short rotation coppice

ShortRotationCoppiceforEnergyProduction

The development of aneconomically and environmentallysustainable industry G

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Short Rotation Coppice for Energy Production Good Practice Guidelines Page1

ContentsContentsContentsContentsIntroduction 3What is SRC energy production? 3

Benefits of SRC development 3

Scale of SRC schemes 5

Using these guidelines 5

Consultation 7Community interests 7

Timing 7

Who to consult? 8

Whose responsibility? 8

Preparing for consultation 8

Consultation methods 8

Issues for consultation 9

Growing 10Economic viability 11

Funding 11

Additional income 11

Site assessment and selection 12

Landscape and visibility 12

Soil type 12

Water use 13

Vehicle access 13

Nature conservation 13

Archaeology 14

Pests and diseases 14

Public access 14

Plantation design and planting 14

Landscape 14

Designing for harvesting 15

Public access 15

Water use 16

Pest and disease control 16

Nature conservation 17

Site preparation and weed control 19

Choice of planting material 19

Planting and first year 19

Storage 20

Harvesting and transport 21Harvesting 22

Timing 22

Noise 23

Mechanised harvesting 23

Storage 24

Safety 24

Transport 25

Traffic impact 25

Managing traffic 26

Energy production 28Site selection 29

Scale of development 29

Technical requirements 29

Environmental requirements 30

Technology 31

Planning permission 33

Box 1: What is an Environmental Assessment (EA)? 32

Box 2: When is an EA required? 32

Box 3: What should an environmental statement cover?33

Planning process 34

Grid connection 35

Construction of plant 36

Method statement 37

Operation of plant 38

Noise 38

Light 38

Dust and smell 39

Ash 39

Emissions to ground and water courses 39

Emissions to air (including plume) 39

Transport 40

Monitoring 41

Decommissioning 41

Appendices1 Consultation on guidelines 42

2 Statutory and non-statutory consultees 43

3 Contacts 44

4 Glossary 45

5 Further information 46

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Introduction

SRC Willow, an energy crop. (Photo: British BioGen)

What isWhat isWhat isWhat isSRC energySRC energySRC energySRC energyproduction?production?production?production?Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) is an energy crop,usually willow or poplar, which is used to produceeither heat or electricity or both. It is knowngenerally as biomass and is a type of renewableenergy.

Renewable energy developments are generallyconsidered to be environmentally beneficial, byproviding clean energy from resources that arecontinually replaced. However, as with anydevelopment, Short Rotation Coppice energyproduction projects can have local impacts.Therefore, it is the responsibility of developers toconsider the environmental impact, economicviability and acceptability to local communities ofeach scheme.

These good practice guidelines aim to help new projectsto proceed in an appropriate and sensitive manner so thatthe industry as a whole can continue to expand with aresponsible reputation. They have been developed by awhole range of organisations and individuals withextensive experience as developers, environmentalbodies, farmers and planners of Short Rotation Coppicedevelopments for energy production.

Benefits of SRCdevelopmentThe development of SRC for renewable energyproduction is a new industry with potential forconsiderable expansion, offering benefits for growers,developers, consumers, local communities and theenvironment. It is a form of renewable energy which hasgreat potential to help meet current and future demandsfor energy.

Any development of renewable energy must be seen inthe context of UK and EU policy on sustainabledevelopment: that is, development which meets theneeds of the present without compromising the ability offuture


generations to meet their own needs.Energy production is a vital element of sucha future. Pollution problems, current ratesof consumption of fossil fuels (such as coaland oil), and dependence on importedfuels associated with conventional methodsof energy production are generally seen asunsustainable.

Energy crops offer one of the greatestpotential sources of renewable energy forelectricity, heat, and combined heat andpower generation. If energy crops such asSRC are included in the general mix ofagricultural crops in a considered andinformed way, there could be significantenvironmental and ecological benefitsalongside the development of a fullysustainable energy resource.

The benefits from a well-run SRC energyproduction industry include:

Environmental benefits:• SRC can produce energy with no net

increase in atmospheric carbon.

• Fuel can be used close to the area of itsproduction, which reduces the need forlong distance haulage.

• Local power generation reducestransmission losses and can strengthenthe electricity grid by providingadditional and alternative sources.

• As a rotation crop, SRC is harvested atspecific intervals, to provide a regularand constantly renewable supply offuel.

• SRC plantations, usually of willow orpoplar, can provide landscape variety,and a habitat for many species ofplants, birds and other wildlife. Blocksare planted over a two to five yearperiod (usually three), and thenharvested in rotation, so fields withinthe growing area will always representall age classes.

• Converting existing arable land to SRCwill reduce the amount of agriculturalchemicals required as SRC is a low-input crop: once established it requiresa very much lower input of chemicalsthan conventional arable crops.

Carbon CycleCarbon dioxide (CO2) is an important greenhouse gas contributing toglobal warming. One of the principal sources of man-made carbonemissions is fossil fuel combustion. As a renewable energy resource,SRC may offer significant opportunities to reduce carbon emissionsfrom fossil fuel combustion and thereby reduce the risk of futureclimate change.

Plants constitute a living reservoir of stored carbon. There is a naturalcarbon cycle: when plants are burned or decompose, the carbon isreleased to the atmosphere. If energy crops are managed sustainably,the fuel cycle contributes little or no net carbon to the earth’satmosphere: ie it is carbon neutral.

The net carbon benefits of a particular biomass energy system willdepend on the carbon emissions associated with the energy system itreplaces, the efficiency of biomass conversion techniques, and theenergy balance associated with growing and transporting the fuel priorto combustion.

Economic benefits:• SRC can contribute to farm diversification and may attract

various grants and other payments.

• It can utilise under-used agricultural land.

• It can provide employment both for agricultural workers(especially in winter, when harvesting is done and otheragricultural work is scarce), and at the power productionplant for both skilled and unskilled workers.

• It is a robust and durable crop, making it especially suitablefor urban fringe and similar areas; sporting and recreationalfacilities (such as walking or bird-watching) can be providedin SRC crop areas. Both the plantations and the power plantsmay also be promoted as visitor attractions, to provideeducational opportunities as well as additional income andgrant aid.


Scale of SRC schemesCurrently, the emerging SRC energy productionindustry is developing in two ways:

• Schemes are being developed at a very locallevel, supplying heat and/or electricity tobuildings such as hospitals and schools.Alternatively, farmers may be developing a heatonly scheme to heat farm buildings enablingthem to reduce energy bills and use spare landon the farm to grow the SRC. These on-farmschemes may also use forestry residues fromwoodland on the farm as a source of fuel, tosupplement specially grown SRC.

• Larger scale schemes are being developed toproduce electricity for the national grid, usingSRC in purpose-built power generating plants,usually producing between 5 and 10MW. Thesedevelopments have obtained contracts under theGovernment’s Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation(NFFO), which seeks to stimulate clean energyproduction by guaranteeing both a price and amarket for the electricity produced. However, itshould be noted that even the largest SRC powergenerating plants will only be a fraction of thesize of conventional power stations (a coal-firedpower station will generate in excess of 300MWof electricity).

Using theseUsing theseUsing theseUsing theseguidelinesguidelinesguidelinesguidelinesThese guidelines are designed to cover all theissues which may affect projects of any scale.However, given the wide variety in the scale ofSRC energy production developments, readersshould be aware that not all the issues raised willbe equally relevant to all schemes. While most ofthe principles of good practice will need to beconsidered even by the developer of a small on-farm scheme, some of the issues which are raised,and actions recommended, will only be appropriatefor larger schemes.

The guidelines follow SRC energy productionchronologically through steps from growing, toharvesting, to energy production. However, in

reality, the steps do not follow this sequence. All thepieces of the jigsaw must be in place for a successfulscheme to get off the ground, and they may need tohappen concurrently. For example, a grower will notembark on growing SRC without a definite use or marketand the potential for alternative sources of income anduses for the crop. Equally a developer will want aguaranteed fuel supply, a market for the power (the gridor a local outlet) and a site for the power plant.

The developer of the power plant will usually take overallresponsibility for any larger scale SRC energy productionprojects. They will specify to growers the form in whichthe fuel is required for the power plant, and may havesignificant input into the ways in which the crop will bemanaged, harvested, stored and transported; they mayeven undertake the harvesting themselves. The developerwill wish to have confidence in all aspects of the projectsince the power plant is likely to require a substantialfinancial commitment. The power plant will also besubject to strict regulation and require formal permissionfrom planning and other authorities. The chapter onEnergy Production covers many of these issues. Thegrower will have concerns about the economic viabilityand practical aspects of growing SRC as a crop, as well asbeing sensitive to environmental and local concerns. Thechapter on Growing aims particularly to cover issues ofconcern to growers. The chapter on Harvesting andTransport will be of interest to both growers anddevelopers.

The following chapters are designed to cover all theissues that may be relevant to the different elements of aproject. Clearly, local circumstances will mean that eachdevelopment is different and different issues will havepriority. This guide is therefore not a step-by-step set ofprocedures, but rather aims to cover the full range ofissues that may need to be addressed and to provide somebasic principles to aid local decision-making. Furtherdetailed information is available in a range of technicalpublications and official regulations, which are listed inAppendix 5.

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Tab

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ConsultationVisitors to anSestablished SRCplantation (photo:

British BioGen)

Community interestsLocal communities are likely to be affected by SRCenergy production projects as a result of, for example:

• transporting the crop to the power plant

• the construction and operation of the plant itself

• changes to the landscape created by the coppiceplantations

lthe potential for increased local employment both ingrowing the crop and in energy production.

The extent to which communities are affecteddepends on the nature and scale of the plannedproject. However, even small on-farm schemes willhave an effect on neighbours and will require someconsultation. In all cases, well-planned consultationundertaken at an early stage will improve the qualityof the final scheme, as well as help to avoid laterconflict.

TimingEarly consultation is particularly important in SRCenergy production projects as they are relatively newin the UK. Most people will know little about thevisual appearance of a project or the impact it mayhave on local people and the environment. Earlyinformation to local people on coppice plantations,transport routes and power generation, as well asquick responses to particular concerns, will helppeople feel confident about this new industry in theirarea. Local people will understand if details have notyet been finalised, and will welcome the opportunityto comment at an early stage.

Early consultation with statutory conservationagencies over locations for planting and growing SRCmay also be helpful. These statutory agencies aregovernment bodies and are used to dealing withinformal consultations in confidence.

Consultation should continue throughout thedevelopment stages of a scheme, and will need tocover all aspects including the design andmanagement of the plantation, the harvesting, storage


and transportation of the crop, and the constructionand operation of the power plant itself.

To some extent, consultation can be structuredalongside the process for gaining formal planningpermission for the power plant, but may need to beextended. For example, the growing, harvesting andstorage elements of an SRC energy production projectwill usually fall outside formal planningrequirements, although some grant schemes forgrowers require consultation as a condition of grantaid.

Who to consult?People who live and work in the immediate vicinityof the proposed scheme, specific local interest groupsand statutory agencies are all likely to have an interestin the development of an SRC energy productionproject. A sample list of statutory and non-statutoryconsultees is given in Appendix 2.

The project leaders for the development will need toidentify all the likely areas of concern and involveinterested groups at the most appropriate stages.Different stakeholders will have concerns aboutdifferent aspects of the project. Those living near thepower plant may have concerns about its visualimpact, noise from construction or emissions fromthe plant. Some people will want information ontraffic movements through their community, whileothers will be concerned about the impact of SRC onthe landscape or the local ecology.

Whose responsibility?For large scale developments, the developer willusually have overall responsibility for managing theconsultation process as they will be responsible forthe development of the power plant, as well asinfluencing the growing, harvesting, storage andtransportation of the crop. However, the grower willalso want to manage their activities in a mannerwhich is sensitive to the environment and to localconcerns, and may contribute substantially to theconsultation process.

The development may be a community project, runby local people. However, this does not eliminate theneed for wide consultation and involvement.

Preparing for consultationConsultation needs to be planned and integrated intothe overall development process. The following stepsmay help to maximise the effectiveness ofconsultation and enable the developer to address anyconcerns that arise:

• Developers should analyse the community, orcommunities, that might have an interest in thedevelopment (stakeholder analysis). Informationwill also be needed on local issues that may berelevant. This will enable developers to preparetheir consultation and communications strategy.

• SRC energy production is a new industry and itmay be appropriate to produce information forlocal people about the nature of the industry andthe specific local development, what it will looklike and the impact and benefits it will have.

• Consultation needs to start as early as possible inthe planning and design stage. It needs to beplanned, but also flexible enough to meet theneeds of changing circumstances.

• Honesty, openness and commitment toconsultation are essential. Although developerswould not be expected to resolve all concernsexpressed, they should always respond toconcerns. If something cannot be altered, a clearexplanation of the reasons should be provided.

Consultation methodsA number of consultation methods may be used,depending on local circumstances such as theparticular needs of the community and otherinterested organisations and the scale of the project.These might include:

• exhibitions

• open days, and visits to similar sites already inexistence

• public meetings

• questionnaires

• special meetings for key local organisations (suchas parish councils)

• workshops for mixed groups of stakeholders toconsider particular issues.

Short Rotation Coppice for Energy Production Good Practice Guidelines Pa

Liaison should continue after plant construction is completed.For example:

• Visitors to the power generating plant or SRC plantations:local groups and others may be interested in touring theplant. Some coppice could be developed on the site of theplant so that the whole process could be shown tovisitors.

