expert witness biographies - planning inspectorate of tep’s strategic and development planning...

May 2015Application Reference EN020001

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Expert Witness BiographiesHinkley Point C Connection Project

Regulation 8(1)(k) of the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010

Hinkley Point C Connection Project

May 2015

VOLUME 8.14: EXPERT WITNESS BIOGRAPHIES

Hinkley Point C Connection Project – Volume 8.14


TABLE OF CONTENTS Date Hearing 21 April Issue Specific Hearing – Heritage and Historic Environment

22 April Issue Specific Hearing – Landscape and Visual, including arboriculture matters

23 April (morning)

Issue Specific Hearing – Landscape and Visual including arboriculture matters (continued)

23 April (afternoon)

Issue Specific Hearing – Mitigation relating to heritage and historic environment and landscape and visual

28 April Issue Specific Hearing – Highways and Transport

29 April Issue Specific Hearing – Air Quality, Noise, Ground Conditions, Water Quality and Pollution Prevention and Flood Risk

30 April Issue Specific Hearing – Health, Wellbeing and Electric and Magnetic Fields, and Socio-economic

1 May Issue Specific Hearing – Biodiversity and Habitat Regulations Assessment

12883733.2

HINKLEY POINT C CONNECTION PROJECT

ISSUE SPECIFIC HEARING: HERITAGE AND HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT

EXPERT WITNESS APPEARING ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT

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Helena Kelly (Historic Environment)

Helena is a Principal Consultant at The Environment Partnership (TEP) and heads the company’s heritage team. Helena has over 20 years’ experience in the sector. Prior to joining TEP, Helena was the heritage team manager for a multidisciplinary environmental consultancy, and prior to that was historic environment advisor at a number of local authorities.

Helena has extensive experience of preparing the historic environment content of Environmental Statements and is fully conversant with national policy and guidance relating to planning for the historic environment. During her career she has continually needed to address issues relating to the impact of development proposals on the significance of heritage assets. This has included the assessment of both built heritage and buried archaeology, and the assessment of effects on the settings of heritage assets. Helena has given evidence on historic environment matters at Public Inquiries and Planning Hearings.

Helena prepared the historic environment chapter of the Environmental Statement for the HPCC project and attended historic environment thematic group meetings. Helena has been involved in the preparation of the Statements of Common Ground with English Heritage and with the Joint Councils (historic environment section of that document).

Helena has a degree in Heritage Conservation and has been a Full Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists since 2004.

12904272.2


ISSUE SPECIFIC HEARING: LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL INCLUDING ARBORICULTURAL MATTERS

EXPERT WITNESSES APPEARING ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT

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Ian Grimshaw (Landscape and Views)

Ian Grimshaw is a Director of TEP, which he co-founded following experience as a consultant in the private sector addressing a range of landscape planning and management projects.

Ian is a Chartered Landscape Architect and a Chartered Town Planner who has extensive experience in environmental planning matters with particular focus on the assessment of effects on landscape character and views. He has advised on a range of projects within the UK and overseas relating to electricity networks development including overhead lines and interconnectors involving other infrastructure.

His expertise has been used particularly by a range of clients in the utilities sector. Ian also directs much of TEP’s strategic and development planning work and he has appeared as an expert witness on landscape and views at public inquiries and hearings. Ian has directed the work of TEP on the Hinkley C Connection Project with particular oversight of the assessment of landscape and views.

Ian has a first degree in English with a Master of Arts degree in Landscape Management and a Master of Science degree with Distinction in Environmental Planning.

12904272.2 3

Chris Chadwick (Planning/Alternatives)

Chris Chadwick is an Associate Director at Amec Foster Wheeler. He holds an MCD in Town and Regional Planning and a BSc (Hons) in Geography, and is a Corporate Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. He is also a Member of the National Infrastructure Planning Association.

