the hirwaun power (gas fired power station) order 10.3.0 ... · directives including the ippcd and...

The Hirwaun Power (Gas Fired Power Station) Order 10.3.0 Health Impact Assessment Planning Act 2008 The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 PINS Reference Number: EN010059 Document Reference: 10.3.0 Regulation Number: 5(2)(q) Author: Peter Brett Associates LLP Revision Date Description 0 March 2014 Submission version

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Document Control Sheet

Project Name: Hirwaun Power

Project Ref: 28777/016

Report Title: Health Impact Assessment

Doc Ref: 00

Date: March 2014

Name Position Signature Date

Prepared by: Cicely Postan Principal CP 13/02/14

Reviewed by: Colin Turnbull Associate CT 14/02/14

Approved by: John Baker Partner JB 17/02/14

For and on behalf of Peter Brett Associates LLP

Revision Date Description Prepared Reviewed Approved

00 06/02/14 Update from client comment CP CT JB

Peter Brett Associates LLP disclaims any responsibility to the Hirwaun Power Limited and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of this report. This report has been prepared with reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of the Contract with the Hirwaun Power Limited and generally in accordance with the appropriate ACE Agreement and taking account of the manpower, resources, investigations and testing devoted to it by agreement with the Hirwaun Power Limited. Peter Brett Associates LLP accepts no responsibility of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report or any part thereof is made known. Any such party relies upon the report at their own risk.

© Peter Brett Associates LLP 2014

Health Impact Assessment Hirwaun Power

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Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 The Health Impact Assessment .................................................................................... 2

2 Health Impact Assessment Ethos and Approach .................................................................... 3

2.1 Background ................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Defining health ............................................................................................................... 3

2.3 Creating a Healthy Place ............................................................................................... 4

2.4 Scope of Assessment .................................................................................................... 5

3 Determinants of Health ............................................................................................................... 6

3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 6

3.2 Work and income ........................................................................................................... 8

3.3 Transport and Connectivity ........................................................................................... 8

3.4 Crime and Safety ........................................................................................................... 9

3.5 The Environment: Pollution Risk ................................................................................... 9

3.6 Social Capital and Cohesion ....................................................................................... 10

3.7 Essential utilities .......................................................................................................... 10

4 The Development Study Area, Surroundings and Proposed Development ........................ 11

4.1 Site and Surrounding Area .......................................................................................... 11

4.2 The proposed Project .................................................................................................. 12

4.3 Reason for the Project and Site Selection .................................................................. 17

5 Health Impact Assessment Methodology ............................................................................... 19

5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 19

5.2 Screening .................................................................................................................... 20

5.3 Scoping ........................................................................................................................ 20

5.4 Baseline Assessment and Community Profile ............................................................ 21

5.5 Focus of Assessment .................................................................................................. 23

5.6 Expert opinion .............................................................................................................. 24

5.7 Assigning Significance to Potential Impacts ................................................................ 24

5.8 Assumptions and Uncertainties ................................................................................... 25

5.9 Mitigation and Enhancement Measures ...................................................................... 25

6 Consultation .............................................................................................................................. 26

6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 26

6.2 Local Community Engagement ................................................................................... 26

6.3 HIA-Specific Stakeholder Consultation ....................................................................... 31

7 Health and Wellbeing Policy Context ...................................................................................... 34

7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 34

7.2 National Policy and Guidance ..................................................................................... 34

7.3 Local Policy ................................................................................................................. 38


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7.4 Local Strategies ........................................................................................................... 38

8 Baseline Assessment and Community Profile ....................................................................... 41

8.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 41

8.2 Headline Characteristics ............................................................................................. 41

8.3 Population and General Health ................................................................................... 43

8.4 Employment and Economy ......................................................................................... 44

8.5 Education and Learning .............................................................................................. 45

8.6 Transport and Connectivity ......................................................................................... 46

8.7 Crime and Safety ......................................................................................................... 48

8.8 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 48

9 Health Impacts of the Proposed Development ...................................................................... 52

9.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 52

9.2 Determinants scoped out for further assessment ....................................................... 52

9.3 Construction Effects .................................................................................................... 53

9.4 Operation Phase Effects ............................................................................................. 60

10 Cumulative Impacts .................................................................................................................. 67

11 Mitigation Measures .................................................................................................................. 69

11.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 69

11.2 Construction ................................................................................................................ 69

11.3 Operation ..................................................................................................................... 73

12 Summary .................................................................................................................................... 77

12.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 77

12.2 Construction ................................................................................................................ 77

12.3 Operation ..................................................................................................................... 78

13 References ................................................................................................................................. 80

Appendices

Appendix A Site Plan

Appendix B HIA Screening and Consultation Responses

Appendix C HIA Scoping Report, Consultation Responses and

Appendix D Public and Stakeholders Consultation Summary

Appendix E Baseline Data

Appendix F HIA Assessment Appendix G HIA Scoping Response

Appendix H Cumulative Effects


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Glossary of Key Terms

Term Description

DCO Application: The application for a DCO made to the Secretary of State under section 37 PA 2008 in respect of the Project, required pursuant to section 31 PA 2008 because the Project constitutes a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project under section 14 (1)(a) and section 15 PA 2008 by virtue of being an onshore generating station in England or Wales of 50 MWe capacity or more.

The Developer. Means HPL.

Draft DCO The draft DCO which accompanies the DCO Application (Document Number: 3.1);

Electrical Connection A new underground electrical cable connection to export electricity from the Power Generation Plant into the national electricity transmission system at the Rhigos Substation (Work No. 5 in the Draft DCO).

Gas Connection: A new underground gas pipeline connection to bring natural gas to the Power Generation Plant from the existing high pressure gas network NTS in the vicinity of the proposed Project Site including the above ground infrastructure (AGI) for the gas pipeline at the point of connection to the NTS, as well as a new permanent access to the AGI (Works No. 3 & 4 in the Draft DCO).

HPL A special purpose vehicle which has been set up to develop the proposed Project and has been established by Watt Power Limited (WPL). WPL has been established to develop flexible gas fired generation assets to support the UK Government drive to a low carbon economy. WPL is resourced through Stag Energy, a company founded in 2002.

Peaking Plant Used to generate electricity for peak load electrical demand or shortfalls of electricity supply.

Power Generation Plant A SCGT gas fired ‘peaking’ power generating plant capable of providing up to 299 MWe (Work No. 2 in the Draft DCO).

Power Generation Plant Site

The site of the Power Generation Plant (Work No. 2 in the Works Plan).

Project The Power Generation Plant, the Electrical Connection and the Gas Connection together.

Project Site The site of the Project corresponding to the Order Limits of the Draft DCO.

SCGT Simple Cycle Gas Turbine


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Glossary of Technical Terms

Term Acronym Description

Air Quality Management Areas AQMA An area that a local authority has designated for action, based

upon predicted exceedences of Air Quality Objectives.

Above Ground Installation AGI

Situated within the Gas Connection site (Work No 4A) and containing the MOC and PTF.*The other ‘above ground installation’ comprising the natural gas receiving station and compound is part of the Power Generation Plant site (Work No 2B).

Brecon Beacons National Park. BBNP The National Park are to the north of the site.

Construction Environmental Management Plan

CEMP Strategic document setting out best practice methods to minimise environmental impacts (including dust) during construction.

Development Consent Order DCO

Development Consent Order. Consent by a UK Government Minister for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. A DCO can incorporate or override the need for a variety of consents which would otherwise be required for a development, including planning permission. A DCO can also include rights of compulsory acquisition. A DCO is made in the form of a Statutory Instrument.

Energy from Waste EfW Energy from Waste, A power plant which generates energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from the incineration or pyrolysis of waste products.

Environmental Impact Assessment. EIA

The body of work which evaluates the potential likely significant environmental effects of the Project. Undertaken in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009.

Electromagnetic Field EMF Is the physical field produced by electrically charged objects, a

combination of an electric field and a magnetic field.

Environmental Statement ES The final document which provides a comprehensive discussion

on the Environmental Impact Assessment.

Health Impact Assessment HIA

An assessment of the health effects of the development based on a range of structured and evaluated sources of qualitative and quantitative evidence. The approach is particularly concerned with the distribution of effects and therefore how health and social inequalities might be reduced or widened by particular proposals, in this case the Hirwaun Power Project.

Health and Safety Executive HSE

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness. It acts in the public interest to reduce work-related death and serious injury across Great Britain’s workplaces. HSE is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Work & Pensions.

Industrial Emissions Directive IED European legislation recasting seven existing European

Directives including the IPPCD and the LCBD.

Infrastructure Planning Commission

IPC Now abolished and references to "IPC" should be read as "Examining Authority" or "the Secretary of State", as appropriate.


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Mega Watt Electrical MWe Unit of electrical power

National Grid Company. NGC

In the UK the company’s principal regulated businesses are the transmission of electricity and gas in the UK as owner and operator of the high voltage electricity transmission network (NETS) in England and Wales, the gas national transmission system (NTS) in Great Britain.

Nitrous oxides NOx Gases produced during combustion including nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

National Policy Statement NPS Overarching legislative policy concerning the planning and

consenting of NSIPs in the UK.

Natural Resources Wales. NRW

A regulatory authority and principal adviser to the Welsh Government on the environment, enabling the sustainable development of Wales’ natural resources for the benefit of people, the economy and wildlife. Made up of the former Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Commission Wales and Forestry Commission Wales.

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project NSIP

The Project constitutes a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) by virtue of s.14(1)(a) and s.15 of the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008) which include within the definition of a NSIP any onshore generating station in England or Wales of 50 MWe capacity or more.

Noise Sensitive Receptor NSR

Principally houses (existing or for which planning consent is being sought / has been given) and any building used for long-term residential purposes (such as a nursing home).

National Transmission System

NTS

A network of gas pipelines throughout the United Kingdom that supply gas to power stations from natural gas terminals situated on the coast, and also gas distribution companies which lead indirectly to homes.

Office for National Statistics ONS The UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics and is

the recognised national statistical institute for the UK.

Personal Protective Equipment PPE Protective garments or equipment designed to protect the

wearer's body from injury.

Planning Policy Wales PPW Planning policy, decision-making, development plans, research

and statistics for Wales.

Particulate Matter. PM10/PM2.5

Airborne particle size, PM10 particles (the fraction of particulates in air of very small size (<10 µm)) and PM2.5 particles (<2.5 µm) are pollutants. They are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and so potentially pose significant health risks. The principal source of airborne PM10 and PM2.5 matter in European cities is road traffic emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.

RCTCBC The local authority where the Project will be located.

Secretary of State SoS The decision maker for a NSIP application and head of a government department.

Transport Assessment TA An assessment of the availability of, and levels of access to, all

forms of transportation, to support a planning application.


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Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit

WHISU

An all Wales service sponsored by the Policy, Research and Development Division of Public Health Wales. Their role includes providing direct information and advice to those who are in the process of conducting HIAs.

World Health Organisation. WHO The directing and coordinating authority for health within the

United Nations system.

Watt Power Limited. WPL An independent company established to develop flexible gas fired generation assets to support the UK Government drive to a low carbon economy


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1 Introduction

1.1 Introduction

This Health Impact Assessment (HIA) has been prepared by Peter Brett 1.1.1Associates LLP (PBA) in respect of the proposed development of a new gas-fired electricity generation project at Hirwaun Industrial Estate near Aberdare, South Wales. This is known as the Hirwaun Power Project (referred to here as the Project).

Whilst there is currently no statutory requirement to undertake HIA in the UK, its 1.1.2role and value have been endorsed or highlighted in a range of policy and strategy contexts. This HIA has been undertaken following responses received at Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping stage consultation and a subsequent stage of HIA screening. Consultees confirmed that a standalone HIA was good practice, HPL decided to undertake an HIA.

The Project comprises of three main elements: 1.1.3

a. A new gas fired power generating station (referred to as the Power Generation Plant), designed to provide an electrical output of up to 299 Megawatts (MW), to operate as a gas ‘peaking’ plant;

b. A new electrical connection (referred to as the Electrical Connection), which will export electricity from the Power Generation Plant to the National Grid substation at Rhigos for distribution to homes and businesses; and

c. A new gas connection (referred to as the Gas Connection), which will transport natural gas from the Gas National Transmission System to the Power Generation Plant for use as fuel, together with all access requirements.

The Power Generation Plant is designed to provide back-up ‘peaking’ 1.1.4generation capacity which can operate flexibly to respond quickly and efficiently to both short-term variation in customer demand and intermittent output from renewable power generation. It is anticipated that it will operate for no more than 1500 hours per year (approximately 17% of the year).

The Power Generation Plant, together with the integral Electrical Connection 1.1.5and Gas Connection constitutes a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the terms of the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008). Therefore, an application for a development consent order (DCO) is to be made to the Secretary of State (SoS).

The proposed DCO Application will be processed and examined by the 1.1.6Planning Inspectorate (PINS) who will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on whether the DCO should be granted


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and in what terms. The final decision on the proposed DCO Application is made by the SoS.

The project will also be subject to full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 1.1.7as part of the DCO application. This will include technical assessments of effects relating to air quality, noise and transport, as well as consideration of the socio-economic effects of development. Information on the project can be found at www.hirwaunpower.co.uk

1.2 The Health Impact Assessment

Peter Brett Associates LLP (PBA) has been commissioned by HPL to undertake 1.2.1a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Project.

The purpose of the HIA is to consider how the Project will have an effect on the 1.2.2key factors that can influence people’s health and wellbeing, see Chapter 2 , and to suggest ways in which negative health impacts can be mitigated and positive health impacts enhanced.

The HIA draws on the methods as set out in the Health Impact Assessment: A 1.2.3Practical Guide (Wales HIA Support Unit, 2012).

PBA have produced a standalone HIA report to ensure that the health effects of 1.2.4the Project are clearly articulated in a concise way. The HIA report draws on other technical assessments prepared as part of the DCO application as necessary, such as the Environmental Statement (ES), but avoiding duplication.

Further details of the specific assessments related to human health impacts can 1.2.5be found in the ES prepared as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Hirwaun Power Project (Document Reference 6.1.0). This HIA report summarises the findings of these studies to provide a standalone document. However, technical detail of methods and full quantification of findings is not repeated in this here to ensure that outputs and methods are not misrepresented or taken out of context. However, where suitable the qualitative residual impacts identified in the ES are reported in the HIA.


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2 Health Impact Assessment Ethos and Approach

2.1 Background

The international Gothenburg consensus definition of health impact assessment 2.1.1(HIA) is: “A combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a policy, programme or project may be judged as to its potential effects on the health of a population, and the distribution of those effects within the population.”1

However, as set out in the Welsh Health Impact Assessment Support Unit 2.1.2(WHIASU) HIA Guidance 2012, alternative definitions have recently been proposed (Elliott et al. 2010) 2 as the practice of HIA has evolved. This recognises that how health is defined can differ based on who is being consulted.

Whatever definition is used it is clear HIA is a systematic approach to identifying 2.1.3the health and wellbeing impacts, both positive and negative, of a project.

HIA uses a range of structured and evaluated sources of qualitative and 2.1.4quantitative evidence that includes public and other stakeholders' perceptions and experiences as well as public health, epidemiological, toxicological and medical knowledge. The approach is particularly concerned with the distribution of effects within a population, as different groups are likely to be affected in different ways, and therefore how health and social inequalities might be reduced or widened by particular proposals, in this case the Hirwaun Power Project.

The HIA will provide an analysis of the potential impacts of the proposed 2.1.5development as well as recommending options, where appropriate, for enhancing the positive impacts, mitigating the negative ones and reducing health inequalities. It also considers some of the direct risks of development related to pollution impacts and safety. However, it will cross reference to relevant detailed environmental information in the ES (Document Reference 6.1.0), the environmental permit regime and Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).

2.2 Defining health

The established definition of health from the World Health Organization (WHO) 2.2.1is that “Health is a state of complete physical, social and mental wellbeing and not simply the absence of disease or infirmity.”3 In this definition wellbeing

1 WHO European Centre for Health Policy; Health impact assessment: main concepts and suggested approach; Gothenburg consensus paper; WHO Regional Office for Europe; 1999. 2 Elliott E, Harrop E, and Williams GH (2010) Contesting the science: public health knowledge and action in controversial land-use developments, in P. Bennett, K Calman, S Curtis and D Fischbacher- Smith (eds) Risk Communication and Public Health (second edition), Oxford: Oxford University Press. 3 World Health Organization; Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June 1946, and entered into force on 7 April 1948


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should be seen as distinct from mental illness and is defined as: “A positive state of mind and body feeling safe and able to cope with a sense of connection with people, communities and the wider environment”4. Therefore, wellbeing shows clear links to the place where people live and the communities they live in.

The HIA will draw on the basic stages of the HIA methodology as set out in the 2.2.2Wales HIA Support Unit ‘Health Impact Assessment: A practical guide’ (2012).

Figure 2.1 - The determinants of health and wellbeing (Peter Brett Associates, adapted from Dahlgren & Whitehead, 1991)5

Determinants of health

HIA recognises that although illness and disease (mortality and morbidity) are 2.2.3useful ways of understanding and measuring health they need to be fitted within a broader understanding of health and wellbeing to be properly useful (See Figure 2.1 ). Therefore, building on the established definitions, the HIA uses key health ‘determinants’ to consider the social, economic, cultural and environmental factors that influence health and wellbeing, many of which can be influenced by the design of people’s living and working environments.

2.3 Creating a Healthy Place

In understanding the baseline for health it is also necessary to ensure 2.3.1development does not detract from the need to create healthy places to live. In planning for the Project it is understood that health is not only about avoiding harm through compliance with safety measures, but also through avoiding

4 New Horizons: a shared vision for mental health, DH 1999 5 Peter Brett Associates; Adapted from Dahlgren G and Whitehead, Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health; Institute of Future Studies; Stockholm; 1991.


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environmental pollution and contributing to the factors that improve wellbeing. This will include access to jobs and issues of energy security. Bad planning and design results in poor health outcomes; conversely, good planning and design can be positively health-enhancing. However, the opportunities for health place making may not be as great for a development of this type as, for instance, planning the regeneration of a town centre or the development of a significant area of new housing.

Therefore, considerations for a development such as this on health relates to 2.3.2delivering a development that considers:

� The proximity and accessibility between places of employment, housing and the broader social infrastructure. These elements can have a material bearing on people’s wellbeing and avoidance of stress;

� Ensuring that people are not put at extra risk of harm from environmental pollution, either through direct impacts or through disturbance;

� Ensuring consideration is given to site safety for the workforce, and existing local residents and people employed on or nearby the site;

� Ensuring that places are designed to minimise the risk and fear of crime; � Recognising the significance of building social capital and creating a real

sense of community. Part of planning for a healthy place includes the links between healthy 2.3.3

communities and transport planning. This should include walking and cycling as well as the use of private vehicles and public transport.

2.4 Scope of Assessment

The approach to HIA involves a desk-top investigation of the health impacts, 2.4.1findings from previous HIAs and consultation with key professional stakeholders. It assesses the fit of the proposed development with the health, social care and well-being policies and strategies of the local authority and region whilst also capturing key health and wellbeing issues of local communities. This desk-top approach is considered most appropriate for the Project proposals. The HIA will utilise information and consultation undertaken as part of the EIA and design process.

The HIA will consider the proposed development at the ward and local authority 2.4.2level and within the regional and national context. The population considered will be the resident population in these geographical areas and the new population likely to live and/or work in the proposed development. In terms of temporal limits, the HIA will consider the current population around the proposed development and subsequent generations in line with the sustainable development agenda.


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3 Determinants of Health

3.1 Introduction

This chapter further described the key determinants of public health, which were 3.1.1introduced in the Chapter 2 , and considers how the outline design of a new development may influence them. It aims to illustrate how the health and wellbeing of existing and new residents can be directly and indirectly affected by the design of a development.

Figure 2.1 in Chapter 2 shows that an individual’s inherited traits interact with 3.1.2lifestyle, community, environmental, social and economic factors as well as a much wider range of issues to determine their health. These include delivery of employment, housing, education, transport, crime and the environment.

The physical environment is shaped by spatial planning decisions and can 3.1.3encourage a healthy lifestyle. The propensity of people to walk, cycle, or play outside is affected by the convenience, quality and safety of pedestrian and cycling routes and by the availability and accessibility of local open space. It is especially important that children are encouraged to adopt regular exercise and develop healthy routines for the rest of their life.

There is a substantial body of evidence on the relationship between socio-3.1.4economic factors and health6 and on the influence the built environment has on health7. According to the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health “Where people live affects their health and chances of leading flourishing lives. Communities and neighbourhoods that ensure access to basic goods, that are socially cohesive, that are designed to promote good physical and psychological wellbeing and that are protective of the natural environment are essential”.

There are large inequities in health within our society. Those on lower incomes 3.1.5in deprived areas typically experience worse health and die younger than those with higher incomes and in less deprived areas. An example is life expectancy in males in Wales shows over a 10 year difference in Blaenau Gwent average expectancy is 57.1 years, whereas in more affluent Monmouthshire it is 68.2 years8. Similarly there are inequalities in the quality of life. People in the least deprived areas in Wales experience a substantially higher proportion of their life expectancy in good health (87% in males) than those in the most deprived areas (75% in males). This is not to say those who are wealthier may not also be at risk of poor health. For example they may live more sedentary lives, be reliant on the car for travel and have poor access to local health services.

6 Closing the gap in a generation: health equality through action on the social determinants of health. Commission on Social Determinants of Health, WHO, Geneva, 2008 7 Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post-2010 (the Marmot Review),Task Group 4: The Built Environment and Health Inequalities, Final Report 12 June 2009 8 Measuring inequalities: trends in mortality and life expectancy in Wales, NHS Wales, 2011


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The built environment can have a significant impact on health. For example, the 3.1.6location of new development and the relationship between residential areas and industrial development can lead to impacts on:

� people’s living, working and travel patterns; � the shape of the local economy; � people’s opportunities to access goods and services; � their propensity to be physically active; and � patterns of pollution will affect the local environment and in turn health.

There are also more indirect links between the place where people live and 3.1.7wellbeing. For example, the Marmot Review9 that looked at health and the built environment discussed the importance of views of open space as having a positive impact on stress, obesity and the general sense of wellbeing as well as cuts the risk of premature death.

This HIA focuses on the following determinants of health, which a new 3.1.8development of this type can, to a greater or lesser extent, influence. Section 9.2 covers those issues that have been scoped out from further consideration.

This HIA focuses on the following determinants: 3.1.9

� Work and income; � Transport and connectivity; � Safer neighbourhoods and safety; � The environment: pollution risk from air, noise, ground and waste; � Social capital and cohesion; and � Essential utilities.

To put this HIA into context the remainder of this chapter provides a brief 3.1.10description and examples, of how a new development can impact on each of these health determinants. These descriptions are simplified, as in practice the relationships between the place where people live, their income and the community are extremely complex.

For a fuller description of the impact of development and the planning system 3.1.11on health see the Delivering Healthy Communities, RTPI Good Practice Note 5, 2009 and the documents published on the built environment as part of the Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post-2010 (the Marmot Review).

9 Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post-2010 (the Marmot Review),Task Group 5: The Built Environment: Summary and Proposals


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3.2 Work and income

Unemployment generally leads to a reduced income and also a reduction in 3.2.1personal and social esteem and has an adverse effect on personal identity. People with low incomes also frequently have poor access to good quality food and housing, often live in overcrowded conditions and experience fuel poverty.

Income deprivation excludes people from being able to afford goods and 3.2.2services, some leisure activities, and lifetime learning and employment opportunities. It can also restrict travel and make accessing healthcare and other services difficult. These factors can lead to increased levels of mental as well as physical illness in adults. For children, they can lead to poorer physical growth and development, reduced immunity to disease and reduced mental health wellbeing.

A new development can affect employment and the local economy by providing 3.2.3facilities that will directly create jobs and generating wider economic growth through the use of local suppliers of goods and services and by the development itself where it shows the potential of the area as a location for other businesses.

3.3 Transport and Connectivity

Living close to busy roads increases exposure to poor air quality and noise, with 3.3.1associated impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms and loss of sleep. Increased traffic on roads can cause severance to existing communities affecting social cohesion and access to goods and services. Severance can be real, where the volume of traffic and lack of crossing places make crossing roads impossible, or perceived where busy or fast roads are intimidating to cross even where crossings are available. Perceived risk may have the most adverse impact on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly or those with disabilities including mobility difficulties and sensory impairment.

Congestion, delay and severance as a result of heavy traffic can lead to a 3.3.2polluted, unattractive and stressful environment.

The design of new development is important to ensure that there is good 3.3.3connectivity between new and existing communities and the location of jobs and services. Importantly, new development should have good non-car connections to allow equitable access and to encourage walking and cycling. This will have benefits from increasing opportunities for increased physical activity, with benefits relating to obesity, heart disease, diabetes and stress. Equitable access will also help prevent parts of the community becoming isolated from access to work and public and commercial services.

There are also potential direct safety issues related to road travel, with the 3.3.4potential for road traffic injuries and deaths to drivers and their passengers, public transport users, pedestrians and cyclists. Young people and the elderly


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may be most at risk. Road safety is also related to driver stress, intimidation and fear.

3.4 Crime and Safety

High incidences and fear of crime can reduce social cohesion which can 3.4.1contribute to isolation and vulnerability, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, children and lower socio-economic groups.

Fear of crime can reduce physical activity when people feel safer not going out 3.4.2or travelling by car or public transport than walking and cycling.

Fear of crime causes stress which reduces immunity to disease and mental 3.4.3wellbeing. Actual experience of crime can cause both stress and physical injury.

New development can be designed to reduce crime, for example ensuring 3.4.4buildings and walkways have natural surveillance from neighbours and using ‘designing out crime’ building design principles, reducing opportunities for crime.

3.5 The Environment: Pollution Risk

There may be a direct risk to human health from pollution and contamination 3.5.1related to some types of development. Polluted air, water and land can result in physical illness. For example poor air quality can lead to asthma and acute exposure of polyaromatic hydrocarbons can lead to red blood cell damage resulting in anaemia and immune system suppression. These issues are assessed in the EIA which accompanies the planning application for the Project. Impacts will vary depending on the type of pollutant identified.

Other types of pollution can include noise and light effects that can have 3.5.2adverse impacts on residential amenity and can reduce peoples’ wellbeing through an increase in stress and sleep disturbance.

Consideration must also be given to the potential for perceived health impacts 3.5.3related to electromagnetic fields (EMF) related to power generation and distribution. When exposed to high levels people can experience visual flickering and even stimulation of nerves and muscles. Under power lines some people experience static shocks and their hair stands on end. There has been a lot of research on the possibility that EMF cause cancer or other serious illnesses. However, no strong clear links have been found and National Radiation Protection Board (2004) states: “…the overall evidence for adverse effects of EMFs on health at levels of exposure normally experienced by the general public is weak.”

It is also important to consider the risks associated with construction that needs 3.5.4to be managed as part of development. Operational risks of power generation at the site will need to comply with safety legislation to reduce risk to employees and people in the wider area.


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3.6 Social Capital and Cohesion

A sense of community identity and belonging is important for health, affecting 3.6.1both the length and quality of people’s lives. There is evidence that those people with fewer and irregular social interactions have poorer health than those who have many and regular social interactions with others e.g. family, friends, neighbours, etc. The feeling of isolation and exclusion can lead to poor mental wellbeing and even depression.

While a development cannot create ‘communities’, it can encourage the 3.6.2formation of social cohesion and social capital by providing social infrastructure or good access to existing facilities, and appropriate governance of the development, to ensure that it is well maintained and that the local people have clear ways to raise their concerns and, where feasible, a say in the way it is run.

The opportunity for communities to help shape their surroundings is central to 3.6.3creating a sense ownership, and acceptance of change. Therefore involving nearby communities in the evolution of the design of new major development is important.

3.7 Essential utilities

Ensuring that the UK has a secure and affordable supply of energy is essential 3.7.1to protecting individual and community quality of life and wellbeing. Loss of energy can impact on businesses and homes, resulting in lost earnings and people’s ability to maintain a decent standard of living, for example cooking, heating, light and access to leisure. There is a clear progression in the UK towards a greater proportion of our energy coming from renewable resources. However, many of these sources of energy are intermittent and rely on the weather, such as solar or wind energy. Therefore, to support these renewable and prevent intermittent loss of supply there needs to be a mix of energy infrastructure in place to provide energy in quickly and in times of shortfall.


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4 The Development Study Area, Surroundings and Proposed Development

4.1 Site and Surrounding Area

The overall Project Site can be seen in Figure 2 . The site is within the 4.1.1administrative boundary of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, within the Cwm Taf Health Board area.

The Power Generation Plant site is located to the south of the A465, between 4.1.2the villages of Rhigos (1.5km to the south east) and Hirwaun (1.4 km to the west). The Project Site is entirely within the Hirwaun Industrial Estate and covers an area of approximately 13.59 ha in total. However, the footprint of the Power Generation Plant would be smaller than this (approximately 7.47ha). The Power Generation Plant would be located on an area of land which is currently occupied by a large industrial building used for storage and distribution – owned and operated by International Greetings UK Ltd. The warehouse covers a large proportion of the proposed site, which also contains scrub, grassland and plantation woodland.

Access to the Power Generation Plant site is currently via Main Avenue and 4.1.3Fourth Avenue which both pass through the Hirwaun Industrial Estate. The site is currently in use by ‘International Greetings’ for the preparation and supply of stationary to support their main site elsewhere in Wales at times of peak demand.

The boundary shown in Figure 4.1 is that proposed for the scheme showing the 4.1.4gas connection route to the south and the electrical connection to the west.

Surrounding land uses are a mixture of urban, semi-urban and rural 4.1.5communities situated, with the Brecon Beacons close to the north of the site characterised by a mountainous landscape, the immediate surrounding countryside is characterised by lowland farms.

The closest villages to the site are: 4.1.6

� Rhigos (1.3km to the south west); � Hirwaun (1.4km to the east); � Penywaun (2.1km to the east); and � Penderyn (2.1 km to the north) � Aberdare (5km to the east).


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Figure 4.1: Site Location Plan (indicative boundary shown in red)

There are also other areas of housing and isolated residential development 4.1.7near the site. This includes properties on Halt Road and Halt Close to the west, as well as properties off Rhigos Road to the south of the site, including a residential care home. The closest residential receptor to the Project Site is along Rhigos Road, approximately 150m to the south of the site, but separated from it by industrial units, landform and vegetation.

