conflict with nearby buildings or operations could be carried out without an adverse affect upon the amenities enjoyed by nearby residents’

‘the site must have, or be capable of being provided with safe and adequate vehicular access’

‘the building is adequate to provide for the parking, loading and manoeuvring of service vehicles without detriment to the character of the area’

‘the proposal can be adequately served by the local road network’

I WILL DEMONSTRATE THE PROPOSED SITE DOES INDEED PREJUDICE THE CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE OF THE AREA AND WILL AFFECT THE AMENITIES ENJOYED BY RESIDENTS

Fylde Borough Local

PlanPolicy EP10 - states that the distinct character and important habitats of the Fylde will be protected. Policy EP11 - requires that new development in rural areas should be sited in keeping with the distinctive landscape character types and that development must be of a high standard of design and that matters of scale, features and building materials should reflect the local vernacular style.Policy EP22 - development will not be permitted which would involve permanent loss of agricultural land (Grades 1,2 1nd 3a) where it could reasonably take place on previously developed sitesPolicy EP23 – development will not be permitted which would adversely affect the quality of water and likely to give rise to pollution of inland surface waterPolicy EP24 – development will not be permitted which would adversely affect the quality of ground water and the ability to utilise existing or potential resources within the boroughPolicy EP26 – development will not be permitted which is likely to give rise to unacceptable levels of air pollutionPolicy EP27 – development will not be permitted which would unnecessarily result in harm by way of noise pollutionPolicy EP28 – regard will be had to the issue of light pollution and proposals must avoid or minimise harm relating to the loss of character, loss of amenity or reduction in highway safety Policy EP29 – do not produce any unacceptable risks to human health or the wider environment including contamination of surface or ground water

TOGETHER WE WILL PROVE THE APPLICANT HAS FAILED TO MEET THESE POLICIES

Material Planning Considerations

• There is a need for the development • The development is acceptable in terms of

1. highway capacity and road safety2. impact upon the landscape3. impact on amenity and public health4. impact on the water environment5. impact on ecology

• The development would have an acceptable impact on the character of the area

I WILL DEMONSTRATE THE IMPACTS ARE UNACCEPTABLE

Similar Plans Previously Rejected

Other less invasive plans rejected by LCC, FBC, WBC, Preston CC as not suitable for rural area.

LCC/2014/0084 Grange Road , Singleton – refused as contrary to policies DM2 LMWLP and CS5 of the Joint LMWDF in that ‘retention of site in current form would adversely affect the landscape character of the area’

97/0644 1998 Plans for Motorway service station off M55 at Treales refused permission because site lies in countryside policies and FB Local Plan SP4 would represent unnecessary development in the open countryside which is contrary to the aims of the policies. Will have an intrusive visual impact in this area of open countryside . Out of keeping with the Fylde countryside. Loss of versatile agricultural land.

06/2007/1265 - Moorside Cottage , Woodplumpton Day Nursery - refused as out of keeping with character of open countryside UNSUSTAINABLE LOCATION! Introduction of a commercial activity and associated traffic movements, general noise, and disturbance would be seriously detrimental to the rural character and appearance of the area and amenities of surrounding residents!!!! (PPS7, PPG13, sustainable patterns of development with continued protection of open countryside, Joint Lancashire Structure Plan Policies 5 and 20, Policies D1, D18 and T19 Adopted Preston Local Plan)

06/82/0650 Sand & Gravel Excavation at Higher Hill House Farm, Woodplumpton – contrary to local Plan and refused as would ‘create a loss of amenity and unacceptable impact on communities’, ‘detrimental to character and appearance of an attractive rural area’ and would ‘adversely affect the amenity of nearby dwellings’ , ‘unacceptable impact on the landscape of the area’

Where is Roseacre Wood?