• Links may be made to the environmental programmes oflocal schools.

• A liaison forum could be established between thedeveloper, the local authority and local communities,building on contacts made during the development stages.This could be linked to formal and informal monitoring,which may be required in any case by conditions of theplanning permission.

Issues for consultationThe key issues on which the developer consults are likely toinclude:

• timing of construction of the power generating plant

• design and layout of power plant (including size of plumeand chimney, plans for screening etc)

• traffic routes (for building, supplying and operating theplant)

• monitoring air emissions from the plant

• impact of the SRC plantation

• public access through the plantation.

These issues, and many others, are covered in detailthroughout these guidelines.

In Mid-Suffolk, acommunity liaisoncommittee wasestablished through theEnvironmental HealthOfficer for regularmonitoring of publicopinion about the plant;HMIP were responsiblefor most of the technicalmonitoring. Thiscommittee has provideda degree of visible localaccountability by theplant operators, and hasbeen seen as a valuablemeans of communicationfor all parties concerned.


Two year old willow SRC with wide headland (Photo: British BioGen)

GrowingThis chapter covers the full range of issuesrelating to establishing and managing SRCplantations. The degree to which theguidelines will apply to any specificcircumstance will depend on the scale ofthe scheme. Each grower will decide onthe relevance of the issues andrecommended actions to their ownoperations. For smaller scale operations,many of the impacts may be less and theissues easily dealt with. more carefulconsideration may be required for largerschemes which may have a greater impacton the local area.

hort Rotation Coppice (SRC) can be afinancially profitable new crop for growers,given the existence of a market, especially on

set-aside land and with current support schemes. Itcan also provide an opportunity to develop anumber of additional, profitable uses. Onceestablished, SRC is a low-input crop, which can haveconsiderable environmental benefits, especially

where land has previously been farmed intensively.Indeed, SRC has great potential to encourage wildlifediversity.

There is considerable mutual benefit in the balancebetween commercial viability and the environmentalbenefits of SRC as a crop. Practices which may enhancethe conservation benefits may also help to reduce pestand disease problems and maximise yield.

Some of the principles of good practice for growingSRC are well-established, and form the basis of thischapter. However, practice will continue to evolve ascommercial growing develops. Clearly, the widediversity of land in the UK will mean that growers willhave to take a range of issues into consideration and,therefore, these guidelines cannot be prescriptive.

This chapter covers the three essential elements thatshould be considered in growing SRC:

• whether the crop would be economic in thespecific circumstances of the potential grower

• selecting an appropriate site

• establishing and managing an SRC plantation tomaximise environmental benefits and reducenegative impacts.S


EconomicEconomicEconomicEconomicviabilityviabilityviabilityviabilityThe decision to grow SRC needs to be based onwhether it would be economically viable. In assessingthe level of income the crop may produce, a growerwill want to consider the following options:

Can the crop be used on the farm?

Using the crop as fuel on the farm to produceheat can reduce heating bills, make use ofunder-used land, and generate additionalincome through the sale of surplus production.

Is there a local developer?

If growers want to be part of a supply chain forenergy production, they need to be withinrange of a developer who will buy the fuel.Current practice indicates that developersusually prefer to obtain fuel within a radius of48-64 km (30-40 miles).

Is there an opportunity to form a co-operative?

Several growers may be able to form a co-operative and sell in bulk to a developer.

Is there an opportunity to create a localmarket?

Growers could create their own marketthrough a local heat plant or by collaboratingon the joint development of a powergenerating plant.

FundingGrants and other payments are available forgrowing SRC from a number of sources. Forexample:

• There are grants for equipment, machinery, advice,associated woodland management and establishmentunder schemes such as the Farm and ConservationGrant Scheme (MAFF), Countryside Stewardship(Countryside Commission), and the WoodlandGrants Scheme (see below).

• The Woodland Grants Scheme (WGS) has its ownguidelines. Details from the Forestry Authority(Conservancy Office or the Grants and LicencesDivision).

• Arable producers who have land eligible for theArable Area Payments Scheme can grow SRC onset-aside land. Details from MAFF local offices,Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment andFisheries Department, Welsh Office AgricultureDepartment (WOAD), or the Department ofAgriculture for Northern Ireland.

• Specific incentives may be available in designatedareas such as National and Community Forests.Details from the Countryside Commission.

Additional incomeSRC can also provide additional income to the growerthrough the following:

• SRC can provide good cover for pheasants. TheGame Conservancy Trust has done research intoopportunities for the development of game onfarmland. They and other organisations can givedetailed advice to growers.

• The establishment of SRC may enable growers touse or sell wood residue from existing woodland,thus creating extra income from an under-usedresource.

• Some growers have found that there is a high levelof public interest in SRC as it is a relatively newcrop. Farms with an existing visitors centre mayfind that SRC provides new interest for visitors.Even without a formal visitors centre, a publicaccess agreement can be established and can offereducational and recreational opportunities forvisitors.


Site assessmentSite assessmentSite assessmentSite assessment& selection selection selection selectionAs with any crop, only when a grower has identifieda reliable market, and confirmed the economicviability of the crop, will site assessment and selectiontake place. Then a range of practical issues willinfluence the decision on whether, and how, to goahead on a particular site. Special consideration willbe given to the following, all of which are covered inmore detail below:

• Landscape and visibility

• Soil type

• Water use

• Vehicle access

• Nature conservation

• Archaeology

• Pests and disease

• Public access.

Landscape and visibilityAs a row crop, SRC will be a new and visible featureof the countryside. It can have either a beneficial ornegative impact on the landscape, depending onwhere and how it is grown. The actual impact willdepend upon the character and quality of therecipient landscape, the extent of physical changeinvolved, and the ability of the landscape toaccommodate this change. For example, if all thefuel for a large-scale power station is to be grownwithin a concentrated area, the change in characterof the landscape could be considerable.

Certain types of landscape will be more suitable forgrowing SRC than others. To assess the likely impactof large-scale SRC production it is recommendedthat developers undertake a landscape assessment inorder to understand the landscape in which it isintended to grow the crop.

Special consideration should be given to the impactof SRC plantations within National Parks and Areasof Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). These areareas which have been designated nationally for thequality of their landscape, and to which specificprotection policies apply. There may also be relevant

regional or local landscape designations, as well as areasdesignated as being of special conservation value: seeNature conservation below.

As SRC typically grows taller than other crops, thevisibility of the scheme, and its impact on people'svisual amenity needs to be considered when selecting asite. An SRC plantation may contribute positively tovariation in landscape types and enhance views;alternatively there may be issues of reduced visibilityfrom paths or favourite views. If the plantation is likelyto obscure locally important views at certain times in itslife cycle, it may be appropriate to select alternativesites, although any negative impact may be reducedthrough careful design.

SRC in the landscape (Photo: British BioGen)

Soil typeA variety of soil types are suitable for growing SRC,although particularly shallow or dry soils may givepoor yields. The grower needs to consider that the cropwill be harvested in winter and that machinery maydamage wet soil. Therefore, it will not be suited tofloodlands, boggy areas or sensitive wetland areas.


Water useSRC's water demand will vary depending on thechoice of species (poplar or willow) and on thevarieties selected. Research shows that poplar has ahigh water use when water is available; the situationwith willow is less clear although a similar responseshould be anticipated. As with any crop, growersshould consider the possible impacts on waterdemand and use when choosing a site:

• The yield of SRC is likely to be affected by wateravailability, although the exact relationshipbetween water and yield is yet to bedetermined. It is likely that yields will be betterin wetter parts of the country.

• If a substantial area within a water catchment isto be given over to SRC production, thenconsideration of the impact on ground watershould be given a high priority. However,where the crop forms merely one of a widerange of differing land uses the water impactshould be negligible.

• SRC may have benefits in buffer zones orsurrounding high-input crops. The root matwhich forms under an SRC plantation is aneffective mechanism for soaking up nutrients, soSRC may have a positive role to play in limitingnutrient loss to waterways.

• The roots of SRC can be damaging to fielddrains. Where a drainage system is new, thegrower may wish to choose a different locationfor the crop. However, the life of a drain systemshould be considered in relation to the expectedlife of the SRC plantation.

Vehicle accessVehicle choice will be determined by maximumpayload, vehicle size and access to the farm. For verysmall schemes, it is possible that a farm tractor andtrailer may be the best option.

Vehicle access to the plantation will mostly be inwinter (when the crop is harvested), so identifyinga site close to, and with easy access from, existingroutes and hard roads will be a priority.

Nature conservationSRC has greater potential to encourage wildlifediversity than any other row crop currently grownby UK farmers. It can provide habitats for insects,birds and wildflowers, some of which may beconsidered pests in other crops. There are a number

of conservation issues which growers need to considerwhen looking for a site:

• The intrinsic ecological value of the site shouldalways be taken into account. In areas whereecological value has been recognised by local,national or European designation, such as a Site ofSpecial Scientific Interest (SSSI) or National NatureReserve (NNR), careful investigation should alwaysbe undertaken of the potential impact of growingSRC. There are likely to be legal consequences ofnational or European level designations which needto be taken into account. Advice should always besought on the ecological and other implications ofparticular designations. Examples of habitats whichmay prove especially sensitive include ancientwoodland, linear features such as hedgerows,wetlands, heathlands, unimproved grassland,peatlands and lowland wet grassland.

• Growers should consider planting SRC in areas thatare currently of low conservation value, where itwill be of most benefit to wildlife. Advice shouldbe sought from local conservation agencies.

• SRC is most likely to be grown on three types ofland:

Pasture. Land currently under arable production. In thiscase, SRC is likely to be of more benefit to natureconservation than the previous crop. Set-aside land, in which case growers will besubject to the normal set-aside regulations whichrequire the maintenance of any existingenvironmental features on the land (such as trees,hedgerows and ponds).

• The type and proximity of adjacent habitats shouldalso be taken into consideration. SRC can help toprovide habitat links between areas of existingwoodlands. The high insect load of an SRCplantation will benefit birds nesting in nearbywoodlands. Alternatively, an area of existingconservation interest may be adversely affected bythe creation of an SRC plantation, especially if it is awetland or marshy grassland.


ArchaeologyAs with any crop, when identifying potential sitesfor SRC plantations, growers should avoid knownarchaeological sites. Sites of archaeological interesthave survived in a variety of forms includingearthworks, ruined structures and cropmarks.Cropmarks can be seen from aerial photographs andshow the presence of features in arable areas. Manyof the better archaeological sites can be found onmarginal land in the uplands but some are also inareas of undisturbed pasture.

Some of these sites may be found marked on mapsbut, as many sites have not been properly surveyedor recorded, most will not be. In most areas therewill be a register of sites of archaeological interestheld by the county archaeologist. To find out moreabout the area in which the SRC will be grown,contact the local planning authority, who will referyou to the relevant organisation. It is worth notingthat the Woodland Grants Scheme asks forinformation from professional archaeologists forevery application for new planting that it receives.

Pests and diseasesSome steps to reduce pest and disease attack can betaken at the site selection stage. For example,identifying sites where leatherjackets, slugs andsnails are not in abundance, or where there are fewdeer, rabbits and hares, will reduce the initialpreparations required.

Public accessPublic access to, or through, the plantation will needto be taken into account in the choice of site. Ifpublic access is required to the plantation then a siteshould be selected which allows this. If there arepublic rights of way across the selected site, thesemust be maintained and taken into consideration inthe planning and establishment of the plantation. IfSRC is grown near urban areas it could stimulateplenty of public interest - so public access may bebeneficial.

Public access arrangements can be agreed with localcouncils, local residents and rights of way usersthrough consultation at an early stage.

Plantation designPlantation designPlantation designPlantation designand plantingand plantingand plantingand plantingThe detailed design of plantations needs to maximise thebenefits of SRC in terms of productivity and theenvironment, whilst avoiding detrimental effects on thelandscape and conservation value. This section outlinesthe issues which need to be considered, and offersguidance where possible. It covers:

• Landscape

• Designing for harvesting

• Public access

• Water use

• Pest and disease control

• Nature conservation

• Site preparation and weed control

• Choice of planting material

• Planting and first year

• Storage.

LandscapeSRC is essentially a row crop. However, it is importantto ensure that the crop fits into the landscape as muchas possible. For example:

• The proposed SRC plantation should be in scalewith the landscape and shaped to follow thelandform. In areas of weak landform, such as flat orgently rolling country, hedgerows or belts of treescan make a strong pattern. Small woods can be usedto extend or strengthen this and regular shapes maybe easier to fit in.

• Edges of woodland are important as landscapefeatures. The edges of the SRC plantations shouldbe made to look as natural as possible, graded andvaried in scale with the landscape. Link wherepossible with new and existing woodland featuressuch as hedgerows and small woodlands, andconsider planting hedges on the edge of theplantation. Consideration should also be given tothe management of edges. Annual cutting will help'round off' the straight edges, and a border cropcould be planted for alternative uses.


Figure 1Planting Design

Designing for harvestingSRC is harvested after two to five years' growth.

The average harvesting of SRC, using a chipper ormechanical harvester, is around three hectares a day,depending on the type of harvester used and the sizeand layout of the plantation. With this in mind, itmight be possible to have three different age-classesof SRC in one 10-hectare field (see Fig 2).