There will also be continuing commercial and industrial uses on the employment 4.1.8sites adjacent to the Power Generation Plant site, most of these are low density.

The Power Generation Plant site is approximately 500m to the south of a 4.1.9proposed Energy from Waste plant ‘Enviroparks’ that has already gained planning consent to process up to 240,000 tonnes of waste a year by 2016, although it has yet to be built.

4.2 The proposed Project

There are three main elements of the Project. These are: 4.2.1

� The Power Generation Plant � The Gas Connection � The Electrical Connection.


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Power Generation Plant

Plant type: The Power Generation Plant would be designed as a simple cycle 4.2.2gas turbine (SCGT) to provide a total output of up to 299 MWe and would be fired on natural gas.

The main generating equipment in a SCGT plant comprises of a number of gas 4.2.3turbine generators. Each gas turbine generator consists of an inlet air filter, an air compressor, combustion chamber, one or two turbines, generator, stack and exhaust silencer. Turbines will be driven by high-pressure gases, with the exhaust gases are then routed directly to a stack and emitted to the atmosphere. The stack contains a silencer to reduce noise emissions as well as emissions control measures for NOx emissions.

To achieve up to 299 MWe, HPL envisage using 3, 4 or 5 individual aero-4.2.4derivative gas turbine generators. However, it would also be possible to use 1 or 2 ‘industrial’ type units instead though these are less suited to the intermittent use associated with a peaking plant.

The Power Generation Plant would be designed to have an operational life of 4.2.5up to 25 years, after which time it would be decommissioned or re-powered depending on the nature of the electricity market and energy mix at the time.

Peaking Plant: As explained in Chapter 1 , the Power Generation Plant would 4.2.6be designed to operate as a ‘peaking’ plant. This means that the Power Generation Plant would operate for up to 1,500 hours per annum and would be used when it is required to meet the additional short-term energy demands of the national electricity grid, e.g. when there is a surge in demand for electricity associated with a particular event; when there is a sudden drop in power being generated from another operational Power Generation Plant (e.g. a sudden outage); or when wind and solar plant cannot generate electricity due to the weather conditions.

The operational regime of the Power Generation Plant would not be predictable. 4.2.7It could be required to start up / shut down at any time of the day or night. Typically, the Power Generation Plant would operate for 1-2 hours at a time, in order to meet shortfalls.

Stacks and emissions: It is usual for each gas turbine generator unit would have 4.2.8its own dedicated stack for releasing waste gases into the atmosphere. However, if the chosen configuration contains two separate turbines connected to one generator, the exhaust stacks from these individual turbines may be combined into one. Therefore, in total, the Power Generation Plant would consist of between one and five gas turbine generator units and between one and five stacks. Their height would be between 30-35m.

Natural gas sourced from the national transmission system (NTS) is a clean 4.2.9burning fuel and does not produce the particulate or sulphur emissions


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associated with burning coal; consequently flue gas cleaning equipment is not required.

The gas turbine generators would be equipped with emissions control 4.2.10abatement, which limits the production of NOx to a maximum of 50 mg/Nm3. Stack emissions would be continuously recorded to ensure correct and efficient operation of the plant. Any significant deviations would raise an alarm to alert the control room and corrections carried out on occurrence. Records would be maintained of performance and deviation.

Stack emissions would be continuously recorded to ensure correct and efficient 4.2.11operation of the plant. Any significant deviations would be alarmed and corrections carried out on occurrence. Records would be maintained of performance and deviation. Full facilities for interfacing information, control and alarm systems would be installed so that the plant can be operated from the central control room via the distributed control system. In the event of a fault in the gas turbine generator(s) or other major plant items the Power Generation Plant would shut down automatically in a controlled manner.

Safety: Periodic maintenance would be carried out on the Power Generation 4.2.12Plant approximately once every 6 months. In the event of an issue with the Power Generation Plant, alarms would signal instances where there are non-routine operations. The plant would be shut down as quickly as possible in such instances and an engineer would attend site. The Power Generation Plant would not start up again until the issue had been resolved.

Other technology: In addition to the main gas turbine generator units at the 4.2.13Power Generation Plant Site, the following would also be present:

� Demineralised Process Water Tank: Required to store process water which would be used to control NOx emission from the gas turbine generators;

� Fire Water Tank: The fire water storage tank would be designed to comply with the relevant fire regulations and would be installed together with fire pumps, hose reels, fire hydrants and portable extinguishers;

� A Control Building: Required in order to monitor the plant operation and house plant controls;

� A Workshop and Store Building: To store certain strategic and routine maintenance spares and to provide a facility for carrying out minor maintenance of the plant;

� Security infrastructure: including cameras, perimeter fencing and a gatehouse to provide safety and security and restrict and log site attendance, deliveries, etc.;

� Lighting infrastructure, roadways and parking: � An administration building and office;


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� A blackstart generator, to restore the power station to operation without relying on external electrical power, for instance if there is a National Grid supply failure;

� Telemetry apparatus, For the remote control of equipment, measurement or collection of data;

� A Switchyard/Banking Compound: containing up to eight transformers and other equipment to connect the electrical infrastructure from the Power Generation Plant to transformers before export to the National Grid; and

� A Natural Gas Receiving Station and Compound: Required to process gas coming from the NTS to feed into the Power Generation Plant Site at the right flow and pressure. Containing a pipeline inspection gauge (PIG) receiving facility; isolation valve; and control and instrumentation kiosk.

Demolition

Once a DCO has been granted and ‘Start of Development’ requirements have 4.2.14been approved, work can start on the site.

A construction stage health and safety plan is first developed which must be 4.2.15followed.

Prior to site preparation, there will be a requirement for the demolition of 4.2.16existing buildings and structures on the Project Site. Large structures will be removed from site and sent for recycling where possible (e.g. large corrugated metal plates from buildings).

Specialist contractors will be brought in to remove items which may contain 4.2.17asbestos. Any asbestos will be removed from site by specialist contractors under strict reference to a method statement.

Hazardous waste will be treated and then disposed of at appropriate landfills 4.2.18licensed to take special/hazardous waste.

Gas Pipeline

A new gas pipeline would be required to connect the Power Generation Plant to 4.2.19the NTS in order to provide a reliable supply of fuel.

The Gas Connection route corridor is approximately 0.9 km in length including 4.2.20one major road crossing, two minor road crossings, no major water crossings (defined as all watercourses shown as such on the statutory main river maps held by the Environment Agency and DEFRA) four minor water crossings (e.g. field drains) and 0.19 km of in-road mains laying.

The route is shown in Appendix A . 4.2.21


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The diameter of the gas pipeline would be approximately 10 inches (25 cm). 4.2.22The permanent right required for the Gas Connection would be approximately 10m in width, with a construction width of around 30m on agricultural land but wider at crossing points

The gas pipeline would be designed, constructed and tested to comply with the 4.2.23Institute of Gas Engineers’ (IGE) Recommendations on Transmission and Distribution Practice – IGE/TD/1: Edition 5, 2009 - Steel Pipelines and Associated Installations for High Pressure Gas Transmission (IGE/TD/1).

The standard gas pipeline wall thickness would comply with the requirements of 4.2.24IGE/TD/1, which defines the minimum safe separation distance between a high pressure gas pipeline and normally inhabited buildings / major roads / major railways. This minimum safe separation distance is known as the Building Proximity Distance (BPD). If normally inhabited buildings / major roads / major railways are closer than 1 BPD (i.e. the gas pipeline is in an area where additional protection is required), thicker wall steel pipe (known as proximity pipe) would be used. The exact locations and lengths of where thicker wall steel pipe would be used will be confirmed during the detailed design stages.

The gas pipeline would be buried to a depth of cover which is in accordance 4.2.25with recognised industry standards.

Connection to the NTS requires two adjacent above ground facilities to be 4.2.26installed commonly referred to as the Above Ground Installation (AGI), and would include emergency control valves and isolation valves.

Construction of the gas pipeline would likely take place within a temporary 4.2.27fenced strip of land called the ‘working width’. The gas pipeline working width is required to facilitate safe construction and the protection of off-site receptors.

No parts of the Gas Connection would be staffed. Telemetry apparatus (both 4.2.28within the pipeline trench and at the AGI) would report back any issues to a central control room.

Should any issues be identified, the gas pipeline would be isolated and the 4.2.29supply switched off, pending investigation of any faults.

Electrical Connection

A new connection would be required to allow electricity generated by the Power 4.2.30Generation Plant to be exported to the electricity transmission network.

The most suitable grid connection point for the proposed Project is at the new 4.2.31400 kV Rhigos Substation. This substation is expected to be completed by 2016, when the nearby 256 MW Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Farm is also due to be connected.


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The Electrical Connection route is approximately 680m in length. It consists of a 4.2.32400kV buried underground cable, at typical depth of 1m. The cable would run from the Power Generation Plant, alongside Main Avenue, to the south of a disused industrial warehouse, before heading north, alongside Fourteenth Avenue in between disused industrial warehouse buildings before connecting into the Rhigos Substation. This is shown in Appendix A .

The Electrical Connection would remain operational for the entire lifetime of the 4.2.33Power Generation Plant. No parts of the Electrical Connection would be staffed. Telemetry apparatus (within the cable trench) would report back any issues to a central control room.

4.3 Reason for the Project and Site Selection

National planning policy supports the need for new power generation 4.3.1infrastructure due to the inevitable closure of older coal fired power plants, and the likely increase in demand for electricity over the coming decades.

The Government’s policies in relation to NSIPs are set out in National Policy 4.3.2Statements (NPS). NPS EN-1 (the Overarching Energy NPS) states that “gas will continue to play an important role in the electricity sector – providing vital flexibility to support an increasing amount of low-carbon generation and to maintain security of supply” (paragraph3.6.2).

Gas peaking stations, such as the proposed Project, are essential to provide 4.3.3back-up power to support generation from renewable sources. There is a lack of peaking capacity in the UK. Therefore, there is a clear requirement for further gas peaking capacity to meet the projected national energy demand. A dedicated gas fired peaking plant at the Hirwaun Industrial Estate could allow for the rapid provision of reserve capacity to the National Grid, thus playing a role in meeting the UK’s energy requirements.

The site was selected following a detailed feasibility assessment considering a 4.3.4range of sites around the UK to support power generation plants of this nature. The key factors considered necessary were for a site to be technically, environmentally and economically suitable and in line with local designations. This site was considered the most suitable because it is:

� in close proximity to the gas national transmission system and a suitable electrical substation with spare capacity;

� within an existing industrial estate surrounded by similar industrial developments including steel clad warehouses and a proposed Energy from Waste plant;

� currently covered in hardstanding / buildings so there is minimal potential to impact on the runoff rate / drainage regime, and is outside of areas at risk of flooding;

� served by a well-developed road network; and


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� there is adequate space to develop the Project and integral infrastructure.


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5 Health Impact Assessment Methodology

5.1 Introduction

This HIA has followed the Wales HIA methodology as set out in guidance 5.1.1issued by the Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU). Additionally, the assessment has drawn on PBA’s Comprehensive Health Assessment Toolbox (CHAT) which is a systematic approach to HIA drawing upon good practice.

The core steps of the HIA process are shown in Figure 5.1 . 5.1.2

Figure 5.1: The HIA Stages (based on those of the Wales HIA Guidance, 2012)

It should be noted that the HIA is being carried out alongside an EIA process for 5.1.3the Project. The EIA includes extensive technical assessment on the potential effects of development covering many topics that can usefully inform the assessment of health impacts within the HIA. This includes potential effects on human health of air quality, land contamination, water quality, noise and waste. In addition, the EIA includes a socio-economic impact assessment considering the effects of the development on the economy of the area and on community infrastructure. The HIA will summarise and signpost these other assessments without repeating their detailed findings.

Screening

Scoping

Assessment

Appraisal of baseline information

Reporting and recommendations

Implementation and monitoring


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The HIA focused on six key themes: 5.1.4

1 How the development fits with the health, wellbeing and related policies and strategies of the Welsh Government, Cwm Taf Health Board, as well relevant UK, Wales and local planning policy;

2 The potential positive and negative health and wellbeing effects of the proposed development on existing communities;

3 Health inequalities and social exclusion and the potential for the proposed development to affect them;

4 The potential impacts on vulnerable groups in the community e.g. older people, children, families, people with disabilities, people on low incomes/unemployed;

5 Safety and hazard risks to future users of the site and nearby residents; and 6 The potential indirect, cumulative and synergistic health impacts.

The HIA will recommend appropriate mitigation and enhancement measures as 5.1.5required (alongside and complementary to the mitigation measures identified in the EIA).

5.2 Screening

The first step in the HIA process is known as Screening, where the need for HIA 5.2.1is established. A stage of screening was completed in September 2013. For this stage the PBA prepared a technical note setting out how health issues were to be addressed in the Environmental Impacts Assessment process and reported in the Environmental Statement.

The screening note was sent out for consultation with those who had made 5.2.2comments in relation to the health impacts of the Project as part of the consultation process or as part of the DCO application. Overall, the screening note concluded that HIA was not necessary.

More details of this stage can be found in the consultation chapter of this HIA 5.2.3report (Chapter 6 ), and Appendix B includes the full screening report and responses received.

5.3 Scoping

As a result of the comments received at screening, where consultees reiterated 5.3.1that a standalone HIA was good practice, HPL decided to undertake an HIA. The first stage in the process was to prepare the scoping report. The scoping report set out the proposed methodology and the scope for the HIA and the key aspects of the Project, specifically:

� Purpose; � Geographical area to be considered;


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� The process of assessment; � How consultation is being dealt with; and � The proposed determinants of health that will be the focus of the

assessment. The scoping report was prepared as a consultation document for the 5.3.2

stakeholders who had already made a response on the HIA screening, as well as the WHIASU. Additional details on scoping can be found in Chapter 6 and Appendix C , responses received at scoping and how they have informed the HIA is included in Appendix G . This includes details of the responses received at scoping.

5.4 Baseline Assessment and Community Profile

The baseline assessment and community profile provides details of current 5.4.1health and wellbeing issues in the study area population.

Study Population

The geographical scope of this HIA is the development site and surrounding 5.4.2residential area. The population considered is the resident population around the proposed site, those who currently work in the area, as well as those who will be involved in the construction and operation of the Project.

For the local resident population key vulnerable groups were considered to 5.4.3assess any potential health inequalities that might be widened or narrowed by the Project.

The nearest residential areas to the Project Site are the villages of Hirwaun, 5.4.4Penderyn and Penywaun with Aberdare beyond. The village of Rhigos lie to the west of the site and have recently had a number of new housing developments. These are the same settlements that were considered as part of the core consultation zone for the DCO application (see Appendix D ).

Health data for all of these settlements is presented to provide an indication of 5.4.5the baseline situation. The HIA considers the proposed development at the ward, local authority and health board level where possible, and within the national context. Local wards to be included as the local geographical scope for the HIA are shown in in Figure 5.2 ; these are Hirwaun, Penywaun, Rhigos and Aberdare West/Llwydcoed. The site is marked in green.


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Figure 5.2: Proposed Study Area wards

The development site is within the Rhigos ward. However, the closest 5.4.6settlement is Hirwaun and the site is on Hirwaun Industrial Estate.

Information Sources

The assessment is predominantly qualitative except where data is available to 5.4.7enable quantification or where quantification of health impacts is undertaken in other assessments e.g. technical studies for the EIA.

The range of information sources that were considered included: 5.4.8

� ONS 2011 census and neighbourhood data; � Public Health Wales Observatory data including health profiles and

equality profiles; � Information from Public Health Wales and the Local Public Health team; � Information from Cwm Taf Public Health Board.


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5.5 Focus of Assessment

Health impacts are assessed using a framework of key determinants of health 5.5.1and the development pathways by which effects are experienced, as discussed in Chapter 3 .

The assessment makes use of a table to analyse the potential positive and 5.5.2negative health and wellbeing impacts and classify impacts using significance levels. The potential impacts will be assessed against a ‘Do Nothing’ scenario for the construction and operation of the Project, which is set out in Appendix F.

Impacts are identified in a health impact table (see Appendix F ) which expands 5.5.3the six determinants of health described in Chapter 3, into 18 categories. This is used to help structure the information and highlight key issues. It is recognised that many of these issues are cross–cutting and this is reflected in the mitigation and enhancement section (Chapter 11 ). The categories are detailed in Table 5.1 .

Table 5.1: Health impact categories and corresponding health determinants

Health Determinant Impact Category

Employment and Economy Local economy Access to work / Education and Learning

Transport and Connectivity Congestion Equitable Access

Safer Neighbourhoods and Site Safety

Crime Safety

Environment Air Ground Conditions and Stability Water Light Noise Electromagnetic Fields

Health and Social Care Health and Social Care Community Facilities

Social Capital and Cohesion Mental Health and Wellbeing Sense of Place and Views

Essential Utilities Energy security and utilities

Consideration is given to the potential impacts on vulnerable groups in the 5.5.4

community e.g. older people, children, families, people with disabilities, and people on low incomes/unemployed. Health inequalities and social exclusion are considered and the potential for the Project to affect them.

Possible effects within the impact categories are considered for both 5.5.5construction and operation phases.


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The potential effects of the Project were assessed against a future ‘do nothing’ 5.5.6scenario. This helps identify if the Project could result in health improvement or deterioration in the area, compared to if the Project was built. This is based on the assumption that the site remains empty at least in the medium term given the current economic conditions.

Potential cumulative health impacts of the Project and other planned 5.5.7development in the area were considered.

5.6 Expert opinion

The HIA has drawn on expert opinion. This has included the professional 5.6.1stakeholder feedback from the screening and scoping consultation stages, involvement of a Public Health Professional in a review of the HIA and the assessment of health impacts.

5.7 Assigning Significance to Potential Impacts

The criteria used to determine the level of significance of the health impacts are 5.7.1shown in Table 5.2 . The following questions were also considered in determining which the level of significance:

� Which population groups are affected and in what way? � Is the effect reversible or irreversible? � Does the effect occur over the short, medium or long term? � Is the effect permanent or temporary? � Does it increase or decrease with time? � Is it of local, regional, national or international importance? � Is it beneficial, neutral or adverse? � Are health standards or environmental objectives threatened? � Are mitigating measures available and is it reasonable to require these? � Are the effects direct, indirect and or cumulative?


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Table 5.2 – Health impact significance levels and criteria.

Significance Level

Criteria

Major +++/--- (positive or negative)

These effects are likely to be important considerations at a local or district scale. If adverse, potential concerns to the project may become key factors in the decision–making process. Mitigation measures and detailed design work are unlikely to remove all of the adverse effects upon the affected communities or interests.

Moderate ++/-- (positive or negative)

These effects, if adverse, while important at a local scale, are unlikely to be key decision–making issues. Nevertheless, the cumulative effect of such issues may lead to an increase in the overall effects on a particular area. They represent issues where effects will be experienced but mitigation measures and detailed design work may ameliorate or enhance some of the consequences upon affected communities or interests. Some residual effects will still arise.

Minor/Mild +/- (positive or negative)

These effects may be raised as local issues but are unlikely to be of importance in the decision–making process. Nevertheless they are of relevance in enhancing the subsequent design of the project and the consideration of mitigation and/or compensation measures.

Neutral/No Effect ~

No effect or effects which are beneath the level of perception or within normal bounds of variation.

5.8 Assumptions and Uncertainties

All efforts have been made to obtain the most up to date baseline information. 5.8.1However characteristics of an area change. For instance, the indices of deprivation data are now over three years old. The implications of this are that this baseline information may have undergone some change. However, it is likely that the broad characteristics have remained the same.

The analysis of environmental factors affecting health and wellbeing was based 5.8.2on the findings of the EIA for the Project, technical summaries are provided the ES Non Technical Summary (Document Reference 6.4.0). For full details of environmental effects the Environmental Statement should be referred to.

5.9 Mitigation and Enhancement Measures

A range of measures to minimise the potential negative health effects and 5.9.1maximise the positive health benefits are detailed in Chapter 11 . Mitigation measures developed from the findings of the EIA are also noted here. For full details of the mitigation measures developed in the EIA the Environmental Statement should be referred to.


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6 Consultation

6.1 Introduction

Engagement with stakeholders and the local community is an important part of 6.1.1understanding health issues in an area and is the basis for this HIA.

Consultation and engagement was undertaken with professional stakeholders 6.1.2and local communities as part of developing the proposals for the Project and this HIA. This has included statutory consultation, which is required as part of the DCO application but also included non-statutory consultation to ensure engagement was as full and wide-ranging as possible. The HIA drew on all parts of this consultation to ensure the identified health concerns from all consultees were taken into account. The local community are still able to engage with the Project through their local community representative and consultation will continue during and after the submission of the planning application.

There has been no local stakeholder engagement specifically for the HIA as the 6.1.3existing consultation activities have been extensive and have already provided good opportunities for local communities and stakeholder to raise any concerns about the proposed development, including those that relate to health and wellbeing.

Consultation included the opportunity for stakeholders to make a response to 6.1.4the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR). The PEIR included a review of the potential health impacts of development, and reported on potential significant effects (although none were identified). .

6.2 Local Community Engagement

Two separate stages of local community consultation have taken place. The 6.2.1first non-statutory phase was to introduce the Project proposals in June 2013 and then again the statutory phase in October/November 2013 when more detail was available on the Project.

It was the intention of the applicant to undertake early engagement with local 6.2.2communities to allow environmental and health concerns to be identified and taken into account early in the evolution of the Project. Full details of the consultation will be published in the Consultation Report (Document Reference: 5.1.0) that will be part of the DCO application.

A summary of the community engagement process and outputs to date are 6.2.3included as Appendix D.


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June 2013 Consultation

This was a series of exhibitions held over three days. This was a non-statutory 6.2.4consultation event early on in the process with the aim was to raise awareness of the Project and invite views on the overall scheme concept and what kinds of community benefits might be welcomed.

The exhibitions were widely published including direct contact with community 6.2.5representatives, a mailshot to 2,500 homes, advertisements, posters and local media coverage.

In total 98 people attended the June 2013 exhibitions, 59% returning a feedback 6.2.6form. When responding to the question on the feedback form, “What is your view on this outline proposal to build a gas-fired power station at Hirwaun?” only 5% ticked the box indicating that they did not.

Comments of relevance to the HIA received from the June 2013 feedback at the 6.2.7exhibition events are shown in Table 6.1 .

Table 6.1: Feedback received at Community Consultation Events June 2013

Comment topic No. of respon-dents

Summary of Comment

Air Quality 3 Queries about the air quality impacts and the emissions of the Project.

Noise 1 Information not available about the noise pollution of the Project.

Visual Impact 1 Queried potential visual impacts of the stacks.

Comments received on the June 2013 feedback forms relating to the HIA are 6.2.8

shown in Table 6.2 .

Table 6.2: Responses received to Project proposal feedback forms June 2013

Comment topic

No. of respon-dents

Summary of Comment

Environmental Impacts

6 Respondents queried the potential environmental impacts of the Project in relation to the following topics: air quality and pollution, noise, visual impact as well as general environmental concerns.

Cumulative Impacts

2 A respondent noted that they felt ‘our little village’ is being overwhelmed with new projects’ that bring environmental impacts. The other respondent raised concerns over proximity to the recycling plant and potential dangers.

Health and Safety

1 Concerns about the potential dangers or proximity to the recycling plant.

Employment Opportunities

3 One respondent who expressed an interest in working at the Project Site, the other two expressed a desire to see local employment and apprenticeships as part of the Project.


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October / November 2013

This stage of consultation was of the more detailed Project proposals. The aim 6.2.9of the consultation was to seek views on the proposals and environmental implication of the development. Information was made available in English and Welsh.

The consultation events were advertised through a leaflet drop to all households 6.2.10and business in core consultation zone , which included Hirwaun, Rhigos, Penderyn and Penywaun. There were also advisements and posters and media coverage.

In addition, HPL contacted a broad spectrum of local stakeholders. These 6.2.11included letters to elected representatives, local community and special interest groups (including those ‘hard to reach groups’ such as the young, elderly and the disabled), and local business groups. Consultation material was sent to all these groups and they were invited to consultation events. The list was agreed with RCTCBC and included:

� Elected Representatives: all local Councillors, as well as those from other tiers of government such as MEPs, MPs and Constituency Assembly Members and members of the Community Councils in Hirwaun, Rhigos, Penywaun and Penderyn.

� Community organisations: including: � Penywaun Communities First � Citizens Advice Bureaus � Youth Clubs � Penderyn Women’s Institute � Age Concern Morgannwg Ltd � Age Cymru � Disability Wales � Team Hirwaun � Wales Council for Voluntary Action � Princes Trust Cymru � Volunteering Wales � Women’s Royal Voluntary Service � Hirwaun YMCA � Conservation, Environmental and Civil Society Groups; � Places of Worship; � Local schools;


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� Business Groups; and

� Businesses from Hirwaun Industrial Estate. Five exhibitions were held at five venues on five dates and on both weekday 6.2.12

and weekends in order to maximise the accessibility of the events. Exhibitions were held at locations convenient to those communities within the local neighbourhoods at Rhigos, Hirwaun, Penderyn and Penywaun, and also further away at Aberdare.

64 people attended the five exhibitions, with the best attendance in Hirwaun, 6.2.13Rhigos and Penderyn, the communities closes to the site. The majority of feedback forms came from Hirwaun residents.

Overall, 48% of all respondents were supportive of the proposal, only 16% were 6.2.14opposed. In Hirwaun only 31% of people supported the project, although combined with those who said they were neutral this is 61%.

Feedback was received from these public consultation events during the event 6.2.15and by freepost leaflets. Feedback relevant to the HIA is shown in Table 6.3 .

Table 6.3: Feedback received during community consultation Oct / Nov 2013

Comment topic

No. of respon-dents

Summary of Comment

Air Quality 2 The potential emissions and air quality impacts from the Project were raised as a concern.

Noise and Vibration

1 Concern about noise, particularly at night.

Landscape and Visual

1 Respondent felt it would be an ‘eyesore’ and the impact of the ‘towers’

Cumulative impacts

1 One respondent queries ‘what next?’ in reference to the various existing developments in the area.

Health 1 Comment made that the Project posed ‘a potential health risk so this should not be given planning permission in such a populated area’.

Safety 1 Safety was raised by a respondent and the need for an emergency plan.

Local Opportunities

4 Three comments highlighted the importance of local people being given the opportunity to take jobs associated with the Project either via training or apprenticeships and requested information on this, and one expressed doubt as to the levels of local employment.

Professional Stakeholder Engagement

There has been extensive consultation with a variety of other stakeholders on 6.2.16the Project. Consultation has been with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders for NSIP at local and national levels, and statutory and non-statutory stages of NSIP consultation. Full details of this consultation are given


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in the Consultation Report (Document Reference: 5.1.0) to be submitted as part of the DCO application, with a summary contained in Appendix D .

Consultation included meetings and briefings of key stakeholders. The purpose 6.2.17was to engage and inform local community representatives and stakeholders about the Project and consult on proposals. This consultation was ongoing from February to October 2013.

Consultees included: 6.2.18

� Officers from the Welsh Government; � Meetings with various senior officers at Rhondda Cynon Taf County

Borough Council; � Welsh Assembly Members; � Rhigos Community Council; � Hirwaun and Penywaun Community Council.

Feedback was received from these meetings, that relevant to the HIA is shown 6.2.19in Table 6.4 .

Table 6.4: Feedback received during non-statutory stakeholder consultation 2013

Comment topic

No. of respon-dents

Summary of Comment

Consultation Approach – Local Community

2 The Welsh Government advised that local people were likely to be interested in environmental impacts and local jobs. At the Rhigos Community Council it was noted that they found it hard to ask questions due to lack of information.

Environmental impacts

16 Comments were provided from RCTCBC, Assembly Members, NRW, BBNP and the Planning Inspectorate on a range of different environmental impacts including – visual and landscape, air quality, water quality, ecology, and noise and vibration.

Cumulative Impacts

6 Both the Planning Inspectorate and BBNP advised HPL to consider cumulative impacts. RCTCBC specifically queried the cumulative impact with Enviroparks. BBNP stated that cumulative impact was a particularly concern to them. An Assembly Member also raised concerns on cumulative impacts.


7 Assembly Members and attendees at the Rhigos Community Council meeting wished to know the number and type of jobs being created by the project. At the Rhigos Community Council meeting a query was raised as to whether the jobs would be local.

There is also a statutory stage of consultation were for a DCO application, 6.2.20

requiring certain prescribed stakeholders to be consulted on the project and the preliminary environmental information. Consultation was carried out in October and November 2013. Of particular relevance to the health impacts are the following:


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� The Health and Safety Executive confirmed that the site is outside any consultation distance of a major hazard site or pipeline, they also raised the need to comply with UK health and safety legislation in relation to impacts on existing assets, highlighting the duty of care to the general public and the relevant Hazardous Substances Authority should be contacted at the appropriate time.

� The Vale of Glamorgan noted that undertaking an HIA ‘may have merit’. � The Civil Aviation Authority noted that the stack height would not need

warning lights, and sought to confirm that there would be gas flaring at the site that could affect aircraft.

� Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service outlined they do not see any specific issues relating to the project. However, there must be emergency vehicle access to the site during construction and operation. They need to have information available on the movement of heavy plant and or equipment; they need site familiarisation visits and notification of dates for abnormal loads. They also need water supplies for firefighting purposes and access to emergency firefighting equipment.

� RCTCBC commented that there is a need to emphasise the local employment opportunities and benefits for local businesses from the Project. This included opportunities for the Project to link in with other established business and business clusters in the county, and the potential for improving local skills in the workforce in readiness for Energy Industry employment as a priority of the project.

The HIA has undertaken specific consultation with key local professional 6.2.21environment and health stakeholders through specific consultation on the HIA, as set out in section 6.3 .

6.3 HIA-Specific Stakeholder Consultation

Screening

HIA is being completed for the Project following comments received at EIA 6.3.1scoping in May 2013. The EIA Scoping Opinion issued by the Planning Inspectorate states: “The SoS considers that it is a matter for the Applicant to decide whether or not to submit a stand-alone Health Impact Assessment (HIA)”. As part of the scoping response PINS consulted Public Health Wales and a response was received from NHS Wales and Public Health England. Respondents highlighted the Welsh Government best practice requirement that an HIA be undertaken for developments like the Project and recommending that an HIA be completed as part of the planning application. Their responses also stated the importance of ensuring HIA was proportionate to the potential impacts of the Project.