• Situated in the heart of the Fylde in rural Lancashire

• Proposed site is midway between the two hamlets of Roseacre and Wharles

• Six miles from nearest trunk road and accessed by narrow country lanes

Real People, Real Lives

23 houses, 4 farms

280-400m61 adults7 children

6 houses, 500-600m11 adults7 children

35 houses, 3 farms

280-1000m82 adults

16 children

184 people live within 1km of proposed site (29% over 60 many with existing health conditions and 20% young children)

2300 people live within 2 miles of the

proposed site in

Elswick and Inskip

A Strong Community

Arup state in their Environmental Statement‘No community infrastructure within 1km of the site’

(page 153, 9.6.6, para 63)• This is totally misleading; by their very nature rural communities are

spread over several kilometres • 184 people live within 1km of the proposed site (including many elderly

and young children)• church, nursery school and primary school 1.2 miles from the proposed

site• approximately 2,300 people live within 2 miles (2001 census)

Arup’s survey diminishes the community infrastructure and potential impacts and is totally unacceptable

A Proud Rural Community

A Strong and Vibrant Community

• 3 hamlets - Roseacre, Wharles & Treales Parish• 490 residents (180 residences)• Christ Church (150 years of church community heritage)

with thriving Women’s Institute• Award winning nursery school just 1mile from proposed

site • Award winning primary school 1.2 miles from proposed site• 12 established dairy, stock and arable farms • 3 thriving local pubs

Our Social Amenity

– the area is extremely popular with many for recreational pursuits

– hundreds of cyclists, horse riders, walkers, joggers, wildlife enthusiasts and many others

– numerous annual cycling, running and agricultural events– many local businesses such as livery stables, caravan and

camping sites, tearooms, smithy, landscaping, public houses, farm shops all within 1 mile of proposed site!!!

Runners and JoggersInskip Half Marathon (January 18th 2015 )

500 runners from all over Lancashire and Greater Manchester took part right

along Cuadrilla’s proposed route.

When car meets runner. Note the state of the roads

When cyclists meet runners

Note the state of the lanes!

Note dog walker in the road

Look at the mud on the roads

Catforth Canter(30 May 2015)

150 runners from local running clubsThese are not one off events!

At least 7 annual charity road races along proposed route plus many other events

Cyclists and Events• thousands of cyclists use lanes

• 22 cycling clubs (over 500 members) • Route includes part of Guild Wheel

and Lancashire Cycle Way• British Cycle Association want to run 6

road races along the proposed route

Numerous Charity Events and Races

Fylde Windmill Charity Run(Sunday 7th June 2015)

This is not a one off event. There are many all year round.

Equestrians

Horses on Salwick Road Feb 2015

Horses on Clifton Road March 2015

• 13 livery yards would be affected, at least 6 livery yards along route some with direct access

• 300 horses in immediate area• RAG survey showed 93% ride out April-Sept• Hack out daily 74% would not if traffic increased• 60% would move away from area if can’t hack

out• Arup’s horse survey totally misleading

(completed over 3 days in Winter and during working day!)

Canoe Clubs meet weekly all year round right on the

proposed route

Liverpool Canoe Club – 26 March 2015(even busier in Summer)

Often used by local Boys Brigade for canoeing

Ribble Canoe club meets every Tuesday

Impact on Local Businesses

• At least 13 livery stables in area• 3 camping and caravan sites• 2 tea rooms/café (used by walkers and cycling groups) • 4 farm shops including one organic farm • agricultural smithy• garden and landscaping • 3 public houses

All rely on the rural character of the area to sustain them

Camping & Caravaners 3 sites along the route or within

1km of the proposed site

“For those of you who appreciate the outdoors and a rural location, the Hand & Dagger is an ideal setting for those wishing to get away from it all for the weekend. A quiet countryside spot alongside the Lancaster Canal, near to Preston, Blackpool, Lytham St. Annes and only 7 miles from the M55”

NW Boys Brigade Training Centre – Treales

activities in the area such as walking, cycling, riding, canoeing, camping

60 bookings on 2014Groups from Yorkshire, Midlands, Greater

Manchester, Scotland and Poland!Because rural location and quiet countryside

Inskip Air Cadet CentreCumbria & Lancashire Wing,

Air Training CorpsHigham Side Road

Inskip

Right on Cuadrilla’s route!