Chris has 10 years of post-qualification private sector experience in town and country planning and environmental planning matters. He has worked extensively within the energy and infrastructure fields, in particular, with National Grid Electricity Transmission where has led in the preparation of a number of Environmental Statements, planning applications and Section 37 consents for several large scale schemes. These include the Kingsnorth reconfiguration project, the Humber Gateway offshore wind farm connection, the Prenergy Connection Project, Grain Substation and the Uskmouth Power Station Connection. In addition to his work within the energy and infrastructure fields, Chris has also been responsible for managing the EIA and planning process for a number of large residential and mixed use developments.

Chris has been involved in the Hinkley Point C Connection Project since 2009 and was responsible for the production of the initial route corridor study and managing the production of the Selection of Preferred Connection Report, the Connection Options Report and the Pylon Design Options Report. Chris was also responsible for the production of the Alternatives Chapter of the ES, the Consultation Report, the Planning Statement and the Design and Access Statement submitted in support of the DCO application. During the course of the project he has represented National Grid at numerous public exhibitions and public meetings and led discussions with key stakeholders over the scope of routeing studies and the EIA.

12904272.2 4

Ken Murray (Need Case / Strategic Options)

Academic Background:

• MBA, Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University (1995, sponsored by National Grid Company)

• M.Phil, Electrical Machines, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen (1988)

• BSc (Hons), Engineering Technology, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen (1986)

Professional Qualifications:

• Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology

Ken is an experienced independent energy consultant with over 25 years relevant experience and has played a leading role in a number of the UK and Ireland’s recent electricity market reform programmes. Ken is a recognised expert in matters associated with transmission system operation and investment planning, and has led operational workstreams in the USA and Great Britain. Ken is also a recognised expert in matters related to the regulation of transmission companies and was Programme Manager for the design, development and implementation of the Single Electricity Market on the island of Ireland, and similarly for OFGEM during the introduction of the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements.

Since December 2009 Ken has been retained by National Grid Electricity Transmission Limited (National Grid) to provide advice and support on its programme of major new transmission projects. Ken has been responsible for all technical and cost matters related to the proposed development and led National Grid’s relationship with WPD.

Ken has fulfilled a range of roles on behalf of National Grid and specifically on the Hinkley C Connection Project this includes:

• Author of the project Need Case (2011-2014);

• Author of the Strategic Optioneering Report (2011) and Update to SOR Cost Tables & Relevant Appendices (2014)

• Author of the Distribution System Options Report (2012)

• Co-author of the Alternatives Chapter of the ES

• Representing National Grid at numerous external events and forums including media events and hostile protest group meetings

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Neil Adams (Lead Project Manager)

Neil Adams is currently a Lead Project Manager in National Grid and has held hands-on and supervisory roles in operations and capital projects over the last 11 years he has works for the company.

Neil holds an MEng in Electronic Engineering.

Neil has supported the Hinkley Connection Project since 2010, leading on substations.

12904279.2


ISSUE SPECIFIC HEARING: MITIGATION RELATING TO HERITAGE AND HISTORIC

ENVIRONMENT AND LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL


12904279.2 2

Ian Grimshaw (Landscape and Views)

Ian Grimshaw is a Director of TEP, which he co-founded following experience as a consultant in the private sector addressing a range of landscape planning and management projects.

Ian is a Chartered Landscape Architect and a Chartered Town Planner who has extensive experience in environmental planning matters with particular focus on the assessment of effects on landscape character and views. He has advised on a range of projects within the UK and overseas relating to electricity networks development including overhead lines and interconnectors involving other infrastructure.

His expertise has been used particularly by a range of clients in the utilities sector. Ian also directs much of TEP’s strategic and development planning work and he has appeared as an expert witness on landscape and views at public inquiries and hearings. Ian has directed the work of TEP on the Hinkley C Connection Project with particular oversight of the assessment of landscape and views.

Ian has a first degree in English with a Master of Arts degree in Landscape Management and a Master of Science degree with Distinction in Environmental Planning.

12904279.2 3

Helena Kelly (Historic Environment)

Helena is a Principal Consultant at The Environment Partnership (TEP) and heads the company’s heritage team. Helena has over 20 years’ experience in the sector. Prior to joining TEP, Helena was the heritage team manager for a multidisciplinary environmental consultancy, and prior to that was historic environment advisor at a number of local authorities.