In response to these comments at EIA scoping an HIA Screening was 6.3.2undertaken in September 2013. A technical HIA Screening note was issued to


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NHS Wales and Public Health England. The note gave details of the project and identified how health issues were being considered as part of the EIA. The note included confirmation that a ‘Waste Management and Public Heath’ chapter would form part of the EIA Environmental Statement. This chapter would ensure health issues were drawn together into one section, covering air quality, noise, vibration, water, geology, ground condition and land use assessments. Therefore, identifying possible human health impacts at one location in the Environmental Statement.

The screening note included a table of all potential health determinants to 6.3.3identify those that are relevant to the Project and for those that are, how they would already be addressed in the DCO application or as part of the EIA. For instance through technical assessments of effects relating to transport, air, noise, ground or socio-economic issues. The screening note concluded:

“The screening exercise has demonstrated that where health impacts are expected they are considered within the EIA scope and other DCO documentation. It is therefore not considered proportionate to prepare a standalone HIA for the project’.

In response to the HIA Screening note Public Health England and Cwm Taf 6.3.4Health Board (also representing NHS Wales and Public Health Wales) identified that although there is no legal requirement for HIA, they consider it good practice to undertake a standalone HIA, and the screening conclusion should be reconsidered. Appendix B shows the HIA screening note and responses received.

In response to the request and to follow recommended good practice, HPL 6.3.5made the decision to prepare a standalone HIA report. This is in addition to a chapter of the EIA that summarises the health findings of the technical assessments.

Scoping

A HIA Scoping Report was prepared and sent out to the key professional 6.3.6stakeholders who are listed below. The full HIA Scoping Report is attached as Appendix C .

Consultees at this stage were: 6.3.7

� Public Health Wales; � Cwm Taf Health Board; � NHS Wales; � Welsh Health Impact Assessment Unit; and � Public Health England.

Specifically consultees were asked for their feedback on: 6.3.8


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� the sources of baseline information that the HIA should take into account in establishing the ‘Baseline Assessment and Community Profile’ for the area;

� the identification of relevant local objectives, plans and strategies for health in the Cwm Taf Health Board Area;

� the suitability of the determinants of health identified and what, if any, others should be included; and

� our methodology for the HIA and any other issues. The feedback received in full in Appendix C , with Appendix G demonstrating 6.3.9

how feedback was used to inform the development of the HIA as shown in the table this appendix.


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7 Health and Wellbeing Policy Context

7.1 Introduction

The Project Site lies within Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council area. 7.1.1It is also within the Cwm Taf Health Board Area, which is the local NHS area. This Health Board extends beyond the county borough boundaries into Merthyr Tydfil, which lies to the east.

Residents and employees who have greatest potential to be affected by the 7.1.2proposed development are likely to be residents of the local area, within the borough and Health Board areas. However, it also important to take into account the Wales national level health policies and priorities.

In this section there is a review of health priorities for the Project as set out in 7.1.3published policy and strategies at local and national levels. It is these that provide the baseline for the HIA and what the matters that should be addressed as baseline.

These policy documents and strategies seek to promote ‘healthy communities’ 7.1.4through the following means;

� social cohesion and inclusion; � contributions to people's well–being; � protection of human health; � health and safety; � provision and access to health services; and � sustainable development and the control of the health impacts of

developments.

7.2 National Policy and Guidance

Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN -1) (DECC, July 2011)

The National Policy Statement (NPS) sets out national policy for energy 7.2.1infrastructure. NPS sets the overarching policy, supported by an NPS for the relevant type of technology, which in this case is Fossil Fuel Electricity Generating Infrastructure as shown below. EN-1 provides the primary basis for decisions on these projects under the Planning Act 2008 made by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) on applications for relevant energy developments.

The Appraisal of Sustainability, which forms part of EN-1, identifies that: 7.2.2


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“The energy NPSs are likely to contribute positively towards improving the UK energy market providing greater clarity for developers which should improve the UK’s security of supply and, less directly, have positive effects for health and well-being in the medium to longer term through helping to secure affordable supplies of energy and minimising fuel poverty; positive medium and long term” (1.7.2)

EN-1 specifically identifies ‘health’ as an issue to be considered by DCO 7.2.3applications. It states that:

“Energy production has the potential to impact on the health and well-being (“health”) of the population. Access to energy is clearly beneficial to society and to our health as a whole. However, the production, distribution and use of energy may have negative impacts on some people’s health.” (4.13.1)

The EN-1 identifies that where a proposed project may have effect on human 7.2.4beings these should be assessed as part of the Environmental Statement. Any adverse health effects should be identified and measures to avoid, reduce or compensate for these should be included. Cumulative effects on health should be considered.

The potential sources of health effects are given in EN-1 (4.13.3). These are 7.2.5the direct effects of:

� Increased traffic, � Pollution, including air, water, dust odour, noise, radiation and pests;

New energy infrastructure may also have other effects, such as on open space 7.2.6or traffic, but this will depend on the siting of a development, proximity to local populations and current land use.

EN-1 contains specific details on the importance of addressing some issues that 7.2.7may have human health effects. These including air, noise, and water.

Air quality emissions (5.2): Infrastructure development can have adverse effects 7.2.8on air quality. The construction, operation and decommissioning phases can involve emissions to air which could lead to adverse impacts on health. These need to be addressed in an air quality assessment and the IPC must take these into account in decision making.

Noise and Vibration (5.1): EN-1 states that excessive noise can have wide-7.2.9ranging impacts on the quality of human life, health (for example owing to annoyance or sleep disturbance) and use and enjoyment of areas of value such as quiet places and areas with high landscape quality. The UK Government’s policy on noise is set out in the Noise Policy Statement. It promotes good health and good quality of life through effective noise management. Similar considerations apply to vibration, which can also cause damage to buildings. In this section, in line with current legislation, references to “noise” below apply equally to assessment of impacts of vibration. The IPC should not grant


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development consent unless it is satisfied that they avoid significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life from noise.

Water quality and resources (5.15): EN-1 notes that infrastructure development 7.2.10can have adverse effects on the water environment, including groundwater and inland surface water. This can be at construction, operation and decommissioning phases, it can lead to discharges to water and cause adverse ecological effects resulting from physical modifications to the water environment. There may also be an increased risk of spills and leaks of pollutants to the water environment. These effects could lead to adverse impacts on health and should be addressed in the Environmental Statement. The IPC will generally need to give impacts on the water environment more weight where a project would have an adverse effect on the achievement of the environmental objectives established under the Water Framework Directive.

National Policy Statement for Fossil Fuel Electricity Generating Infrastructure (EN-2)

EN-2 relates specifically to the Project. The Appraisal of Sustainability that 7.2.11forms part of the NPS states that:

“Through supporting the transition to a low carbon economy, EN-2 is considered likely to have positive effects on the Economy and Skills, and Health and Well-being as secondary benefits and positive effects in the medium/long term on climate change…There are also likely to be some negative effects on Air Quality and Well-being, given the link between air quality and public health”. (EN-2 1.7.2)

Planning Policy Wales

Planning Policy Wales (PPW) (2012, 5th Edition) prepared by the Welsh 7.2.12Government sets the context for planning policies Wales and forms the statutory basis for Local Planning Authorities prepare their Local Development Plans. It is the principal and authoritative source of national planning policy in Wales. The policy context set the framework for all development management decisions in Wales and is a material consideration in making decisions on NSIP, such as the Project.

PPW sets out the ambition that authorities should “enhance the sustainable 7.2.13quality of life and environment for local citizens and communities” (para. 1.3.2).

PPW identifies a link between sustainable development and health and sets out 7.2.14that a main objective of planning policy is promoting a sustainable society, defined by the PPW as “Safe, sustainable, attractive communities in which people live and work, have access to services, and enjoy good health and can play their full roles as citizens” (para. 4.1.5).


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Although a preference for brownfield development over greenfield is stressed in 7.2.15paragraph 4.9.1, it is recognised that such sites may be constrained by location, contamination or ecology. Where brownfield development is considered to place human health at risk, it is recommended that appropriate “remediation” measures be sought.

The adverse impacts of transport emissions on air quality, ground water, and 7.2.16thus human heath are addressed in chapter 8 of the PPW. It is noted that local authorities have a statutory obligation to monitor air quality and assess results against air quality objectives. If found wanting, an area quality management area and action plan should be put in place. Air quality objectives, management and action plans should be taken into account in development planning and development management processes (para. 8.1.8).

Paragraph 12.1.5 recommends that the planning system holds responsibility for 7.2.17ensuring that infrastructure requirements of proposed development are adequately met “so as to minimise risk to human health”. Potential environmental impacts including pollution and climate change should also be considered when addressing the infrastructure requirements of development.

Chapter 13, “Minimising and Managing Environmental Risks and Pollution”, also 7.2.18acknowledges the impacts of development on health. The potential for pollution for a proposed development “will be a material consideration in deciding whether to grant planning permission” (para. 13.12.1).

Chapter 13 also considers noise pollution to have an impact on health. Noise 7.2.19action plans are to be drawn up in relation to the Environmental Noise Directive with the aim to “prevent and reduce environmental noise where necessary and preserve environmental noise where it is good” (para. 13.13.1).

Chapter 11 of the PPW, “Tourism, Sport and Recreation”, has a number of 7.2.20policy objectives central to fostering a healthy community. It acknowledges the role that sport and recreation plays in contributing to quality of life an all ages. The chapter notes the importance of development that focuses on “social inclusion, improved health and well-being by ensuring that everyone, including children and young people, the elderly and those with disabilities, has easy access to the natural environment and to good quality, well-designed facilities and open space” (para. 11.1.3).

‘Our Healthy Future’

The Welsh Assembly Government has prepared the ‘Our Healthy Future’ 2010 7.2.21document which sets out the health vision for Wales up to 2020. Promoting a holistic vision for public health, the document looks to address quality of life and health inequality. Six ‘action areas’ are identified:

a. Health and wellbeing through the life course;


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b. Healthy sustainable communities;

c. Health as a shared goal;

d. Strengthening evidence and monitoring progress;

e. Prevention and early intervention;

f. Reducing inequalities in health.

The document looks to prioritise healthy eating and activity in the home, 7.2.22workplace, school and community to promote a preventative approach to public health in Wales. The new public health body Public Health Wales is introduced as charged with tackling the determinants of health inequality and poor public health.

7.3 Local Policy

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Local Devel opment Plan

The Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Development Plan (LDP) is a land use 7.3.1document that sets out how the borough will be developed over 15 years between 2006 and 2021 by setting a framework of policies describing the type of development that is considered desirable or appropriate for the RCT area. It was adopted in March 2011. It is a material consideration for the decisions made on nationally significant infrastructure project. However, the primary policy considerations are those contained in the NSPs.

The vision for Rhondda Cynon Taf, as set out in the development plan. The 7.3.2vision is derived from that set by local stakeholders and community representatives and set out within the Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Strategy (2010-2020), “Live. Grow. Aspire. Achieve”. This vision sets out an ambition for the Council to “enable individuals and communities to achieve their full potential, in terms of both their work and social life”

It recognises that the spatial planning system has a fundamental role in 7.3.3achieving this vision by the successful delivery of “a range of physical, social, economic, health, educational and related initiatives”.

7.4 Local Strategies

‘Live. Grow. Aspire. Achieve’ Community Strategy 201 0-2020

The Community Strategy, developed by a partnership of a number of council, 7.4.1police and health representatives in the local area, is a framework specifically designed to target improvements in the quality of life of its residents.


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One key aspect of the strategy is creating a “healthier Rhondda Cynon Taf 7.4.2where all residents are supported to take control of their own physical and mental health and well-being, through living healthy and active lifestyles and having easy access to high quality health services when ill health does occur”.

The document focuses on five core improvement themes detailing a number of 7.4.3specific policy ambitions, many of which having a bearing on health;

a. Safer Communities

b. Children and Young People

c. Healthier Adults and Communities

d. Economic Regeneration and Transport

e. Environment and Housing

‘Delivering Change: a single integrated plan’, Cwm Taf Health Board and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (2013)

The Rhondda Cynon Taf ‘Single Integrated Plan’ was prepared by the ‘Local 7.4.4Service Board’, made up of the Council, Cwm Taf Health Board, the Police, Welsh Government and InterLink and published in 2013.

The plan sets out the measures that will be taken in the County Borough area to 7.4.5achieve ‘prosperity, safety and health’. Prosperity, safety and health are defined as:

� Safety: fewer people are the victims of anti-social behaviour and public concern is reduced overall.

� Prosperity: People have the education and essential skills to secure employment.

� Health: People have a sense of emotional wellbeing and are more resilient to mental illness.

The priorities that are most relevant to the Project are: 7.4.6

� Supporting thriving business and innovation, and equipping the population with the education and skills for the workplace.

� Enabling residents to enter the workforce is identified as vital to allow local people to access high quality living standards and take control of their own health and wellbeing.

� Supporting local economies is presented as key to protecting and promoting vibrant, sustainable communities that promote physical and mental wellbeing.


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� Obesity: Develop natural and built environments that encourage and support people to be more active, for example through encouraging people to take advantage of good walking routes, cycle routes, play areas and green spaces.

� Education and Employment: Work together to develop a co-ordinated way that makes sure people receive effective and targeted support to get work and remain in work, through for example: Building clear and effective career pathways for young people.

� Homes and Communities: Consider health and sustainable development in all planning, policy and strategy development to encourage and promote healthy and sustainable environments and behaviours.

� Economy: Support the growth and development of local businesses and entrepreneurs in the area by reviewing current arrangements of support, then working with partners to maximise the options available.

� Economy: Make investing in Rhondda Cynon Taf an attractive proposition by ensuring opportunities exist for the development of major, new commercial development in the area.


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8 Baseline Assessment and Community Profile

8.1 Introduction

This chapter summarises the current health, social, economic and 8.1.1environmental conditions of the study population within the framework of the health determinants that have been identified as relevant for this HIA.

The following sources were used to develop the baseline assessment and 8.1.2community profile:

� ONS 2011 Census and neighbourhood data; � Public Health Wales Observatory data including health profiles and

equality profiles; � Information from Public Health Wales and the Local Public Health team; � Information from Cwm Taf Public Health Board; � Information from Delivering Change – a single Integrated Plan for

Rhondda Cynon Taf 2013. Health profiles for the wards Rhigos, Hirwaun, Penywaun and Aberdare 8.1.3

West/Llwydcoed in the Rhondda Cynon Taf are provided below based on a review of the 2011 Census information for the Cwm Taf Health Board and the information and data provided in the plan Delivering Change – a single Integrated Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taff, 2013.

The populations of the four wards are quite different, indicating their more urban 8.1.4or rural character. Based on 2011 census information they are approximately:

� Hirwaun: 4,200 people; � Penywaun: 3,000 people; � Aberdare West/Llwydcoed: 9,200 people; and � Rhigos: 1,700 people.

8.2 Headline Characteristics

The headline characteristics of Rhondda Cynon Taf taken from local health 8.2.1publications are:

� Life expectancy in the RCTCBC varies by up to 7 years between the most and least deprived areas, and years living in ‘good health’ can vary by up to 15.5 years.

� 63% of adults in Rhondda Cynon Taf are overweight or obese, which is higher than the Welsh average (57%) and only 41% of children in the area are physically active at least 5 days a week.


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� Residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf have one of the unhealthiest lifestyle in Wales. This includes unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, smoking and drinking heavily, use of substances and mental health:

� 45% of the adult population drink more than the recommended limit; � Less than a third of people eat the recommended amount of 5 fruits and

vegetables a day; � The percentage of people who smoke in the area is higher than the Wales

average; � 29% of adults have a limiting, long-term illness, compared to 27% Wales

average. � The number of young people remaining in full time education between

2010 and 2012 at school-leaving age has decreased by 2.6%. The achievement of expected levels at Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14 years) is improving overall though still 5% below Wales average.

� Level of teenage pregnancy has fallen in the recent years in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Though the rate of women being pregnant under 18 years old of 48 per 1000 women is still above the Welsh average of 38 per 1000 women.

� In 2010, 10.6% of the population of Rhondda Cynon Taf was unemployed which is higher than the Wales (8.3%) and UK (7.7%) averages.

� Within the Rhondda Cynon Taf, the southern area tends to have higher average household incomes than the northern area.

The distribution of deprivation in the local area can be seen in Figures 8-10 8.2.2Appendix E . These show mapped data from the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2011, with the rank of wards that are the most and least deprived in Wales. The three indices shown are for overall, health and employment deprivation, and all show that parts of Hirwaun and all of Penywaun experience higher levels of deprivation than areas such as Penderyn and Rhigos. These are some of the most deprived areas in all of Wales, although there is a concentration of this type of deprivation in most of the valley communities of south Wales.

Children may be particularly vulnerable to health effects of development. There 8.2.3are five schools within the local area defined for the HIA. These are:

� Rhigos Primary School – 1.5km south west off the main Rhigos Road on the Hoel Y Graig;

� Hirwaun Primary School – 2.3km to the south east off the A465; � Penderyn Primary School – 2.5km to the north east off the A4059; � Penywaun Primary School – 4.4km to the south east in the centre of

Penywaun; and � Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun – 3.5km to the south east in Penywaun.


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8.3 Population and General Health

The population and demography of an area has the potential to have an 8.3.1influence on the health characteristics of an area. For instance, where a population contains a greater proportion of people who elderly it could be expected for more people to experience ill health.

Furthermore, where a population contains many children or elderly people they 8.3.2may be more vulnerable to experience adverse health effect, such as related it disturbance, pollution impacts or anxiety.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough

There are notable inequalities in health within Rhondda Cynon Taf as noted 8.3.3from the great variance in life expectancy.

The proportion of adults in the Rhondda Cynon Taff who are overweight or 8.3.4obese is 63%, which is higher than the Welsh average of 57%. Nearly two-thirds of adults and about one-fifth of children are overweight or obese.

The Census 2011 indicates the age profile of Rhondda Cynon Taf is similar to 8.3.5the Wales average, although it has a slightly younger age profile with more children and fewer over 65’s, as shown in Appendix E Figure 4 .

Wards

More than 60% of the population in each of the four wards, Hirwaun, Penywaun, 8.3.6Rhigos and Aberdare West, consider their general health as ‘good’ or ‘very good’, though the proportion is lower in the Penywaun ward than the other three, as shown in Appendix E, Figure 7 . The proportion of the population considering their health as ‘very bad’ to ‘bad’ broadly comparable with Rhondda Cynon Taf averages for all wards with the exception of Penywaun, where a greater proportion of people (about 14%) define their health in these terms, compared to Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales where it is under 10%.

Census 2011 shows more than 30% of the residents in Penywaun have a 8.3.7limiting long-term illness which is higher than the Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales averages. These statistics are shown in Appendix E, figure 7.

Using Census 2011 statistics the age structure of Penywaun is the population 8.3.8structure is notably different to the three other wards as well as Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales averages. In Penywaun less than 42% of the population in is aged between 30 and 62, which is lower than the Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales averages, where the average is over 45%. This is reflected in greater proportion of younger people in Penywaun, particularly under 15 year olds. The 0-15 year old age group Penywaun makes up around 23% of the population here, where as for the other wards, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales, the proportion is around 18% or less. More detail is provided in Appendix E,


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Figure 4. This figure also shows that there are a greater proportion of people in retirement age (over 65) in Rhigos (up to 14%) than the other three wards, Rhondda Cynon Taf or Wales averages.

Appendix E, Figure 4 presents the data from the 2001 Census and therefore 8.3.9shows the particular characteristics wards around the Project Site. This includes:

� Of all the settlements near the Project Site, Hirwaun as largest population. The population structure of the ward is very similar to the Wales average, although with a slightly greater proportion of the population being of working age rather that in the retirement age groups.

� Penywaun has proportionally more young adults and fewer over the age of 30 than surrounding wards and Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales averages.

� Around 14% of residents in Rhigos are aged between 65 and 74, higher than in other wards, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales averages, which are 11% or fewer.

Rhondda Cynon Taf and the local wards to the Project Site are not ethnically 8.3.10diverse and all show significantly less diversity than the Wales average, Appendix E, Figure 3 . After White British the next ethnic groups most represented are ‘Chinese and Other’ and ‘White other’. However, it should be noted that this is less than 1.5% of the population in any ward. In Penywaun the 2011 census shows that around 1.4% of the population describe themselves as ‘black’, this contrasts greatly with nearby Aberdare West where less than 0.2% describe themselves as black.

8.4 Employment and Economy

There is a strong link between unemployment and deterioration in physical and 8.4.1mental health as well as wellbeing. Unemployment is shown to increase rates of sickness, disability and mental health problems, and to decrease life expectancy. It also results in an increased use of medication, medical services, and higher hospital admission rates. This is particularly of note for those unemployed for a year or longer.

Also, young people who are classed as NEET (Not in Education, Employment 8.4.2or Training) have an increased risk of subsequent unemployment, having a criminal record and experiencing depression.

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Long term unemployment in Rhondda Cynon Taf is at 6.5% of the working 8.4.3population, higher percentage than the Wales average. Penywaun ward is one of the Rhondda Cynon Taf wards with a significantly higher than the average unemployment rate, at 7.3%, according to recent statistics.


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Wards

Overall, the local area of the Project experiences relatively high levels of 8.4.4unemployment. Experian 2013 data shows that in the local area as defined in the socio-economic assessment of as Chapter 14 of the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0), 39% of the population are ‘Economically Inactive’, compared for 36% in the wider region and 30% in the UK. Levels of inactivity for other reasons (such as inability to find employment) are broadly in keeping with UK and regional averages.

Figures 1 and 2 in Appendix E show types of occupations and professions of 8.4.5residents of the identified wards. From this, it is possible to see that:

� Most people are in full time employment in the four wards identified for the assessment. However, whereas Hirwaun and Aberdare West rates are just above the Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales averages (at over 35%), the proportion in full time employment in Penywaun is well below these averages (at under 25%). Penywaun also has a lower proportion of people in part time employment. Those in full time employment in Rhigos is also lower than the average, this can in part be accounted for by the higher rates of retirees in the ward, which is not the case in Penywaun.

� As might be expected from the employment rates Penywaun also experiences higher than average unemployment rates. Although it is also has a greater proportion of people who are full-time students.

� Rhigos is characterised by a high number of retirees, above Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales averages, although Hirwaun also has high levels of retirees.

� Rhigos has a higher proportion of people in ‘skilled trades occupations’ than in other wards of Rhondda Cynon Taf and also has a high proportion of people in ‘professional occupations’ along with Hirwaun and Aberdare West/Llwydcoed.

� Penywaun is characterised by very high levels of people in ‘elementary occupations’, and this is well above the Rhondda Cynon Taf (13%) and Wales (11%) averages, at almost 25%. The ward also has very low levels of people in higher level occupations such as managers and professionals.

8.5 Education and Learning

Access to good education and education attainment and qualifications has 8.5.1implications for health. This is not only in terms of accessing employment and higher skilled professions, and hence increased income, but also in terms of understanding health issues and aiding peoples’ ability to take healthy lifestyle choices.


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Rhondda Cynon Taf

Performance of Children at Key Stage 3 in Rhondda Cynon Taf is improving but 8.5.2remains around 5% below the Wales average. Also, there has been a 2.6% decline in the number of young people remaining in full time education between 2010 and 2012 at school-leaving age.

Appendix E Figure 5 shows that the proportion of the population in Rhondda 8.5.3Cynon Taf with ‘No Qualifications’ is higher than the Wales average at 31% compared to 25%. The proportion of the population where their highest qualification is level 1 is similar in the County Borough as for the Wales averages. However, those with the highest qualification attained Level 4+ are lower (20% compared to 25%).

Wards

Census 2011 data is available on the resident population of the wards in 8.5.4proximity to the proposed development site. Appendix E Figure 5 shows this data and key points are that:

� The Rhondda Cynon Taf wards of Rhigos, Hirwaun and Penywaun have higher levels of population with ‘No Qualification’ than the Wales average. Penywaun has a very high proportion of residents with ‘no qualifications, reaching almost 50%, almost double the national proportion. Related to this, Level 4+ attainment is below Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wales averages, with Penywaun having less than 12% of the population reaching this level.

� Aberdare West/Llwydcoed ward has high levels of population with ‘Highest Qualification attained Level 4+’, above Rhondda Cynon Taf average and about the same as Wales average. This ward also has lower levels of population with ‘No Qualification’ than the Rhondda Cynon Taf average, but about the same as Wales average.

8.6 Transport and Connectivity

Transport has a vital role in contributing to health and wellbeing of communities, 8.6.1with multiple and complex relationships between transport, access and health.

Good transport system not only enables access to work, education, and social 8.6.2networks which advance people’s opportunities, but also has an important role in encouraging and providing sustainable transport modes (walking, cycling and public transport) which improve the health and wellbeing of the community through increasing physical activity across all social and age groups. For instance, people will often be able to meet the government targets for physical activity simply by switching to sustainable travel modes, rather than driving, where distance and ability allow (for example for trips of under 2km).


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Impacts can be related to unequal access to services, jobs and leisure and 8.6.3recreational amenities as well as to enhancing physical fitness and social capital/cohesion.

There are clear social gradients in access to work and services, with greater 8.6.4access linked to car ownership particularly in rural and semi-rural communities where public transport links are poor.

Participating in physical activity helps to prevent and manage at many chronic 8.6.5diseases (including heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes) and has wider benefits to society associated with participation. There is a clear relationship with accessibility, as places that can be easily accessed by walking, cycling or public transport may encourage physical activity as part of a daily routine, such as commuting to work.

Wards

Data from the 2011 Census shows car ownership in the Wards of Rhigos, 8.6.6Hirwaun, Penywaun and Aberdare West/Llwydcoed, Appendix E, Figure 6. This clearly shows a divergence between wards with low or no car ownership and those with two or more.

Car ownership can indicate relative income of populations but also can 8.6.7demonstrate those areas where residents will have better access to shops and services. The data shows:

� A third of the population of the Rhigos, Hirwaun and Aberdare West/Llwydcoed wards own two cars or more, although is more usual to have only one and around a fifth have no access to a car.

� 43% of households in Penywaun do not have a car; this is well above the 27% Rhondda Cynon Taf average as well as the Wales average. In this ward only around 17% of households have two or more cars well below the Rhondda Cynon Taf average.

Transport Provision

A review of the accessibility of the site finds that the Project Site is well 8.6.8connected to Hirwaun and Rhigos by footpaths, so there is the potential for pedestrian access to the site. However, the route along Rhigos Road is not very attractive and is not lit. The centre of Hirwaun is 2km (walking route) from the Project Site and Rhigos just over 2km (although some homes are nearer).

The National Cycle Network 46 runs through the area from the A465 to the 8.6.9A4061 and then along the Rhigos Road into Hirwaun. The terrain in the area is flat in the vicinity of the site and between nearby residential areas, such as Hirwaun, Penywaun and Aberdare, so cycling is likely to be feasible for riders with a range of fitness levels and abilities.


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There are several bus routes and stops in the vicinity of the Project site, the 8.6.10nearest 150m away and another 550m away. Bus services link to various destinations including all nearby communities, such as Aberdare, Hirwaun, Rhigos, Glynhafod and Penderyn.

Aberdare has a railway station, which is access by bus from the site and has 8.6.11half hourly services to Cardiff.

8.7 Crime and Safety

In the year ending 30 September 2013, the crime rate in Rhondda Cynon Taff 8.7.1was lower than the average crime rate across areas with similar characteristics throughout England and Wales and also the crime rate in Rhondda Cynon Taff was lower than average for the South Wales force area. However, in the quarter ending 30 September 2013, crime rates were up in Rhondda Cynon Taf and South Wales force area compared to the corresponding quarter in 2012.

For the four wards the greatest crime rate is in Penywaun, at about 5.3 crimes 8.7.2per 100 people and the lowest is Rhigos at about 3.2 crimes per 100 people. Hirwaun is 4.5 crimes per 100 people. The most common crime type in all four wards is categorised as Anti-Social Behaviour, followed by Criminal Damage and Arson or ‘Violence’ and Sexual Offences.

Figures from data.police.uk provide the locations of incidents of crime. Data for 8.7.3the 12 months from November 2012 show that in the immediate vicinity of the Project Site, within the Hirwaun Industrial Estate, there have been 21 reported incidents. The most common of which is classed as ‘Other Theft’, which is theft not from a person, building or car (such as fraud or employee’s stealing from their workplace), overall there were 7 such crimes. Vehicle Crime was also high, with about 5 reports in total. Criminal Damage and arson and Anti-Social Behaviour was also report, both with three incidences.

Within the estate most crime was reported to occur on or near Main Avenue or 8.7.4Fifth Avenue.

There have been 71 road accidents listed in the five years to the end of 2012. 8.7.5Four of these were fatal, 10 serious and 57 slight. No fatalities were in the immediate vicinity of the Project site and no clusters of accidents shown in the data. However, a group of seven ‘slight’ accidents occurred on the A4059, Hirwaun Road/A465 Heads of the Valleys Road/ Brecon Road Roundabout, which were primarily identified as being caused by driver error and failure to look properly.

8.8 Summary

From the baseline data it is possible to identify the characteristics of the area 8.8.1related to health and wellbeing determinants. It is evident that many of the


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health issues the area faces relate closely to income deprivation and the challenges that this can create.

Hirwaun:

� This community is the largest in close proximity to the Project site and therefore may have the greatest potential to be effected by the Project, eg noise, access to work, environment, and traffic.

� The demographic characteristics for the ward match Wales averages, although with slightly fewer people in the retirement age groups and more in the working age population.

� Most people see their health as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ at over 60% of the population. However, around 28% of the population state they have a ‘limiting long-term illness’, and for Wales this is only 22%.

� The ward has more people in full time employment compared to the Wales average. However, the proportion of the population that have ‘no qualification’ is greater than for Wales as a whole.

� The occupation type of resident in Hirwaun ward is similar to the Wales average. However, there appears to be a slightly greater proportion of people in ‘elementary’ and ‘plant and process machine operative’ categories than for Wales as a whole.

� Parts if Hirwaun are characterised in the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation 2011, Overall Rank and Health Rank, as some of the most deprived in Wales.

Penywaun

� Out of the four wards considered Penywaun has the highest levels of deprivation and therefore is most likely to be suffering income deprivation.

� Penywaun has a young population comparative to the other areas. In particular there is a large proportion of the population under 15, making up almost a quarter of the people, where in other areas identified it is well below a fifth.