Treales C of E Primary School50 school children

only 1.2 miles from proposed site

Ofsted Outstanding Inskip Nursery School

less than 1 mile from proposed site

40 childrenUnit 2

Higham Side RoadInskip

and right on Cuadrilla’s proposed route!

Classic cars driving along the route in June

Such is the essential rural

character of the area enjoyed by

thousands

• Total surface works is 6.54ha (existing site at Elswick only 1.9ha) • Site area 38,500m2 excluding access track (Elswick only 12000m2)• Well pad 13,400m2 (Elswick only 2,709m2)• 1300 metres of 4metre high security solid acoustic barrier topped by razor wire ,

extending all along access road• outer 1.2m high fence• 13,400m2 well pad ( Elswick site is only 2700m2)• 5,700m2 ditches and bunds and fencing• 35m drilling rig, 30m work over rig, 30m fracturing rig, 30m coiled tubing unit• 5-15.5 metre solid acoustic barriers around drilling rig and fracking equipment• 2 10x3m flare stacks• 6 hydraulic fracturing pumps• 2 x 15m sand silos• numerous water silos• cementing equipment• mud processing - mud mixing, mud processing pumps, mud• diesel generators and fuel storage• manifold unit, blender unit, high volume separators• Flow back tanks• cement powder, fire fighting foam, suspension fluid/additives, diesel, maintenance

lubricants

This is the realityOne Fracking Site

Comprises :

• ancillary structures such a site office, welfare, up to 10metres high!• 40 feet high shipping containers• 428m access track with 4m solid acoustic barrier• Site entrances – hard standing wide enough for two HGV’s • Security gates/booths at three site entrances • Large passing areas for HGV’s• 30metres of hedgerows removed or cut down • further 280metres hedgerows lowered to 1m • number of trees removed in Roseacre Wood to make way for access road• 5 x 30metre passing places (tapering to 55m) on Dagger Road and on incoming

route• widening of country lanes by up to 1metre and loss of grass verges• plus 91 surface and buried arrays each 20mx20m (down to 2mx2m) – why?

Remember it will also be lit up day and night in an area with little light pollution at present

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT BECOMES A SUPERPAD WITH UP TO 40 WELLS?WILL BE EVEN BIGGER/MORE IMPACT

Major industrialisation in the heart of rural Fylde!

This is the realityOne Fracking Site

cont’d

What it will look like

Imagine a 4metre high solid barrier running from the road to

the woods

The site will be clearly visible from the road and nearby residences (not screened by a deciduous wood at all)

Have you seen any photographic evidence from the applicant?

Security gates/booths at the 3 site entrances !

Don’t under estimate the height of the barriers!Acoustic barriers

• Mitigation measures to reduce noise actually makes the visual impacts even worse by installing solid acoustic barriers from 4 metre -15 metre high!

• 4 metre high solid barrier all the way along access route• There will be ‘significant’ impact on ‘open countryside’• Where is the evidence of what it will actually look like?• Failure of applicant to produce photomontages, 3D or photographic images

especially after mitigation• Why? ……… because they know what it will look like!• Will have detrimental impact on the rural character of the landscape and will

affect local businesses who depend on it• Will affect thousands of people who use the area for recreational pursuits

Totally unacceptable development for a rural area and detracts from rural character

Adverse Visual

Impacts

LCC’s Landscape Architect states in his Landscape & Visual Impact Analysis (LVIA)

• ‘area has a strong rural character’ • ‘open countryside’• ‘prominent incongruous industrial features in the rural landscape’• ‘significant new features’• ‘significant localised landscape and visual effects are unavoidable’• ‘landscape character would see effects of moderate-major significance’• ‘most significant effects will occur within 1.5km radius’• ‘nearby Public Rights of Way would be significantly affected by the development proposals’• ‘may alter some visitors perception of what the area has to offer and deter them from using the camping and

caravanning sites’• applicants misleading photographs/photomontages – rig likely to be 3x taller! (viewpoints 3, 5, 9 and 14) • 6 properties at Stanley Mews missing from LVIA Review and these directly overlook the site!!!!• local businesses rely on the rural setting which provides a valuable social amenity and local revenue stream

EP11 requires that new development in rural areas should be sited in keeping with the distinctive landscape character types and that development must be of a high standard of design and that matters of scale, features and building

materials should reflect the local vernacular style.