Helena has extensive experience of preparing the historic environment content of Environmental Statements and is fully conversant with national policy and guidance relating to planning for the historic environment. During her career she has continually needed to address issues relating to the impact of development proposals on the significance of heritage assets. This has included the assessment of both built heritage and buried archaeology, and the assessment of effects on the settings of heritage assets. Helena has given evidence on historic environment matters at Public Inquiries and Planning Hearings.

Helena prepared the historic environment chapter of the Environmental Statement for the HPCC project and attended historic environment thematic group meetings. Helena has been involved in the preparation of the Statements of Common Ground with English Heritage and with the Joint Councils (historic environment section of that document).

Helena has a degree in Heritage Conservation and has been a Full Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists since 2004.

12904463.2


ISSUE SPECIFIC HEARING: HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT


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Ben Dawson (Traffic and Transport)

Ben led the production of the Transport Assessment, EIA transport and traffic chapter and also the Construction Traffic Management Plan for the Hinkley Point C Connection Project.

Ben is a Principal Transport Planner at Curtins with eight years’ experience. He has an excellent knowledge of development planning, transport planning and transport modelling and throughout his career has gained extensive experience in the undertaking of Transport Assessment, EIA transport and traffic chapters, Travel Plans and also Construction Traffic Management Plans.

Ben has led the transport planning input for numerous energy related projects including wind farm developments, large electrical substations and interconnector projects. In addition to this, Ben has a broad range of experience in transport planning having worked on projects across a wide range of sectors across the UK. This includes residential developments of up to 15,000 units, large office schemes, industrial developments as well as numerous retail and commercial developments.

Ben holds a BSc in Geography and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation.

12904463.2 3

Jim Brown (Lead Project Manager)

Jim Brown is a Lead Project Manager with over 30 years’ experience working for National Grid on overhead line and cable projects.

Over the years, Jim has led various multi-disciplined teams to deliver new tower builds, overhead lines refurbishment, fittings replacement, cable installation, emergency response and maintenance projects.

Jim is currently managing the Engineering & Construction Team providing support to the HPCC DCO application, primarily focusing on overhead line construction.

Jim has a Higher National Certificate in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and is a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

12904463.2 4

Joe Turner (Planning)

Joe Turner is a Senior Consents Officer at National Grid. He holds an MA in Town Planning and a BSocSc (Hons) in Geography and Planning, and is a Corporate Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. He is also a Member of the National Infrastructure Planning Association.

Joe has over 13 years of experience in the field of town planning across both public and private sectors, including experience in major planning applications, appeals and enforcement. Since joining National Grid four years ago, he has played a key role in embedding knowledge and best practice in DCO procedures under the Planning Act 2008, alongside experience on projects such as the Ross-on-Wye 400kV cable replacement, Walham Flood Defence, and several Network Rail and offshore wind farm connections. He also drafted National Grid’s policy document on the use of the ‘Visual Impact Provision’ funding provided for reducing the visual impact of infrastructure in National Parks and AONBs. He has been providing planning advice and support to the Hinkley Point C Connection project since May 2013, with particular responsibilities for stakeholder relations with the Environment Agency, Highways Agency, Marine Management Organisation, local drainage boards and local highway authorities, and a focus on the interaction between mitigation and the DCO itself and quality control of environment documentation.

Prior to joining National Grid, Joe was with Bromsgrove District Council, Turley Associates and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Key schemes he was involved with include the £30m redevelopment of Edgbaston County Cricket Ground, several large Prologis regional logistics developments, a major supermarket development, several large Green Belt farm diversification schemes, major housing schemes and small scale onshore wind turbines. He has experience of representing both developers and Bromsgrove DC at planning appeals and public meetings.

12904463.2 5

Ben Smith (Land Officer)

Ben Smith is a National Grid Land Officer with over twelve years’ experience within the utilities industries; Ben has worked on National Grid projects for over 5 years on overhead, underground cable schemes and Gas transmission Schemes. He has previously worked for a firm of Chartered Surveyors specialising in Utilities and Compulsory Purchase work.