� It is likely that people in Penywaun are in worse health than in the other three wards considering the HIA and tan in Wales as a whole. A greater proportion of people describe their health as ‘very bad’ and around 30% of residents say they have a limiting long-term illness.

� A greater proportion of people in Penywaun are unemployed than in any of other areas looked at. Penywaun has quite a low skilled workforce. The occupation statistics for the area show that the proportion of people in ‘elementary occupations’ are more than double the average for Wales and almost half the population have ‘no qualifications’.


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� Relative income deprivation in the area is evident from the low ownership cars. Only around 17% of the population, compared to directly neighbouring Hirwaun where the proportion is 35%, own 2 or more cars.

� Penywaun in consistently in an area identified as having very high levels of deprivation according to the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation 2011. This includes the overall rank, health and employment rank.

Rhigos

� The population of Rhigos are older than in the other three wards identified and the Wales average population. There are also a greater proportion of residents who are retired than in these areas.

� The older population reflects itself in the proportion of people who describe themselves as having a ‘limiting long term illness’ or in ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ health. However, in terms of poor health this proportion of people is still less than in Penywaun, where the population is younger.

� The workforce of Rhigos is more likely to work in skilled jobs than other parts of Wales and a greater proportion of people in ‘professional occupations’.

Aberdare West/Llwydcoed

� This ward has a much larger population than the other three considered. This area is furthest from the project site, yet in terms of labour supply and traffic impacts there is the potential for impacts from the Project and therefore considered here.

� The population contains more retired people than in Wales as a whole, although fewer than Hirwaun or Rhigos. For many measures reviewed in this section this ward has similar characteristics to Wales averages. However, the population does have a slightly greater proportion of people who have ‘limiting long term illness’ or describe their health a ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’.

Other considerations

The Rhondda Cynon Taf has a greater proportion of people who are overweight 8.8.2or obese than the average for Wales, as over 63% of the population.

Crime rates in the area are lower than for other similar areas in the England and 8.8.3Wales, although are rising.

There are no particular road traffic incident clusters in the area. 8.8.4

Issues for the Project

Consideration needs to be given to the way that the Project could have an 8.8.5impact on the health and wellbeing of residents. This could include:


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� Worklessness and low skills attainment amongst residents in Rhondda Cynon Taf is an important issue to be tackled, as low income and long terms unemployment can have clearly documented health and wellbeing impacts. Access to a range of employment types is important to meet the diverse needs of the workforce.

� To promote active travel in Rhondda Cynon Taf, there needs to be a supportive built environment where people can walk and cycle safely, where key services and destinations are located with pedestrians, cyclists and elderly in mind.

� Consider the potentially more vulnerable groups in the population, including the elderly, young people and those who already experience limiting longer term illnesses.

� Crime, fear of crime and risks to safety can have an adverse impact on mental wellbeing, as well as physical implications. New development needs to be delivered in a way that helps mitigate the potential and opportunities for crime.


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9 Health Impacts of the Proposed Development

9.1 Introduction

A detailed assessment of potential construction and operational impacts for all 9.1.1the key health determinants is contained within Appendix F as set out in Table 5.1. This appendix is an important part of the assessment and should be read in conjunction with this chapter of the report.

The tables in Appendix F , also shows how impacts will be mitigated, 9.1.2considering both those elements of that are integral to the Project’s design, such as the type of technology used on site or flue stack heights as well as additional measures that further reduce any adverse impacts and enhance beneficial impacts. The assessment table concludes with a consideration of the residual impact of the Project after the mitigation measures have been implemented.

This section summarises the impact assessment of the HIA from the tables. It 9.1.3should be noted that the Power Generation Plant has elements integral to the design to control effects, these have been taken into account in assessments. In particular these are noise silencers fitted to each stack, stack height of 30-35m and emissions reduction measures on stakes to reduce oxides of nitrogen release to air. Full details of mitigation are shown in Chapter 11 .

It should be noted that unlike the technical assessment the HIA is not a 9.1.4quantified assessment and make more qualitative judgements on the type of changes, focusing on if there may be worsening or improvement of effects.

An EIA has been completed of the Project and is reported in the Environmental 9.1.5Statement submitted as part of the DCO application. The findings of the EIA, for example the air quality, noise and socio-economic assessments, have informed the assessment of health impacts in this HIA. The ES Non Technical Summary (Document Reference: 6.4.0) provides summaries of the technical chapter of the EIA relevant to the HIA and provides additional detail and quantitative assessment.

9.2 Determinants scoped out for further assessment

As set out in section 3.1 certain determinants have been scoped out for further 9.2.1assessment in the HIA as there is no or very limited relationship between the Project and the determinant. The determinants that have been scoped out are:

� Food production: The Project is to be built on existing industrial land that is reserved for this purpose. The construction of the gas above ground infrastructure will result in the loss of a some greenfield land. However, this will be very limited and therefore of no significance in terms of food production.


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� Education and learning: The Project is for a new power station on existing land reserved for an employment or waste management purpose. The Project is unlikely to lead to a substantial increase in children or young people such that it would affect local school and college capacities as would be the case, for example, for a housing development. The potential for local training are addressed under work and income.

� Diversity: The Project will have no impact on diversity as the employment of staff will comply with employment diversity legislation and the Project is unlikely to change the demographic composition of the local area.

� Democracy and governance: Public consultation, stakeholder engagement and the involvement of local elected representatives are part of the decision making process for this NSIP. Consultation and decision making will be based on the regulations governing DCO applications and the decision will be made public.

� Culture: The Project is unlikely to impact in ways that would change or adversely affect local cultural activities and cultural values of local people. The 2011 Census shows that less than 20% of the population around the site speak, read and / or write Welsh. The development is not of a scale where it would impact on Welsh and other local cultures. Consultation materials were available in Welsh and English.

� Health and Social Care: The Project is to be built on existing industrial land that is reserved for this purpose. Therefore, there is no conflict with providing new health care services. The development will not result in any increase in the population of the area that will place extra demands on the health care system or require access to health facilities.

� Housing: The operational phase of development will not have any housing impact on development. Nearest housing is some distance from the site and the Project is unlikely to adversely affect housing availability or quality. There will not be any permanent housing demands created by the development.

9.3 Construction Effects

The construction (and demolition) period is anticipated to last approximately 22 9.3.1months from November 2017 to August 2019. The location and type of construction and demolition activity will change during construction period, meaning that some types of impact may have a relatively short duration or impacts in specific locations may be of a shorter duration.

Work, income and education

Construction of the Project will contribute to the local economy by creating 9.3.2some new local jobs during the construction phase and the impacts of construction on the local economy, for instance through the supply chain and services to support workers. This could include supporting local


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accommodation suppliers, local shops and local construction-related businesses.

During peak phases of construction accommodation space may need to be 9.3.3found for up to 91 construction workers on the site. Many workers will travel from within the local area, although a proportion will not. Therefore, it will be necessary for contractors to responsibly find accommodation for personnel without impacting on the affordability of rental for local residents.

Construction workers employed on the site are likely to gain experience and on-9.3.4the-job training. It is likely that some construction related employment will go to people in the local area and Rhondda Cynon Taf. During the 22 month construction period there will be between 5 and 91 construction jobs created on site. The socio-economic assessment indicates the level of construction labour required for the project accounts for less than 1% of each relevant employment category. Therefore, the Project’s construction phase will not result in any pressure on labour market capacity and it should be possible for the local workforce to supply some labour. The exact proportion of the workforce that will be local will depend on availability and skills match during specific construction stages.

If the Project links into local colleges and construction training schemes then 9.3.5local people will have the opportunity to gain the skills to be recruited for the construction phase as well as young people gaining work experience on employment-linked apprenticeship training schemes. For instance the Coleg y Cymoedd campus in Aberdare offers entry level construction courses and the University of South Wales in Pontypridd, approximately 30 minutes by car, offers higher level construction courses including MSc in project management.

The location of the site should mean that the jobs are accessible to those who 9.3.6do not drive in the local area. Bus routes serve the site, linking to Aberdare, Rhigos, Hirwaun, Penywaun and Penderyn. It is also possible to walk to the site in under 30minutes from Hirwaun and Rhigos and the site is served by a national cycle route.

There may be some impacts on existing local businesses during construction 9.3.7from disturbance effects, such as noise or from the temporary increase in traffic.

Overall, the construction phase of development will have a temporary positive 9.3.8change on job opportunities and the local economy in the local area as well as providing the potential for skills training, with a minor impact on work, income and education.

Transport and Connectivity

During the construction phase there will be a temporary increase in cars and 9.3.9HGVs on the road associated with the construction activities (e.g. HGV and construction workers cars/vans). The greatest traffic impacts of the Project are


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likely to come during the construction phase and the Traffic Assessment for the site identifies that there may be some congestion at the A465 / Hirwaun Road / Brecon Road Roundabout at peak hours of the day during peak times of construction. However, construction traffic from the Project will only make a limited contribution to potential congestion in this location as the majority additional movements will be created by supermarket development in Hirwaun.

There is a potential that raised traffic levels here will cause some local air 9.3.10pollution effects adjacent to queuing traffic. However, these will be only at times of peak flow and limited to the construction period.

There is a potential for the additional construction traffic to result in an increase 9.3.11in road traffic accidents. However, road traffic safety data show that HGVs have not been involved in any traffic incidents near the site in the last 5 years. Also, Rhigos Road has been designed to accommodate heavy traffic loads and is only a short distance to the Wales strategic road network and the Heads of the Valleys Road. Over recent years the traffic on these roads has decreased due to the closure or relocation of business. For instance, the existing buildings on the Project site once operated as a busy distribution centre. Therefore, the HGV traffic created by the Project can be safety accommodated on these roads without putting them at undue pressure of accident risk.

Severance impact of the construction traffic is considered in the EIA. The 9.3.12Institute of Environmental Assessment (IEA) guidelines describe severance as a division that can occur within a community when it becomes separated by a major traffic artery (perceived or actual). This, for example, may be a pedestrian unable to cross a road as a result of a large volume of traffic, or the loss of a public right of way or cycle lane. However, the Project does not restrict any pedestrian movements that already exist, other than a temporary diversion due to works that may occur along a footpath or road crossing within the red line boundary. The volume of traffic created by the development will not be such as to restrict road crossing and no new roads are proposed. Therefore, there is only minor potential to create severance during construction.

Intimidation and fear can be caused by a wide range of factors including 9.3.13location, highway layout, level of crime, and driver stress. There are no commonly agreed measures for estimating these types of impacts. However, as the construction traffic would not give rise to large additional flows on any roads there are unlikely to be any fear or intimidation from traffic caused by the Project.

The site has good access potential by non-car travel modes, as there are 9.3.14existing bus services to the site, a national cycle route near the site and footways linking the site to nearby residential areas. Therefore, there is potential for equitable access to work even for non-car users, there may be some potential health benefits also. Buses serve the area and the nearest bus stop is 150m from the site and another 550m away, serving all local


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communities (Aberdare, Hirwaun, Rhigos, Glynhafod and Penderyn). Aberdare also has a train station, with access to the wider communities of Wales.

The Project is around 2km walking distance from the centres of Hirwaun and 9.3.15Rhigos, a distance which is likely to be walkable in good weather. There are footways along the entire length of the road connecting these two settlements to the site. Although there are no dedicated crossing places, Rhigos Road is very straight with low levels of traffic, so crossing is safe if done with due care.

The National Cycle Network 46 runs through the area from the A465 to the 9.3.16A4061 and then along the Rhigos Road into Hirwaun. The terrain in the area is flat so cycling to and from the site nearby residential areas, such as Hirwaun, Penywaun and Aberdare is likely to be feasible for cyclists with a range of fitness levels and abilities.

The development will not involve the loss or temporary closure of any public 9.3.17rights of way or other routes.

Overall, the increase in cars and HGVs on the road during construction could 9.3.18cause some changes that may cause temporary deterioration in amenity and disturbance to some people, impacts on transport and connectivity will be minor. There may be some benefits relating to equitable access to jobs as the site can be viably accessed by walking, cycling and by bus, although this is not a change from current access, impacts on transport and connectivity will be minor.

Safer neighbourhoods and site safety

Consideration is given to the potential health risks to construction workers on 9.3.19the site as well as existing residents.

There are safety risks in construction work. Construction work can include 9.3.20tasks with the potential for physical injury and is inherently a risk occupation. However, there are good UK standards in place for health in the workplace. To manage these risks a good health and safety plan will be implemented on site.

Installation of specific technologies and equipment, such as installation of 9.3.21turbines, gas and electrical connectors has the potential of safety risks, when non managed according to good safety and engineering principles.

Construction sites can be vulnerable to crime such as theft or antisocial 9.3.22behaviour, if not well managed. There is also the risk of unauthorised people getting access to the site, where there is the potential for injury or people to come into contact with hazardous materials. However, the site may already be vulnerable to crime and access by unauthorised users due to its low level of occupation and relatively isolated position. Therefore, the construction use may not actually create a greater risk of crime but the type of risk may change.


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Overall, the construction phase does raise the potential for and changes that 9.3.23increase risk of health impacts through direct harm from construction site activities. There may also be some changes that could increase risk to local people relating to road accidents (see section transport and connectivity) and trespass. The impacts on safer neighbourhoods and site safety will be minor.

Environment

Construction has the potential to cause change in the environment and this may 9.3.24have health impacts and this is the focus of this part of the HIA. The assessment considers direct health effects related to disease and disturbance impacts that can impact on people’s wellbeing with links to stress. Full EIA has been undertaken of the environmental impacts of development, including consideration of human health effect, the impacts identified through EIA are largely quantitative and can be found in the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0) and summarised in the ES Non Technical Summary (Document Reference: 6.4.0).

Air : The greatest potential risk to human health at construction is from dust 9.3.25(PM10, including PM2.5) and NOx. Dust is likely to be generated from demolition work, earth works and other excavating, site clearance and site preparation activities.

PM10 and NOx are likely to be generated from on-site equipment that uses oil 9.3.26or gas to operate as well as construction vehicle movements. The EIA air quality assessment has considered the type of construction likely on site and concludes that there is no reason to believe that it would give rise to any abnormal creation of dust.

There may be some localised increased vehicle emission due to construction 9.3.27traffic, particularly at busy road junctions, although as the EIA shows construction traffic is only likely to cause queuing at peak travel hours during the peak phases of construction. This will mean that there are the potential localised minor effects. A traffic routing strategy in the Construction Traffic Management Plan will help to ensure that construction traffic avoids routing through the Air Quality Management Area in central Aberdare.

More information can be found in Chapter 6 of the ES (Document Reference: 9.3.286.1.0).

Ground Conditions: Construction on site will result in the need for ground 9.3.29disturbance. If there is historic land contamination there may be a risk to human health. The risk only exists if there is a link between contamination and receptors, so breaking links is essential in avoiding risk.

There is also a possible risk from the stability of the ground as there are known 9.3.30old mining activates in the vicinity of the site. Some of the ground is also peaty in character and this can have stability issues.


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The contamination conditions on the site have not yet been investigated fully, as 9.3.31the existing buildings on site mean this is not possible. Therefore, prior to any construction work additional contamination survey will be undertaken to determine risks and ensure an appropriate remediation strategy is implemented. It is useful to note that site investigation works undertaken at the Rhigos Substation found no significant areas of land contamination requiring remediation.

Contamination risks will also be considered within the main development site, 9.3.32as well as in the areas for trenching as part of the gas and electrical connections.

Construction could cause additional pollution on site through accidents and 9.3.33spillage of fuel if improperly managed.

The assessment of the likely impacts related to ground conditions is included in 9.3.34Chapter 10 of the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0), which does not identify the potential for any significant impacts.

Water : The site is not in an area identified by the NRW as being at risk of flood. 9.3.35Contamination of water can have human health impacts. The greatest risk is to wildlife but there could be direct health impacts on local water users from some types of contamination. For example, water used in the hydraulic testing of the gas connection will be collected on-site and tankered away for safe disposal in accordance with approved method statements and discussions with NRW.

No open water courses cross the site, although the gas connection crosses 9.3.36three minor field drains. There are no proposals to discharge any water from the construction site. There is the potential for construction to result in contamination of water bodies through accidental spillage, if activities are improperly managed. Full assessment of water impacts is considered in Chapter 9 the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0) and this concludes that there are negligible impacts on the water environment from the Project.

Overall, it is unlikely that the construction activities would result in impacts on 9.3.37the water quality that would adversely impact on people’s heath.

Light pollution : There is likely to be some additional lighting of the site during 9.3.38construction, depending on the stage of the build. In these instances floodlighting may be required to protect the safety of construction workers. Construction core hours do extend into hours of darkness in the morning and evening. However, the site is also likely to be lit after dark for security purposes.

For residents north of the site or in the nearby villages the impacts may not be 9.3.39great as the A465 ‘Heads of Valleys’ road is already lit, as are the major junctions west of Hirwaun. The site is also screened from many nearby residential properties by landform and blocks of trees.


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Noise impacts : Noise impacts related to construction are likely to be for short 9.3.40periods during the construction period; with noise levels varying by volume, type and location. During that there is the potential for construction to increase the noise levels in some homes near the site. This change will be relatively small but may be noticeable. Occasionally there may also be construction outside normal working times, and due to the lower ambient noise it is possible that these changes in noise levels will be noticeable. However, noise is not likely to impact many people and the development will not cause any large disturbance.

Digging of the trenches for the gas and electrical connections is not likely to 9.3.41have any noticeable noise impacts, as most activities will be similar to agricultural activities that already take place in these locations.

The EIA has reported the noise modelling as Chapter 7 of the ES (Document 9.3.42Reference: 6.1.0). This finds that it is likely that during the day the noise at identified nearby homes (receptors) will remain within recommended levels for ‘good’ noise levels, as therefore impacts are identified as minor. The ES also notes that the nearest sensitive receptors to the site are too far away to experience vibration impacts of construction.

Overall, noise impacts of construction may lead to change through increase 9.3.43noise levels. For most residents the impacts are likely to be minor.

Landscape and Views: The character of a place and people’s relationship with 9.3.44it can all be important in social capital and creating a place that people feel connected to. This is an important part of creating wellbeing.

There are groups of cairns in the wider landscape of the Brecon Beacons 9.3.45National Park that mark the historic use of the land by people. Construction will be visible from some of these cairns. However, views will be distant and the site is not currently open land. Full assessment is in Chapter 11 of the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0).

Combined Environmental Impact: In addition to the potential for direct health 9.3.46effects of environmental pollution, the accumulation of construction effects (potential noise, dust, visual and traffic effects have been identified) could have wellbeing impacts. This is through disturbance causing stress, worry, and anger among the closest existing residents. However, the potential for this type of impact is low as there are only a limited number local residents living in close proximity the site. The extent of these effects is likely to be minor due to the limited number of people affected, although for individual who experience effects the impact could be moderate.

Social Capital and Cohesion

During construction there will be some change in the visual appearance of the 9.3.47site, although the site is already of poor visual quality. The impacts caused specifically through demolition and construction activities will be temporary.


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This means that the main impacts will relate to a change from what people have become accustomed to and the activity levels on the site changing.

The construction of the Project will be a change the site from a distribution / 9.3.48industrial use to a power generation use.

Overall, the change that the construction would create is only the change of 9.3.49activity on an urban site, the impacts on social capital and cohesion are negligible.

Health and Social Care

Construction workers may need to access local health and social care services. 9.3.50However, the number of construction workers in relatively small and so they are unlikely to adversely affect the ability of the local population to access these services by overstretching their capacity. The Project will also have an occupational health and safety team to look after the health needs of construction workers.

Construction work at the site will not adversely affect the operation of existing 9.3.51health, social care or community facilities.

Overall, impacts on health and social care from construction will be negligible. 9.3.52

9.4 Operation Phase Effects

The operational phase impacts consider the impacts when the Power 9.4.1Generation Plant is fully functional, as well as the associated gas and electrical connections.

Work, income and education

The operation stage of the Project will only have a small positive effect on the 9.4.2local economy by providing approximately 15 jobs. Analysis of the regional labour market and its skills profile indicates the number of operational workers required at operational phases can be provided from within the area’s local labour force. The Project presents an opportunity to reskill a small section of the currently available workforce and help lower the area’s unemployment rate. A partnership approach between the Project team and local training providers, such as local colleges and adult education institutes, could help support training activities, depending on the type of job available at the site.

More information on economic effects can be found in Chapter 14 of the ES 9.4.3(Document Reference: 6.1.0).

The location of the site should mean that the jobs are accessible to those who 9.4.4do not have a car or access to a car or other motor vehicle. Bus routes serve the site, linking to Aberdare, Rhigos, Hirwaun, Penywaun and Penderyn. It is


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also possible to walk to the site in under 30minutes from Hirwaun and Rhigos and the site is served by a national cycle route.

Overall, the operation of the proposed development will have a positive impact 9.4.5on work, income and education in the local area, although this may be relatively minor for a site of this size.


Traffic created during the operation stage will be minimal and primarily related 9.4.6to employees arriving and leaving the site. The numbers of commuting trips to and from the site are likely to be similar to the existing use on the site as it has similar number employees. However, the Project will have a Travel Plan in place to encourage fewer employees to commute by car. There may also be fewer deliveries to and from the site due to the change in use, particularly during times where the existing use was creating stationary to meet peak demand (e.g. prior to Christmas). The transport effects of the development are set out in Chapter 13 of the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0).

The site has good non-car access, meaning local people can apply for 9.4.7operation phase jobs even if they do not or cannot travel by car. Buses serve the area and the nearest bus stop is 150m from the site and another 550m away. Bus services serve a wider local catchment various destinations including Aberdare, Hirwaun, Rhigos, Glynhafod and Penderyn. Aberdare has a train station, with access to the wider communities of Wales.

As set out in the transport and connectivity section for construction, the Project 9.4.8Site is within reasonable walking distance of Hirwaun and Rhigos and there are footways linking the site to these villages. The National Cycle network also runs past the Hirwaun Industrial Estate. Therefore, both walking and cycling access to the site are possible from the largest nearby settlements.

Overall, the Project would result in little change to the current situation with 9.4.9employees being able to access the site as existing employees do now. There may be a minor reduction in vehicle trips (cars and vans) from the site.


Retaining the site in viable use could help reduce the potential for crime in this 9.4.10part of the Hirwaun Industrial Estate. Natural surveillance to help deter crime will be provided as employees travel to and from the site on variable shift patterns. In addition, security infrastructure as part of the Project, such as cameras, perimeter fencing and a staffed gatehouse will have a direct impact on reducing the risk of crime on site.

The site will operate a gas power station any operation using natural gas raises 9.4.11the need to consider risks from non-routine events. The technologies chosen for the plant will be proven and the operators will be experienced in providing a


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safe working environment, as well as one that avoids risks to nearby communities. There will be no storage of natural gas on the site. Inherent in the design of the plant are measures for automatic shutdown should monitoring show non-routine events; this technology is both in the operation of the plant as well as in the gas pipeline.

Overall, the operation of the site may slightly increase risk to employees. 9.4.12However, there are no identifiable safety risks to local people from operation of the Project, both due to safety procedures in place and that there are few nearby residents. . There is a minor residual risk from a non-routine event having an impact on employees on-site or other people working nearby related to safer neighbourhoods and site safety.

Environment

Operation of the Power Generation Plant has the potential to cause change in 9.4.13the environment and this may have health impacts and this is the focus of this part of the HIA. The assessment considers direct health effects related to disease and disturbance impacts that can impact on people’s wellbeing with links to stress. A full EIA has been undertaken of the environmental impacts of development, including consideration of human health effect, the impacts identified through EIA are largely quantitative and can be found in the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0) and summarised in the ES Non Technical Summary (Document Reference: 6.4.0).

Air Quality: The air quality assessment during operation focuses on the stack 9.4.14emissions, as traffic generation is shown to be very minor and little change from existing levels The air quality assessment reported in Chapter 6 of the ES (Document Reference:. 6.1.0) identifies that there are no significant adverse effects on human health anticipated from the operation of the Project. With the stack height set in the range 30m – 35m, and NOX emissions at the limit set by the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) of 50mg/Nm3. The air quality assesses the effects of the Project on ambient air quality are negligible and would only see a very minor change. In particular, ambient pollutant concentrations remain well within the air quality objectives set in UK regulations for the protection of health and ecosystems.

Full modelling of potential air quality impacts from the proposed Power 9.4.15Generation Plant have been undertaken and are part of the EIA and shown in the ES. Chapter 6 section 7 (Document Reference: 6.1.0) (see also the ES Non Technical Summary (Document Reference: 6.4.0). This takes into account the contribution from stack emissions during operation. When considering health impacts this also takes into account the likely air quality changes as a result of the traffic that will be on the roads once the plant is operational. Modelling reported in the ES shows that there are almost imperceptible change in pollutant concentrations of carbon monoxide and the annual mean nitrogen dioxide. However, there are moderate increases in the hour mean nitrogen dioxide. Overall, the total pollutant concentrations remain well below the air


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quality objectives set at a UK and European level (over which health impacts are likely), even when considered in combination with emissions from road traffic.

The model also indicates that under prevailing wind conditions, dispersion from 9.4.16the stack will not travel towards Hirwaun or Rhigos villages and is most likely to travel north east. The impact of the Project operation on pollutant concentrations in the nearest Air Quality Management Area (where air quality persistently is near or exceeding objective levels) is in Aberdare. The ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0) states that the contribution of the Project to air quality here is ‘imperceptible’. Therefore, although some minor deterioration may be experienced in certain locations as a result of the Project although using established objectives and standards for air quality this does not give rise to any concerns. The change in air quality is low with any localised impact negligible.

Ground contamination: As set out in the consideration of construction 9.4.17impacts (section 9.2) a full survey of ground contamination will be completed prior to construction of the proposed development. All necessary remediation will be completed prior to occupation of the site, meaning workers and visitors and local communities at the Power Generation Plant will not be at risk from ground contamination issues. Therefore, there should be no further risk to people from the existing ground conditions.

The operation of the Project has some potential to increase ground 9.4.18contamination through the storage of chemicals and waste residues from power generation if these are improperly managed. More information can be found in Chapter 10 of the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0).

The overall change is likely to be very limited with negligible impacts on 9.4.19environment and health.

Water : The site is not in an area identified by the NRW as being at risk of 9.4.20flooding.

The Power Generation Plant will utilise air cooling, instead of water. Cooling is 9.4.21normally the largest operational demand for water in the majority of UK power stations. Therefore, there will not be a significant water demand from the Project. Water used on site, for instance for washing turbine blades, will be tanked off-site by a licensed contractor for disposal at an appropriately licensed disposal facility. Domestic/sanitary water requirements during the operation phase will be broadly similar to current and past water requirements as staff levels are broadly similar.

The Power Generation Plant Site will be equipped with a surface water drainage 9.4.22system and a sewerage system. Details of these systems will be confirmed via a ‘prior approval’ type requirement as a condition for the granting of a DCO. Further details can be found in the Chapter 12 of the ES of the EIA (Document Reference: 6.1.0).


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There will be no direct discharges into existing waterways ensuring protection of 9.4.23the ground and surface water supplies. This means that impacts on human health from the supply or contamination of water are negligible.

Lighting : The Power Generation Plant may be operational during hours of 9.4.24darkness. This means there will be some additional lighting on the site in the evening and/or at night. The lighting scheme will be focused on the site and be orientated so as to not light the wider landscape. Also, properties near the site are predominately screened by high coniferous tree banks and the topography and the A465 to the north is lit by street lights throughout the night and main roundabouts between Hirwaun and the site are lit. Therefore, there is the potential for minor impacts from lighting on nearby residents who have a view of the site. However, lighting impacts from more distance viewpoints will be negligible due to existing lighting in the area.

Noise : A noise model has been used to predict the noise of the proposed 9.4.25Power Generation Plant. The EIA states that the noise increase as a result of the operation of the Project is likely to be a ‘negligible’ inside properties even with window open. The level is low enough that it according to WHO standards it should not cause sleep disturbance and so have effects on wellbeing.

The gas Above Ground Installation (AGI) will also generate a small amount of 9.4.26noise, a low ‘hum’ or ‘hiss’ associated with regulating the flow. However, the noise is generally not perceptible except when very close to the AGI. There are no residential properties in close proximity so the likely impacts are negligible.

Consideration has also been given to the potential for noise impacts due to the 9.4.27particular characteristics of noise, e.g. whines or hums. The potential for this type of noise impact cannot be ruled out as it is unpredictable, proper maintenance of the plant should help avoid these impacts.

The plant will only operate infrequently and for periods of a few minutes or 9.4.28hours, so any noise emitted will also be infrequent. It is recognised that this may cause its own disturbance effects. More information can be found in Chapter 7 of the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0).

Overall, the operation of the Project will not give rise to significant impacts from 9.4.29noise, although some minor increase is likely. Noise levels from the Power Generation Plant are within acceptable limits from both BS 8233 and the WHO guideline for minimal and moderate annoyance. The Electrical Connection will not give rise to any noise during operation. The AGI will produce barely perceptible levels of noise, which will be separate from the Power Generation Plant by approximately 900m.

Electromagnetic Impacts: An assessment of EMF assessment has been 9.4.30completed for the 400 kV electrical underground cable that will connect the Power Generation Plant to the Rhigos Substation and be buried at a minimum of 1m below ground.


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There are currently no statutory regulations to limit the exposure of people to 9.4.31the power-frequency electric or magnetic fields. However, in the 2004 the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) have advised the UK Government to adopt the 1998 guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These are designed to set conservative exposure levels for the general public (for places where the public will spend a significant amount of time e.g. homes) of 50Hz for EMF.

As assessment to determine the likely effects of the 400kV underground cable 9.4.32power lines was completed at 1m above ground to determine if these would meet the ICNIRP guideline standards. The assessment evaluated the maximum magnetic field strengths from the cable only, on the basis that the sealing ends above ground are inherently compliant in design. This finds that the prospective maximum magnetic field strength due to the 400kV cable is significantly less than due to the existing overhead line nearby and below ICNIRP Reference Level.

Therefore, EMF impacts of development will be negligible with no recognised 9.4.33human health impact.

Landscape and Built Environment: Due to the location of the development 9.4.34there will be limited impact of the Project on existing communities. The Project could deliver some benefits in terms of the quality of the built environment and views to the site. These benefits would be through the removal of the large expanse of white roofs that currently characterise the site. As noted in a ‘Design Review Report’ issued by the Design Commission for Wales (January 2014) the “scheme demonstrates best practice in minimising the impact of infrastructure on the environment.”