Plantation layout needs to be planned for ease ofharvesting: in accordance with the plannedharvesting regime and the equipment available.

Fig 1 shows three examples of how a typicalplantation may be designed (although growers haveused other methods and different spacing ofplanting in different circumstances):

• A typical plot might be from 10,000 to 20,000cuttings per hectare.

• Planting in twin rows allows harvesting of tworows at a time, usually using direct cut and chipmethods (see Harvesting and Transport chapterfor details). There would usually be about 1.50metres between double rows of cuttings so thatthe side walls of the tyres of the tractor are notdamaged by the cut crop.

• 90cm spacing between rows of cuttings and 75cmspacing between cuttings in a double row willallow for tractor access.

Research is continuing into the optimum spacingbetween varieties. It is one of the factors, together withbetter pest management, which may lead to increasedproductivity. Spacing of the varieties can affect the end-product: by changing the spacing, the grower may endup with smaller or larger pieces of wood at harvesting.

From a harvesting point of view, varieties need notnecessarily be planted in straight lines. It is possible,depending on the harvesting method chosen, to plantcuttings in different row directions and curved rowswhich may benefit the landscape and wildlife (see Fig2), adding to the visual diversity of the plantation andreducing exposure to penetrating winds.

Public accessSRC can have a negative impact if it reduces access to,or enjoyment of, rights of way, important or popularviews, common land or valued amenity areas orfacilities. Careful design will be needed to minimiseobstruction to statutory rights of way or other routeswhich, while not having legal status, do have a historyof public use and enjoyment. The impacts ofplantations can be reduced by careful planning forpublic access which respects these features and consultswith the relevant groups and interests.

If the grower wishes to increase access, care must betaken to ensure visitors to the plantation can enter withease and that there are no barriers such as steps andstiles which might make visits by some people difficult.Information on SRC as a renewable energy form can bedisplayed on information boards so that it can bepromoted and explained to visitors. Paths, signs andother countryside furniture should be constructed frommaterials and colours which fit in with thesurroundings.


Water useWhere water management is a priority, measurescan be taken to design and manage the plantation tomaximise positive benefits and minimise negativeimpacts. For example:

• A few large blocks of SRC plantation will useless water than many small blocks due to theincreased evaporation from crop edges.However, a balance needs to be struck in eachspecific circumstance between the issue of waterloss and the benefits for wildlife of smallerblocks with more edge habitats.

• The location of important bore holes should betaken into account when planting. For example,if there is concern that the crop will reducewater availability, then the area around the borehole should be avoided. However, if the cropcan be used to reduce pollutants entering thebore hole, the crop may be an advantage.

• Water use by SRC is related to the age of thecrop. In some areas, harvesting of the wholecrop at the same time may have a negativeimpact on recharge and run off. Cutting inrotation should reduce this by ensuring a mix ofstand ages in any one water catchment area.

• Where there is a possibility for waste waters tobe used as fertilisers or irrigation for the crop,consideration should be given to the impact onlocal water courses and loadings managed toensure that run off and leaching is minimal.

Pest and disease controlSRC is likely to require minimal chemical inputs.With good design and management, the grower canreduce the impact of pests and diseases and establisha system where pesticides are used very infrequentlyor not at all: use of pesticides will severely reducethe conservation benefits of the plantation. Growersneed to plan for pesticide applications whendesigning the plantation by spacing the planting toallow access by tractors and to reduce damage toadjacent crops, watercourses and habitats.

Inspecting a willow leaf for signs of rust (Photo: B9

Energy)

Willow and poplar rustsWillow and poplar rusts are fungal diseases, resulting inpremature leaf loss. Severe rust infestion may lead toyield loss. A mixture of varieties increases diversity andreduces the impact of rust. An approved cuttingssupplier should have up to date information onappropriate varieties.

Insect infestationInsect infestation is less likely to appear if the trees areon an appropriate site and not under stress. Research iscontinuing into an integrated pest management systemwhich includes resistance, diversity, and chemical andbiological control through the selection of varieties.Once established, SRC is a low input crop and it shouldnot be necessary to use insecticide as the crop tolerateshigh loads of insects and disease.

The risk of pest damage needs to be minimised. A widevariety of insect species will live in SRC plantations,although only a few will attack and cause damage toyoung SRC, particularly willow. Some can reduce cropgrowth and vigour through loss of leaf area; others maycause breakages and infection sites. Impact can bereduced through mixing varieties, and also byencouraging natural control mechanisms such asparasitic wasps. Birds, insectivorous mammals andinsects from neighbouring woodlands and hedgerowscan also assist in keeping insect pest numbers down.

Rabbits, hares and deerRabbit, hare and deer damage can be severe when theshoots are young, and precautionary measures may benecessary. A large plantation block may help to reduceanimal pest damage. Plantations in isolated areas havebeen shown to be more likely to suffer from deerdamage; public access may be a benefit in this case as itmay discourage extensive deer grazing.


Two year old willow SRC (Photo: Rufus Sage, Game Conservancy Trust)

Nature conservationAs SRC is a rotation crop, it will always provide a mix ofhabitat types. There are many ways of encouragingwildlife diversity without reducing the production yieldof an SRC plantation; indeed, many of these activities willimprove the management of the plantation, resulting inmutual benefits. Fig 2 shows one example of howconservation issues could be incorporated during thedesign stage. In addition, SRC can be managed to providethe following benefits:

WildlifeWildlife diversity should be encouraged by mixingvarieties and age-classes in SRC plantations appropriately.Effective mixing of varieties also has benefits forcontrolling pest and disease damage and maximisingyield.

BirdsSRC has been shown to attract a wide range of woodlandand other birds. In spring, newly-cut SRC is used byskylarks, pipits and wagtails. Young coppice growthattracts migrant warbler species as well as reed buntings,while third or fourth year SRC is preferred by otherresident species such as thrushes, tits and finches. Residentsongbird species are also often seen feeding in SRC standsduring the winter, while snipe are often found resting-upin plantations. Pheasants will use SRC all year round. SRCplantations may also provide insects as a food source forother birds nesting in any nearby woodland. See Fig 2 foran example of design which will benefit birds.

Wild plantsHeadlands and rides provide access to the crop forharvesting, crop inspections and other operations.Headlands and rides which are more than six metres wideshould be used wherever possible, as they support more

grasses and herbs than those which are narrow. This willimprove soil stability during mechanical operations andprovide valuable habitats for wild plants, butterflies andother insects, some of which may help to control insectpests in the crop. The grower could consider sowing aspecial hard-wearing mix of grasses and herbs into theaccess headlands and rides. Once established, this wouldbe cut once or twice a year. Areas of tussocky grass will beparticularly valuable to predatory beetles and spiderswhich may help control pests in SRC and in adjacentcereal crops. In addition, certain flowering plants (forexample, cow parsley) attract pest-controlling parasiticflies and wasps.

Mature hedgerowsMature hedgerows along the perimeter of a plantationprovide shelter for the crop and may lead to increasedyields, while also providing valuable nesting habitat forsongbirds and game, as well as for wildflowers andinsects.

Edge habitatsEdge habitats are important for wildlife. Where possible,the grower should avoid shading the side of a hedgerowby planting too close to it, because of the impact thiscould have on ground flora and wildlife. To reduceshading, headlands can be positioned near hedgerows asthey require wider space anyway.Edge strips, containing SRC planted at half the main cropspacing and cut every year, can be planted along exposededges and across the ends of rows (see Fig 2). Once cut,they increase access for large harvesters, withoutcompromising the planted area. During the growingseason, the first-year regrowth will provide shelter withinolder, taller SRC, and improve conditions, for certainwildlife species and for game birds.


Figure 2An example of Short Rotation Coppice plantationdesign

Figure 2 shows a 20 hectare planting containing three age classesof SRC (indicated by the three colours) and a range of differentvarieties. The layout is designed to maximise production andharvesting efficiency, as well as potential environmentalbenefits.Each variety is planted in strips of between two and tenrows within each age class block. This may help reduce theimpact of some potential pests and diseases. Alternative ways ofmixing varieties can also be used.

• These close-spaced SRC edgestrips are cut every year, andincrease access at the end ofrows for large harvesterswithout compromising theplanted area. They also provideshelter along exposed edgesduring the growing season.

• Rides and headlands alongclosed edges are six metreswide, and four metres alongopen edges, and have beensown with a hard-wearinggrassland mix. A six metreheadland plus a four metreedge strip (see above) hasbeen used whereharvesters need to turn.The central ride has beenstaggered to reduce windchannelling. Althoughabout eight per cent of thefield area is taken up byheadlands and rides, theedge effects such as shadingand water competitionmean that the production‘loss’, compared with wall-to-wall planting, will be lessthan this.

• A small area of woodlan

has been planted in the

awkward north-west

corner providing further

landscape and wildlife

benefits.

• Along the north edge thecoppice edge is beyond thecanopy of mature trees to avoidshading and water competition.

• Hedgerows along the westand east edges shelter thecrop and provide nestinghabitat for songbirds andgame. Hedges are trimmedonce every three years toencourage flowering shrubs,and are allowed to grow inscale with mature SRC.

• The three colours representa mix of different agedcoppice regrowth which hasbeen developed by cuttingsections of the crop inrotation over successiveyears. If each age class takesabout one day to harvest,harvesting efficiency is notcompromised. Thisprovides further landscapediversity and significantwildlife benefits, particularlyfor birds, as well as an evenincome stream for thegrower.

• First year regrowth coppiceFirst year regrowth coppiceFirst year regrowth coppiceFirst year regrowth coppice

• Second year regrowth coppiceSecond year regrowth coppiceSecond year regrowth coppiceSecond year regrowth coppice

• Third year regrowth coppiceThird year regrowth coppiceThird year regrowth coppiceThird year regrowth coppice


Site preparation and weedcontrolIdeally, site preparation should start in the autumnprior to planting. Thorough preparation of theplanting bed will ensure that the crop, which canhave a life of some 25 years, will

have the best possible conditions for goodestablishment. The management of SRC is mostintensive during the first 12 months, and carefulattention to weed control is required during thisphase to ensure less remedial work is needed later.The extent of these activities will depend on theprevious uses of the site.

Before ploughing the grower may need to applyappropriate herbicides for controlling perennialweeds. There may be opportunities to control weedssuch as couch grass by applying an appropriateherbicide before harvesting some arable crops, or onland in set-aside. The site then needs to be ploughedand cultivated to give a fine planting bed.

Although herbicide application is likely to be requiredprior to planting and in the first year, it should dropto minimal or nil use after that. Herbicide use istherefore low in comparison with other crops. Thefollowing steps should be taken to control weeds andso reduce herbicide use by making what is used moreeffective:

• Ensure the site is free of perennial weeds.

• Use effective pre-planting techniques forperennial weed control.

• Plant more vigorous varieties closer together,although this may result in competition (seeChoice of planting material below).

Choice of planting materialGrowers will select varieties of willow and poplar togive the best yield for a particular site. In general,monoclonal blocks should be avoided. A great deal ofresearch has gone into the most effective way ofmixing different plant varieties and species in theplantation, to maximise yield, minimise pest anddisease and reduce competition.

Advice should be taken when mixing differentvarieties of planting material to ensure that they areappropriate to the region and most likely to resist pestand disease. Mixtures may be planted in rows, blocksor by simply mixing certain varieties before planting.Fig 2 shows one example of mixing varieties.

One and two year old poplar SRC (Photo: ETSU)

Advice is available from the Forestry Commission,and in ETSU Fact Sheet No 2: Clone Selection (seeAppendix 5).

Planting and first yearThe grower can plant early in the year or, using cold-stored planting material, as late as April or May.Before planting, it is important to ensure any weedgrowth is controlled by further cultivation orspraying. Slug control, and leatherjacket control onformer pasture land, may also be required. Withinone week, or after rain has consolidated the soil, anappropriate residual herbicide mix should be applied.

Planting can be carried out in a variety of ways usinga range of planting machinery or by hand. Movingplanting material to and on the site requiresconsiderable care. Advice on planting and materialhandling should be sought from material suppliers.


Weed controlWeed control is especially important during the firstyear of SRC management. Weeds tend to developquickly where there is damage from pests and diseasebecause of loss of leaf canopy. It is normallynecessary, following planting, to apply herbicides tomaintain weed-free conditions throughout the firstand possibly the second year. These may be overallselective herbicides or directed sprays of contactherbicides. The crop is cut back in the first winter andnormally a herbicide mix is applied in March or Aprilbefore bud growth. If there is significant weedgrowth following the first harvest, it may benecessary to apply further herbicides at this stage.

Allowing some weed growth within established SRCplantations may not have a significant effect on yields(when compared to the cost of spraying) and willhave considerable wildlife benefits in terms of insectsand other animals. However, it should beacknowledged that chemical weed control is likely tobe essential when first establishing SRC, as unrootedwillow and poplar cuttings are extremely sensitive tocompetition for moisture. Over time, less competitiveshade-tolerant herbs and grasses may colonise theplantation from nearby shady habitats withoutdetriment to the crop. In general, growers should seekto reduce the chemical weed control to the minimumas soon as possible after the initial preparation of thesite.