He has a BSc (Hons) degree from the University of West of England in Land use, a Pg Dip in Rural Estate management from the Royal Agricultural College and is currently working toward his MRICS.

Ben has supported many aspects of the Hinkley Point C Connection Project, dealing with the lands rights strategy, to stakeholder liaison on PRoW issues and dealing with the DNO, WPD on land related issues. Ben has been heavily involved with the landowners and seeking voluntary rights from them for the past 2 years.

12904557.1


ISSUE SPECIFIC HEARING: AIR QUALITY, NOISE, GROUND CONDITIONS, WATER QUALITY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND FLOOD RISK


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William Franklin (Air Quality)

Will has over ten years’ experience of air quality consultancy and monitoring projects, including development planning applications and appeals and environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a wide range of projects. Recent experience has included Crossrail, onshore grid connection construction impact assessments for a number of offshore Windfarm projects, and an international gas pipeline infrastructure project.

Will holds an MSc. in Environmental Quality Management, a BSc. in Biological Sciences and is a Member of the Institute of Air Quality Management, the Institution of Environmental Sciences and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

12904557.1 3

Richard Morris (Operational Noise)

Richard is an environmental engineer with 27 years’ experience working in National Grid and its predecessor companies.

Richard specialises in the assessment of operational noise from National Grid electricity transmission assets, including substations and overhead lines, and is the technical lead for operational noise within National Grid Electricity Transmission. He is one of the contributors to the Operational Noise chapter in the Environmental Statement for the Hinkley Point C connection project and is supporting similar projects including National Grid’s proposed Mid Wales Connection, Northwest Coast Connection and Richborough (NEMO) Connection projects. He has also worked on other strategic schemes including the DCO for the North London Reinforcement Project, and the planning applications for the Western Link HVDC southern convertor station at Flintshire Bridge in Deeside and the Hutton Series Compensation near Kendal in the Lake District.

Richard graduated from the University of Sussex with an honours degree in Biological Sciences and the University of Central Lancashire with a Master’s degree in Biotechnology. He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Acoustics and an Associate Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. He holds a Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control (Derby University), Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise and Certificate of Competence in Occupational Noise, all accredited by the Institute of Acoustics.

12904557.1 4

Tony Dyas (Lead Project Manager)

Tony Dyas is currently a Lead Project Manager with National Grid with over 30 years’ experience working on major cable and overhead line projects, including new build projects, cable replacement and overhead line refurbishment and development.

Over the years, Tony has led many multi-disciplined teams and many of the projects on which he has worked have included interface agreements with major stakeholders such as the Environment Agency, the Highways Agency and Local Authorities.

Tony is currently supporting the engineering team for the Hinkley Point C Connection project, mainly on the underground options for both National Grid and WPD.

Tony has a Higher National Diploma and Higher National Certificate in Construction and various project management qualifications.

12904557.1 5

Iain Blackwell (Flood Risk)

Iain is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Water and Environmental Manager with 22 years’ experience in water and environmental engineering in the UK and overseas. Most of this experience is in Flood Risk Management covering fluvial, pluvial, coastal and urban flooding aspects, including climate adaptation and resilience aspects in both the public and private sectors. He has worked on a broad range of studies across the water sector including flood defence and flood risk management, water resources, hydrology and hydraulics and has had several technical papers published in international journals.

His public sector experience in the UK includes work for the Environment Agency and several Lead Local Flood Authorities across the country, covering a range of scales from catchment-wide approaches through to localised rural and urban flood risk management projects. For National Grid over the last five years he has worked on numerous scoping studies for flood risk, and overseen the delivery of several flood risk assessments including those completed for the Hinkley C Connection project. He has also undertaken a review role for the Airports Commission supporting it in its assessment of three promoters’ schemes for a new runway in the southeast of England.

Iain has a B.Eng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from Manchester University, and a M.Sc in Hydrology of Environmental Management from Imperial College, London.