The stacks are likely to be visible from locations in and around the site as well 9.4.35as from further away. Due to the choice of technology, there will not be a visible ‘plume’ arising from the stacks. Views from the southern side of the valley looking into the National Park will have the stacks in the foreground. However, there is limited residential development in this location and impacts will be reduced as the buildings and stacks will not be seen against the sky, but will be seen against a backdrop of other industrial buildings and roads and general woodland/ screen planting.

Views from the north side of the valley are from within the National Park. Views 9.4.36towards the site are all already affected by the remnants of open cast coal mining, roads, the former railway; overhead powerlines, and industrial units reducing any impact of the Project. More information can be found in Chapter 11 of the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0).

Summary: Taking into account the full range of potential environmental effects it 9.4.37is evident that any change will be limited and there is impact will be minor only on the environment, although in many instance impacts will be negligible.


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During consultation people were asked about whether they supported the 9.4.38scheme and the majority of local residents either supported or were neutral about the development, indicating that it overall people will accept the development as part of the industry of the area.

As a new business in the area the Project operators should ensure they connect 9.4.39with local communities and demonstrate how voices are being listened to. Without this recognition there is the chance of the project having adverse impacts on cohesion.

Overall, the Project will have a negligible impact on social capital and cohesion. 9.4.40


The operation of the development is unlikely to have any impact on health, 9.4.41social care or community services. The location of the project will have no direct impact on services. The operation workforce will be small and there is potential for workers to be drawn from local communities and therefore already be accessing local services.

The development site has been allocated for retention of industrial 9.4.42development, or development for waste management use. Therefore, the proposed use will not result in any land for the potential for an alternative social use, including housing, community use or as open space.

The operational staff will be covered by an occupational health and safety team 9.4.43to look after the health needs of workers.

Overall, the Project will have a negligible impact on health and social care. 9.4.44

Energy Security

Securing an energy future for the UK is important. This Power Generation Plant 9.4.45will help provide a reliable supply of electricity by helping support the national grid supply in times of high demand or shortfall in energy provision from other providers e.g. renewables or non-renewables. Coal plants in the UK are being closed each year and intermittent sources of generation being brought onto the grid, such as the Pen Y Cymoedd wind farm near to Hirwaun. It is intended that the Project can assist in meeting the resultant urgent national need for flexible peak load power generation as set out in NPS EN-1, the National Infrastructure Plan 2013, and Energy Wales – A Low Carbon Transition.


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10 Cumulative Impacts

This HIA focusses on the impacts from the proposed Project. However, these 10.1.1impacts cannot be considered in isolation and there is the potential for several developments in the area to generate cumulative effects. For the EIA full consideration has been given to the cumulative effects as part of the technical assessments, details of this can be found in Appendix H and in the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0), where each technical chapter contains an assessment of cumulative impacts. This includes the cumulative impacts on air quality, noise and visual effects.

The following developments have planning consent or are under construction, 10.1.2key schemes considered include:

� 400kV Rhigos Substation Extension (500m away) – under construction. � EnviroparksEnergy from Waste Plant – Hirwaun Industrial Estate (500m

away) – planning consent � Supermarkets – Ferrari’s, Hirwaun (1750m away) – planning consent � Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Farm (>4km away) – planning consent � Mynydd Bwlifa Wind Farm (>12km away) – planning consent

The greatest potential for adverse impacts comes from the cumulative traffic 10.1.3effects during the construction phase of the Project which coincides with the construction or operation phases, and their associated impacts, for the supermarket developments.

Transport: The assessment of traffic impacts already includes the cumulative 10.1.4impact with other developments. The impact of traffic caused by the development considered how much traffic will be on the roads when the construction work starts on the site, to do this it is necessary to consider all other development that will be under construction or operational at that time. . In this case it included the supermarkets on and opposite the Ferrari’s Bakery, but not cumulative Rhigos Sub-Station, Enviroparks Energy from Waste (EfW) or the Hirwaun Energy Centre as construction phases are not anticipated to coincide with this Project.

Noise: There will also be a moderate cumulative effect on one of the sensitive 10.1.5receptors identified in the noise assessment from the cumulative effects of the Project and the operation of the Energy from Waste Plant. This receptor is the Tai Cwplau, a working farm. The combined effect means the noise impact changes from ‘good’ to ‘reasonable’ ambient noise level and impacts will be perceptible. However, noise levels remain within WHO guideline values. All other receptors remain at ‘good’. This does represent a minor deterioration in noise conditions at the farm.


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Visual: There will also be adverse visual effects as the scale of the developed 10.1.6area of Hirwaun Industrial Estate grows. The site will be more visible from the cairns in the Brecon Beacons and this may have minor impacts on the character of the place, but is impacts on mental wellbeing are likely to be minor and subjective. The cumulative landscape assessment in the EIA identifies no significant cumulative effects with the Enviroparks Energy from Waste, the Hirwaun Energy Centre or the Rhigos Substation as all these elements will be part of the industrialised area. Many views are reduced by the existing tree and vegetation screening.

Air: For the air quality assessment it has been determined that cumulative 10.1.7effects relating to dust are unlikely due to the timing of construction and the distances involved, meaning dust created by the Project will have settled before other construction sites are reached.

Cumulative air quality impacts during the operation phase of the project have 10.1.8been assessed following ‘other developments’ are proposed within the study area:

� Green Frog – 20MW diesel powered Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) plant;

� Enviroparks Energy from Waste facility (permission granted, but not yet implemented); and

� Hirwaun Energy Centre – Biomass pyrolysis plant (permission yet to be determined)

Dispersion modelling was used to consider the cumulative effects of the Project 10.1.9and other developments on human health. Cumulative assessment of short term impacts has assessed by looking at the impacts of the project and other developments when the Project is having maximum effects and vice versa. Full details are shown in the ES (Document Reference: 6.1.0).

The cumulative impact assessment identifies that the location of the highest 10.1.10NO2 emissions from each of the identified developments (including the Project) are in different places. This means that no one area will experience a cumulative effect from all sources. It also shows that by far the greatest air quality impact is from the Enviroparks EfW site, with emissions from the Project already identified as negligible. However, even when combined the technical assessment of air quality from all sites shows that maximum ground level concentrations of NO2 are well within the air quality objectives for annual and hourly means and, as such, no cumulative impacts on human health are anticipated with the operation of the Project.

Socio-Economic: There is also the potential for positive cumulative effects. 10.1.11Where all of the consents become operational this would create new jobs and help support the local economy. There is a potential for creating long term improvements in local economic activity and increased job opportunities.


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11 Mitigation Measures

11.1 Introduction

This chapter highlights mitigation as described in the previous section for the 11.1.1specific effects assessed. These measures have been incorporated into the judgement of significance of effects as previously described.

The measures described here are complementary to those within each of the 11.1.2technical chapters of the Environmental Statement (Document Reference: 6.4.0) and should be considered in conjunction with them.

11.2 Construction

Various mitigation measures are proposed for construction. An essential 11.2.1component of the mitigation will be the implementation of the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). The CEMP will be developed as a condition of the granting of the DCO. The content will be agreed with relevant bodies to deal with potential local amenity issues resulting from the construction. A framework CEMP is being submitted as part of the DCO application, which will be filled in with additional detail following appointment of a Main Contractor on-site.

Health and Safety

Adherence to the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007 11.2.2(CDM 2007) will be ensured. The regulations aim to integrate health and safety into construction project management. The Health and Safety Executive has produced an accompanying Approved Code of Practice document ‘Managing Health and Safety in Construction’ which sets out the implications of the new legislation for developers, contractors, designers and workers. This will include mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), toolbox safety talks, monitoring and reporting.

The CEMP will include the designation contact with responsibility for 11.2.3communication with local residents, businesses and other identified stakeholders. They will also set out requirements for setting up and advertising a dedicated helpline contact to enable local people to report issues whenever they arise.

Installations will be carried out and overseen by specialist companies to ensure 11.2.4they are undertaken in a safe way and to the correct standard.

The gas pipeline will be constructed in compliance with the Institute of Gas 11.2.5Engineers Recommendations. The design, choice of materials and construction of the gas pipeline will need to ensure its integrity if potentially corrosive chemicals are found in the soil. In addition, to avoid any impacts from ground


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subsidence (for instance in association with former coalmining use) the design of the gas pipeline will incorporate Performance Limits that are over and above those specified in the IGE Pipeline Design Standards for stress limits. The pipeline will also be of an appropriate pipeline wall thickness, with a safety separation between buildings and the pipeline to ensure operation safety.

Crime

The potential for crime at the site will be managed during the construction 11.2.6period through the erection of hoardings and suitable night time monitoring of the site. Consultation with the local police authority and Crime and Safety Partnership will take place to ensure the site is managed during construction to meet their expectations.

A designated contact will be provided for people to report any concerns they 11.2.7have during construction, at any time.

The perimeter of each phase of the construction site will be secured and the 11.2.8developer / contractor will take precautions to ensure there is no unauthorised access to the site.

Community Liaison

There is a commitment to establishing a community liaison group to maintain a 11.2.9dialogue with the location community on the project.

Through the CEMP liaison arrangements will be set up with local residents and 11.2.10businesses to keep people informed of the construction programme, progress and any abnormal activities. Furthermore, a point of contact will be provided for people to report any concerns they have during the construction phase, at any time.

Construction Worker Recruitment and the Local Economy

Socio-economic mitigation could also involve working with education providers 11.2.11to match operational employment opportunities with local residents. Procurement on-site could make the best use of local businesses; this could include local materials as well as site services such welfare service and catering.

The Project presents an opportunity to improve skills in the local resident 11.2.12population in general and specialist construction skills related to the energy sector. A partnership approach between the Project team and local training providers, such as local colleges and adult education institutes, could help support vocational construction training. Training should be linked to paid jobs and would help to improve local people’s short, medium to long term employability


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This would help lower the area’s unemployment rate and improve productivity 11.2.13and competitiveness

Construction Traffic Management

The Construction and Environmental Management Plans or dedicated 11.2.14Construction Transport Management Plans should detail the construction traffic routes used and have a traffic timing plan, in consultation with the local authority, so that construction traffic avoids peak times on the key routes. This could also consolidate loads to reduce large numbers of small load trips and put in place specific consultation to discuss and plan the movement of very large loads, such as the delivery of turbines. There will also be a strategy in place to ensure traffic avoids passing through the Air Quality Management Area in Aberdare. Local people should be made aware of the plan so that they can be proactive in avoiding those routes and those times when possible. It will be important to ensure that local people are updated as the plan changes.

Positive measures should be taken to reduce the number of heavy construction 11.2.15vehicles entering and exiting the site such as maximising the reuse of demolition material where possible.

The Project should provide information and guidance on walking, cycling and 11.2.16public transport options to access the site, in addition to car sharing. This helps secure equitable access to work and has the potential of health benefits for those who manage to increase walking or cycling activity.

Air Quality

Site specific CEMP will be developed as a condition of the granting of the DCO. 11.2.17It will include measures in relation to construction related traffic, noise, dust and materials handling and would include provisions for on-site safety.

The CEMP will include a comprehensive dust suppression/mitigation and 11.2.18monitoring programme, based on ‘The Control of Dust and Emissions from Construction and Demolition – Best Practice Guidance’ (Greater London Authority, 2006).

Construction equipment will be located away from the Project site boundary and 11.2.19towards the centre of the site. Guidance will be in place to switch off equipment when not in use. Low emission equipment will be sourced where feasible.

Ground Conditions

CEMP measures will be implemented that will ensure that working on site 11.2.20avoids risks of contamination and migration of pollutants. This will include avoid risks of construction causing additional contamination, through careful storage of materials, chemicals and fuel.

Working practices will follow industry best practice documents: 11.2.21


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� Protection of Workers and the General Public during the development of Contaminated Sites (HSE, 1991) and;

� A Guide to Safe Working on Contaminated Sites, R132 (CIRIA, 1996). Further intrusive investigation of contamination and geotechnical conditions at 11.2.22the Project site prior to construction will inform any remediation strategy needed at the site. It has been agreed with RCTCBC that one requirement for the granting of a DCO would be to undertake detailed investigation and remediation of the site.

Water Quality

Water used during the construction and demolition works will be brought in by 11.2.23tanker, and no abstraction will be required. Waste water will be disposed of a method agreed with Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

Impacts of the development on water quality and resource use take into account 11.2.24mitigation measures that are either embedded in the design or will be implemented during construction and operation phases. The key mitigation will be the preparation and implementation of a CEMP. Other mitigation will be:

� Gas pipeline construction techniques will be used to protect the integrity of these routes to ensure that no potential pollutant pathways are opened up which could impact on the field drains

� Industry standard methods to ensure the impacts from construction/demolition and operation to be managed through a, including: measures to avoid leachate and accidental spillage through the all storage of chemicals/petrol/oil in areas surrounded by an impermeable bund of 110% of the storage tank capacity.

� Using the British Standard for Earthworks BS6031 for site earthworks during construction.

� Guidelines on gas and electrical connection construction and trenching.

Lighting

Construction hours will be agreed with the RCTCBC are unlikely to exceed core 11.2.25working hours. There is in the winter period these core hours will extend to pre-dawn and post-dusk requiring lighting. In order to help reduce disturbance effects to residents, lighting will be designed to only light the site and avoid spill onto the wider landscape or to the sky.

High intensity lighting needed for construction work will not be switched on 11.2.26overnight under general working practices. However, should this be required for particular construction activities (e.g. abnormal loads being bought to the site overnight to avoid travel in peak times) this can be agreed with RCTCBC as part of construction management plan.


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The named community liaison representative will be available should residents 11.2.27or business wish to raise concerns over lighting and if it is causing disturbance or adversely impacting sleep.

Noise

To help reduce noise from construction and demolition, the following mitigation 11.2.28measures will be implemented:

� Work in accordance with the recommendations of BS5228; � Contractors to work to an agreed CEMP to include communicating with

local residents about activities and a point of contact for complaints; � Working within the core working hours agreed with RCTCBC any

additional working will be agreed in writing; � All vehicles will have exhaust silencers fitted and low noise plant or noise

shielding will be used where feasible; and � Low noise plant will be used where feasible and plant (e.g. generators) will

be positioned to minimise noise disturbance (e.g. towards the centre of the Project site) and where necessary temporary barriers or enclosures will be used.

A requirement as part of the DCO will be the control of noise levels at 11.2.29residential locations and the monitoring of noise levels at these locations during the construction/demolition phase.

11.3 Operation

Employment and the Local Economy

Where possible during operation procurement and employment should be 11.3.1drawn from the local economy.

Labour could be sourced from the local area. The Project’s presents an 11.3.2opportunity to train local people to work in the Power Generation Plant. This would help lower the area’s unemployment rate and improve productivity and competitiveness.

A partnership approach between the Project team and local training providers, 11.3.3such as local colleges and adult education institutes, could help support training activities, depending on the type of job available at the site.

Health and Safety

There will be systems, staff and procedures in place to manage health and 11.3.4safety risk at the site. All staff will be equipped with the PPE equipment and will be well trained in the operation of the Project. Vigorous Standard Operating Procedures and reporting will be put in place and an Emergency Plan will be


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developed in consultation with the local authority and local and regional emergency services. Furthermore, the site will operate with proven technology and have relevant safety accreditation.

Full control and alarm systems would be installed so that the plant can be 11.3.5operated from the central control room via the distributed control system (DCS). In the event of a fault in the gas turbine generator(s) or other major plant items, the Power Generation Plant would shut down automatically in a controlled manner. The gas pipeline will have its own monitoring systems and emergency shut off systems. In such instances an engineer would attend site. The Power Generation Plant would not start up again until the issue had been resolved.

There will also be a dedicated water tank and equipment for firefighting in case 11.3.6of emergency. Liaison with the emergency services has been part of the plan preparation process and will continue through delivery and operational phases.

Periodic maintenance would be carried out on the Power Generation Plant 11.3.7approximately once every 6 months to maintain safe running.

A full HSE assessment would be completed post submission of the DCO 11.3.8application. This will demonstrate how the Project is compliant with all relevant legislation and good practice principles.

There will be a point of contact provided for local residents and business should 11.3.9they be concerned about the Project at any time.

Crime and Safety

Consultation should take place with the local police authority and Crime and 11.3.10Safety Partnership to assess the needs and best ways of meeting the needs of the local area to prevent crime and enhance safety to meet their expectations.

The Project includes security infrastructure: including cameras, perimeter 11.3.11fencing and a gatehouse to provide safety and security and restrict and log site attendance and visitors.

Community Liaison

There is a commitment to establishing a community liaison group to maintain a 11.3.12dialogue with the location community on the project. A point of contact will be provided for people to report any concerns they have during the construction phase, at any time. Similarly, contacts at the Project site will keep local businesses and residents informed of any abnormal operations schedule, such as maintenance that have the potential to affect them.

Air Quality

Stack height modelling has shown the greatest benefits for emissions dispersal 11.3.13is at between 30m and 35m and therefore the DCO will set a condition for the


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stacks to be within the stated range. Furthermore, NOx emission control is part of the embedded technology of the stack design and has been taken into account in the modelling for the EIA. This technology will be maintained as part of a regular maintenance schedule of the plant to ensure they remain in full working order.

The Project will require a permit to operate and monitoring the performance of 11.3.14the plant against the permit conditions will be the responsibility of NRW. The performance of the emissions control will require testing of stack emissions throughout the operation phase.

Even though transport impacts of the operation of the Project will be minimal a 11.3.15Travel Plan will be implemented to further reduce this, identifying ways to have a greater proportion of the workforce travelling to the site by sustainable travel modes.

Noise

High performance acoustic enclosures will be considered for all plant items 11.3.16where practicable, to include smaller plant items such as compressors and pumps. Other mitigation will include:

� Noise limits will be agreed with RCTCBC; � Detailed design to help mitigate noise through layout and orientation of

plant; � Continual noise monitoring following commissioning of the new plant,

agreed with RCTCBC and implemented at regular intervals; � Inherently quiet plant chosen where practicable; � Maintenance of plant to avoid any abnormal noise impacts; � Where abnormal operations may lead to noise levels being breached (e.g.

equipment malfunction) the operator will inform RCTCBC and residents on the reason and how long it may last; and

� Additional shielding, noise barriers or other appropriate measures will be implemented as appropriate in discussion with RCTCBC; and

� High performance acoustic enclosures will be considered for all plant items where practicable, not overlooking smaller plant items such as compressors and pumps.

Contamination – Water and Ground

It is not anticipated that surface water drainage will require specialist treatment. 11.3.17Surface water drainage will be uncontaminated and typical of surface water runoff from areas of hard standing and roads. Before reaching the main sewerage network the runoff will pass through oil interceptors / filters.


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Feasibility and design of any sustainable drainage systems will be agreed in advance with NRW through a requirement in the DCO.

The storage of materials on site will need to ensure it complies with 11.3.18requirements to avoid risks of accidental leakage.

Waste generated by the Project will be treated and disposed of to licenced 11.3.19waste treatment facilities and waste disposal sites.

Lighting

Lighting design will ensure that light spillage and lights are directed into the site. 11.3.20If there are light complaints e.g. light shining directly into people’s homes then these will be investigated and specific mitigation put in place to ensure that this is mitigated.

Travel and Transport

A Travel Plan will be developed for the site to encourage employees make 11.3.21sustainable travel choices, using public transport, walking or cycling wherever possible.

There will be a point of contact provided for local residents and business should 11.3.22any of them be concerned about the development at any time.

Development Layout and Design

The location of the Power Generating Plant has been arranged to minimise the 11.3.23visual impacts and views from the Brecon Beacons National Park and from nearby homes. This takes advantage of the land form and screening from existing trees on the site.

Landscape elements are proposed, including new tree planting, to further 11.3.24screen the site.

It has always been the intention of the applicants to ensure the development is 11.3.25of a good design quality. Early involvement of an architect and engaging with the Design Commission for Wales has been used to maximise opportunities for good design. Specific measures will include cladding of the buildings to help it blend, as much as is reasonably possible, with the landscape.

Community Cohesion and Services

HPL will work with RCTCBC to establish how benefits can be realised for the 11.3.26community.


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12 Summary

12.1 Introduction

The HIA identifies the potential for the Project to have some effects on the 12.1.1determinants that can impact on health and wellbeing. However, the HIA does not identify any significant impacts that are likely to put people living or working at or near the site and high probability of harm.

Some of the risks are mitigated in part by the particularly characteristics of the 12.1.2Project, in that:

� The Power Generation Plant would operate as a power peaking plant only. Therefore, impacts once operational likely to be intermittent with the plant only operating for 1,500 hours a year (17% of the year). Furthermore, the plant will generally only operate 1-2 hours at a time.

� The Project site is on an existing employment area already occupied and surrounded by industrial development. The Project Site is allocated for retention of industrial development, or development for waste management use, so the Power Generation Project will not result in the loss of land that could be used for housing, community use or open space.

� The site is in an area characterised by industrial development, with only a few residential uses in close proximity and therefore the potential for direct health effects e.g. during construction, will be experienced by fewer people.

12.2 Construction

The development can influence skills attainment, particularly for local 12.2.1unemployed people and local construction workers who can gain experience and on-the-job training with the potential for employment-linked apprenticeship training schemes. The construction activities are also likely to help increase or protect jobs in construction-related suppliers and contractors.

Few people live in close proximity to the site, so the in-combination effects of 12.2.2construction noise, dust, air pollution, visual and traffic effects are likely to have only a minor adverse impact and experienced for short period during the construction phase of approximately 22 months.

During the construction phase there will be a temporary increase in cars and 12.2.3HGV on the road associated with the construction activities (e.g. HGV and construction workers cars/vans). The greatest traffic impacts of the Project are likely to come during the construction phase. There may be an adverse impact being likely on the A465 / Hirwaun Road / Brecon Road Roundabout, which during the peak time of construction and at during daily peak traffic flow the junction may operate over capacity and there may be queuing.


78

Queuing will in part be caused by construction traffic from the Project site, but 12.2.4primarily caused by new supermarkets operating in Hirwaun. The increased traffic during construction does have the potential to cause some temporary local air pollution effects, although there are houses in this area are set back from the road so any potential human health effects are reduced. More cars on the road may also create some disturbance to people living on these roads, potentially with impacts on wellbeing and people’s willingness to walk or cycle.

The visual impact of the development should not have an impact on the use of 12.2.5the Brecon Beacons National Park as the site, although visible, will be distant in the landscape and is already the site of built development and industry.

Construction effects can be mitigated through the development of a 12.2.6Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), which can specify air, dust and noise mitigation measures and a route strategy and timetable for major traffic movements. Secure storage and security measures should ensure no unauthorised access to the site. This would also prevent the risk of anyone gaining access to the site and getting injured or coming into contact with hazardous chemicals.

Communicating the CEMP with the local community is an essential part of 12.2.7minimising concern and anxiety as well as providing a point of contact should they have any concerns. There is a commitment to establishing a community liaison group to maintain a dialogue with the location community on the project.

12.3 Operation

During operation there is also the potential for some positive and some more 12.3.1negative effects on the health determinants. However, these impacts are quite minor and where impacts are experienced it may be to a limited number of people as the site is away from large areas of population.

The greatest beneficial effects are identified with regard to providing a small 12.3.2number of new permanent jobs, the potential for skills attainment and some jobs for the local communities. This will play a minor positive health and wellbeing impact by potentially helping to reduce unemployment in the area. The operation of the Project should also help support the local economy. The site is also accessible to local people by means other than private car, as it is under 30 minute walk from Hirwaun and Penywaun and is on a regular bus route that links all local communities. Therefore, the job opportunities in the Project are accessible to all local residents.

The Project will generate very few car trips during operation phases and this will 12.3.3be comparable with trips already made by current users of the site. Therefore, the air quality, noise, congestion and accident risk will be in line with existing baseline trends.


79

There will be changes to the living environment for some existing residents. 12.3.4There is likely to be some adverse effects on views from existing properties and footpaths. However, any adverse effect on mental wellbeing is likely to be small/minor.

The Project is only likely to give rise to a small change in the baseline noise on 12.3.5its own. However, a cumulative noise assessment does identify that there may be a minor deterioration of the noise environment at one residential receptor near the site (Tai Cwplau farm), when the noise of the Project is combined with the noise of the proposed Energy from Waste Plant (EfW). However, noise levels are still within the WHO standards (from a ‘good’ standard to a ‘moderate; standard. Furthermore, and the cumulative impact will be intermittent, only experienced when both the EfW and Project are in operation at the same time. Noise and air emission abatement are integral to the design of the scheme.

The type of development may give rise to some safety risks during the 12.3.6operation of the site. However, the Project will be designed and operated with systems, staff and procedures in place to manage health and safety risk at the site. This will include an Emergency Plan developed in consultation with the local authority and local and regional emergency services. Also, in the event of a fault the Power Generation Plant would shut down automatically in a controlled manner. An HSE assessment will be completed of the site post submission of the DCO application.


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13 References

� Kemm, J, (October 2007), More than a statement of the crushingly obvious: A critical guide to HIA, West Midlands Public health Observatory

� NHS Executive (2000), Resources for HIA: Volumes 1 & 2; England; NHS � Peter Brett Associates (2009); Adapted from Dahlgren G and Whitehead,

(1991), Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health; Institute of Future Studies; Stockholm;

� Peter Brett Associates (PBA), (2009), Comprehensive Health Assessment Toolbox (CHAT), PBA

� Public Health Wales Observatory (2011) Measuring inequalities: Trends in mortality and life expectancy in Cwm Taf

� Public Health Wales Observatory (2011) 2011 Census: A snapshot of key health, employment and qualification indicators: Cwm Taf Health Board

� Wales Health Impact Assessment Unit (2012) Health Impact Assessment: A practical guide

� World Health Organization (WHO) European Centre for Health Policy, (1999), Health impact assessment: main concepts and suggested approach, Gothenburg consensus paper; WHO Regional Office for Europe.

� World Health Organization (WHO), (1946); Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June 1946, and entered into force on 7 April 1948, WHO

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Appendix A Site Plan

Queen Victoria House

Redland Hill, RedlandBristol BS6 6US

Tel: 44-(0)117-9339300

Fax: 44-(0)117-9339350

Client:

Site/Project:

Title:

Drawn:

Designed:

Date:

Checked:

Approved:

Scale: A1 Sheet:

Project Number: Drawing Number: Revision:

© Copyright Parsons Brinckerhoff

Rev Date Description By Chk App

Hirwaun Statement

Project Site

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CS MW

07/03/2014 1:2,500

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licensed from Ordnance Survey ®.

© Crown copyright and/or database right 2014.

License number 0100031673


Appendix B HIA Screening and Consultation Responses

J:\28777 Watt - Hirwaun Power Station SPV2 (CG)\Communication\Letters (Non Fee Related)\130911_HIA Screening Note letter_NHS Wales.docx Registered Office: Caversham Bridge House, Waterman Place, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8DN. UK. T: +44 (0)118 950 0761 F: +44 (0)118 959 7498 Peter Brett Associates LLP is a limited liability partnership and is registered in England and Wales with registered number OC334398. A list of members’ names is open to inspection at our registered office. Brett Consulting Limited is wholly owned by Peter Brett Associates LLP. Registered number: 07765026. Roger Tym & Partners is part of Peter Brett Associates LLP. www.peterbrett.com

Your ref:

Our ref: 28777/CG/CT/LH 11 September 2013 Attn: Dear RE: Hirwaun Power Project, Hirwaun Industrial Estate, Aberdare, South Wales – Health Impact Assessment Screening Note I am writing in connection to the above project, which constitutes a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008 and therefore an application for a development consent order (DCO) is proposed to be made to the Secretary of State. In response to comments received from NHS Wales and Public Health England in relation to the project during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping process we have undertaken a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) screening exercise. The HIA screening note enclosed with this letter sets out the results of this exercise. We would welcome your comments on the note and if possible would like to arrange a call with you to discuss the project and the note. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my colleague Colin Turnbull on the details above should you have any queries. Yours sincerely,

Laura Hawker Senior Environmental Planner For and on behalf of PETER BRETT ASSOCIATES LLP Enc : Health Impact Assessment Screening Note cc : Norman Campbell, Hirwaun Power Limited Dr Chris Leach, Parsons Brinkerhoff

Peter Brett Associates LLP 16 Brewhouse Yard Clerkenwell London EC1V 4LJ T: +44 (0)207 566 8600 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

TECHNICAL NOTE

J:\28777 Watt - Hirwaun Power Station SPV2 (CG)\Reports\Environment\Final Complete\130911 Hirwaun HIA Screening technical note_FINAL.docx Page 1 of 4

Job Name: Hirwaun Power Project

Job No: 28777

Note No: 1

Date: 11th September 2013

Prepared By: Laura Hawker

Subject: Health Impact Assessment Screening

Purpose This note sets out the project information in relation to the Hirwaun Power Project (HPP), as well as the Scoping Opinions received in relation to health, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scope and the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) screening exercise that has been undertaken. It is intended as a discussion piece for stakeholders, principally NHS Wales and Public Health England. The Project Hirwaun Power Limited (HPL) is promoting a new thermal generating station on land at the Hirwaun Industrial Estate, in Aberdare, Mid-Glamorgan, South Wales. The three main elements of the HPP are:

• The Power Generation Plant, a gas fired power generating station capable of providing up to 299 MWe;

• A new electrical connection (referred to as the ‘Electrical Connection’) to export power from the Power Generation Plant to the National Grid; and

• A new gas pipeline connection (referred to as the ‘Gas Connection’) to bring natural gas to the Power Generation Plant from the National Transmission System (NTS).

The power generation plant is designed to provide back-up ‘peaking’ generation capacity which can operate flexibly to respond quickly and efficiently to both short-term variation in customer demand and intermittent output from renewable power generation. It is anticipated that it will operate for no more than 1500 hours per year. The HPP constitutes a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the terms of the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008) and therefore an application for a development consent order (DCO) is to be made to the Secretary of State (SoS).