FertiliserResearch has shown that the benefits of any fertiliserson SRC are marginal. However, there may be anopportunity to make use of treated waste sewagesludge as an organic fertiliser. Sewage sludge shouldbe applied as if growing food crops. From anecological point of view, growers should avoidapplying it on headlands and edges and only use it onthe crop itself, targeting specific areas of theplantation. There is a Code of Practice for theAgricultural Use of Sewage Sludge, and guidance forfarmers and landowners in other published material.See Appendix 5 for details.

If the SRC plantation is in a Nitrate-Sensitive Area orNitrate-Vulnerable Zone the grower has to payattention to the amount of nitrate that is applied tothe land. Contact MAFF for the locations of theseareas.

StorageCrop storage could be on the SRC plantation itself,elsewhere on the farm, at an intermediate location orat the power generating plant. If on site,consideration will have to be given to the spacerequired for the quantity and the particular type ofstorage required (indoors or outdoors) as well as theaccess required by commercial vehicles. Harvestedsticks could be stored loose or in bundles onheadlands, while chips will require some form ofcontainment or protection. See Harvesting andTransport chapter for more details.

The storage of woodchips in a closed barn(Photo: Picture House Limited)


One pass harvesting to cut and chip (Photo: Forest Research)

Harvestingand transportThe system used to harvest, store andtransport the SRC crop depends on the scaleof the operation, the specification of the enduser and a host of local factors such as accessand road size. This section covers all theissues which are likely to affect larger scalegrowers supplying SRC as a fuel to a powerplant, although the principles will beapplicable equally to smaller-scale projectsincluding on-farm heat schemes.

s with many crops, there will beboth positive and negativeenvironmental impacts. For example,

as a perennial crop, SRC avoids the vehiclemovements associated with the planting,harvesting and management cycle of annualcrops. This reduces the total energy inputover the SRC life cycle. The environmentalimpact of harvesting, storing and transportingSRC is likely to be similar to, or better than,that of any other agricultural crop.

A


Harvesting

The impacts of harvesting SRC are similar to those ofharvesting other arable crops, except that:

• SRC is harvested in 2-5 year (normally three year)cycles so it is unlikely that there will ever becomplete site clearance. This means that there isalways a variety of age classes in the landscapewhich has benefits for the countryside and providesa variety of habitats for wildlife.

• Harvesting SRC is not detrimental to wildlife. As itis done in winter, it is well outside any breedingseasons, and summer migrants will not be present.

• Winter harvesting also allows for the deploymentof agricultural workers and equipment at a quiettime of year.

Storage

Facilities for storing SRC will usually blend in withtypical farm environments. Even if the harvested croprequires some form of weather protection, this is likelyto be simple and unobtrusive or even provided by anexisting building.

Transport

Emissions, fuel use and traffic flow will play animportant role in the overall impact of any project.Where the SRC is grown and used on the farm,transport impacts overall can be reduced as there shouldbe less transport of other fuels onto the farm to meetenergy needs. Where the crop is transported to anexternal power generating plant, lorries similar to thoseused to transport existing agricultural products arelikely to be required. The effects of increased trafficflow will be felt most around the power plant. It islikely that the plant will be supplied by growers withina maximum of a 48-64 km (30-40 mile) radius.However, although increased traffic flow is a frequentlycited issue around any new development, the impactsof traffic at even the largest SRC power generating plantwill be comparable to other agricultural industries.

The variety of local circumstances means that it is notpossible to specify which methods of harvesting,storage and transport any individual scheme should use.Table 3 (at the end of this chapter) summarises theadvantages and disadvantages of the main harvesting,storage and transport options.

HarvestingHarvestingHarvestingHarvestingDecisions about harvesting techniques will bedetermined largely by the size of the plantationand the fuel specification given by the user (seeTable 3). Indeed, the primary concern for thegrower will be the need to provide a productthat meets the requirements of the user (thepower generator, where that is the market).These will vary according to the size andnature of the project. Some developers willwish growers to harvest and store whole sticksso that they can then be chipped to therequired size on the site of the powergenerating plant. Other developers will expectgrowers to provide a ready chipped product.Growers will need to understand therequirements of the users so they can plan forharvesting and storage accordingly. Where afarmer is growing SRC for their own use, theywill have total control of harvesting techniques.

There are a number of general considerationsthat growers should take into account inplanning and carrying out harvesting, all ofwhich are dealt with in more detail below:

Timing

Noise

Mechanised harvesting

Safety.

TimingSRC harvesting occurs during the winter,from November to March, after ‘leaf fall’ andbefore ‘leaf set’ or ‘bud burst’, as this is whenthe moisture content of the wood is at itslowest. Harvesting during the growing seasonwould damage the plants. Winter harvestingoffers a useful opportunity to deploy labourand equipment at a quiet time of year forfarms. However, harvesting must always beundertaken with care because the ground isvulnerable in wet conditions, and heavyharvesting equipment on wet ground cancompact soil and damage its structure. Wetground may not prevent harvesting if wide-tyred or tracked vehicles are used. Growerscan also reduce the likelihood of damage to


the soil through plantation design (see Growingchapter). In addition, willow roots form a dense matwhich help to support heavy equipment.

NoiseSRC is grown on agricultural land and is cut usingadapted conventional harvesting equipment or specialistmachinery (see below). Noise levels will be similar tothose experienced through the harvesting of otherarable crops. However some noise levels, for examplefrom chipping operations, could be a concern forneighbours and local communities. It would be goodpractice to inform local residents about harvestingoperations before they commence, including providingdetails of how long they are likely to last. In addition,efforts should be made to minimise disturbancethrough careful design such as screening with hedges.

Mechanised harvesting (Photo: Forest Research)

Mechanised harvestingAt some point in the supply systems chipping must takeplace. This can be done during harvest, at the farmsteadprior to use or transport, at an intermediate storagefacility or at a centralised chipping facility at the powergenerating plant. The choice of harvesting machineryand system will depend on the scale of the operation,the design of the crop layout and, for example, whethera contractor or grower will harvest the crop. Equipmentmay also be pooled by a group of growers, or providedby a developer, as well as provided by an individualcontractor or grower. When harvesting, SRC should beworked in blocks, to avoid going over the same ground

more than once, to minimise soil damage andmaximise efficiency.

There are two main systems for harvestingSRC: Direct cut and chip systems and Stickharvesting systems.

Direct cut systems

These are based on principles used for otheragricultural crops, where the whole crop iscut and chipped or billeted in one operation.This system is most likely to be operated bycontractors or grower co-operatives becauseof the initial high investment in machinery.Less expensive tractor mounted versions arealso available and may be feasible for smalleroperations. In this system, the chippedmaterial is blown into a trailer alongside asthe machine moves through the crop. Thechips can then be stored on the farm or, ifbeing used elsewhere, be transported to anintermediate store and then on to the powergenerating plant as needed.

Stick harvesting systems

These involve a number of operations beforethe chips are available for use. Sticks are cutwith one pass of either a self-propelled ortrailed machine, which are less expensive thancut and chip harvesters. The sticks are thenlaid on the headland. From here they areloaded onto a tractor with suitableattachments and transported to the farmstorage area, where they are stacked andstored. The advantage of this system is thatthere is less investment in machinery, and ifnecessary the wood can be stored outside,without decomposing. The sticks can theneither be chipped and transported as chips, orcan be transported as sticks and processed atthe power generating plant.

For more details, see Agriculture and ForestryFact Sheet on Mechanised Harvestingpublished by ETSU for the DTI, and EuropeanEnergy Crops Overview, section onHarvesting and Processing, also from ETSU.


Chips on the way to storage (Photo: Steve Wright)

StorageAs a continuous fuel supply is needed throughoutthe year, most schemes will require some form ofstorage. Drying may also be required for someschemes. The nature of the harvested materialmeans that it will not look out of place when storedin farm surroundings. The amount of spacerequired will depend on the yield and size of SRCplantation.

The form of the harvested product will dictate thestorage method:

• Chips require the most attention duringstorage, but have the advantage of being readyfor use by the fuel-user. There has beenextensive research into the drying and storageof woodchips from forestry residue and SRC,and methods to predict the performance ofdryers have been developed. Chips need to beactively ventilated to reduce heating and tominimise the risk of mould and dry matter loss.Although chips could be stored outside theywill require some form of containment, and ifthe store is unprotected from the elementssome wastage is likely to occur because the wetlayer of chips at the top may spoil and have tobe removed.

• Whole sticks are bulky and awkward to handle, yetthey require the minimal amount of care. Thewood can be dried in piles, although this may bedifficult given the humid weather conditions inthe UK. Nevertheless, they can be stacked on theheadland, will dry out naturally and are notparticularly vulnerable to mould problems. Wholesticks can also be bundled to ease storage andhandling, although this can bring its ownproblems (see Table 3).

• Short sticks and billets require a simple storagestructure, such as a chicken wire cage, to preventdispersal across the ground when being collected.

SafetyAs with any agricultural crop, proper health and safetyprecautions should be taken during its handling andmanagement. Operators need to maintain vigilanceduring harvesting to avoid accidents. As SRC is tallerthan a traditional arable crop, visibility from theharvesting machinery can be poor and extra careshould be taken. For example, public warning signsshould be put up in the area where harvesting is takingplace. Workers should be provided with adequateprotection from dust or mould spores from the storedcrop, including masks and protective clothing.


TransportTransportTransportTransportThe power generating plant will be the focus fortraffic movement as it will require a regular supply offuel from the farm or intermediate storage depotsand the harvested material will be transported tothe power plant by lorry. Vehicle choice will bedetermined by maximum payload, vehicle size andaccess to the farm.

For very small schemes it is possible that a farmtractor and trailer may be the best option. However,for schemes of any significant scale, traditional tipperor curtain-sided lorries will be used for chiptransport, and flatbed or timber lorries for sticktransport (also, see above under MechanisedHarvesting). There will also be some trafficgenerated by workers at the power plant.

Table 1 (in the Introduction) gives more details ofthe likely vehicle movements at plants of differentsizes.

Traffic impactThe impact of traffic created by the power plantwill certainly be a consideration in the planningapplication for the plant, and the developer willbe asked to produce details of the likely trafficimpact of the plant at an early stage, especially ifan Environmental Assessment is required.

Developers should consider emissions fromvehicles. Minimising traffic volume will be botheconomically and environmentally beneficial.Emissions will be reduced through the use ofefficient and well-maintained vehicles. Developerswill also need to consider access, local road usage,appropriate routes and community concerns aspart of their planning application, and undertakedetailed public consultation.

Mitigating the traffic impact is likely to form partof the conditions on any planning permissiongranted, and is likely to be carefully monitoredand regulated by the planning authority (or theHighways Agency if on a trunk road). Theseconditions may cover:

• traffic flows

• delivery routes: these must be carefullychosen and then adhered to

• size and types of vehicles: usually no largerthan normal agricultural vehicles.

Table 2Goods vehicle movements (per day) (Devised by University of Westminster transport Studies Group)

Notes to Table 2:• Biomass power station vehicle

deliveries data taken fromforthcoming ETSU report:Supply Chain Options for BiomassFuels.

• Supermarket vehicle deliveriesdata taken from Goodwin et al,Transport. The New Realism.Transport Studies Unit,University of Oxford, 1991.


The impact of goods vehicle traffic will bedependent on the scale of the project. Table 2shows the likely goods vehicle traffic flow to asmall-scale heat scheme and to a 5MW powergenerating plant. To put this in context, deliveriesto a large supermarket are also shown.

Managing trafficIn order to reduce the impact of traffic movementsas much as possible, especially those close to theplant, certain guidelines need to be followed:

• The location of the plant requires carefulconsideration of the road usage requirements.Previous experience suggests that there is leastconcern where a power generating plant is onan industrial estate or close to a motorwayjunction.

• Good management of deliveries can helpmitigate the problems of traffic flow aroundthe plant itself, where it will be most apparent,and avoid queuing of lorries. A dedicated fleetof lorries can help ensure that only a limitednumber of heavy vehicles are involved, but theviability of this depends on the scale of theplant.

• Even small plants need to minimise the numberof tractors loaded with crop going throughsmall villages and other sensitive areas to reachthe plant.

• The usual care should be taken to avoid mudon the roads from vehicles coming directlyfrom fields.

• The plant will also generate traffic from its ownworkers, including shift workers. The scale ofthis traffic will depend on the scale of the plant,but reducing the impact should be consideredby the developer in terms of good practice, forexample by encouraging car sharing andpossibly providing group transport.

• The developer of the plant should specifyagreed obligations in any contract with atransport company. Developers have a duty ofcare and must only use reputable, reliable andconscientious haulage contractors who areproperly licensed.

• Local sources of fuel supply may not only bemore economic, but are likely to be moreacceptable to the local community. Researchcarried out for a straw-fired power stationrevealed that local resentment was aimedprincipally at loads which had travelled longerdistances.


Table 3Benefits and potential problems of main harvesting, storage and transport options

Whole sticks

HARVESTING

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS• Higher cost as a result of double

handling.• Length of product makes it

awkward to handle.

BENEFITS• Flexibility to meet different user

specifications.

STORAGE

• Can be stacked easily and stored onheadlands.

• Fewer mould problems.• Will dry out naturally.• Dry material loss less than chips.

TRANSPORT

• Any banding will need to beremoved prior to chipping

• Poor bulk density of sticks andawkward length reduces lorryutilisation ...hence more lorries

• Can be handled and transportedloose, or may be bundled or baled.

• Could lead to better lorryutilisation and can simplify lorryloading/unloading.