12904557.1 6

Joe Turner (Planning)

Joe Turner is a Senior Consents Officer at National Grid. He holds an MA in Town Planning and a BSocSc (Hons) in Geography and Planning, and is a Corporate Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. He is also a Member of the National Infrastructure Planning Association.

Joe has over 13 years of experience in the field of town planning across both public and private sectors, including experience in major planning applications, appeals and enforcement. Since joining National Grid four years ago, he has played a key role in embedding knowledge and best practice in DCO procedures under the Planning Act 2008, alongside experience on projects such as the Ross-on-Wye 400kV cable replacement, Walham Flood Defence, and several Network Rail and offshore wind farm connections. He also drafted National Grid’s policy document on the use of the ‘Visual Impact Provision’ funding provided for reducing the visual impact of infrastructure in National Parks and AONBs. He has been providing planning advice and support to the Hinkley Point C Connection project since May 2013, with particular responsibilities for stakeholder relations with the Environment Agency, Highways Agency, Marine Management Organisation, local drainage boards and local highway authorities, and a focus on the interaction between mitigation and the DCO itself and quality control of environment documentation.

Prior to joining National Grid, Joe was with Bromsgrove District Council, Turley Associates and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Key schemes he was involved with include the £30m redevelopment of Edgbaston County Cricket Ground, several large Prologis regional logistics developments, a major supermarket development, several large Green Belt farm diversification schemes, major housing schemes and small scale onshore wind turbines. He has experience of representing both developers and Bromsgrove DC at planning appeals and public meetings.

12904557.1 7

Andrew Przewieslik (Ground Environment)

Andrew is a senior geoenvironmental consultant with eight years’ experience in site appraisal and contaminated land assessment. He has extensive experience of environmental investigations for a wide range of sites and ground conditions including brownfield sites for the energy, petroleum and housing sectors. He undertakes generic quantitative risk assessments (GQRA) and detailed quantitative risk assessments (DQRA) for human health and controlled water risk assessments and provides advice for environment statements relating to the ground environment and geological conservation.

Andrew has undertaken the production of the environmental statement chapter on ground environment for the Hinkley Point C Connection project, the supporting baseline technical reports and relevant parts of the Construction Environmental Management Plan.

Andrew holds an MSci in Palaeontology and Evolution and is a Fellow of the Geological Society.

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Richard Cope (Noise and Vibration)

Richard Cope is a Principal Consultant, and one of the acoustics team leaders at Bureau Veritas, with over 17 years of experience in environmental consultancy, including the last 13 years specialising in the field of environmental acoustics. He holds the Institute of Acoustics (IoA) diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control and as well as the IoA Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurements, and has been a Corporate Member of the Institute of Acoustics (MIOA) for eight years. Richard was the noise and vibration technical lead for the DCO application for Hinkley Point C nuclear new build, submitted to PINS in March 2012, including providing technical support through the Issue Specific Hearings, and a separate Public Inquiry for an associated application to the Marine Management Organisation. Richard also provided expert witness support at the Issue Specific Hearing for noise for the Thames Tideway Tunnel development in 2014, representing the London Borough of Southwark, as well as other expert witness experience at Public Inquiry (2006) and Appeal hearings (2015). On the Hinkley Point C Connection Project, Richard is the Project Director for Bureau Veritas, responsible for preparation and checking of the technical deliverables covering construction and operation phase noise and vibration. He is also Bureau Veritas’ Project Director for the noise and vibration assessments for two further National Grid high voltage connection schemes currently in preparation through the DCO application process.

12905056.1


ISSUE SPECIFIC HEARING: HEALTH, WELLBEING AND ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS AND SOCIO ECONOMIC


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Dr John Swanson (Electric and Magnetic Fields)

Dr John Swanson is responsible for the electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) issue for National Grid, having worked on the issue since 1989. He also takes a lead for the rest of the industry through the Energy Networks Association. His original training was in physics and he has an active research involvement in the EMF issue with more than 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications covering, among other things, exposures, mechanism, and epidemiology. As well as the active scientific role he has responsibility for policy (liaising with civil servants and politicians), communications (including maintaining the industry’s website and printed material on EMFs and acting as media spokesperson when required), and for ensuring that the industry’s activities comply with both the public and the occupational exposure limits.