DOCUMENT ISSUE RECORD Technical Note No Rev Date Prepared Checked Reviewed

(Discipline Lead) Approved

(Project Director) 28777/001/TN001 -

11.09.13 LH LH CT

Peter Brett Associates LLP disclaims any responsibility to the Client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of this report. This report has been prepared with reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of the Contract with the Client and generally in accordance with the appropriate ACE Agreement and taking account of the manpower, resources, investigations and testing devoted to it by agreement with the Client. This report is confidential to the Client and Peter Brett Associates LLP accepts no responsibility of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report or any part thereof is made known. Any such party relies upon the report at their own risk. © Peter Brett Associates LLP 2013 Peter Brett Associates LLP 16 Brewhouse Yard, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 4LJ T: +44 (0)207 566 8600 E: [email protected]

TECHNICAL NOTE


Scoping Opinions The Hirwaun Power Project Scoping Report was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) on 31st May 2013. A Scoping Opinion was received on 10th July 2013. The PINS Scoping Opinion notes that the ES should consider the potential inter-relationships between impacts such as air quality and health. It also draws attention to the Public Health England (PHE) scoping response received. The PINS Scoping Opinion states that the SoS considers that it is for the applicant to decide whether or not to submit a stand-alone Health Impact Assessment (HIA) The PHE response highlighted the Welsh Government best practice requirement for HIA and recommended that the DCO be accompanied by a HIA. PHE also note that they will only consider information on public health contained within a separate section of the Environmental Statement (ES) and that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should consider the effects on human and environmental receptors. The annex to the PHE response also highlights the methodology for undertaking Health Risk Assessments. In NHS Wales’ response to the Scoping Report, which was included as a late response to the PINS Scoping Opinion, they also highlighted that the Welsh Government considers HIA a best practice requirement and advised that the DCO should be accompanied by a HIA. Environmental Impact Assessment The DCO application will be accompanied by an ES documenting the findings of the EIA. The Scoping Report set out the proposed topics, assessment methodology and likely significant effects. The scope and content of the EIA has been reviewed in light of Scoping Opinion comments and design development. The following topics are proposed:

• Air Quality • Noise and Vibration • Ecology • Water Resources • Geology, Ground Conditions and Land Use • Landscape and Visual • Waste Management • Traffic, Transport and Access • Cultural Heritage and Archaeology • Socio-economics • Waste Management and Public Health • Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) • Cumulative Assessment

The socio-economics assessment will provide an assessment of the potential significant socio-economic, tourism and recreation and community effects that could occur as a result of the project. This includes the potential adverse effects upon the local tourism economy, business interests and tourism interests, and the potential beneficial effects on the local economy in terms of income and job creation. The Waste Management and Public Health assessment is intended to assess the potential significant public health impacts of the project. It will draw on the air quality; noise and vibration; water resources; and geology, ground conditions and land use assessments in the EIA, as well as looking at the potential impacts from waste. The aim of the assessment is not to re-assess these impacts, but rather to draw out specific instances where impacts might be detrimental to human health.

TECHNICAL NOTE


The EMF assessment will only be applicable if an overground electrical connection is selected. Health Impact Assessment Environmental factors, such as air quality, and social and economic factors, such as employment, play an important role in determining health. Health and wellbeing is not just the absence of disease. HIA evaluates and weights such differing factors according to local conditions to understand how health may be significantly affected by projects or plans. For example, employment is a particularly important determinant and can contribute significantly to health inequalities. HIA is a different process to Health Risk Assessment. The comments received from NHS Wales and Public Health England during the EIA Scoping process state that assessments should be proportionate to the potential impacts of the proposal. Thus a HIA screening exercise has been carried out to understand the potential health impacts arising from the project and how any effects may already be considered as part of the EIA process. The results of the screening exercise are shown in Table 1 below. The location, surroundings and nature of the development have been considered in this exercise alongside the available environmental information.

Table 1 – Hirwaun Power Station Health Impact Assessment Screening Table

Determinants Construction Operation

Social capital and cohesion

The Socio-economics assessment in the EIA will consider the social impacts of the project.

As for construction.

Health and social care services

The Socio-economics assessment in the EIA will consider the impacts on community infrastructure, including GPs and hospitals, as part of the potential social impacts of the project.

Unlikely to be applicable

Education The Socio-economics assessment in the EIA will consider the impacts on community infrastructure, including schools, as part of the potential social impacts of the project.


Employment and access to work

The Socio-economics assessment in the EIA will consider the direct and indirect employment generated by the project as well as induced and multiplier effects. This will quantify the number of jobs likely to be generated. The assessment will also consider the potential labour market effects in terms of skills, occupations, and likely training needs and local opportunities.


Leisure, recreation and culture

An assessment of impacts on tourism will be undertaken as part of the socio-economic assessment.


Opportunities for physical activity

Unlikely to be applicable Unlikely to be applicable

Accessibility and transport

This will be considered in the Traffic, Transport and Access assessment in the EIA, which will consider potential environmental effects on traffic flows, delay, road safety, intimidation and fear, severance and pedestrian amenity for all modes of transport.


TECHNICAL NOTE


Determinants Construction Operation

Housing standards The socio-economics assessment will consider potential temporary effects on accommodation availability from the workforce.


Crime reduction and community services

A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be implemented during construction. The Socio-economics assessment in the EIA will consider the impacts on community infrastructure, including local authority services such as the police, as part of the potential social impacts of the project.


Access to healthy food

Unlikely to be applicable Unlikely to be applicable

Air quality and contamination

The impacts on public health will be considered in the Waste and Health assessment in the EIA. This will draw on the Air Quality and Geology, Ground Condition and Land Use assessments.


Noise and neighbourhood amenity

The impacts on public health will be considered in the Waste and Health assessment in the EIA. This will draw on the Noise and Vibration assessments.


Adaptation to climate change.

Unlikely to be applicable Considered in the Water Resources assessment in the EIA and the Design and Access Statement.

Additional potential outcomes Construction Operation

Infectious diseases This would be managed via the contractor’s Health and Safety practices.


Accidents, poisoning and physical injury

A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be implemented during construction. Impacts from contamination and water quality will be considered in the in the Waste and Health assessment in the EIA. This will draw on the Geology, Ground Condition and Land Use, and Water Resources assessments.

Considered in relation to road traffic accidents in the Traffic, Transport and Access assessment in the EIA.

Conclusions The screening exercise has demonstrated that where health impacts are expected they are considered within the existing EIA scope and other DCO documentation. It is therefore not considered proportionate to prepare a standalone HIA for the project.

CRCE/NSIP Consultations Chilton Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ

T +44 (0) 1235 825278 F +44 (0) 1235 822614 www.gov.uk/phe

Peter Brett Associates 16 Brewhouse Yard Clerkenwell Your Ref: 28777/CG/CT/LH London EC1V 4LJ Our Ref: 130912 259 F.A.O. Laura Hawker 23rd October 2013 Dear Laura, Hirwaun Power Project, Hirwaun Industrial Estate, Aberdare, South Wales Health Impact Assessment Screening Note Thank you for your letter regarding the above. The following comments are provided on behalf of Public Health England (PHE). PHE notes that you have reviewed the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the light of previous comments from PHE and NHS Wales and that you have undertaken a screening assessment in order to determine if a separate Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is required. Your conclusion that a separate HIA would be disproportionate and unnecessary is noted and we accept that there is no legal requirement for a separate HIA. However, PHE considers it good practice to add a separate section to the application summarising all the assessments already carried out highlighting the potential impacts on the public’s health and proposed mitigation measures. If you require any additional advice or explanation please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely

Allister Gittins Environmental Public Health Scientist [email protected] Please mark any correspondence for the attention of National Infrastructure Planning Administration.


Appendix C HIA Scoping Report, Consultation Responses and

On behalf of Hirwaun Power Limited

Project Ref: 28777/006 | Date: December 2013

Office Address: 10 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4NT T: +44 (0)117 928 1560 F: +44 (0)117 928 1570 E: [email protected]

Hirwaun Power Health Impact Assessment Scoping Report


J:\28777 Hirwaun\Technical\HIA2\Reporting\Main Report\Appendix\Appendix C HIA Scoping and Response\Hirwaun HIA Scoping 051213.docx

ii

Document Control Sheet

Project Name: Hirwaun Power

Project Ref: 27888/006

Report Title: Health Impact Assessment Scoping Report

Doc Ref: A

Date: December 2013

Name Position Signature Date

Prepared by: Cicely Postan Principal CP 02/12/13

Reviewed by: John Baker Partner JB 03/12/13

Approved by: John Baker Partner JB 03/12/13

For and on behalf of Peter Brett Associates LLP

Peter Brett Associates LLP disclaims any responsibility to the Client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of this report. This report has been prepared with reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of the Contract with the Client and generally in accordance with the appropriate ACE Agreement and taking account of the manpower, resources, investigations and testing devoted to it by agreement with the Client. This report is confidential to the Client and Peter Brett Associates LLP accepts no responsibility of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report or any part thereof is made known. Any such party relies upon the report at their own risk.

© Peter Brett Associates LLP 2013



iii

Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Overview of the project .................................................................................................. 1

1.2 The Health Impact Assessment .................................................................................... 1

1.3 Health Impact Assessment Screening .......................................................................... 2

1.4 Your feedback ............................................................................................................... 3

2 Health Impact Assessment Ethos and Approach .................................................................... 4

2.1 Background ................................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Defining health ............................................................................................................... 4

3 The proposed development ....................................................................................................... 6

3.1 Site and Surrounding Area ............................................................................................ 6

3.2 Power Generation Technology ...................................................................................... 7

3.3 Gas Connection ............................................................................................................. 7

3.4 Electrical Connection ..................................................................................................... 8

3.5 Reason for the Project and Site Selection .................................................................... 8

3.6 Health Profile ................................................................................................................. 9

4 Health Impact Assessment Methodology ............................................................................... 11

4.1 Approach ..................................................................................................................... 11

4.2 Geographical Scope .................................................................................................... 11

4.3 Technical Scope .......................................................................................................... 12

4.4 Assessment of Effects ................................................................................................. 13

4.5 Consultation and Participation ..................................................................................... 13

4.6 Outcome ...................................................................................................................... 15

5 References ................................................................................................................................. 16

Appendices

Appendix A HIA Screening and Responses Appendix B Public Engagement Summary



iv



1

1 Introduction

1.1 Overview of the project

1.1.1 Hirwaun Power Limited (HPL) is promoting the development of a new gas-fired electricity generation project at Hirwaun Industrial Estate near Aberdare, South Wales. This is known as the Hirwaun Power Project (referred to here as the Project).

1.1.2 The Project comprises of three main elements:

a. A new gas fired power generating station (referred to as the Power Generation Plant), designed to provide an electrical output of up to 299 Megawatts (MW), to operate as a gas ‘peaking’ plant;

b. A new electrical connection (referred to as the Electrical Connection), which will export electricity from the Power Generation Plant to the National Grid substation at Rhigos for distribution to homes and businesses; and

c. A new gas connection (referred to as the Gas Connection), which will transport natural gas from the Gas National Transmission System to the Power Generation Plant for use as fuel, together with all access requirements.

1.1.3 The Power Generation Plant is designed to provide back-up ‘peaking’ generation capacity which can operate flexibly to respond quickly and efficiently to both short-term variation in customer demand and intermittent output from renewable power generation. It is anticipated that it will operate for no more than 1500 hours per year (approximately 17% of the year).

1.1.4 The Power Generation Plant, together with the integral Electrical Connection and Gas Connection constitutes a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the terms of the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008). Therefore, an application for a development consent order (DCO) is to be made to the Secretary of State (SoS).

1.1.5 The proposed DCO Application will be processed and examined by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) who will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on whether the DCO should be granted and in what terms. The final decision on the proposed DCO Application is made by the SoS.

1.1.6 The project will also be subject to full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as part of the DCO application. This will include technical assessments of effects relating to air quality, noise and transport, as well as consideration of the socio-economic effects of development. Information on the project can be found at www.hirwaunpower.co.uk

1.2 The Health Impact Assessment

1.2.1 Peter Brett Associates LLP (PBA) has been commissioned by HPL to undertake a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Project.

1.2.2 This document sets out the methodology and the scope for the HIA and the key aspects of the Project that will be assessed for consultation with key stakeholders.

1.2.3 The purpose of the HIA will be to consider how the Project will have an effect on the key factors that can influence people’s health and wellbeing and to suggest ways in which



2

negative health impacts can be mitigated and positive health impacts enhanced, see section 2. The HIA will draw on the methods as set out in the Health Impact Assessment: A Practical Guide (Wales HIA Support Unit, 2012).

1.2.4 PBA propose to produce a standalone HIA report to ensure that the health effects of the Project are clearly articulated in a clear and concise way. The final HIA report will draw on other technical assessments prepared as part of the DCO application as necessary, but avoiding duplication.

1.3 Health Impact Assessment Screening

1.3.1 HIA is being completed for the Project following comments received at EIA scoping in May 2013. The EIA Scoping Opinion issued by the Planning Inspectorate states: “The SoS considers that it is a matter for the Applicant to decide whether or not to submit a stand-alone Health Impact Assessment (HIA)”. As part of the scoping response PINS consulted Public Health Wales and a response was received from NHS Wales and Public Health England, who share a common methodology. Respondents highlighted the Welsh Government best practice requirement for HIA, recommending an HIA be completed as part of the application. Their responses also identified the importance of ensuring HIA is proportionate to the potential impacts of the Project.

1.3.2 In response to these comments at EIA scoping an HIA Screening exercise was undertaken in September 2013. A technical HIA Screening note was issued to Public Health England and NHS Wales. Responses were received from Public Health England and Cwm Taf Health Board (representing NHS Wales who consulted Public Health Wales). The note gave details of the project and identified how health issues were being considered as part of the EIA. The note included confirmation that a ‘Waste Management and Public Heath’ chapter would form part of the EIA Environmental Statement. This chapter would ensure health issues were drawn together into one section, covering air quality, noise, vibration, water, geology, ground condition and land use assessments. Therefore, identifying possible human health impacts at one location in the Environmental Statement.

1.3.3 The screening note included a table of all potential health determinants to identify those that are relevant to the Project and for those that are, how they would already be addressed in the DCO application or as part of the EIA. For instance through technical assessments of effects relating to transport, air, noise, ground or socio-economic issues. The screening note concluded:

“The screening exercise has demonstrated that where health impacts are expected they are considered within the EIA scope and other DCO documentation. It is therefore not considered proportionate to prepare a standalone HIA for the project’.

1.3.4 In response to this Public Health England and NHS Wales (Cwm Taf Health Board) identified that although there is no legal requirement for HIA, they consider it good practice to undertake a standalone HIA, and the screening conclusion should be reconsidered. However, no further elaboration was given on the benefits that a standalone HIA would give to the Project. For instance particular areas of concern the HIA should address or the health determinants that must be considered as part of the assessment. Appendix A shows the HIA screening note and responses received.



3

1.3.5 To follow recommended good practice, HPL have made the decision to prepare a standalone HIA report.

1.4 Your feedback

1.4.1 At this stage, PBA request your input into our proposed method for HIA. We are requesting your feedback on:

� the sources of baseline information that the HIA should take into account in establishing the ‘Health Profile’ for the area;

� identification of relevant local objectives, plans and strategies for health in the Cwm Taf Health Board Area;

� the suitability of the determinants of health we have identified and if there are any others that should be included;

� the technical scope of our work and the topics we propose to cover; and

� our methodology for the HIA and any other issues.

1.4.2 The feedback we receive at this stage will be incorporated into the full HIA of the proposed development and to ensure this can happen we would appreciate your response by 20th December 2013, we cannot guarantee that responses received after this date can be considered.

1.4.3 Please send your response to:

Cicely Postan

Peter Brett Associations

10 Queen Square

Bristol

BS1 4NT

Tel: 0117 9281560

Email: [email protected]



4

2 Health Impact Assessment Ethos and Approach

2.1 Background

2.1.1 The international Gothenburg consensus definition of health impact assessment (HIA) is: “A combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a policy, programme or project may be judged as to its potential effects on the health of a population, and the distribution of those effects within the population” (World Health Organisation (WHO), 1999).

2.1.2 HIA is a systematic approach to identifying the differential health and wellbeing impacts, both positive and negative, of a project.

2.1.3 HIA uses a range of structured and evaluated sources of qualitative and quantitative evidence that includes public and other stakeholders' perceptions and experiences as well as public health, epidemiological, toxicological and medical knowledge. The approach is particularly concerned with the distribution of effects within a population, as different groups are likely to be affected in different ways, and therefore how health and social inequalities might be reduced or widened by particular proposals, in this case the Hirwaun Power Project.

2.1.4 The HIA will provide an analysis of the potential impacts of the proposed development as well as recommending options, where appropriate, for enhancing the positive impacts, mitigating the negative ones and reducing health inequalities. It also considers some of the direct risks of development related to pollution impacts and safety. However, it will cross reference to relevant detailed environmental information in the Environmental Statement, the environmental permit regime and Construction Environmental Management Plan.

2.2 Defining health

2.2.1 HIA uses both a biomedical and social definition of health, recognising that although illness and disease (mortality and morbidity) are useful ways of understanding and measuring health they need to be fitted within a broader understanding of health and wellbeing to be properly useful (See Figure 1).

2.2.2 This definition builds on and is complementary to the longer established World Health Organisation (WHO) definition that “Health is a state of complete physical, social and mental wellbeing and not simply the absence of disease or infirmity,” (1946).

2.2.3 The HIA will draw on the basic stages of the HIA methodology as set out in the Wales HIA Support Unit ‘Health Impact Assessment: A practical guide’ (2012).



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Figure 1 - The determinants of health and wellbeing (Peter Brett Associates, adapted from Dahlgren & Whitehead, 1991)



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3 The proposed development

3.1 Site and Surrounding Area

3.1.1 The overall project site can be seen in Figure 2. The site is within the administrative boundary of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, which is within the Cwm Taf Health Board area.

3.1.2 The Power Generation Plant site is located approximately 1.4 km west of the village of Hirwaun to the south of the A465. The site is entirely within the Hirwaun Industrial Estate and covers an area of approximately 7.5 ha. Currently a vacant warehouse building covers a large proportion of the proposed site, which also contains scrub, grassland and plantation woodland.

3.1.3 Access to the Power Generation Plant site is currently via Main Avenue and Fourth Avenue which run through the Hirwaun Industrial Estate.

3.1.4 The boundary shown in Figure 2 is that consulted on under sections 42 and 47 of the Planning Act 2008 in October and November 2013. The final boundary of the Project will alter once the preferred Electricity and Gas Connection routes are identified (see sections 3.3 and 3.4).

Figure 2: Site Location Plan (site shown in red)

3.1.5 Surrounding land uses are a mixture of urban, semi-suburban and rural communities situated in mountains and lowland farmland.

3.1.6 The closest villages to the site are:

� Rhigos (1.3km to the south west);

� Hirwaun (1.4km to the east);



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� Pen-y-Waun (2.1km to the east); and

� Aberdare (5km to the east).

3.1.7 There are also other areas of housing and isolated residential development near the site. This includes properties on Halt Road and Halt Close to the west, as well as properties off Rhigos Road to the south of the site, including a residential care home. The closest residential receptor to the Project Site is along Rhigos Road, approximately 150m to the south of the site, but separated from it by industrial units, landform and vegetation.

3.1.8 There will also be continuing commercial and industrial uses on the employment sites adjacent to the Power Generation Plant site, most of these are low density.

3.1.9 The Power Generation Plant site is approximately 500m to the south of a proposed Energy from Waste plant ‘Enviroparks’ that has already gained planning consent to process up to 240,000 tonnes of waste a year by 2016, although it has yet to be built.

3.2 Power Generation Technology

3.2.1 The Power Generation Plant is proposed to operate as a peaking plant, and is expected to be able to provide a total output of up to 299 MW, roughly enough to power 400,000 homes.

3.2.2 The proposed plant will be able to generate electricity using gas turbine generators where gas is compressed, heated in a combustion chamber and allowed to expand to drive blades in the turbine which subsequently produces electricity.

3.2.3 Inherent in the design of the scheme are measures to reduce the effects of the development, including an exhaust silencer, used to reduce noise pollution emitted from the turbines.

3.2.4 Waste gases and heat produced from this process will be released to the atmosphere via stacks which will be equipped with emissions control technologies in order to reduce emissions released to the atmosphere. Gas turbines are a relatively clean form of power generation.

3.3 Gas Connection

3.3.1 A new underground gas pipeline is required to connect the Power Generation Plant to the existing nearby Gas National Transmission System to provide a reliable supply of fuel.

3.3.2 Currently two route connection options are being considered. Both routes travel in a southerly direction from the Power Generation Plant Site and both connect with the Gas National Transmission System east of A4061.

3.3.3 One option is the shorter than the other at 1.1km. This route would travel across agricultural land and passes in close proximity to an existing dwelling. The second option is longer, at 1.25 km, it more closely tracks the route of existing A4061 road, then continues along Fifth Avenue before connecting with the Gas Transmission System.



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3.4 Electrical Connection

3.4.1 Integral to the scheme is the provision of a new electrical connection in order to transfer electricity generated by the plant to the National Grid. Again, two options are being considered, both of which would be entirely in Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough. The first involves a connection of approximately 250m consisting of a 400kV overhead line. A maximum of 3 pylons would be needed to support this each approximately 35m in height. The second involves a 400kVw underground cable along Main Avenue and Fourteenth Avenue. Both routes are in the existing industrial estate and would not affect residential properties.

3.5 Reason for the Project and Site Selection

3.5.1 National planning policy supports the need for new power generation infrastructure due to the inevitable closure of older coal fired power plants, and the likely increase in demand for electricity over the coming decades.

3.5.2 The Government’s policies in relation to NSIPs are set out in National Policy Statements (NPS). NPS EN-1 (the Overarching Energy NPS) states that “gas will continue to play an important role in the electricity sector – providing vital flexibility to support an increasing amount of low-carbon generation and to maintain security of supply” (paragraph3.6.2).

3.5.3 Gas peaking stations, such as the proposed Project, are essential to provide back-up power to support generation from renewable sources. For instance, wind power is an increasingly prevalent energy source, but it is intermittent. There is also a lack of thermal peaking capacity in the UK. Therefore, there is a clear requirement for further in gas peaking capacity to meet the projected need for reactive/flexible generation. A dedicated gas fired peaking plant at the Hirwaun Industrial Estate could allow for the rapid provision of reserve capacity to the National Grid, thus playing a role in meeting the UK energy requirements.

3.5.4 The site was selected following a detailed feasibility assessment considering a range of sites around the UK to support power generation plants of this nature. The key factors considered necessary were for a site to be technically, environmentally, economically suitable and in line with local designations. For these reasons the site was considered suitable, characteristics of the site are it is:

� in close proximity to the gas national transmission system and a suitable electrical substation with spare capacity;

� within an existing industrial estate surrounded by similar industrial developments including steel clad warehouses and a proposed Energy from Waste plant;

� currently covered in hardstanding / buildings so there is minimal potential to impact on the runoff rate / drainage regime, and is outside of areas at risk of flooding;

� served by a well-developed road network; and

� there is adequate space to develop the Project and integral infrastructure.



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3.6 Health Profile

3.6.1 As part of understanding the area we will draw on existing health data collated by Public Health Wales Observatory and information from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The site is in an area of relatively high deprivation, with areas in and around Hirwaun some of the most deprived in the Rhondda Cynon Taf local authority area, see Figure 3.

Figure 3: Local authority fifths of deprivation, Rhondda Cynon Taf (source: Measuring inequalities: Trends in mortality and life expectancy in Cwm Taf, Public Health Wales Observatory)

3.6.2 Figure 3 is based on the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2008, with the 2011 data yet to be mapped. However, it is evident from the 2011 data that nearby residential areas are still experiencing high levels of deprivation. For instance, all of Pen-y-Waun and parts of Hirwaun are ranked in the 10% most deprived wards in Wales for overall deprivation. For the health specific deprivation rank, all of Pen-y-Waun is ranked in the top 20% most deprived (with one area ranked the 8th most deprived in Wales), and parts of Hirwaun are also in the top 20% most deprived.

3.6.3 The 2011 census reports that for many of these communities that are experiencing high levels of deprivation their general health is also bad or very bad with the percentages well above the Wales average. Parts of Hirwaun and Pen-y-Waun also have higher than the Welsh average of people who report that their daily activities are limited a lot or a little by a long-term health problem or disability. The demographic characteristics of the local population taken from the 2011 census indicate that some parts of Pen-y-Waun and Hirwaun have a higher proportion of people over 64 than the Wales national average. However, on average the local population has a slightly younger age profile than the Wales average. Therefore, these higher levels of health deprivation are unlikely to be attributable only to an ageing population.



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3.6.4 Pen-y-Waun and parts of Hirwaun are identified as a Communities First cluster. These areas are designated due to particular disadvantage characteristics. The three strategic objectives for the Communities First programme are to achieve prosperous, learning and healthier communities.



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4 Health Impact Assessment Methodology

4.1 Approach

4.1.1 Preparation of the HIA has been completed in response to comments received from stakeholders following EIA Scoping and HIA Screening (see section 1.3).

4.1.2 The HIA will assess the fit of the proposed development with the relevant health and well-being policies and strategies of the local and national area, whilst also capturing key health and wellbeing issues and concerns. The aim of the HIA will be to assess the potential positive and negative health and wellbeing impacts on the existing communities around the proposed development and the communities that are likely work in the new development.

4.1.3 It should be noted that the HIA is being carried out alongside a process EIA for the Project. The EIA includes extensive technical assessment on the potential effects of development covering many topics that are of central importance to the HIA. This includes potential effects on human health of air quality, land contamination, water quality, noise and waste. In addition, the EIA includes a socio-economic impact assessment considering the effects of the development on the economy of the area and on community infrastructure.

4.1.4 Consultation specifically for the HIA has been desk-based. However, as part of the design and development of the Project proposals there has been extensive consultation with statutory stakeholders and the public (see section 4.5). The HIA will draw on this consultation to ensure the identified health concerns from all consultees related to the Project are taken into account.

4.1.5 It will focus on six key themes:

1 How the development fits with the health, wellbeing and related policies and strategies of the Welsh Government, Cwm Taf Health Board, as well relevant UK, Wales and local planning policy;

2 The potential positive and negative health and wellbeing effects of the proposed development on existing communities;

3 Health inequalities and social exclusion and the potential for the proposed development to affect them;

4 The potential impacts on vulnerable groups in the community e.g. older people, children, families, people with disabilities, people on low incomes/unemployed;

5 Safety and hazard risks to future users of the site and nearby residents; and

6 The potential indirect, cumulative and synergistic health impacts.

4.1.6 The HIA will recommend appropriate mitigation and enhancement measures as required (alongside and complementary to the EIA and other mitigation measures).

4.2 Geographical Scope

4.2.1 The geographical scope of this HIA will be the development site and surrounding residential area. The population considered will be the resident population in nearby geographical areas, as well as those who currently work in the area. Key vulnerable groups will be considered to



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assess any potential health inequalities that might be widened or narrowed by the proposed development.

4.2.2 The nearest residential areas to the Project site are the villages of Hirwaun, Penderyn and Pen-y-Waun with Aberdare beyond. The villages of Rhigos and Bryn lie to the west of the site and have recently had a number of new housing developments. Health data for all of these settlements will be gathered to give an indication of the baseline situation. The HIA will consider the proposed development at the ward, local authority and health board level where possible, and within the national context. Local wards to be included as the local geographical scope for the HIA are shown in in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Proposed Study Area wards

4.3 Technical Scope

4.3.1 This HIA will focus on the determinants of health which a new development can have some influence. The determinants which the HIA will focus on are those that are relevant to an industrial development of this type. For instance, the Project does not include any residential element, the site is already part of the Hirwaun Industrial Estate outside a concentrated urban



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areas. The full HIA will consider the potential for impacts against all determinants. However, we propose to focus on the following core list:

� Employment and the economy;

� Transport and connectivity;

� Crime and safety;

� Pollution risk from air, noise, ground and waste;

� Social Capital and Cohesion;

� Energy security.

4.4 Assessment of Effects

4.4.1 The assessment will be predominantly qualitative except where data is available to enable quantification or where quantification of health impacts is undertaken in other assessments e.g. technical studies for the EIA.

4.4.2 The range of information sources to be considered will include:

� ONS 2011 census and neighbourhood data;

� Public Health Wales Observatory data including health profiles and equality profiles;

� Information from Public Health Wales and the Local Public Health team;

� Information from Cwm Taf Public Health Board.

4.4.3 A table will be used to analyse the potential positive and negative health and wellbeing impacts and classify impacts using significance levels. The potential impacts will be assessed against a ‘Do Nothing’ scenario for the construction and operational phases of the proposed development.

4.5 Consultation and Participation

4.5.1 Engagement with stakeholders and the local community is an essential part of understanding health issues in the area and is the basis for this HIA.

4.5.2 Consultation and engagement has been undertaken with professional stakeholders and local communities as part of developing the proposals for the Project and for this HIA. This has included statutory consultation which is required as part of the DCO application but also included non-statutory consultation to ensure engagement is as full and wide-ranging as possible.

Local communities

4.5.3 Early engagement with local communities allowed any concerns to be identified and taken into account early in the evolution of the Project. This included issues raised about the environmental impacts of the development of relevance to health, in particular air quality and the overall effect of the development on local communities. Full details of the consultation will be published in the Consultation Report that will be part of the DCO application. A summary of the community engagement process and outputs to date is included as Appendix B.



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4.5.4 The first local community engagement events were held in June 2013 these allowed people to get an understanding of the Project, the environmental assessment process and present their any concerns or queries to the project team. Specific questions about the proposals were asked of the attendees at the event and also on feedback forms. However, the respondents were free to make any response they wished during the consultation period.

4.5.5 Responses at this time included some queries related to the issue of air quality. HPL confirmed that this was being taken into account in the environmental assessments that are being undertaken for the project, which included a quantified air quality assessment and consideration of cumulative effects with proposed neighbouring schemes.

4.5.6 A further round of community engagement took place in October 2013, finishing on the 28th November. Again exhibition events were held at the start of the process to allow people to review the project information, speak with the project team and again raise any concerns or queries they may have. At this stage is was possible to provide more information to the participants as the proposals were further progressed and a full and summary Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) had been prepared.

4.5.7 Information was presented at the exhibition allowing local communities to get an understanding of how the environmental assessments were progressing and would be taken into account in the Project proposals. This information also made clear that initial environmental assessments showed that there are no likely significant adverse impacts to human health related to air pollution, noise effects, waste, contamination or traffic. Information was also presented on the possible social and economic benefits of the project.