Short sticks / Billets

HARVESTING

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS• Requires specialised equipment.

BENEFITS

STORAGE

• Needs confining (e.g. chicken wire)to prevent dispersal when pickedup.

• Few mould problems.• Will dry out naturally• Improved bulk density compared to

whole sticks.• Easier handling (e.g. front-end

loader).• Dry material loss less than chips.

TRANSPORT• Better lorry utilisation than whole

sticks... hence fewer lorries.

Chips

HARVESTING

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS• Needs confining to prevent

dispersal when picked up.

BENEFITS• Large range of machinery. Permits

all year round utilisation ofconventional harvesting equipment(with modifications).

STORAGE

• Needs active ventilation to prevent internal heating.

• Outdoor storage withoutprotection leads to waste.

• Best bulk density..... therefore bestspaceutilisation.

TRANSPORT• Wet load could exceed lorry's

legal capacity.• Best lorry utilisation... ...hence

fewer lorries.


EnergyProductionThis chapter gives good practice guidance for energy production from SRC. It outlines thekey issues and ways in which the environmental benefits may be enhanced and any negativeimpacts minimised in the development of a power and/or heat generating plant. Schemesvary in size from small on-farm heat plants to significant power generating plants supplyingelectricity to the national grid. However, although all the principles raised in this chapter willapply to all schemes regardless of scale, the extent to which they are applicable may varyconsiderably depending on the size of the proposed development.


nergy production using SRC is still anemerging industry. There remain manyalternative approaches to energy

production and methods for project development.

The role of ‘developer’ in energy production is thecentral one. It may be taken on by a grower or thecommunity as well as a specialist energyproduction company. Alternatively, a group madeup of, for example, an operation and maintenancecompany, a regional electricity company and fuelsuppliers, may take on the role of developer.Whoever the developer is, they will be concernedwith the construction and/or running of the powerplant. They will also specify in what form the fuelis required and how it is to be delivered. Therefore,while the level of involvement in growing andtransporting the fuel varies, the developer will setthose requirements and has overall responsibilityfor all the technical, commercial, environmentaland consultative issues which arise. Indeed, inmany cases, the developer may have led thedevelopment of the growing and may even bedoing the harvesting themselves.

It is likely that planning permission will be requiredfor almost all SRC energy production projects.Plants are also likely to need Authorisation underPart 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 forwhich the most likely regulatory body will be thelocal authority. Plants may require statutoryEnvironmental Assessment (EA) as well asenvironmental regulation and monitoring by thelocal authority. Whether or not statutory EA isrequired will depend on the nature, scale andlocation of the scheme.

Information on the planning process, and guidanceon when and how to provide environmentalinformation, are given in more detail below. Ingeneral, however, it would be good practice fordevelopers of plants of any scale to produceadequate environmental information (even if nostatutory Environmental Assessment is required), toconsult statutory and non-statutory bodies, and toestablish procedures for regular environmentalmonitoring.

Site selectionSite selectionSite selectionSite selectionFinding the right site for a power generating plantis always a process of narrowing down the options.Even a very small on-farm scheme may need toconsider more than one site. Experience suggeststhat large-scale developers will usually look at 10to 20 sites, narrow those down to 1 or 2, beginnegotiations and then confirm a favoured site.Where a bid for a NFFO contract is involved, thesite will need to have been identified prior to anyother significant project development work.

Local authority Structure and Local Plans (orUnitary Development Plans in unitary authorityareas) increasingly include policies advising onthe prospects for renewable energy development.Rather fewer Plans contain specific policies onbiomass development. Most relevant policiesadvise on the acceptability of developmentthrough the use of environmental criteria, leavinglocational and siting judgements to the planningapplication process. However, developers mayfind that in some Plans local authorities adopt arestrictive attitude to development in areasdesignated at national level for their landscape ornature conservation value.

Scale of developmentScale is the key factor affecting the regulatoryrequirements of an SRC energy productionscheme. The decision on the scale of a scheme islikely to be led by:

• the opportunity to supply power or heatlocally

• the sale of the electricity to the grid (asrequired through NFFO contracts)

• the chosen technology and equipment to beused (which will be based on principles ofbest technology to reduce emissions)

• the availability of fuel.

Technical requirementsBefore considering specific sites, a number oftechnical requirements will be considered andaddressed by the developer, such as:

• Supply of fuel: whether it can be grown inthe area, its availability, reliability of supply,and cost.

E


• Availability of alternative fuel sources: it islikely that larger scale projects will need toguarantee an alternative source of fuel in orderto acquire financial support, particularly duringthe early years as SRC plantations are developedand reach maturity; the most likely alternativefuel source is woodland residues.

• Accessibility to transport links and for largevehicles: for delivery of fuel.

• Water supply and discharges: consent of thewater company and the Environment Agencymay be required for larger power plantsdepending on location and planned operations.

• Access to grid connection: cost and ease.

• Access to other power markets, in addition tothe grid.

• Smaller schemes, or those producing heat only,are likely to face fewer problems.

Environmental requirementsDevelopers should address the followingenvironmental considerations when identifying thesite for a large plant. Smaller schemes producefewer potential impacts, but the followingrequirements should still be followed:

• Planning policies within Structure and LocalPlans or Unitary Development Plans. Thesepolicies are likely to highlight local authorityconcerns relating to landscape, heritage andnature conservation designations.

• Landscape constraints. Account should be takenof landscape designations eg Areas ofOutstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), countylevel designations, National Parks.

• Air quality standards.

• Visual impact. The potential visual impact ofthe plant should be considered at this stage,bearing in mind that the site must be largeenough not only for the plant, but for ancillaryoperations and storage and any requiredlandscaping scheme to mitigate the visualimpact of the development.

• Impacts on neighbourhood amenities such asnoise, light pollution, dust, smells and trafficduring construction and operation should beconsidered. Prevailing wind conditions need tobe taken into account to avoid unwantedimpacts on local residents.

• Access. Adequate and suitable means of accessto the development, from the perspective ofhighway safety, needs to be available.

• Ecological and hydrological impacts. Consultthe statutory conservation agencies (EnglishNature, Countryside Commission,Countryside Council for Wales, ScottishNatural Heritage) informally beforeconsidering a site in or next to a designatedarea (such as a Site of Special ScientificInterest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA)or Special Area of Conservation (SAC)) asthere may be objections to developments inthese locations. Any national or local natureconservation designation is a clear indicatorof the sensitivity of the intrinsic ecologicalvalue and hydrological characteristics of thesite and should always be taken into account.

• Built heritage impacts. As well as remains andbuildings protected by statute or designation(such as Scheduled Ancient Monuments,listed buildings and Conservation Areas),account needs to be taken of otherarcheological remains and the vernacular ofthe area.

• Recreational impacts. Developers should takeaccount of the use by the public of publicfootpaths and other rights of way.


TechnologyTechnologyTechnologyTechnologyThere are three basic types of technology used togenerate heat and/or power from SRC. Theseprocesses are summarised in Figure 3.

Figure 3Types of technology currently available (Diagram by ETSU)


PlanningPlanningPlanningPlanningpermissionpermissionpermissionpermissionPower generating plants proposed by privatedevelopers are now considered undernormal planning regulations. The Secretary ofState for Trade and Industry has jurisdictionover applications which are for schemes ofmore than 50MW, although this is unlikely toapply to plants using SRC, the largest ofwhich are likely to be between 5 and 10MW.Almost all power generating plants willrequire planning permission, so developers ofschemes of any size are advised to checkwith their local planning authority at theearliest stage. Many plants will also requirean Environmental Assessment (see Box 1) aswell as regulation and monitoring by the localauthority and the Environment Agency.

The extent to which a statutory EnvironmentalAssessment (EA) and environmental statementare required will depend on the location, scaleand nature of the scheme. See Box 2 forinformation on when an EA is required. SeeBox 3 for what an environmental statementshould cover.

In a minority of small on-farm projects,planning permission will not be requiredbecause the proposed development is‘permitted development’ (under Part 6 ofSchedule 2 of the Town and Country PlanningGeneral Permitted Development Order 1995).

Where planning permission is required,negotiations will include initial discussionswith the local authority prior to the formalprocess of planning application, and it wouldbe good practice for all developers to consultstatutory and non-statutory bodies at this earlystage (see Appendix 2 for sample list). Theplanning process is outlined below.

Box 1

What is an environmental assessment?

Environmental Assessment (EA):

“A technique and a process by which information aboutthe environmental effects of a project is collected, bothby the developer and from other sources, and takeninto account by the planning authority in forming theirjudgement on whether the development should goahead ... the whole process whereby information aboutthe environmental effects of a project is collected,assessed and taken into account in reaching a decisionon whether the project should go ahead or not. Theterm ‘environmental impact assessment’ (EIA) is also incommon use and for practical purposes is synonymouswith EA” .

Environmental statement:

“A document setting out the developer’s ownassessment of his project’s likely environmental effects,which he prepares and submits in conjunction with hisapplication for consent.”

Taken from Environmental Assessment. A Guide to the Procedures,published by HMSO/Welsh Office 198


Box 2

When is an EA required?

Statutory EA is only mandatory for a thermalpower station with a heat output of 300MW ormore (referred to as a Schedule 1 developmentunder the Town and Country Planning(Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations1988), and no power generating plants using SRCare likely to reach anything like the size where anEA is mandatory.

However, smaller plants will require an EA if theyare likely to have significant effects on theenvironment because of their nature, size orlocation (referred to as Schedule 2 developmentsunder the 1988 regulations).

‘Significant effects’ have no general definition, butGovernment guidance lists three main criteria ofsignificance (taken from EnvironmentalAssessment. A Guide to the Procedures,DOE/Welsh Office 1989):

• Whether the project is of more than localimportance, principally in terms of physicalscale

• Whether the project is intended for aparticularly sensitive location, for example, anational park or Site of Special ScientificInterest (SSSI), and for that reason may havesignificant effects on the area’s environmenteven though the project is not on a majorscale

• Whether the project is thought likely to giverise to particularly complex or adverseeffects, for example, in terms of the dischargeof pollutants.

Exactly what supplementary environmentalinformation may be required in any application forplanning permission would need to be negotiatedin each individual case with the planning authorityconcerned. The regulations governing thisprocedure are the Town and Country Planning(Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations1988 (as amended) implementing EU Directive85/337. These regulations include details of thematters to be addressed by an EA, and provideuseful guidelines for any supplementaryenvironmental information produced bydevelopers (see Box 3).

Box 3

What should an environmental statement cover?

It is not possible to offer a definitive list of topics for an environmentalstatement, and developers will need to look at both wider and morelocal issues which cannot be identified in general guidelines. Also,circumstances and technologies change over time. Developers areadvised to clarify issues with the local authority and, very likely, theEnvironment Agency. However, the 1988 Regulations (Schedule 3, paras2, 3 and 4) state that an environmental statement should provide certainspecified information including:

(a)a description of the development proposed, comprising information aboutthe site and the design and size or scale of the development

(b)the data necessary to identify and assess the main effects which thatdevelopment is likely to have on the environment

(c)a description of the likely significant effects, direct and indirect, on theenvironment of the development, explained by reference to its possible impacton:

•human beings •flora •fauna •soil •water •air •climate•the landscape •the interaction between any of the above•material assets •the cultural heritage

(d)where significant adverse effects are identified with respect to any of theforegoing, a description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce orremedy these effects

(e)a summary in non-technical language of the information specified above.

An environmental statement may include, by way of explanation or amplificationof any specified information, further information on any of the followingmatters:

(a)the physical characteristics of the proposed development, and the land-userequirements during the construction and operational phases

(b)the main characteristics of the production processes proposed, including thenature and quality of the materials to be used

(c)the estimated type and quantity of expected residues and emissions (includingpollutants of water, air or soil, noise, vibration, light, heat and radiation) resultingfrom the proposed development when in operation

(d)(in outline) the main alternatives (if any) studied by the applicant, appellant orauthority and an indication of the main reasons for choosing the development proposedtaking into account the environmental effects

(e)the likely significant direct and indirect effects on the environment of thedevelopment proposed which may result from:

(i)the use of natural resources

(ii)the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances, and the elimination of waste

(this includes secondary, cumulative, short, medium and long term, permanent,temporary, positive and negative effects)

(f)the forecasting methods used to assess any effects on the environment about whichinformation is given under subparagraph (e), and

(g)any difficulties, such as technical deficiencies or lack of know-how, encountered incompiling specified information.

Where further information is included in an environmental statement in thisway, a non-technical summary of that information shall also be provided.Taken from Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988.


Planning processThe process of obtaining planning permission is acrucial element of the overall development processof a power plant. However, although the formalplanning process only relates to the plant andactivities directly related to it, it is good practice fora developer to consider the overall impact of thewhole project, including growing and harvesting,even though these would be outside the formalrequirements of planning permission orEnvironmental Assessment.

The following summary of the formal planningprocess is not a step-by-step guide, since the actualprocedure will vary according to the requirementsof different planning authorities. Also, allassessments will be done in parallel, rather than oneat a time. Moreover, this procedure does not coverall the actions required of the developer: others arenecessary before and after planning permission isapplied for and granted. However, the following isa summary of the way the planning procedureshould work in normal circumstances.