He has a first degree and a doctorate in physics from the University of Oxford. He is a Chartered Physicist and a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, and a Chartered Radiation Professional and a fellow of the Society for Radiological Protection.

On the Hinkley Point C Connection Project, he has taken overall responsibility for EMF strategy and for the necessary written material including the Environmental Statement and responses to PINS Questions, has staffed consultation events at each stage of consultation, and has been part of the platform presence at Public Meetings.

He has appeared as expert witness on EMFs on other projects in Necessary Wayleave Hearings, Local Plan Inquiries, CPO Hearings, and Public Inquiries.

12905056.1 3

Aileen Smith (Planning)

Aileen Smith is a Senior Consents Officer at National Grid. She holds a BA (Hons) in Geography.

Aileen has over 25 years of experience working in the lands and consents team at National Grid.

As a Senior Policy Planner she was responsible for developing National Grid’s revised Schedule 9 statement, its National Park Policy Statement, Tree Policy and biodiversity initiatives. She was also part of the team that developed National Grid’s development near lines policy, undergrounding policy, the revised Holford Rules and the Horlock Rules.

She has provided consents support to the Hinkley Point C Connection Project since summer 2009. Key activities have included working with Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to develop a Statement of Community Consultation and production of the Stage 1 (non-statutory) consultation report and ongoing management and monthly liaison with LPAs via technical working group on the Planning Performance Agreement. She has been involved in all consultation activities since the commencement of the project.

Key Stakeholders she has specific responsibility for are the LPAs, Natural England, Avon Wildlife Trust, Mendip Hills AONB and Local Enterprise Partnership. She was responsible for all liaison with the Bristol Port Authority during project development. She also took a lead on discussions with Parish Council regarding works at Hinkley Point and with Bristol and South Gloucestershire on the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area.

She has been responsible for managing TEP and other environmental Consultants to produce the PEIR and ES together with its technical review. Since June 2014 Aileen has been the lead Consents Officer on the Project.

12905056.1 4

Kirsten Berry (Socio Economics)

Kirsten Berry is a Partner at ERM with over fifteen years of town and country planning experience, specialising in the delivery of major infrastructure.

At ERM, Kirsten focusses on the delivery of infrastructure and investment, working throughout the life cycle of the planning process. Her projects address a broad spectrum of energy, technology, waste and minerals sectors advising on planning, permitting and strategy matters for a range of private and public sector clients. Kirsten’s experience encompasses: policy development (for local, regional, and national government); development control and promotion; implementation and project delivery; and enforcement. This includes applications under the Planning Act 2008. Gaining consent for major infrastructure requires applications to be prepared of the highest calibre. Kirsten has led the preparation of planning and permitting documents for the development industry to promote their projects. This has focused upon a thorough consideration of relevant policy and completion of relevant assessments to ensure that the impacts, both positive and negative, are appropriately reported. Her approach is to develop a project that is deliverable once consented.

Kirsten has produced written evidence for appeal, and appeared as expert witness at public inquiry, judicial review and parliamentary committee.

12905056.1 5

Richard Cope (Noise and Vibration)

Richard Cope is a Principal Consultant, and one of the acoustics team leaders at Bureau Veritas, with over 17 years of experience in environmental consultancy, including the last 13 years specialising in the field of environmental acoustics. He holds the Institute of Acoustics (IoA) diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control and as well as the IoA Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurements, and has been a Corporate Member of the Institute of Acoustics (MIOA) for eight years. Richard was the noise and vibration technical lead for the DCO application for Hinkley Point C nuclear new build, submitted to PINS in March 2012, including providing technical support through the Issue Specific Hearings, and a separate Public Inquiry for an associated application to the Marine Management Organisation. Richard also provided expert witness support at the Issue Specific Hearing for noise for the Thames Tideway Tunnel development in 2014, representing the London Borough of Southwark, as well as other expert witness experience at Public Inquiry (2006) and Appeal hearings (2015). On the Hinkley Point C Connection Project, Richard is the Project Director for Bureau Veritas, responsible for preparation and checking of the technical deliverables covering construction and operation phase noise and vibration. He is also Bureau Veritas’ Project Director for the noise and vibration assessments for two further National Grid high voltage connection schemes currently in preparation through the DCO application process.