Our Rural Landscape and Features are NOT Adequately

Protected

This is Not Temporary

• Creating a permanent waste repository • Cuadrilla have already stated they will move to production after only one well (if

find sufficient reserves and required flow rates)• Could be 20-30 years of impacts (increased volumes of water, traffic, noise,

waste management)• Application includes connection to the mains gas grid• Lancashire could become the ‘the largest gas field in Western Europe’ (Francis

Egan)• Is this what you want for rural Lancashire?Lancashire’s Mineral & Waste emerging SPD (4.4) states ‘appraisal stage should take account of the long term suitability of the sites since such wells may subsequently used for production purposes’

Replicated a hundred fold?

Is this what we really want?

93 seismic monitors right across the Fylde

Multiple and Cumulative

Impacts Unacceptable

• Noise (especially when consider existing low background levels)• Additional traffic (on miles of narrow rural lanes)• Light pollution (especially when consider no light pollution at present)• Visual intrusion• Impact on landscape - rural character will be ruined• Impact on local businesses• Loss of social and recreational amenity• Risks to health and well-being• Adverse impacts on property prices• Locked in communities

Lancashire’s Minerals and Waste emerging SPD (4.5) states the ‘cumulative visual effect of an increased number of wells or an intensification of development in the local area will

be a key consideration’

Proximity to MOD Inskip

• 500m west of site and within safeguarding zone• provides radio communication (transmitters and receivers) services for defence purposes• extensive complex of guyed masts (including 4x183m masts) which are susceptible to damage • ES fails to identify them as ‘local critical infrastructure’ or ‘potential seismic sensitive receptors but

they must be considered as such (MOD)• applicant to assess induced vibration or seismicity impacts?• proposed site occupies electromagnetic fields – emissions induce electric currents and voltages

which could cause electrical sparks (MOD)• proposed site relates to extraction of combustible gases and, as such, may be the source of

flammable atmosphere and an electrical spark could be source of ignition (MOD• Safety and security implications of using MOD Inskip for all HGV traffic?• applicant to produce risk assessment (BS EN PD CLC/TR 50427:2004) MOD. • Have you seen it and are you reassured that all risks eliminated?• Other safety considerations especially proximity to main gas pipe line (MHAP)• MOD Inskip can only be used if operationally expedient/relevant terms yet to be established? What

does this mean?

The applicant has yet to demonstrate that proximity of the exploration site to MOD Inskip is safe. This creates further anxiety.

“This study carefully reviewed the public records of environmental violations reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for the period

2008–10. Of a total of 1,924 violations, 152 were serious, involving 72 cement and casing violations, 8 blowouts, 56 major spills, and 16 cases of stray gas.”

Accidents can and

do happen!

After a huge fracking well blowout in Karnes County, Texas, residents were evacuated within a THREE-MILE radius. This happened on May 19th 2015 and some residents haven't yet been able to return home - almost three weeks later. "The well released more than 862,000 pounds of air contaminants according to a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality report.““TCEQ said during the first 1.5 hours of the blowout, fresh water was released. The remaining 22 hours the flow was a mix of oil, water and gas”.

Imagine if this happened here. A three-mile evacuation zone would take you close into densely populated Kirkham, Preston and Blackpool.

Emergency plans, poor access for emergency vehicles? How long would it take to reach us down narrow country lanes?

Accidents can and do

happen

Is this what you want in an area known for its beauty, tranquility and amenity?

The applicant has failed to meet many of LCC planning

policies designed to protect us.This proposal will have a devastating impact on the

character of the area, the rural landscape and will result in loss of amenity

PLEASE DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO FRACKING IN LANCASHIRE…. the potential for long lasting damage to people’s health,

environment and local businesses just too great!

Summary