1 The developer will make contact with theplanning authority at an early stage. The planningauthority with jurisdiction for the development willbe either the district or county council, or unitaryauthority, depending on the local governmentstructure in the area and the nature of the project(or the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry ifover 50MW). Generally, the most local authoritywill be contacted first and they will refer on anydevelopments which should be dealt with at acounty level. Early discussions with the localauthority’s Environmental Health Officers are alsoimportant, in view of their later role inenforcement.

The initial contact will be with the Chief PlanningOfficer, who will decide whether he will deal withthe matter himself or delegate it. There may also becontact with the economic development officerabout larger schemes. At this stage, the project maynot reach the public domain.

2 Between initial contact and a formal applicationfor planning permission, most of the preparatorywork for the development will be carried out. Thiswill include regular contact with the planningauthorities, especially relating to scoping work onthe EA (or alternative provision of environmentalinformation). The EA can be informally scoped indiscussion, or formally scoped in correspondence.The latter approach would mean that the project

will become public because the planningauthority will consult statutory consultees. Theneed for a statutory EA will depend in part onhow far, in negotiations, the developer agreeswith the planning authority to addressenvironmental issues which will be covered indetail as part of the licensing procedure. Therewill also be detailed consultation with the localcommunity and with statutory and non-statutoryconsultees. Only when all this is completed, andall issues of concern addressed, should a formalapplication for permission be made.

3 If a major project is planned, a more intensivedialogue between the developer and the planningauthority, prior to the submission of the planningapplication, is recommended. It is good practiceto submit the environmental statement (orinformal environmental information) at the sametime as the planning application.

4 The formal process begins with the submissionof the planning application, which will lead tosome form of statutory consultation. Theplanning authority is obliged to publicise theplanning application as soon as it is formallyreceived, at which point anyone can makecomments on the proposals.

While planning applications and EAs require ahigh degree of technical input, it is important torecognise that these are public documents, anddevelopers should ensure that results arepresented in as accessible a form as possible, withthe minimum of technical or scientific jargon. Inaddition, the developer will be required toproduce a non-technical summary planningstatement for public information, and a formalsummary will be required if there is an EA.

If the development does require a formal EA, thelocal authority has 16 weeks to deal with theapplication. If no formal EA is required, the localauthority has up to 8 weeks. The developer hasthe right to appeal against the failure of the localauthority to decide the application at the end of 8or 16 weeks.

5 The Secretary of State has the ability to call inplanning applications, at which point they aretaken out of the hands of the local authority. Thismay happen if there is considered to be a breachof the development plan policy or if theGovernment Regional Office (in England only)considers that the proposed development raisesissues of more than local concern. If the developeris working effectively with the local authority and


local community, any such issues and potentialproblems will have been identified at an early stage.

6 If planning permission is granted, developerswill be aware of the need to comply with anyagreed planning obligations and planningconditions, which will have been negotiated priorto granting any permission. Discussions will havebeen held with planning authorities to agreemethods of complying with those conditions,which may involve some form of monitoring.Some elements could be dealt with through aliaison forum set up from the links the developerhas already established with the local community.There may also need to be agreement to off-sitehighway improvements, which would involvediscussions with the Highway Authority and locallandowners.

7 If planning permission is refused, developershave a right to appeal within six months.

Overall, if a site is suitable, and a well-consideredplanning application is made, which seeks to takeinto account the concerns or likely concerns of localcommunities and statutory consultees, it is muchmore likely to receive a positive response.

Grid connection and route ofpower linesNot all schemes will require grid connections. Forexample, heat schemes will only require pipenetworks for circulating the hot water. However, inprojects where electricity is being generated,planning consent is required for the gridconnection. The developer will have established adialogue with the Regional Electricity Company todetermine the route and will have assessed anyvisual implications of the preferred route andmethod of grid connection. Planning consent forthe grid connection is obtained from theDepartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) under theElectricity Act 1989. The developer will make directcontact with the consent section at the DTI or therelevant department in the Scottish Office. The DTIhas two months to make a decision on theapplication, unless an Environmental Assessment isrequired, in which case the period is four months.Environmental Assessment may be required,depending on the nature, scale and location of thegrid connection proposal.

The scope of the application for consent willinclude the whole of any new overhead linebetween the site substation and the point ofconnection with the existing electricity grid.

The normal grid connection with an SRC biomassplant will be at 11 or 33kV, for which overheadlines will be carried on eight metre poles. Goodpractice suggests that the local planning authorityshould be consulted on the route of the line, asthey have an opportunity to make representationsor requests for amendments, or indicate that theyhave no objection, and developers may feel itwould also be appropriate to consult localresidents over the potential route of the line atthis stage. County councils and district councils(or unitary authorities) are consultees on theapplication for consent, and objection by eithercouncil means that there is likely to be a publicinquiry. However, it is the Regional ElectricityCompany which will ultimately determine theroute and the nature of the grid connections.Therefore the line of the grid connection may notbe completely known at the time that theplanning application for the power generatingplant is decided.

New connections will have an impact both on andoff-site (ie lines or cables to make the connectionto the grid). The visual effect of overhead linescan usually be mitigated to an acceptable level bycareful route selection, but developers will planfor the likely route of a grid connection at thesame time as they are planning the powergenerating plant. Where a grid connection alreadyexists, there will still be an impact on-site (iesimple fixing to existing grid system).Underground connection reduces the visualimpact and may in certain cases be economic incomparison with overhead lines.

In this case, the visual intrusion is only short termwhilst the work is carried out.


Construction ofConstruction ofConstruction ofConstruction ofplantplantplantplantThe level of the impact of construction willdepend on the scale of the plant beingconstructed. An on-farm heat generating plant islikely to have minimal impacts duringconstruction. In larger energy generating schemesusing SRC, in which electricity is supplied to thegrid, a purpose-built power generating plant willbe constructed, which is likely to entail newbuilding, creating greater impacts which need tobe mitigated. As with any new development, thereare specific issues arising from the construction ofthe power generating plant which are morerelated (for neighbours) to living near to a building

site than to a power plant. These includeconstruction noise and dust, impact on theaccess road, transport noise, light pollution,emissions to the ground from diesel spillage,establishing a construction compound which maybe larger than the final site, and negotiations forwayleaves.

A developer can apply to the local authority for aprior consent over times of working, noise levels,and similar issues (under the provisions of Section61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974). Thismay help provide reassurance to local residents:difficulties at this stage can damage the reputationof a plant before it even starts operation. It wouldalso be good practice to consult with the localauthority’s Environmental Health Officers, as theywould deal with any complaints and could defuseany local antagonism more quickly if they cangive answers directly.

East elevation

South elevation

Architect's drawings of ARBRE Plantelevation - Europe's first large scale powerplant to be fuelled by energy crops.(Illustration: ARBRE Energy Ltd.)


Method statementThe specific measures which developers plan totake to minimise disruption and mitigate anyundesirable impacts during construction should bespelt out in an agreed construction methodstatement, which will have been negotiated as partof the planning permission and which should bebuilt into the contract with the contractors for thebuilding. It should provide a comprehensive andsite specific statement about how all the factorslisted above will be mitigated. This would include:

• Reducing noise nuisance as much as possibleby working only during the normal workingday. It would be good practice to consult thelocal authority’s Environmental Health Officerwho can advise on acceptable construction sitenoise levels. Developers will wish to consultand have regard to British Standard (BS) 5228on Noise Control on Construction andDemolition.

• Timing construction carefully, to avoid damageif the area or surroundings are environmentallysensitive (eg at certain times of year): thereshould also be consultation with the localplanning authority regarding proposed trafficmovements.

• Dust: water can be used to suppress dust.

• Lighting: consultation is recommended withthe local authority’s Environmental HealthOfficer for advice on guidelines on lightpollution (further details on light pollution aregiven below).

• Size of construction compound: the site willneed to be sufficiently large to allow space formitigation of any construction impacts, as wellas simply meeting the physical needs ofconstruction. Attention should be given toreturning the surrounding area to its originalstatus after construction.

• Emissions to ground: bunding to reducediesel spillage would probably be arequirement of planning permission.

• Duration of construction: an estimatedconstruction timetable should be included inthe method statement.

• Transport and traffic: the construction processmight require consideration of:

off-site highway changes such as settingback hedges, hedge-trimming

bridges: need to consider loading andheight

road developments eg minor roadwidening.

See Harvesting and Transport chapter for more details onpossible problems and mitigating activities.

The method statement can be required as part ofthe planning permission. Although it is goodpractice for a method statement to be prepared inall circumstances, it is unlikely that it will berequired for small scale projects. The statementshould be drafted by the developer, and discussedwith the planners, the environmental healthdepartment of the relevant local authority andwith community representatives and local people.This will help to demonstrate that the developerhas thought about the possible problems and theirmitigation, as well as about residual impacts andhow to address them.

The method statement will need to providedetailed guidance for the construction contractors,but it would be good practice to produce anadditional summary in plain English for planningauthorities and local communities for the reasonsoutlined above.


Operation ofOperation ofOperation ofOperation ofplantplantplantplantThe power generating plant is the centre of theproduction of renewable energy from SRC. It ishere that the balance between the globalenvironmental benefits of SRC energy productionand the local impact of its production is mostapparent. Good practice requires careful planningto ensure that the benefits of clean electricity arematched by sensitively and effectively managedsystems for energy conversion.

As with any agricultural or small industrialdevelopment, the operations of the powergenerating plant may have some negative impactsin terms of emissions and an increase in trafficaround the plant. Some of these impacts, andtherefore any mitigating activities, will be negligiblein smaller schemes. However, even the largestSRC power generating plant currently envisagedwill have far fewer negative impacts on the localarea than many other developments, and can becompared more easily with other agriculturaldevelopments than with any conventional powerplants. Nevertheless, and especially in largerschemes, attention needs to be given to thefollowing, all of which are covered in more detailbelow:

noise

light

dust and smell

ash

emissions to ground and water courses

emissions to air (including plume)

transport and traffic

fuel storage.

The regulations which will be in force depend onthe scale of the development, as will the identity ofthe regulatory authority: it is likely to be the localauthority as power generating plants using SRC areunlikely to exceed 15-20MW.

Noise• The conditions of the planning permission are

likely to specify noise limits. Expert advice isrequired in each case to identify and negotiateacoustic measures (if these are required) andnoise conditions. Although not alwaysessential, the developer and/or the localauthority may wish to carry out a backgroundnoise survey to establish the ambient level ofnoise in the environment prior to thedevelopment.

• Sources of potential noise need to beidentified, such as engines, condensers andchippers, and plans can then be made tomitigate these through appropriate design ofthe site, such as creating a hedge or treebarrier around the plant, and appropriatetechnology.

• Regulator: environmental health departmentof local authority.

LightThere are no statutory criteria for light pollutionalthough measures can be taken to reduceunnecessary obtrusive light: light pollution cancause serious physiological and ecologicalproblems, and wastes energy and money. TheInstitution of Lighting Engineers’ Guidance

Notes for the Reduction of Light Pollutionsuggests a number of measures, including:

• Lights should be directed at and not abovetheir target; if aimed at observers, the mainbeam angle should be no more than 70°.

• In certain environmental zones, such asNational Parks, Areas of Outstanding NaturalBeauty (AONBs) or other ‘dark landscapes’,only light from public roads should bedeemed acceptable for all night lighting.Similar guidelines apply to other special areas.

• Curfews should be introduced, for examplebetween 11pm and dawn, when lights notrequired for security are shut off.

• Further advice can be obtained from the localauthority Environmental Health Officer, orthe Institution of Lighting Engineers.


Dust and smellThe combustion of SRC is unlikely to create dustand smell problems beyond the boundaries of thesite. However, developers should consider thefollowing:

• Potential problems need to be addressedthrough the design of the site, and expertadvice is required in each individual case toconsider:

what is likely to be discharged

what are the potential risks

how can they be avoided or at leastminimised.

• Health and safety: problems can arise fromspores which can develop when wood isharvested when wet and then stored for ninemonths or more. This is specifically an on-siteproblem related to health and safety at workand would not affect the wider neighbourhood.

• Regulator: Health and Safety Executive; localauthority under the Environmental ProtectionAct (EPA) 1990.

AshThere are two types of ash produced: ash collectedin the combustion unit (the residue left in theprimary chamber); and ash collected from the fluegases. There is, however, a closed circuit processfor all ash since it is captured and can be safelycontained prior to a decision on disposal or use.The amount of ash produced depends on thetechnology used; in gasification plants it is verysmall, only 1-2% of the original bulk. Handlingprocedures for ash would be dealt with by the EPAAuthorisation. The following general points mayapply:

• Ash can be a valuable by-product: it hasconsiderable potential value as a low nitratefertiliser, and may be used as a raw material inthe brick and cement industries.

• The wood being burnt is likely to contain smallquantities of heavy metals, either naturallyoccurring or from some types of fertiliser usedto grow the fuel crop. Any use or disposal ofthe ash as a by-product will have to take fullconsideration of this. It is good practice for afull assessment of the contents of the ash to beundertaken before any use is determined.

• If there is no use identified, the ash will needto be disposed of in a landfill.

Emissions to ground and watercourses• Water courses could possibly be affected by

emissions such as leachate, surface water run-off, abstraction and water tables beingaffected by site level.

• Any possibility of soil contamination fromleachate from stored fuel, waste, ash orclinker will be dealt with at the planning stagein consultation with the local authorityenvironmental health department and theEnvironment Agency.