12904892.1


ISSUE SPECIFIC HEARING: BIODIVERSITY AND HABITATS REGULATION ASSESSMENT


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Liz Seal (Biodiversity)

Liz is a Principal Ecologist with 10 years’ experience working in consultancy at TEP where her work has included mammalian and herpetological surveys, protected species licensing and EcIA, EIA and HRA for a range of residential, commercial and utilities developments. Prior to joining TEP she worked as an ecology research assistant for the Australian Government and for Oxford, Arizona and Adelaide universities.

Liz is the lead ecologist for the Hinkley Point C Connection project and has been involved since 2009. She has overall responsibility for the scope and method of ecology surveys and delivery of the protected species licences (GCN, bats and badger), ecology chapters of the PEIR, ES and CEMP and works in conjunction with Richard Cottle on the HRA. Liz has led on consultation with statutory and non-statutory organisations throughout the NSIP process including SoCGs with Natural England and Avon Wildlife Trust and inputting into ecology elements of other SoCGs (EA, MMO, JCs).

Liz is the Manager of TEP’s Ecology Team and holds an MSc (by research) in Behavioural Ecology and a BSc (Hons) Zoology. She is a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and a member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CMIEEM).

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Richard Cottle (HRA)

Dr Richard Cottle is a Director and owner of EcotConsulting Ltd. Prior to setting up his own consultancy in 2010 he worked as a technical director at Royal Haskoning DHV for 12 years and eight years at English Nature as a Higher Scientific Officer and Conservation Officer.

Dr Cottle has an excellent knowledge and practical understanding of European and UK nature conservation legislation, particularly in respect of the Habitats Directive. He has a strong track record in management and production of Habitat Regulation Assessments (HRAs) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and acting as an expert witness for major infrastructure projects including: London Gateway, Bristol Port Container Terminal, Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station, Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farms (Creyke Beck and Teesside A & B) and the Walney Offshore Wind Farm Extension. Richard has recently completed projects for DEFRA and Natural England (Review of effectiveness of Natura 2000 compensation measures) and Natural Resources Wales (review of mitigation measures for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon).

For the Hinkley Point C Connection Project, Richard has acted as an advisor on HRA related issues and assisted in the production of the information for HRA that was submitted as part of the draft Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate.

Richard holds a BSc (Joint Hons) in Geology and Zoology and a PhD in Palaeontology and Climate Change.

12904892.1 4

Aileen Smith (Planning)

Aileen Smith is a Senior Consents Officer at National Grid. She holds a BA (Hons) in Geography.

Aileen has over 25 years of experience working in the lands and consents team at National Grid.

As a Senior Policy Planner she was responsible for developing National Grid’s revised Schedule 9 statement, its National Park Policy Statement, Tree Policy and biodiversity initiatives. She was also part of the team that developed National Grid’s development near lines policy, undergrounding policy, the revised Holford Rules and the Horlock Rules.

She has provided consents support to the Hinkley Point C Connection Project since summer 2009. Key activities have included working with Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to develop a Statement of Community Consultation and production of the Stage 1 (non-statutory) consultation report and Ongoing management and monthly liaison with LPAs via technical working group on the Planning Performance Agreement. She has been involved in all consultation activities since the commencement of the project.

Key Stakeholders she has specific responsibility for are the LPAs, Natural England, Avon Wildlife Trust, Mendip Hills AONB and Local Enterprise Partnership. She was responsible for all liaison with the Bristol Port Authority during project development. She also took a lead on discussions with Parish Council regarding works at Hinkley Point and with Bristol and South Gloucestershire on the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area.

She has been responsible for managing TEP and other environmental Consultants to produce the PEIR and ES together with its technical review. Since June 2014 Aileen has been the lead Consents Officer on the Project.

expert witness biographies - planning inspectorate of tep’s strategic and development planning...

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