4.5.8 Work commenced on the HIA following these final consultation events and formal engagement on the Project has now ceased. The consultation to date has allowed communities to identify any health concerns they may have about the Project. Therefore, HPL have decided not to hold any additional local community workshop events specifically for the HIA. The community has already participated in extensive consultation on the project since June 2013 and (a) it is unlikely that additional health related issues would be identified and (b) it may be difficult to engage local people in additional very specific consultation given the two sets of consultation that have already taken place.

4.5.1 However, the local community are still able to engage with HPL through their local community representative and consultation will continue in this way up to and beyond the submission of the application.

Other Stakeholder Engagement

4.5.2 As for the local community engagement there has been extensive consultation with a variety of other stakeholders on the Project. This has included both statutory and non-statutory stakeholders and statutory and non-statutory stages of consultation. Full details of this consultation will be given in the Consultation Report that will be submitted as part of the DCO application.

4.5.3 Other consultation has included discussion with technical stakeholders, local and national government as part of the development of the proposals and as part of the EIA process. These consultations started early on in the process and will continue up to and after submission of the application.



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4.5.4 Specifically for the HIA there has been engagement with relevant stakeholders during EIA Scoping and for HIA screening, as shown in section 1.3. This stage of HIA Scoping is intended as an addition consultation stage to allow relevant bodies to have an input into the technical details of the HIA and matters it should address.

4.6 Outcome

4.6.1 A Health Impact Assessment Report will be produced documenting the assessment findings. The following provides an indicative structure of the report:

� Introduction;

� Summary of the proposed development and context;

� Health and wellbeing policy context;

� Methodology;

� Summary of major pathways of health impact;

� Baseline assessment/ community profile;

� Summary of relevant community consultation undertaken;

� Analysis of proposed development against a ‘Do Nothing’ scenario;

� Mitigation and enhancement measures;

� Monitoring and evaluation measures; and

� Conclusions.



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5 References

� Kemm, J, (October 2007), More than a statement of the crushingly obvious: A critical guide to HIA, West Midlands Public health Observatory

� NHS Executive (2000), Resources for HIA: Volumes 1 & 2; England; NHS

� Peter Brett Associates (2009); Adapted from Dahlgren G and Whitehead, (1991), Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health; Institute of Future Studies; Stockholm;

� Peter Brett Associates (PBA), (2009), Comprehensive Health Assessment Toolbox (CHAT), PBA

� Public Health Wales Observatory (2011) Measuring inequalities: Trends in mortality and life expectancy in Cwm Taf

� Public Health Wales Observatory (2011) 2011 Census: A snapshot of key health, employment and qualification indicators: Cwm Taf Health Board

� Wales Health Impact Assessment Unit (2012) Health Impact Assessment: A practical guide

� World Health Organization (WHO) European Centre for Health Policy, (1999), Health impact assessment: main concepts and suggested approach, Gothenburg consensus paper; WHO Regional Office for Europe.

� World Health Organization (WHO), (1946); Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June 1946, and entered into force on 7 April 1948, WHO

CRCE/NSIP Consultations

Chilton

Didcot

Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ

T +44 (0) 1235 825278

F +44 (0) 1235 822614

www.gov.uk/phe

Peter Brett Associates 10 Queen Square Our Ref: 131205 281 Bristol BS1 4NT F.A.O. Cicely Postan 13th December 2013

Dear Cicely, Hirwaun Power Project, Hirwaun Industrial Estate, Aberdare, South Wales Health Impact Assessment Scoping Report Thank you for providing a copy of your proposed Health Impact Assessment scoping report. Public Health England (PHE) has considered the report and wishes to make the following comments:

1. PHE welcomes your decision to adopt best practice and provide a separate Health Impact Report as part of the final submission for a development Consent Order.

2. In the submitted document paragraph 1.3.4 states “….no further elaboration was

given on the benefits that a standalone HIA would give to the Project. For instance particular areas of concern the HIA should address or the health determinants that must be considered as part of the assessment.” You are referred to the original scoping response provided by PHE on 5th June 2013. This document fully outlines the areas of an environmental statement (ES) that are relevant to public health and that should be included in a suitable section of the ES.

3. The inclusion of transport and pollution risks in the technical scope of the document is welcomed.

4. We accept the use of qualitative data in the assessment of some impacts but would recommend that the report fully considers any quantitative information available. This would usually include traffic impact assessments, local authority air quality assessments and the output of any predictive modelling relating to either traffic related pollution or plume modelling associated with the proposed power station.

5. The use of a summary table indicating potential positive and negative impacts is acceptable to PHE, subject to a clear explanation of the decision making methodology used.

6. Paragraph 2 of Annex A states “The EMF assessment will only be applicable if an

over ground electrical connection is selected”. We do not agree with this assertion and advise that, even in the case of underground cables, it will be necessary to demonstrate compliance with ICNIRP guidelines. Details of the necessary assessment are provided in the scoping response provided by PHE on 5th June 2013.

7. The proposed outcomes of the process are acceptable. Your attention is particularly drawn to PHE’s original scoping response and we would recommend that you fully consider:

Potential public health impacts from air, land and water caused by development involving potentially contaminated land (including land associated with gas pipeline or power line construction).

Transport or traffic related air quality impacts arising from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the station.

Potential public health impacts of electric and magnetic fields associated with power generation, substations or transmission systems.

8. Public Health England is a statutory consultee for this type of nationally significant infrastructure application. Additionally, as this application is within Wales, you are also required to consult Public Health Wales who is a statutory consultee in its own right.

Should you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours sincerely

Allister Gittins Environmental Public Health Scientist [email protected] Please mark any correspondence for the attention of National Infrastructure Planning Administration.

mailto:[email protected]

Your Ref/ eich cyf Our ref/ ein cyf: Date/ dyddiad: Tel/ ffôn: Fax/ ffacs: Email/ ebost: Dept/ adran:

DR/RW 16 December 2013 01443 744818

Return Address: Ynysmeurig House, Navigation Park, Abercynon, CF45 4SN

Chair/Cadeirydd: Dr C D V Jones, CBE Chief Executive/Prif Weithredydd: Mrs Allison Williams

Cwm Taf University Health Board is the operational name of Cwm Taf University Local Health Board/Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Cwm Taf yw enw gweithredol Bwrdd

lechyd Lleol Cwm Taf

Peter Brett Associates 10 Queen Square Bristol BS1 4NT Dear Cicely, Hirwaun Power Project, Hirwaun Industrial Estate, Aberdare,

South Wales Health Impact Assessment Scoping Report

We have consulted our technical advisors within Public Health Wales as well as PHE CRCE – Wales, and our comments are based on the information contained within the application documentation. The Health Board wishes to make the following comments in relation to this development. We would also remind you that, in Wales, the statutory function for public health is delivered through Health Boards with specialist support from Public Health Wales as necessary. Public Health England does not have the primary public health remit in Wales. 1. The Health Board welcomes your decision to adopt best

practice and provide a separate Health Impact Report as part of the final submission for a development Consent Order.

2. The Scoping Report does not identify the timescales for the HIA or submission of the development consent order (DCO) application. As the purpose of HIA is to inform and influence decision-making, the report should outline the timescale for undertaking the HIA and how any recommended mitigation/enhancement measures will be incorporated into the final Project design timeframe, construction and/or


DR/RW 16 December 2013 01443 744818





operation.

3. Para 1.2.3 identifies the purpose of the HIA as “...to consider

how the Project will have an effect on the key factors that can influence people’s health and wellbeing...”. We suggest adding here “...and to suggest ways in which negative health impacts can be mitigated and positive health impacts enhanced.”

4. In the submitted document paragraph 1.3.4 states “….no

further elaboration was given on the benefits that a standalone HIA would give to the Project. For instance

particular areas of concern the HIA should address or the health determinants that must be considered as part of the

assessment.” You are referred to the original scoping response provided by the Health Board. This document fully outlines the areas of an environmental statement (ES) that are relevant to public health and that should be included in a suitable section of the ES.

5. A consideration of any vulnerable groups within the local community and populations (Appendix 2 of the WHIASU guide) who may be affected by the proposed Hirwaun development needs to take place and be listed in the HIA. The communities listed in para 3.1.7 need to be considered and included within any HIA discussions and appropriate and realistic mitigation discussed with them if needed.

6. Para 4.1.2 - it would be useful to provide a list of documents to be reviewed as part of the policy analysis. As with para 1.2.3, the second sentence of para 4.1.2 should make reference to recommendations to mitigate negative/enhance positive potential health impacts.

7. A community health profile needs to be included within the HIA report. With regards to data for the baseline information on the community health profile, various relevant sites are listed within the Wales HIA guidance.


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8. Although the Scoping Report states that there has been extensive consultation and feedback, this has been contained within and shaped by the overall Environmental Statement (ES). We believe that the focus is mainly on economic and environmental effects and health risks and data and information collected as part of the EIA is not sufficient to inform the HIA.

9. Para 4.1.4 states that “Consultation specifically for the HIA

has been desk-based” and makes reference to the HIA drawing on the consultation with statutory stakeholders and the public that has been undertaken as part of the design and development of the Project proposals. Appendix B provides a summary of the community engagement process with full details to be published in the Consultation Report as part of the DCO application – at this stage it is difficult for WHIASU to comment on the efficacy of the engagement process as there is sparse detail as to who took part in these events. For example, key health stakeholders are referred to within the SR as having been already consulted but, there is no detail as to who within the local public health teams or local authority Health, Social Care and Wellbeing (HSCWB) partnership commented on the first and second stages. This needs to be made clearer.

10. The geographical scope of the HIA as outlined in section 4.2 is appropriate, although the village of Bryn is referenced in para 4.2.2 but not indicated on the map.

11. The substation at Rhigos needs to be part of the scope of the HIA.

12. We note that potential impacts for both the construction and operational phases will be assessed against a ‘Do Nothing’ scenario. However, we suggest that the cumulative impacts for both the construction and operational phases need to be considered with regard to the Energy from Waste (EfW) development that is due to be built 500 metres to the south of the proposed development. For example, impacts could be


DR/RW 16 December 2013 01443 744818





exacerbated if the two developments were to undergo construction at the same time.

13. We appreciate that there will be much technical environmental health data for the proposed Hirwaun development and we would like to see this included in the final HIA document. If this is not/cannot be included in any draft HIA report then we would like to see a summary of it, with it cross-referenced to the EIA documents (with links).

14. ‘Education and Training’ should be added to the core list identified in para 4.3.1. However, WHIASU suggests that the potential for impacts against all determinants be considered as part of the HIA.

15. Para 4.5.8 states that work on the HIA began after final consultation events had taken place and that there will be no consultation events specifically for the HIA. Whilst WHIASU welcomes that a number of public engagement events were organised, extensively advertised and took place in local venues and also that HPL made a commitment to respond to all queries, we suggest that there needs to be a more systematic direct discussion about the potential impacts (both positive and negative) on health and wellbeing and health inequalities with the community(ies) potentially affected. There needs to be a more transparent sighting of the key health stakeholders that are referred to within the SR and other key stakeholders. The HIA should not just be a desk based exercise for a development like this. For this reason, we strongly advise that a rapid participatory HIA workshop takes place in order to inform the process. A rapid participatory workshop would bring together a wide range of stakeholders and enable a specifically health focused assessment of the proposed Project (using the wider determinants of health framework) and provide the opportunity for the identification of potential mitigation/enhancement measures.

• This workshop should consider all of the wider determinants of health and wellbeing (Appendix 1 of the


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Wales HIA guidance) within the local context and population profile. Members from the LA planning, health and other relevant departments should be invited, along with members of the local public health team of Public Health Wales. Local councillors representing the nearby communities affected by the development should also be invited along with the Communities First Cluster Partnership manager or development workers and the HSCWB Facilitator from the local voluntary services council.

16. The inclusion of transport and pollution risks in the technical scope of the document is welcomed.

17. We accept the use of qualitative data in the assessment of some impacts but would recommend that the report fully considers any quantitative information available. This would usually include traffic impact assessments, local authority air quality assessments and the output of any predictive modelling relating to either traffic related pollution or plume modelling associated with the proposed power station.

18. Paragraph 2 of Annex A states “The EMF assessment will only be applicable if an over ground electrical connection is

selected”. We do not agree with this assertion and advise that, even in the case of underground cables, it will be necessary to demonstrate compliance with ICNIRP guidelines.

19. The proposed outcomes of the process are acceptable. Your attention is particularly drawn to the Health Board’s original scoping response and we would recommend that you fully consider:

• Potential public health impacts from air, land and water

caused by development involving potentially contaminated land (including land associated with gas pipeline or power line construction).


DR/RW 16 December 2013 01443 744818





• Transport or traffic related air quality impacts arising from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the station.

• Potential public health impacts of electric and magnetic fields associated with power generation, substations or transmission systems.

Should you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely MR R WILLIAMS

BOARD SECRETARY/DIRECTOR OF GOVERNANCE

& CORPORATE SERVICES

HIRWAUN POWER HIA SCOPING REPORT BY PETER BRETT ASSOCIATES

Comments from the Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit

(WHIASU) WHIASU welcomes the opportunity to comment on the HIA Scoping Report (SR) for the proposed Hirwaun Power Limited (HPL) gas-fired electricity generating project at the Hirwaun Industrial Estate near Aberdare. We welcome that, despite there being no statutory obligation to do so, HPL has decided to follow the advice of Public Health England (PHE) and NHS Wales (Cwm Taf Health Board) and prepare a standalone HIA for the above proposed development. We believe that identifying and addressing health impacts at the project planning stage of a proposed development offers benefits to both the developer and the community/individuals likely to be affected. We have a number of comments which are outlined below. Purpose of the HIA

Para 1.2.3 identifies the purpose of the HIA as “...to consider how the Project will have an effect on the key factors that can influence people’s health and wellbeing...”. We suggest adding here “...and to suggest ways in which negative health impacts can be mitigated and positive health impacts enhanced.”

Timescales

The Scoping Report does not identify the timescales for the HIA or submission of the development consent order (DCO) application. As the purpose of HIA is to inform and influence decision-making, the SR should outline the timescale for undertaking the HIA and how any recommended mitigation/enhancement measures will be incorporated into the final Project design timeframe, construction and/or operation.

Policy Review

Para 4.1.2 - it would be useful to provide a list of documents to be reviewed as part of the policy analysis. As with para 1.2.3, the second sentence of para

4.1.2 should make reference to recommendations to mitigate negative/enhance positive potential health impacts.

Health Profile

A community health profile needs to be included within the HIA report. With regards to data for the baseline information on the community health profile, various relevant sites are listed within the Wales HIA guidance. Local Authority (LA) and Local Health Board (LHB) websites and personnel will be able to provide other up-to-date information.

Stakeholders and Consultation

Although the SR states that there has been extensive consultation and feedback, this has been contained within and shaped by the overall Environmental Statement (ES). We believe that the focus mainly on economic and environmental effects and health risks and data and information collected as part of the EIA is not sufficient to inform the HIA.

Para 4.1.4 states that “Consultation specifically for the HIA has been desk-based” and makes reference to the HIA drawing on the consultation with statutory stakeholders and the public that has been undertaken as part of the design and development of the Project proposals. Appendix B provides a summary of the community engagement process with full details to be published in the Consultation Report as part of the DCO application – at this stage it is difficult for WHIASU to comment on the efficacy of the engagement process as there is sparse detail as to who took part in these events. For example, key health stakeholders are referred to within the SR as having been already consulted but, there is no detail as to who within the local public health teams or local authority Health, Social Care and Wellbeing (HSCWB) partnership commented on the first and second stages. This needs to be made clearer.

Para 4.5.8 states that work on the HIA began after final consultation events had taken place and that there will be no consultation events specifically for the HIA. Whilst WHIASU welcomes that a number of public engagement events were organised, extensively advertised and took place in local venues and also that HPL made a commitment to respond to all queries, we suggest that there needs to be a more systematic direct discussion about the potential impacts (both positive and negative) on health and wellbeing and health inequalities with the community(ies) potentially affected. There needs to be a more transparent sighting of the key health stakeholders that are referred to within the SR and other key stakeholders. The HIA should not just be a desk based exercise for a development like this. For this reason, we strongly advise that a rapid participatory HIA workshop takes place in order to inform the process. A rapid participatory workshop would bring together a wide range of stakeholders and enable a specifically health focused assessment of the proposed Project (using the wider determinants of health framework) and provide the

opportunity for the identification of potential mitigation/enhancement measures.

o This workshop should consider all of the wider determinants of health

and wellbeing (Appendix 1 of the Wales HIA guidance) within the local context and population profile. Members from the LA planning, health and other relevant departments should be invited, along with members of the local public health team of Public Health Wales. Local councillors representing the nearby communities affected by the development should also be invited along with the Communities First Cluster Partnership manager or development workers and the HSCWB Facilitator from the local voluntary services council.

Vulnerable Groups

A consideration of any vulnerable groups within the local community and populations (Appendix 2 of the WHIASU guide) who may be affected by the proposed Hirwaun development needs to take place and be listed in the HIA. The communities listed in para 3.1.7 need to be considered and included within any HIA discussions and appropriate and realistic mitigation discussed with them if needed.

Geographical and Technical Scope

The geographical scope of the HIA as outlined in section 4.2 is appropriate, although the village of Bryn is referenced in para 4.2.2 but not indicated on the map.

The substation at Rhigos needs to be part of the scope of the HIA.

We note that potential impacts for both the construction and operational phases will be assessed against a ‘Do Nothing’ scenario. However, we suggest that the cumulative impacts for both the construction and operational phases need to be considered with regard to the Energy from Waste (EfW) development that is due to be built 500 metres to the south of the proposed development. For example, impacts could be exacerbated if the two developments were to undergo construction at the same time.

We appreciate that there will be much technical environmental health data for the proposed Hirwaun development and we would like to see this included in the final HIA document. If this is not/cannot be included in any draft HIA report then we would like to see a summary of it, with it cross-referenced to the EIA documents (with links).

‘Education and Training’ should be added to the core list identified in para 4.3.1. However, WHIASU suggests that the potential for impacts against all determinants be considered as part of the HIA.

Liz Green, Principal HIA Development Officer & Julia Lester, HIA Development Officer

WHIASU/Public Health Wales (PHW) 16th December 2013

intentionally blank


Appendix D Public and Stakeholders Consultation Summary

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1 First stage of Public Engagement June 2013

1.1.1 On 20th, 21st and 22nd June 2013 Hirwaun Power Ltd (HPL), the applicant, shared its initial plans with the local community as a series of exhibitions held over three days. This was a non-statutory consultation event early on in The aim was to raise awareness of the Project and invite views on the overall scheme concept and what kinds of community benefits might be welcomed.

1.1.2 At the exhibitions and since, HPL has received and responded to comments on the proposed Project and its impact on the environment, local communities and the local economy. These have been taken into account in developed the Project proposals.

1.2 Advertising and publicity

1.2.1 The exhibitions were advertised in a variety of ways. This included:

� Several adverts in local newspapers;

� Posters put up in community locations in the Rhigos and Hirwaun area;

� A press release, leading to local media coverage; and

� Community representatives were also contacted directly including letters to over 2,500 households and 106 businesses in the area, the local MPs, businesses on the industrial estate, and Rhondda Cynon Taf councillors.

1.3 Exhibitions

1.3.1 Three events were held one event was held at Rhigos Community Centre and at two events Hirwaun YMCA.

1.3.2 At the exhibitions HPL provided brochures (in English and Welsh) for people to take away and information boards in both English and Welsh. The topics covered included the possible community benefits of the scheme such as job creation, the preparation of the environmental scoping report and the issues this would cover (including health impact relating to air, ground contamination, noise etc.). Details of future consultation and details of the dedicated Hirwaun Power website.

1.3.3 Attendees were asked to complete a feedback form, which contained specific questions about the development, although respondents were free to pose any questions as feedback to the Project team.

1.4 Outputs of the Initial local community consultation

Overview

1.4.1 98 people attended the June 2013 exhibitions, 59% retuning a feedback form.

1.4.2 HPL made a commitment to responding to all of the queries posed as all stages of engagement. Full details of consultation, comments received and HPL response to consultation overall will be published as part of the ‘Consultation Report’ that will be submitted as part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application.

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Reponses

1.4.3 When asked about the Project overall:

� 33% were supportive of the proposal;

� 5% were not supportive.

1.4.4 Comments on the proposal included concerns relating to air quality, noise, and the cumulative impact of the Project taking into account other industrial sites in the area. Greatest concern for cumulative effects was with the Enviroparks (the Energy from Waste facility).

1.4.5 The consultation information identified that HPL are committed to provide support to local causes and the local community.

� 69% of respondents indicated that HPL should provide support for local environmental initiatives;

� 48% of respondents indicated that local education should receive support; and

� 40% of respondents stated support should to sporting or cultural events in the area.

1.4.6 Qualitative responses relating to community benefit mentioned a desire for employment of local people and apprenticeships/training for local young people.

1.4.7 Consultation responses identified that that the HPL leaflet was the most effective way that the events were advertised, with 50% hearing about them this way, although news coverage was also important.

1.4.8 It is useful to note the vast majority of all respondents (79%) said that they were happy with the level of information provided on the Project, bearing in mind that the Project was at a very early stage.

1.4.9 Respondents were asked, ‘If you have any comments on this exhibition, or suggestions for the next round of exhibitions, please tell us.’

1.4.10 Comments of relevance to the HIA received from the June 2013 feedback at the exhibition events are shown in table 1.

Table 1: Feedback received at Community Consultation Events June 2013


Summary of Comment

Air Quality 3 Queries about the air quality impacts and the emissions of the Project.

Noise 1 Information not available about the noise pollution of the Project.

Visual Impact 1 Queried potential visual impacts of the stacks.

1.4.11 Comments received on the June 2013 feedback forms relating to the HIA are shown in Table 2.

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Table 2: Responses received to Project proposal feedback forms June 2013


Summary of Comment

Environmental Impacts 6 Respondents queried the potential environmental impacts of the Project in relation to the following topics: air quality and pollution, noise, visual impact as well as general environmental concerns.

Cumulative Impacts 2 A respondent noted that they felt ‘our little village’ is being overwhelmed with new projects’ that bring environmental impacts. The other respondent raised concerns over proximity to the recycling plant and potential dangers.

Health and Safety 1 Concerns about the potential dangers or proximity to the recycling plant.


3 One respondent who expressed an interest in working at the Project site, the other two expressed a desire to see local employment and apprenticeships as part of the Project.

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2 Non-Statutory Consultation with Key Stakeholders – February to October 2013

2.1 Purpose

2.1.1 From an early stage HPL sought to inform the local community representatives about and stakeholders about the Project and consult on proposals.

2.1.2 To achieve this contact was made with key groups and meeting held to discussion the Project.

2.2 Consultation

2.2.1 Consultation took place from the start of February 2013 to the October 2013. The majority of the consultation was as meetings, usually face to face although sometimes over the phone and also included briefing updates and as site visit.

2.2.2 Consultees included:

� Energy Advisor the Welsh Government;

� Meetings with various senior officers at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council;

� Welsh Assembly Members;

� Rhigos Community Council;

� Hirwaun and Penywaun Community Council.

2.3 Feedback

2.3.1 Feedback was received from these meetings, that relevant to the HIA is shown in Table 3.

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Table 3: Feedback received during non-statutory stakeholder consultation 2013


Summary of Comment

Consultation Approach – Local Community

2 The Welsh Government advised that local people were likely to be interested in environmental impacts and local jobs. At the Rhigos Community Council it was noted that they found it hard to ask questions due to lack of information.

Environmental impacts 16 Comments were provided from RCTCBC, Assembly Members, NRW, BBNP and the Planning Inspectorate on a range of different environmental impacts including – visual and landscape, air quality, water quality, ecology, and noise and vibration.

Cumulative Impacts 6 Both the Planning Inspectorate and BBNP advised HPL to consider cumulative impacts. RCTCBC specifically queried the cumulative impact with Enviroparks. BBNP stated that cumulative impact was a particularly concern to them. An Assembly Member also raised concerns on cumulative impacts.


7 Assembly Members and attendees at the Rhigos Community Council meeting wished to know the number and type of jobs being created by the project. At the Rhigos Community Council meeting a query was raised as to whether the jobs would be local.

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3 Second Stage of Public Engagement 17 th October to 28 th November 2013

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 This stage of consultation was of the more detailed Project proposals. The aim of the consultation was to seek views on:

� the Project, including the location and layout of the proposed power generation plant within the 7.5ha main site;

� the route options of the potential gas connection and potential electrical connection;

� the findings of the preliminary environmental studies including construction and operation impacts, for example, any visual impacts; and,

� the community benefits anticipated for the Project.

3.1.2 Consultation activities were primarily undertaken in a core consultation zone (CCZ), which had been agreed as part of the Statement of Community Consultation. The CCZ covered approximately a 3km radius from the Project site, containing the main population that could be affected by the Project and are likely to be most interested. These are the villages of Rhigos, Hirwaun, Penywaun and Penderyn, as well as dispersed households in this semi-rural area. This area is all within the geographical area defined for the HIA.

3.1.3 The full list of consultees agreed with Rhondda Cynon Taf as the local authority is shown in Annex 1 to this note and includes many local stakeholders. These stakeholders included:

� Elected representatives: including MPs and local Councillors;

� Community Organisations: including Penywaun Communities First; Youth Clubs; Women’s Institute; Disability Wales; Age Cymru, Wales Voluntary Action.

� Conservation, Environmental and Civil society groups;

� Places of Worship;

� Educational organisation; and

� Business groups and business on Hirwaun Industrial Estate.

3.2 Consultation materials

3.2.1 A range of information was made available from the 17th October 2013 onwards to encourage and assist the local community in responding to the consultation process. This included:

� A leaflet in both English and Welsh, which provided background on the Project, the consultation process and how individuals can engage in it. The leaflet also posed a number of questions about the Project in relation to the aims of the consultation which respondents could respond to and return;

� A Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) for the Environmental Impact Assessment, available in both English and Welsh. This provides the results of HPL’s preliminary assessments on the likely significant environmental effects both positive and negative, of the construction, operation,

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maintenance and decommissioning phases of the Project. It included information on provisional mitigation measures. The PEIR contained details of the assessments with relevance to health, including air, noise, water pollution, as well as details of economic impacts.

3.3 Advertising and publicity

3.3.1 Exhibitions were advertised by:

� Households and businesses within the CCZ received a leaflet about the Project;

� Posters advertising exhibitions on local noticeboards and other community locations;

� Newspaper notices; and

� Media coverage.

3.3.2 In addition, HPL contacted a broad spectrum of local stakeholders. These included letters to elected representatives, local community and special interest groups (including those ‘hard to reach groups’ such as the young, elderly and the disabled), and local business groups.

3.4 Exhibitions

3.4.1 Five exhibitions were held at five venues on five dates and on both weekday and weekends in order to maximise the accessibility of the events. Exhibitions were held at locations convenient to those communities within the CCZ at Rhigos, Hirwaun, Penderyn and Penywaun, and also at Aberdare.

3.4.2 Project information boards included:

� main Project information board in English and Welsh;

� visualisations; and

� summary information on the preliminary environmental assessments, including air, noise, ground transport. There was also a board showing ‘waste and health effects’ identifying there were no likely significant effects on human health relating to air, noise, ground conditions and land use.

3.4.3 The exhibitions were staffed by members of the HPL Project team, who were knowledgeable about the Project, the intended programme and PEIR findings, and who were on hand to explain the proposals and answer any queries raised. A Welsh speaking member of the Project team was on hand at all times.

3.4.4 A series of questions were posed to the attendees, but as before respondees to comment on any matter of concern to them when making a response. This included asking respondents about the information contained in the PEIR and including the technical assessments of potential for effects relating to human health (e.g. air, noise, ground contamination, social and economic etc.).

3.5 Feedback

3.5.1 64 people attended the five exhibitions, with the best attendance in Hirwaun, Rhigos and Penderyn, the communities closes to the site. The majority of feedback forms came from Hirwaun residents.

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Overall, 48% of all respondents were supportive of the proposal, only 16% were opposed. In Hirwaun only 31% of people supported the project, although combined with those who said they were neutral this is 61%.

3.5.2 Feedback was received from these public consultation events during the event and by freepost leaflets. Feedback relevant to the HIA is shown in Table 4.

Table 4: Feedback received during community consultation Oct / Nov 2013


Summary of Comment

Air Quality 2 The potential emissions and air quality impacts from the Project were raised as a concern.

Noise and Vibration 1 Concern about noise, particularly at night.

Landscape and Visual 1 Respondent felt it would be an ‘eyesore’ and the impact of the ‘towers’

Cumulative impacts 1 One respondent queries ‘what next?’ in reference to the various existing developments in the area.

Health 1 Comment made that the Project posed ‘a potential health risk so this should not be given planning permission in such a populated area’.

Safety 1 Safety was raised by a respondent and the need for an emergency plan.

Local Opportunities 4 Three comments highlighted the importance of local people being given the opportunity to take jobs associated with the Project either via training or apprenticeships and requested information on this, and one expressed doubt as to the levels of local employment.

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4 Consultation with Prescribed Consultees (Section 42)

4.1 Purpose

4.1.1 Certain consultees are prescribed for a development of this type, these are Section 42 consultees. This includes certain groups including those with a health and safety remit.

4.2 Consultation

4.2.1 Consultation material was sent out to these consultees on the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) that was prepared of the proposals. This set out the initial findings of the environmental assessments and included a chapter looking at the health impacts of the development.

4.2.2 Consultation was carried out in October and November 2013.

4.3 Feedback

4.3.1 Consultation responses were received on all topics of the PEIR. Of particular relevance to the health impacts are the following:

� The Health and Safety Executive confirmed that the site is outside any consultation distance of a major hazard site or pipeline, they also raised the need to comply with UK health and safety legislation in relation to impacts on existing assets, highlighting the duty of care to the general public and the relevant Hazardous Substances Authority should be contacted at the appropriate time.

� The Vale of Glamorgan noted that undertaking an HIA ‘may have merit’.

� The Civil Aviation Authority noted that the stack height would not need warning lights, and sought to confirm that there would be gas flaring at the site that could affect aircraft.

� Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service outlined they do not see any specific issues relating to the project. However, there must be emergency vehicle access to the site during construction and operation. They need to have information available on the movement of heavy plant and or equipment, they need site familiarisation visits and notification of dates for abnormal loads. They also need water supplies for firefighting purposes and access to emergency firefighting equipment.