• Regulator: Environment Agency (for riversand watersheds); water authority (if there isany run-off into sewers).

Emissions to air (includingplume)As with the combustion of any fuel, there will beemissions to air. However, wood has a muchlower sulphur and nitrogen content than coal, andtherefore electricity generated through SRC (ifdisplacing coal) will result in a reduction in thenational emissions of sulphur and nitrogenoxides. In addition, energy produced from SRCwill be carbon neutral (see Introduction).However, good practice requires making everyeffort to reduce the impact of operations on airquality and preventing emissions through theefficient use of conversion technologies and,where appropriate, best abatement technology.There is a variety of technologies which can beused for generating electricity and/or heat fromSRC including gasification. For details of types oftechnology, see Figure 3.

For larger scale schemes it is likely thatgasification processes will be used. Gasification isgenerally considered to be cleaner thancombustion.

Exhaust stacks will be necessary for all plants,even though those for gasification and pyrolysisplants will generally be lower and smaller than anequivalent steam boiler unit because they use gasturbines and internal combustion engines.Reciprocating engine exhausts can have low visualimpact because their small diameter flues can bearranged to follow a building profile. All SRCpower plant exhausts contain very low levels ofsulphur oxides and so the stack does not need to


be high to disperse them. Steam plume should beavoidable but may be a problem in certaincircumstances: for example, where the micro-climate may cause grounding of the plume if thechimney is not sufficiently high.

Specialist plume modelling exercises can helpestablish the appropriate height of the chimney, asthe height of the nearby buildings and the generaltopography affects the visibility of the plume. Theseexercises can also help allay any concerns from localresidents by confirming the correct height anddesign of the chimney. It is important that localpeople fully recognise the balance betweenmitigating the impact of the contents of the plume(ie water) and the permanent construction of ahigher chimney, which may be less acceptable. Thisis an issue for detailed community consultation andexpert advice from the Environment Agency.

Emissions to air will be strictly controlled andmonitored under the EPA Authorisation, inaccordance with the formal guidance. All recordsrelating to the Authorisation are in the publicdomain and available for public viewing at the localauthority offices.

The principal emissions that could arise from theplant are:

• Particulate: tiny particles in the flue gas, whichwould be minimised by pollution abatementequipment and good combustion control.

• Carbon monoxide: burning fuel in an oxygenrich environment, with good fuel and airdistribution keeps carbon monoxide emissionsto a minimum.

• Carbon dioxide: CO2 is a greenhouse gas. Oneof the principal environmental benefits of SRCas a fuel is that it is carbon neutral. Any CO2emitted will be compensated by the CO2 fixedby the growing trees planted for fuel. The fuelcycle is neutral over a cropping period of twoto five years.

• Sulphur dioxide: The sulphur content of woodis 0.1% by weight, compared with UK coalwhich typically contains 0.8-1% sulphur.

• Organics: SRC is not likely to be a major sourceof toxic organic substances such as PAHs,dioxins and furans, which are produced as aresult of many combustion processes.Controlled burning of SRC and use ofappropriate pollution abatement equipmentwill keep these to a minimum.

• Nitrogen oxides: wood has a small inherentnitrogen content, typically 0.1% by weightfor willow SRC, compared with coal which istypically 1%: so using SRC is likely to result inlower emissions.

• Water in the form of vapour will also beemitted. The water vapour will form thevisual effect of a plume but has minimalpollution implications.

• Regulator: local authority, under the EPA1990.

TransportDetails of the transport implications of theoperations of the power generating plant aregiven in the Harvesting and Transport chapter,together with some guidance on mitigatingaction.


MonitoringMonitoringMonitoringMonitoringThe scale of monitoring procedures depends to agreat extent on the scale of operations.Monitoring the impact of an on-farm scheme maybe fairly limited, while requirements formonitoring a 5-10MW power generating plantmay be more stringent. Monitoring can have manypositive effects: good monitoring procedures canbe one of the most effective tools in boostinglocal confidence in the plant, as the impacts areseen to be constantly under scrutiny. Statutoryand voluntary monitoring procedures will berequired, both of which will be identified duringthe planning process and are likely to be set as acondition of planning permission.

Monitoring needs to start before operations begin,to ensure that an appropriate benchmark can beestablished against which future findings can bemeasured. All the impacts of the plant will need tobe monitored, and a range of different types ofmonitoring will be required, such as:

• Some emissions to air need to be monitoredcomprehensively on the site of the plant itselfand at sites surrounding the plant at varyingdistances; sampling (such as of foliage and soil)may also need to be carried out regularly. Muchof this is likely to be a condition of the EPAAuthorisation. Quarterly monitoring exercisesmay be required in at least the first year,reviewable at the end of that period, to reassurelocal residents and the local authority.

• Noise is unlikely to be monitored routinely onan official basis; for local authorities it isessentially a complaint-driven process.

• Traffic and transport routes need to bemonitored to ensure that transport contractorsare keeping to contract obligations andplanning conditions, and that impacts areacceptable.

All these, and other issues, are only likely to befully monitored if identified as potential problemsearly in the development process.

DecommissioningDecommissioningDecommissioningDecommissioningAs a matter of good practice, any developer willwant to prepare and plan for change. They maytherefore wish to consider possible alternativesfor the facility at the end of its life as a powergenerating plant, in which case it would be goodpractice to consider decommissioning at theplanning stage of the project.

A well-designed, good quality building in theright location may be able to be adapted (andsold) for alternative industrial uses if no longerrequired as a power plant. Alternatively, the landmay have a development value. Like any industrialsite, it will need to be checked for groundcontamination (such as diesel fuel spillage) andassessment and remediation carried out.However, the risks are likely to be less in the caseof a power generating plant using SRC than inmost industrial developments.

The developer and local authority may wish toconsider the possibility of limited life planningpermission, 20 years for example, at which timerestitution of the land can be discussed in detail.


Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix 1111Consultation on guidelines

The process

These guidelines were produced using consensusbuilding techniques. Environmental Resolve, anundertaking of The Environment Council, managed theprocess, which brought together the industry,environmentalists, planners and government agenciesin order to address potential stakeholder concerns andsupport the development of the industry in a sensitivemanner. The process was designed and guided by asteering group made up of British BioGen, Friends ofthe Earth, ETSU and Environmental Resolve.

This innovative approach involved a series ofworkshops and small sub-group meetings during thefirst half of 1996. Participants used their experience todevelop and agree detailed guidelines on whatconstitutes good practice in developing an economic,efficient, environmentally sound and publiclyacceptable SRC energy production industry. Draftmaterial was written up by an editor working to eachgroup, circulated and amended by agreement, andthen collated by the overall editor. A full list of thoseinvolved is given below.

Steering Group

• Peter Billins, British BioGen

• Caroline Foster, ETSU

• Anna Stanford, Friends of the Earth

• Pippa Hyam and Jennifer Marusiak, EnvironmentalResolve

Working groups and seminars

Three working groups met twice each during theprocess to develop the three main chapters (Growing,Harvesting and Transport, Energy Production). Therewere also several larger workshops and seminars: oneat the beginning of the process to set the parametersand identify key participants, a smaller sub-group toagree the structure and contents of the guidelines, andanother larger meeting at the end to consider the fulldraft. The following attended one or more of thesemeetings:

Julian Allen, University of WestminsterChris Baines, EnvironmentalistPeter Billins, British BioGen

Jim Birse, British BioGenAdrian Bowles, Border BiofuelsBarnaby Briggs, RSPBMike Brown, University of WestminsterRupert Burr, Roves FarmPhillip Callaghan, Department of the EnvironmentMurray Carter, Ingerthorpe HallDavid Clay, Avon Vegetation ResearchKarl Cradick, Terrence O'RourkeRichard DeBoys, Forestry CommissionFred Dumbleton, ETSUCaroline Foster, ETSUVincent Furkettle, Forestry AuthorityRobert Goodwin, Robert Goodwin & SonsIan Higham, ETSUJoanne Hirst, National Farmers UnionHuw Jones, Countryside Council for WalesKeith Kirby, English NatureWilliam Livingston, Mitsui Babcock Energy LimitedJane McWilliam, MAFFAndy Moffat, Forestry CommissionLucy Morgan-Edwards, Country LandownersAssociationChris Muskett, Ashdown Environmental LtdAndy Neale, Countryside CommissionMartin Nellist, Silsoe Research InstituteSteve Parker, Long Ashton Research StationColin Pile, Barton Willmore Planning PartnershipKeith Pitcher, Yorkshire Environmental/ARBRETony Redman, Nordistribution LtdJoanne Roberts, ETSUDavid Royle, Long Ashton Research StationRufus Sage, Game Conservancy TrustJohn Seed, Border BiofuelsNick Sotherton, Game Conservancy TrustAnna Stanford, Friends of the EarthEdward Stenhouse, ESLCandy Stevens, SWEBPaul Tabbush, Forestry AuthorityMarcus Trinick, Bond Pearce SolicitorsRos Twemlow, S C BanksMichael Wall, Forestry CommissionAdam Wallace, FWAGJackie Ward, Mid-Suffolk District CouncilGeorgina Welling, S C Banks

Editors

Three editors drafted text on behalf of theparticipants:

Diane Warburton (overall editor, and for EnergyProduction group)Roderick Robinson (Harvesting and Transport)Carla Smith (Growing)

Environmental Resolve team

Pippa Hyam (project manager)Jennifer Marusiak


Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix 2Statutory and non-statutoryconsultees

The bodies which are consulted will depend on thescale, location and nature of the proposal. However, itwould be good practice for developers of SRC energyproduction plants to consider which of the followingbodies are likely to have an interest in, or be affectedby, a new plant or coppice plantation and consult themat an early stage. This is by no means an exhaustivelist, and may be extended to include specific localorganisations, or additional organisations relevant toparticular local circumstances.

Specifically, under the Town and Country Planning(Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations1988 (8.5), the authority is required to consult thefollowing bodies when an environmental statement isproduced:

a)any body which the local planning authority wouldbe required by article 15 of the General DevelopmentOrder (amended by SI 1986/435) or any directionunder that article to consult if the application werebefore them

b)the following bodies if not included in paragraph(a):

i)any principal council for the area where the land issituated, if not the local planning authority (includingconsultation of the county council by the districtcouncil)

ii)the Countryside Commission (or CountrysideCouncil for Wales, or Scottish Natural Heritage)

iii)English Nature (formerly the Nature ConservancyCouncil)

iv)the Environment Agency (formerly HMIP, NRA andothers) in certain circumstances.

Within local governmentDifferent departments within the planning authoritymay require consultation. Some of these may requireconsultation across the boundaries of theresponsibilities of county and district authorities, ormay be within a unitary authority:

• Environmental Health

• Engineer/Technical Services

• Highways

• Planning Policy/Economic Development

• Built Heritage (Conservation Area, ListedBuildings)

• Waste Disposal

• Minerals

• Archaeology

• Environment/Countryside Management/WildlifeConservation

• County Fire Officer.

Other consulteesIt will be appropriate, depending on the size andnature of the scheme, to consult with a range ofother consultees. The following sample list is notexhaustive:

• Government Office (generally, when majorscheme proposed; Department ofTransport/Highways Agency if a trunk road isaffected)

• Town and Parish councils

• Health and Safety Executive

• Regional/local water company

• English Heritage

• Local amenity groups (eg preservation group,wildlife/naturalist trust, town society)

• Local environmental groups (eg Friends of theEarth local groups)

• Local community and residents groups

• Ramblers Association: if proposal affects a publicright of way

• British Gas, BT or other telecom company,Railtrack: if near one of their installations, landor equipment

• Civil Aviation Authority or Ministry of Defence:if a major proposal and in close proximity tocivil airport or military installation

• The RSPB regional office

• The county wildlife trust.


Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix 3Contacts

Ashdown Environmental LtdThe Oast House, Upper Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4AR

Avon Vegetation Research2 Fouracres Close, Nailsea, Bristol BS19 2YF

Barton Willmore Planning Partnership62 Margaret Street, London W1N 7FJ

Bond Pearce SolicitorsBallard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth PL1 3AE

Border Biofuels LtdTweed Horizons Centre, Newtown St Boswells,Melrose TD6 0SG

British BioGen7th Floor, 63-66 Hatton Garden,London EC1 8LE

Cadw Welsh Historic MonumentsBrunel House, 2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff CF2 1UY

Council for the Protection of Rural EnglandWarwick House, 25 Buckingham Palace Road,London SW1W 0PP

Country Landowners Association16 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PQ

Countryside CommissionJohn Dower House, Crescent Place, Cheltenham, Glos GL50 3RA.Tel: 01242 521381. Contact for nearest office.

Countryside Council for WalesPlas Penrhos, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor LL57 2LQ

Department of Agriculture for Northern IrelandDundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB

Department of the Environment2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3EB

Department of Trade and IndustryAshdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6RB

English NatureNorthminster House, Northminster Road, Peterborough PE1 1UA.Tel: 01733 340345. Contact for nearest office.

Environment AgencyRio House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS124UD. Tel: 01454 624400. Contact for nearest office.

Edward Stenhouse LimitedNewbridge, Colemans Hatch, Hartfield, E Sussex TN7 4ES

ETSUHarwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RA

Forestry Authority - see Forestry CommissionForestry Commission231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 7AT.

Tel: 0131 334 0303. Contact for nearest office.

Friends of the Earth26-28 Underwood Street, London N1 7JQ

FWAGNational Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV82RX

The Game Conservancy TrustBurgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire FP6 1EF

Health and Safety ExecutiveInformation Centre, Broadlane, Sheffield S3 7HQ

Highways AgencyTollgate House, Houlton Street, Bristol BS2 9DJ

Ingerthorpe Hall FarmMarkington, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 3PD

Institute of HydrologyMaclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX108BB

Institution of Lighting EngineersLennox House, 9 Lawford Road, Rugby, Warks CV21 2DZ

Long Ashton Research StationLong Ashton, Bristol, Avon BS18 9AF

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF)Alternative Crops Unit, Room 401, 10 Whitehall Place,London SW1A 2HH

Mid-Suffolk District Council131 High Street, Needham Market, Ipswich IP6 8DL

Mitsui Babcock Energy LimitedTechnology Centre, High Street, Renfrew PA4 8UW

National Farmers UnionAgriculture House, 164 Shaftesbury Avenue,London WC2H 8HL

Nordistribution Ltd

The Broyle, Shortgate, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6PH

Roves Farm Visitor CentreSevenhampton, Near Highworth, Swindon SN6 7GQ

RSPBThe Lodge, Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL

S C Banks Plc29 St Neots Road, Sandy, Beds SG19 1LD

Scottish Office Agriculture,Environment and Fisheries DepartmentPentland House, 47 Robbs Loan, Edinburgh EH14 1TY

Scottish Natural Heritage12 Hope Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 2AS

Silsoe Research InstituteWrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS

SWEB800 Park Avenue, Aztec West, Almondsbury,

Bristol BS12 4SE

Terrence O’Rourke plcEverdene, Deansleith Road, Bournemouth BH7 7DU

University of WestminsterTransport Studies Group, 35 Marylebone Road,London NW1 5LS

Welsh Office Agriculture DepartmentCathays Park, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF1 3NQ

The Wildlife TrustsThe Green, Witham Park, Waterside South, Lincoln LN5 7JR Tel: 01522544400. Contact for nearest office.

Yorkshire Environmental2 The Embankment, Sovereign Street, Leeds LS1 4BG


Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix 4Glossary

The following terms are used in these guidelines, and the definitionsgiven refer to their meaning in the context of this document: othersources may use the terms differently.

Age-class: Forestry term relating the age of the crop to expected yield

Billet: SRC cut as short sticks 3-30cm in length

Biofuel: Any solid, liquid or gaseous fuel derived from biomass

Biomass: Fuel derived from agricultural or forestry material

Bunding: An artificial protective bank

Char: The solid residue from pyrolysis containing a high percentageof unburnt carbon

Chips: Small pieces of wood for energy conversion (2.5cm x 2.5cm)

Combined Heat and Power (CHP): Generating both heat andelectricity. Generally more efficient than generating power alone.

Consultation: Encouraging the involvement of those with an interestin the development, by providing information and taking account oftheir views

Consultees: Those who are consulted about a development

Coppice: Dense growth of small trees or bushes regularly trimmedback for re-growth

Cropmarks: Archeological features, seen from the air

Decommissioning: Closing and dismantling the facility after itsuseful life

Dioxins: Toxic organic compounds

Energy balance: The ratio of energy into a process (inputs), toenergy from a process (outputs)

Energy crops: Crops dedicated to energy production

Environment Agency: Statutory body regulating emissions to water,air and land. Formerly HMIP, NRA and WRA

EPA: Environmental Protection Act 1990

Exhaust stack: Chimney

Flue: Chimney

Fuel specification: Technical description of fuel characteristics andproperties

Furans: Toxic organic compounds

Gas turbine: Rotary engine burning gaseous fuels

Gasification: Conversion of solid or liquid fuel into combustible gas

Grounding: Where stack emmissions are drawn to ground due tolocal weather conditions

Headland: Vehicle turning area surrounding the plantation

Hectare: Limit of area 10,000 square metres (2.471 acres)

Herbicide: Chemical product used to control weed growth

High input crop: Crop requiring intensive management and a highlevel of external inputs eg fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides

kV: Kilovolts

kWe: Kilowatts of electrical energy

kWth: Kilowatts of thermal energy

Low input crop: Crop requiring little management and a lowlevel of external inputs eg fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides

Monoclonal: Planting consisting of a single clone (hybrid) of aparticular species

MW: A unit of power. 1MW=1000 watts

MWe: A megawatt of electrical power

MWth: A megawatt of thermal power (heat)

Pathogens: Disease carrying organisms

PAHs: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - toxic organiccompounds

Planning conditions: Conditions relating to the construction andoperation of a development imposed as part of the granting ofplanning permission

Planning permission: Formal local authority permission to carryout development

Plume: Visible emission to air from chimney (water vapour)

Pyrolysis: Process by which wood is converted via carbonisationand gasification into a liquid fuel. Can be carried out in naturallyaerated or vacuum conditions

Residual herbicide: Chemical compound applied to weedswhich, having killed them, retains its effects for a period of time

Rides: Unplanted longitudinal areas between SRC plantationsused for access

Root Mat: Network of roots created by crop immediately belowthe soil surface

Rotation: Length of time between harvests or ‘cutting cycle’

Row crop: Any traditional arable crop eg. cereals, potatoes etc

Short Rotation Coppice (SRC): Willow or poplar grown as anagricultural crop on a short (2-5 year) rotation cutting cycle andat a planting density of 10-20,000 cuttings/ha

Statutory rights of way: Pathways or access routes which arelegally recognised; must allow public right of way

Sustainable development: Development which meets presentneeds without compromising the ability of future generations tomeet their own needs

Transmission losses: The decline in energy when it is movedfrom the point of generation to the point of use

Water table: The level in the soil below which soil pore space issaturated with water

Wayleaves: Rights of way for the provision of services

Woodland residue: Branch and brash material arising fromwoodland management


Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix 5Further Information

Background information

Biomass Farmer & User Newsletter. (Bi-monthly). MacphersonAssociates, Maundrell House, The Green, Calne, WiltshireSN11 8DL.

Crops for Industrial and Energy Uses - Support Schemes. AlternativeCrops Unit, MAFF, 10 Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2HH.Tel: 0171-270 8323.

Energy: Policy and Perspectives for the Welsh Countryside. CountrysideCouncil for Wales, 1993.

Energy Forestry in the Forest of Mercia. Department of Trade andIndustry/ETSU, 1993. Ref ETSU B/W5/00241/REP.

A Farmers Guide to the Planning System. DOE/Welsh Office/MAFF.DOE, 1996.

The Future is Green - An introduction to biomass energy crops. ATB-Landbase. Available from British BioGen, National FarmersUnion, Country Landowners Association, Timber GrowersAssociation and ATB-Landbase.

Home-Grown Energy from Short Rotation Coppice. GeorgeMacpherson. Farming Press, 1996.

Principles and Guidelines for the development of Biomass Energy Systems.US National Biofuels Round Table.

Technical information

Agriculture and Forestry Fact Sheets on ShortRotation Coppice:

No 1: EstablishmentNo 2: Clone SelectionNo 3: Choice of SiteNo 4: Chemical Weed ControlNo 5: Herbicides which have been tried on SRC plantationsNo 6: Energy Facts and FiguresNo 7. Environmental AspectsNo 8: Plantation DesignNo 9: Pest and Disease ControlNo 10: Non-Chemical Weed ControlNo 11: PheasantsNo 12: SongbirdsNo 13: Beneficial Ground Vegetation and Associated InsectsNo 14: Plantation Design: Combating Diseases and PestsNo 15: Insect Pests on Willow and Poplar SRCMechanised Harvesting (in preparation)

Available from the New and Renewable Energy EnquiriesBureau, ETSU, Building 168, Harwell, Didcot, Oxon OX111RA. Tel: 01235 432450 or 433601.

Beetle Banks. The Game Conservancy Trust.

Enhancing the conservation value of short rotation coppice - Phase 1, theidentification of wildlife conservation potential, by R.B. Sage, P.A.Robertson & J.G. Poulson. ETSU B/W5/00277/REP, 1994.

Environmental Assessment. A Guide to the Procedures. Department ofthe Environment/Welsh Office. HMSO/Welsh Office,1989.

Environmental Assessment - The treatment of landscape and countrysiderecreation issues. Countryside Commission CCP 326 (1991).Available from Postal Sales, PO Box 124, Walgrave,Northampton NN6 9TL. Tel: 01604 781848.

'Factors affecting songbird communities using new shortrotation coppice habitats in spring', by R.B. Sage and P.A.Robertson. 1996. Bird Study 43: 201-213.

'Factors affecting wild plant communities occupying shortrotation coppice crops on farmland in the UK and in Eire',by R.B. Sage. 1995. In Proceedings of the Brighton CropProtection Conference 1995-The role of weed control in land usechange, 7D: 980-985.

Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops,produced for MAFF by ADAS. Available from HMSO, refRB209.

Forestry Commission Technical Development BranchReports:Selection of Equipment for Initial Testing (Ref 1/94)Harvesting and Comminution of Short Rotation Coppice(Ref 1/94)First Field Evaluations of Short Rotation Coppice Harvesters(Ref 11/94)Second Field Trials of Short Rotation Coppice Harvesters(Ref 1/95)Third Field Trials of Short Rotation Coppice Harvesters(in preparation)Ground Damage caused by SRC Harvesters (in preparation)Forestry Commission Technical Notes:Layout of Short Rotation Coppice for Harvesting (Ref 2/95)Harvesting Short Rotation Coppice Transport Options(Ref 11/95)Initial Tests of Comminution Machinery in SRC(Ref 3/96)Second Evaluation of Comminution Machinery in SRC(Ref 7/96)Large Scale Comminution of Short Rotation Coppice(Ref 13/96)Available from the Forestry Commission, TechnicalDevelopment Branch, Ae Village, Dumfries DG1 1QB.Tel: 01387 860264.

Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Light Pollution. Institution ofLighting Engineers, 1994.

Herbicides for Farm Woodlands and Short Rotation Coppice, by IanWilloughby and David Clay. Forestry Commission, FieldBook 14.

Landscape Assessment Guidance. Countryside Commission CCP423(1993). Available from Postal Sales, PO Box 124, Walgrave,Northampton NN6 9TL. Tel: 01604 781848.


Poplar and Willow Clones for Short Rotation Coppice, ResearchInformation Note 278, Forestry Commission.

Principles of Landscape and Visual Assessment. Institute ofEnvironmental Assessment and the Landscape Institute,1995.

A review of the status and control strategies of known and perceived insectpests on Salix and Populus in North West Europe, by R.B. Sage, 1994.ETSU B/M3/00388/10/REP.

Rust:

'Clonal mixtures of Salix - a control measure for rust', byW.M. Dawson, A.R. McCracken & C.Y. Allen. In Proceedings of9th European Bioenergy Conference Copenhagen, Denmark, June 1996

'Growing short rotation coppice willow (Salix) in clonalmixtures as a method of reducing the impact of rust diseasecaused by Malampsora epitea var epitea', by A.R. McCrackenand W.M. Dawson, 1996. In Eur. J. For. Path. (in press).

Sewage sludge:

Code of Practice for the Agricultural Use of Sewage Sludge. DOEPublications. Tel: 0181-429 5186.

Sewage sludge. Free leaflet for farmers and landowners. FromMAFF Publications. Tel: 0645 556000.

Sewage sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989. From DOEPublications. Tel: 0181-429 5186.

Use of Sewage Sludge, by Andy Moffat. Forestry Commission.

Legislation and regulations

English and Welsh Statutes

1990 Town and Country Planning Act. HMSO, 1990.

1990 Environmental Protection Act. HMSO, 1990.

1995 Environment Act. HMSO, 1990.

English and Welsh Regulations, Circulars andPlanning Policy Guidance Notes

Statutory Instrument 1988 No 1199. The Town andCountry Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects)Regulations 1988. HMSO, 1988.

Department of the Environment Circular 15/88 (WelshOffice 23/88) Environmental Assessment. HMSO, 1988.

Department of the Environment Circular 7/94 (WelshOffice 20/94) Environmental Assessment - Amendment ofRegulations. HMSO, 1994.

Department of the Environment/Welsh Office PlanningPolicy Guidance 7: The Countryside and the RuralEconomy. HMSO, 1992.

Department of the Environment/Welsh Office PlanningPolicy Guidance 22: Renewable Energy. HMSO, 1993.

Scottish Statutes

The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972.HMSO, 1972.

Scottish Regulations and Circulars

SOEnD Circular 1/1988. EC Directive on the Conservationof Wild Birds. HMSO, 1988.

SOEnD Circular 13/1988. Environmental Assessment -Implementation of the EC Directive. HMSO, 1988.

SOEnD Circular 13/1991. Nature Conservation and Part VIIIof the Environmental Protection Act 1990. HMSO, 1991.

SOEnD Circular 26/1994. The Environment Assessment(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1994. HMSO, 1994.

The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Regulations1988.

National Planning Policy Guidance Note 6: RenewableEnergy.

This list of statutes, regulations and circulars is notexhaustive. Only instruments of general importance arelisted. Regulations on areas of narrower interest andguidance on these areas are not included. Access toinformation on these documents can be obtained throughthe Environment Agency, local planning authorities orprofessional advisers.

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