� RCTCBC made comment on the need for an emphasis on local employment opportunities and benefits for local businesses by the Project. Identification of specialist work that local supply chains will not be in a position to provide. Opportunities for the Project to link in with other established business and business clusters in the CBC, and the potential for improving local skills in the workforce in readiness for Energy Industry employment should be a priority of the project.


Appendix E Baseline Data

Office of National Statistics – Census 2011 Data

Figure 1: Occupation – percentage of total population

Figure 2: Occupation – percentage of all people in employment aged 16-74

Figure 3: Ethnicity Characteristics – percentage of total population

Figure 4: Population Characteristics – percentage of total population

Figure 5: Qualifications – percentage of adult population

Figure 6: Car ownership – percentage of all households

Figure 7: Health Characteristics – percentage of all households

Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2011

Figure 8: Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2011 – Overall Rank

Figure 9: Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2011 – Employment Rank

Figure 10: Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2011 – Health Rank


Appendix F HIA Assessment

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Appendix F: Health Impact Assessment Tables Health Effect Type

Positive Negative +++ Major - - - ++ Moderate - - + Minor - ~ No discernable

effect ~ DO NOTHING

This ‘do-nothing’ assessment sets out what might happen with the construction and operation of the Project. The assessment makes the assumption that the continued use of site continues at current levels, rather than a new or expanded employment use at the site.

DO NOTHING

Work and Income

Local economy A limited number of jobs would continue to be provided at the site in gift wrapping paper and card making. This would continue to have a limited role in supported economic activity in the area. There would be no change in the wider economic impacts of the site on other businesses in the local area. As no demolition or construction activities would need to take place there would be opportunity for skills in this section or support to local construction businesses. Other new development may be take place in an around the site that has already been consented, such as the Enviropark Energy from Waste Development with an economic impact.

Access to work / Skills training Many existing jobs on the site are low skilled and continued use would not provide opportunities for skill enhancement and training in the energy or construction sectors. Other new development may be take place in an around the site that has already been consented, such as the Enviropark Energy from Waste Development that will provide some additional local jobs.


Congestion There will be no change in congestion impacts as there is no change in traffic.

Equitable Access The site is accessible by bus, on foot and by bike for residents of Hirwaun and Rhigos. There is no foreseeable reason for this to change.


Crime The Hirwaun Industrial Estate is already a focus of a cluster of crime in the local area. There is nothing to suggest that there would be any change to this related the current use of the Project site.

Safety Current use of the site does not pose any particularly safety risks and there is nothing to suppose this would change with the operation of the site in its existing use.

The Environment

Air The existing use has little air quality impact apart from transport. Doing nothing to change the operation of the site would mean there would be no change in current air quality conditions. However, other development is proposed that could cause some deterioration in air quality due to the nature of the technology and fuel, such as the Enviroparks development.

Ground Contamination and Stability

If contamination is present on the site then there could remain a risk to the health of site users. However, much of the land area is covered by hardstanding and therefore should conditions at the site be maintained there is no identifiable risk. However, without investigation of the site the potential for impacts if ground is disturbed cannot be predicted.

Water There is limited water use on the site at the moment. It is not clear if the existing water runoff from the site enters the main sewer and if there is any prior treatment. Therefore, there may be the potential for continuation of the current drainage could be leading to a gradual deterioration of water quality that could be rectified by updated drainage systems.

Light There is already lighting in an around the site and continued use would maintain this level of lighting. However, people will already be used to these lighting effects. Lighting may increase in and around the site with the construction and operation of consented schemes in the area.

Noise There is little noise effect of the existing use and it contributes little to the ambient noise. Background noise may increase in and around the site with the construction and operation of consented schemes in the area.

Electromagnetic Fields Current uses on the site do not have any potential for electromagnetic field impacts. The nearby consented Rhigos Road substation may increase the intensity of electromagnetic fields in the area.

2

DO NOTHING


Views The Project site is already occupied by a large industrial type building and therefore views from the National Park and elsewhere are compromised. The existing building footprint is extensive with white roofs that are highly visible. There is also change anticipated on and near the industrial estate, with several schemes committed for development such as Envriroparks Energy from Waste facility.

Sense of place Continuation of the existing use is unlikely to have any impact on the sense of place, neither detracting from it nor adding to it. There is also change anticipated on and near the industrial estate, with several schemes committed for development such as Envriroparks Energy from Waste facility, which may have an impact on the character of the place.

General disturbance and mental wellbeing

Continuation of the existing use will not result in any change to the wellbeing of residents. However, there will be a change in the character as a result of new consented development such as the Enviroparks Energy from Waste Plant. It is also unclear if the existing community liaison between the operators of the site at present and the community.


Health, Social Care and Community facilities

The existing development makes not particularly contribution to the local community services and health care. There is nothing to suggest this will change on the site.

Essential Utilities

Essential utilities The development makes not contribution to providing essential utilities.

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CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS Key Receptors and

Sensitive Groups Potential Effects Mitigation or Actions Residual

Effects NB All temporary

Work and Income

Local economy People on a low income Economically inactive Unemployed /workless People living in areas exhibiting poor economic indicators

Construction of the Project will contribute to the local economy by creating some new local jobs during the construction phase and the impacts of construction on the local economy, for instance through the supply chain and services to support workers. The Environmental Statement (ES) for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) contains a detailed socio-economic assessment of the proposed development and cumulative effects. Gross Value Added is a measure of the value of goods and services produced in an area, industry or sector of an economy. Construction GVA per head in Central Valleys is £58,409 (ONS Data). The construction phase will deliver £5.3 million GVA to the national economy. This is a positive benefit for the national economy and to a lesser extent the local economy although the positive impacts would be only over the construction period. The construction workforce is likely to spend money in nearby villages, for instance on food and daily necessities. Specialist workers travelling from outside the area are likely to need local accommodation, supporting nearby hotels, B&Bs and rental accommodation. This may have some local effect on the housing market. However, any impact will be temporary and many workers will be drawn from a labour pool that means daily commuting to site is possible. Local businesses on the Hirwaun Industrial Estate could potentially be impacted by construction if it caused a high level of disturbance, for instance by affecting the appearance of the site for customers or increased dust. However, a negative impact on local businesses is unlikely given the character of nearby business (e.g. distribution and manufacturing).

To help further secure benefits to the local economy the construction phase should help provide employment for local people and make use of local and regional companies to procure construction good and services. Procurement on-site could make the best use of local businesses, this could include site services such welfare service and catering. A Construction Environmental Management Plan will ensure the impacts on surrounding businesses are minimised. For example, through the control of traffic, noise and air pollution (including dust). If it is likely that a large amount of construction workers employed on site will need temporary accommodation the Project could develop an accommodation plan. This could be used to identify ways to ensure that construction worker accommodation does not adversely impact on the housing market for local people and vulnerable groups, in particular the private rental market.

+/++

Access to work / Skills training People on a low income Economically inactive Unemployed /workless People living in areas exhibiting poor economic indicators

From a detailed schedule of the level of employment and skills required to build the Project the construction period is estimated to last approximately 22 months finishing in August 2019. It is estimated, based on similar schemes with a similar construction value, that number of construction workers onsite per month is likely vary and could be up to 91 in the peak construction period. The construction of the Project would support up to 91 construction jobs at any the peak construction period (equivalent to around 8 permanent construction jobs). There is also the potential for construction to add £5.3 million Gross Value Added to the national economy, as construction GVA per head in the Central Valleys is £58,409 (according to the Office for National Statistics).

The Project presents an opportunity to improve skills in the local resident population in general specialist construction skills related to the energy sector. This would help lower the area’s unemployment rate and improve productivity and competitiveness. A partnership approach between the Project team and local training providers, such as local colleges and adult education institutes, could help support vocational construction training. Training should be linked to paid jobs and would help to improve local people’s short, medium to long term employability

+


Congestion Children and Young People Older People

During the construction phase there will be a temporary increase in cars and HGV on the road associated with the construction activities (e.g. HGV and construction workers cars/vans). A detailed transport impact assessment is part of the planning application and the findings are reported in the ES of the EIA. The greatest traffic impacts of the Project are likely to come during the construction phase. Impacts on four nearby junctions have been assessed in the EIA with an adverse impact being likely on the A465 / Hirwaun Road / Brecon Road Roundabout. In the peak construction period this may operate at over capacity and there may be queuing traffic at peak times.

A Traffic Management Plan will be put in place during the construction phase. This will help reduce the impact of construction and demolition traffic on the local road network. For instance specify haul routes to keep larger loads off local roads and specifying how any large loads will be managed. The Travel Plan will also be used to encourage a greater proportion of construction workers to travel by non-car modes to reduce impacts of cars. To reduce congestion impacts a strategy can be put in place to limit construction vehicle movement during peak times, such as rush hour and times where school traffic will be on the road. There is also the potential for benefits to be secured in combination with other

-

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Key Receptors and Sensitive Groups

Potential Effects Mitigation or Actions Residual Effects NB All temporary

This is likely to be caused by the combination of existing traffic trends, the other developments occurring in the area, such as the supermarkets at the Ferraris site, as well as the Project’s construction vehicles. The temporary increase in traffic will also cause a very temporary localised decline in air quality (although the EIA has determined these not to be significant). The Institute of Environmental Assessment (IEA) guidelines describe severance as a perceived division that can occur within a community when it becomes separated by a major traffic artery. This, for example, may be a pedestrian unable to cross a road as a result of a large volume of traffic, or the loss of a public right of way or cycle lane. However, the Project does not restrict any pedestrian movements that already exist, other than a temporary diversion due to works that may occur along a footpath or road crossing within the red line boundary. Therefore, severance impacts are very unlikely and construction traffic is unlikely to have any greater impact on wellbeing and people’s willingness to walk or cycle.

development, were there are requirements to implement improvements to some junctions to improve capacity.

Equitable Access Unemployed/ workless People unable to access services and facilities

The site has non-car access, with bus services, cycle routes and footways, meaning local people should be able to access jobs during the construction phase even if they do not or cannot travel by car. Buses serve the area and the nearest bus stop is 150m from the site and another 550m away. Bus services serve a wider local catchment various destinations including Aberdare, Hirwaun, Rhigos, Glynhafod and Penderyn. Aberdare has a train station, with access to the wider communities of Wales. The Project is around 2km walking distance from the centres of Hirwaun and Rhigos which is likely walkable in good weather. There are footways along the entire length of the road connecting these two settlements to the site, although on Rhigos Road they are only unbroken along one side. There are no dedicated crossing places on the road yet the Rhigos Road is not very busy and safe crossing should be possible. The National Cycle Network 46 runs through the area from the A465 to the A4061 and then along the Rhigos Road into Hirwaun and the terrain in the area is flat so cycling to and from the site is feasible. The congestion that is predicted for the peak construction period could increase journey times for local buses and car drivers and make roads less safe, or feel less safe for cyclists.

The Project should provide information and guidance should be made available on walking, cycling and public transport options to access the site, in addition to car sharing. -


Crime Children and young people Older people

Construction sites with their store of materials and the influx of new people can make an area more vulnerable to crime or, at least, be perceived as being more vulnerable to crime.

The potential for crime at the site will be managed during the construction period through the erection of hoardings and suitable night time monitoring of the site. Consultation with the local police authority and Crime and Safety Partnership will take place to ensure the site is managed during construction to meet their expectations. A contact number will be provided for people to report any concerns they have during construction, at any time.

-

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Safety Construction workers Children and young people Older people

Traffic There is a potential for the additional construction traffic to result in an increase in road traffic accidents. There may also be a temporary elevation in the potential for road accidents. However, as the baseline information shows there are no locations that have been identified as major cluster of road traffic accidences. Furthermore, the majority of the HGV travelling to the site will use the strategic road network (Heads of Valleys Road) until they exit onto Rhigos Road. The local road network has been built to safety accommodate large vehicle and Project site was built to accommodate high levels of vehicle movements. Therefore, reducing the potential for effects of HGV travelling on smaller roads. Construction Safety (workers) Construction work can include tasks with the potential for physical injury. Installation of specific technologies and equipment, such as installation of turbines, gas and electrical connectors has the potential of safety risks. (See ground/water for specific contamination risk) Construction Safety (others) Children could potentially gain access to the site and get injured or come into contact with hazardous chemicals.

Traffic All vehicles on site will be managed according to a CEMP, to include control of vehicle movement through a route strategy and timetable for major traffic movements. Construction Safety (workers) Good health and safety practice will be followed for all construction on site. An individual will be appointed to be responsible for health and safety on site and the workforce made aware of risks and safe working practice. The Health and Safety Executive has produced an accompanying Approved Code of Practice document ‘Managing Health and Safety in Construction’ which sets out the implications of the new legislation for developers, contractors, designers and workers. Installations will be carried out by specialist companies. Construction Safety (others) The risk of unauthorised access and entry to the construction site will be managed through the CEMP and appropriate hoardings and security patrols on site. The gas pipeline will be constructed in compliance with the Institute of Gas Engineers Recommendations. This will include appropriate pipeline wall thickness and safety separation between buildings and the pipeline.

Traffic

- Construction Safety (workers)

- Construction Safety (others)

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The Environment

Air Construction workers Local residents and workers Children and young people Older people

The emission with the greatest relationship to human health during construction is dust, PM10 (which includes PM2.5) and NOx from for plant machine emissions and construction traffic. Dust is likely to be generated from demolition work, earth works and other excavating, site clearance and site preparation activities. Dust particles tend to resettle 100m to 500m from a source, with 70% settling within 200m. PM10 and NOx are likely to be generated from on-site equipment that uses oil or gas to operate as well as construction vehicle movements. The EIA air quality assessment has considered the type of construction likely on site and concludes that there is no reason to believe that it would give rise to any abnormal creation of dust. No assessment has been completed of construction traffic and this may lead to a temporary deterioration in air quality adjacent to some roads.

Preparation and implementation of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will require implementation of a comprehensive dust suppression/mitigation and monitoring programme, based on ‘The Control of Dust and Emissions from Construction and Demolition – Best Practice Guidance’ (Greater London Authority, 2006). It is anticipated that the CEMP will be secured through condition and approved with RCTCBC. Liaison arrangements will be set up with local residents and businesses to keep people informed of the construction programme, progress and any abnormal activities. Furthermore, a point of contact will be provided for people to report any concerns they have during the construction phase, at any time. Construction equipment will be located away from the Project site boundary and towards the centre of the site. Guidance will be in place to switch off equipment when not in use. Low emission equipment will be sourced where feasible. A route strategy and timetable for traffic movements will ensure that construction traffic is spread out across the day and generally outside of peak school run and commuter times.

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Ground Contamination and Stability

Construction workers

Power Generation Plant: The main potential impacts on geology, ground conditions and hydrogeology will be due to: Disturbance of existing contamination and the creation of pathways to

receptors; Ground instability from previous mining activities, peat and made ground

deposits; Disturbance to or loss of deposits of geology and soils; and Accidental pollution incidents. There may be some historical ground contamination on the site and this will need to be verified by detailed survey prior to development, following

Construction / demolition would be covered by the CEMP secured by as part of the DCO consents. CEMP measures will be implemented that will ensure that working on site avoids risks of contamination and migration of pollutants. This will include avoid risks of construction causing additional contamination, through careful storage of materials, chemicals and fuel. Working practices will follow industry best practice documents: Protection of Workers and the General Public during the development of

Contaminated Sites (HSE, 1991) and; A Guide to Safe Working on Contaminated Sites, R132 (CIRIA, 1996). Further intrusive investigation of contamination and geotechnical conditions at the Project site prior to construction will inform any remediation strategy needed at the site.

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demolition of the existing buildings. There is also the potential for contamination to be identified during digging of gas and electrical connection trenches. The full assessment of impacts relating to the ground and water are shown in the ES of the EIA. Site investigation works undertaken at the Rhigos Substation found no significant areas of land contamination requiring remediation. However, additional survey is required once the site is cleared.

It has been agreed with RCTCBC that one requirement for the granting of a DCO would be to undertake detailed investigation and remediation of the site. The design, choice of materials and construction of the gas pipeline will need to ensure its integrity if potentially corrosive chemicals are found in the soil. In addition, to avoid any impacts from ground subsidence (for instance in association with former coalmining use) the design of the gas pipeline will incorporate additional Performance Limits which are over and above those included in the IGE Pipeline Design Standards for stress limits.

Water Construction workers Users of local water bodies. Local residents.

No water from construction site activities (e.g. de-watering or run off) would be discharged into any watercourses and mitigation measures (both embedded and specific) have been proposed for the protection of existing watercourses. Power Generation Plant: A small amount of water will be required each day for the construction and demolition works (e.g. wheel washing and dust suppression) and hygiene. Spillage accidents will be managed through implementation of good working practice through the CEMP. Therefore, with reasonable scope for controls the impact of accidental spillages on surface water bodies and groundwater during construction will not create a pollution risk or impact on health. The Gas Connection Requires the crossing of three minor field drains. As for construction of the Power Generation Plant, best practice will be followed including the implementation of a CEMP. Waste water produced from hydraulic testing of the pipeline will be tankered in and will subsequently be discharged or otherwise disposed of in accordance with approved method statements and discussions with Natural Resource Wales. Based on the above it is considered that construction of the Gas Connection will have a no impact on the water quality and health. The Electrical Connection: The Electrical Connection has no interaction with water bodies.

Water used during the construction and demolition works will be brought in by tanker, no abstraction will be required. There will therefore be no impact on groundwater resources. Waste water will be disposed of by treatment and discharging to existing site drainage (as with current uses) or it will be collected and tankered away. The particular method will be agreed with National Resources Wales (NRW). Impacts of the development on water quality and resource use take into account mitigation measures that are either embedded in the design or will be implemented during construction and operation phases. The key mitigation will be the preparation and implementation of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). Other mitigation will be: Gas pipeline construction techniques will be used to protect the integrity of these

routes to ensure that no potential pollutant pathways are opened up which could impact on the field drains

If piling is required (which is unlikely) good practice will be followed on avoiding adverse impacts on water quality.

Industry standard methods to ensure the impacts from construction/demolition and operation to be managed through a, including: measures to avoid leachate and accidental spillage through the all storage of chemicals/petrol/oil in areas surrounded by an impermeable bund of 110% of the storage tank capacity.

Using the British Standard for Earthworks BS6031 for site earthworks during construction.

Guidelines on gas and electrical connection construction and trenching. Liaison arrangements will be set up with the local authority, local residents and

businesses to keep people informed of the construction programme, progress and any abnormal activities. Furthermore, a point of contact will be provided for people to report any concerns they have at any time during the construction phase.

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Light Local residents Children and young people Older people

Construction activities may require some working after dark, depending on the stage of the build. In these instances floodlighting may be required to protect the safety of construction workers. Construction core hours do extend into hours of darkness in the morning and evening. However, the site is also likely to be lit after dark for security purposes. The wider Hirwaun Industrial Estate is already lit, as is the A465 to the north.

Construction hours will be agreed with the RCTCBC are unlikely to exceed core working hours. There is in the winter period these core hours will extend to pre-dawn and post-dusk requiring lighting. Lighting will be directed on-to the site to help reduce disturbance effects to residents. High intensity lighting needed for construction work will not be switched on overnight under general working practices. However, should this be required for particular construction activities (e.g. abnormal loads being bought to the site overnight to avoid travel in peak times) this can be agreed with RCTCBC as part of construction management plan. Liaison arrangements will be set up with the local authority, local residents and businesses to keep people informed of any abnormal construction practice, such as the need for extra night-time lighting. Furthermore, a point of contact will be provided for people to report any concerns they have during the construction phase, at any time.

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Noise Construction workers Local residents and workers Children and young people Older people

Noise impacts related to construction are likely to be for short periods during the construction period; with noise levels varying by volume, type and location. Power Generation Plant: Predicted worst case noise from construction during the daytime is below the limit of 65dB(A) at all the identified receptors and although some change from current background noise levels the increase in noise levels is assessed as minor and not significant by the EIA. Construction of the electrical connection will be part of the general construction noise impacts and are not assessed to be significant by the EIA. Construction of the gas connection will also involve minor trenching and will only be comparable to agricultural machinery use on site and will not be significant on receptors. Overall: The Project is considered to have a minor and therefore not significant impact in terms of construction noise by the EIA. Noise levels at all identified Noise Sensitive Receptors (NSR) are below threshold values for the Power Generation Plant construction period. Little noise will be added to this from construction of the Gas and Electrical Connection. The distance of the NSR from the Project Site means that any vibration from construction will also be imperceptible. See relevant section of the ES of the EIA for more detail.

To help reduce noise from construction and demolition, the following mitigation measures will be implemented: Work in accordance with the recommendations of BS5228; Contractors to work to an agreed Construction Environmental Management Plan

(CEMP) to include communicating with local residents about activities and a point of contact for complaints;

Agree core working hours with RCTCBC, generally Monday to Friday 0700-1900 and Saturday 0800-1300, any additional working will be agreed in writing;

All vehicles will have exhaust silencers fitted and low noise plant or noise shielding will be used where feasible; and

Low noise plant will be used where feasible and plant (e.g. generators) will be positioned to minimise noise disturbance (e.g. towards the centre of the Project site) and where necessary temporary barriers or enclosures will be used.

A requirement as part of the Development Consent Order will be the control of noise levels at residential locations and the monitoring of noise levels at these locations during the construction/demolition phase. Liaison arrangements will be set up with local residents and businesses to keep people informed of the construction programme, progress and any abnormal activities. Furthermore, a point of contact will be provided for people to report any concerns they have during the construction phase, at any time.

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Electromagnetic Fields Construction workers Local residents and workers

Prior to power being generated at the plant there will be no potential for electromagnetic field effects.

NA ~


Views Local businesses Local residents

During construction there will be some change in the visual appearance of the site. However, the impacts caused specifically through demolition and construction activities will be temporary. The site is in an industrial estate and already has a poor visual quality. Therefore, the main impacts will relate to a change from what people have become accustomed to and the activity on the site as it constructed may have some temporary effects on people’s perception of the site. A full assessment of the impact on the landscape is included in the ES of the EIA.

The change in the views of the site will be from the existing industrial character, the development will remove the existing highly visible structures from the landscape. The layout of buildings on the site will use the natural landform to help integrate it into the landscape and reduce the visual effect.

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Sense of place Local businesses Local residents

The construction of the Project will be a change the site from a distribution / industrial use to a power generation use. There may be changes to views of the site from cairns in the nearby Brecon Beacons, which are a characteristic of the area and the long history of people living in this landscape. However, views will be distant and the site was previously developed. There are unlikely to be adverse impacts on people’s wellbeing. A full assessment that provides additional detail to the above is included in the ES of the EIA.

If archaeological remains are found during ground works, construction work would be halted pending agreement with the Planning Archaeologist. Building investigation of extant WWII structures be carried out prior to any building work and if it is necessary to disturb the remains mitigation would be required in order to preserve any remains by record. Trial trenching or a watching brief is carried out during construction, by means of a Written Scheme of Investigation of the Gas Connection during pipe-laying.

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Construction workers Local residents Children and young people Older people

Nearby residents and businesses: Accumulation of construction effects (potential noise, dust, visual and traffic effects have been identified) could cause significant effects on stress manifested as worry, concern, frustration, anger and upset among the closest existing residents, employees and business owners. This is likely to have some adverse effect for those working and owning businesses, with some potential effect on those who live close to the development area.

Nearby residents and businesses: Construction effects will be mitigated through implementation of Construction Environmental Management Plans, which will consider how to mitigate the noise levels in the relevant area in line with the recommendations, as set out in specific sections of this table on air, noise, dust etc. Liaison arrangements will be set up with local residents and businesses to keep people informed of the construction programme, progress and any abnormal activities.

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However, as noted there are few local residents. Construction Workers: Workers on the site could have stress related to their work depending on the quality of the contractors used and the terms and conditions under which they are employed.

Furthermore, a point of contact will be provided for people to report any concerns they have during construction, at any time. These measures should help reduce anxiety related to construction for local residents and business owners. Construction Workers: The quality of the construction workers conditions can partially be mitigated through the developers Health and Safety at Work practices, risk assessments and provision of appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).



Construction workers Children and young people Older People

Construction workers may need to access local health and social care services however their numbers are small and this is unlikely to adversely affect the local population by stretching the capacity of these services. The project will also have occupational health and safety team to look after the health needs of construction workers. Construction work at the site will not adversely affect the operation of existing health, social care or community facilities. The development will also not result in any harm to public rights of way or open space.

NA ~

Essential Utilities

Essential utilities Local residents A full utilities survey of the site shows has not identified any potential concerns from disruption to essential utilities supply during construction.

Not relevant. ~

* N.B. The analysis of environmental issues is based on the findings of the Environmental Statement submitted alongside the planning application. Mitigation measures identified in the EIA are noted here where appropriate. For full details of the findings of the EIA please refer to the Environmental Statement. Appendix G also provides a summary.

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Operational Impacts OPERATIONAL IMPACT Vulnerable

groups/receptors Potential Effects Mitigation or Actions

Residual Effects NB All effects temporary

Work and Income Local economy People on a low

income Economically inactive Unemployed /workless People living in areas of exhibiting poor economic indicators

According to the socio-economic impacts recorded in the EIA, the operational phase of the Project would contribute £0.45 million and £0.36 million per annum to the local economy and national economy respectively. This is in terms of spending on operation and maintenance (not in terms of direct income to the power supply company). This has the potential for a positive impact against this determinant.

Where possible during operation procurement and employment should be drawn from the local economy.

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Access to work/ Skills training People on a low income Economically inactive Unemployed /workless People living in areas of exhibiting poor economic indicators

According to the socio-economic impacts recorded in the EIA, the operational phase of the Project would provide an estimated 15 full time equivalent direct jobs. Many of these jobs could be local. The labour requirement during the operational phase would provide a positive benefit and would be sourced from a number of economically active categories including workers in directly relevant industries, workers with transferable skills and unemployed local people.

Analysis of the regional labour market and its skills profile indicates the number of operational workers required can be provided from within the area’s local labour force, according to the EIA. The Project presents an opportunity to reskill a small section of the currently available workforce. This would help lower the area’s unemployment rate and improve productivity and competitiveness. A partnership approach between the Project team and local training providers, such as local colleges and adult education institutes, could help support training activities, depending on the type of job available at the site.

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Transport and Connectivity Congestion Children and

Young People Local business owners

The scheme would create very few additional vehicle movements on the road during operation. The estimated full time workforce at the site would be about 14-15 people, many travelling from the local area. This means there is good potential for some of the workforce to travel on foot, by bike or using public transport. There will be occasional delivery of parts. Therefore, the development is unlikely to have an impact on congestion, road severance or safety once construction ceases.

A Travel Plan will be developed for the site to encourage employees make sustainable travel choices, using public transport, walking or cycling wherever possible.

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Equitable Access Unemployed/ workless People unable to access services and facilities

The site has good non-car access, meaning local people can apply for operation phase jobs even if they do not or cannot travel by car. Buses serve the area and the nearest bus stop is 150m from the site and another 550m away. Bus services serve a wider local catchment various destinations including Aberdare, Hirwaun, Rhigos, Glynhafod and Penderyn. Aberdare has a train station, with access to the wider communities of Wales. The Project is around 2km walking distance from the centres of Hirwaun and Rhigos which is likely walkable in good weather. There are footways along the entire length of the road connecting these two settlements to the site, although on Rhigos Road they are only unbroken along one side. There are no dedicated crossing places on the road yet the Rhigos Road is not very busy and safe crossing should be possible. The National Cycle Network 46 runs through the area from the A465 to the A4061 and then along the Rhigos Road into Hirwaun and the terrain in the area is flat so cycling to and from the site is feasible.

A Travel Plan will be developed for the site to demonstrate alternatives to car travel, including public transport, car share, walking or cycling wherever possible. Cycle parking will be provided on the site.

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OPERATIONAL IMPACT Vulnerable groups/receptors

Potential Effects Mitigation or Actions


Safer neighbourhoods and safety Crime Children and

Young People Older People Local residents and business owners

The Hirwaun Industrial Estate has experienced relatively frequent incidences of crime such as vandalism and theft. Therefore, bringing this site back into full use, with personnel on site during the day and night will help provide some natural surveillance to the site to deter crime.

It is recommended that consultation takes place with the local police authority and Crime and Safety Partnership to assess the needs and best ways of meeting the needs of the local area to prevent crime and enhance safety to meet their expectations.

There will be a point of contact provided for local residents and business should any of them be concerned about the development at any time.

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Safety Local residents and workers Site workers Children and Young People

Traffic There is not likely to be any change in the traffic currently on the roads as a result of the scheme. With International Greetings use generating similar levels of traffic. Operational Safety The site will operate a gas power station and there is the potential for non-routine events that could cause a gas explosion or other emergency event. However, the technologies on site will be proven and the operators will be experienced in providing a safe working environment, as well as one that manages risks to nearby communities. There will be no storage of natural gas on the site. There may also be the potential for non-routine events associated with the gas connection pipeline.

Traffic No impact likely. Operational safety The mitigation of potential impacts will be through: Systems, staff and procedures: All staff will be equipped with the latest PPE

equipment and will be well trained in the operation of the Project. Vigorous Standard Operating Procedures and reporting will be put in place and an Emergency Plan will be developed in consultation with the local authority and local and regional emergency services.

Proven technology: The technologies chosen will be demonstrated to be proven and safe in use elsewhere in the UK and internationally.

Fully accredited: ISO9001 will be implemented. Full facilities for interfacing information, control and alarm systems would be installed so that the plant can be operated from the central control room via the distributed control system (DCS). In the event of a fault in the gas turbine generator(s) or other major plant items the Power Generation Plant would shut down automatically in a controlled manner. Periodic maintenance would be carried out on the Power Generation Plant approximately once every 6 months. In the event of an issue with the Power Generation Plant, alarms would signal instances where there are issues with abnormal operation. The plant would be shut down quickly in a controlled manner in such instances and an engineer would attend site. The Power Generation Plant would not start up again until the issue had been resolved. The gas pipeline will have its own monitoring systems and emergency shut off systems. There will be a point of contact provided for local residents and business should they be concerned about the Project at any time.

Traffic

~ Operational Safety

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The Environment

Air Local residents and workers Site workers Children and Young People

The air quality assessment at operation focuses on the stack emissions, as traffic generation is shown to be very minor and a decrease from the levels of traffic using the site in the past. In assessing air quality impacts the most relevant to human health are: maximum ground level concentrations of NO2 and CO anywhere

within the study area maximum contributions to concentrations of NOx and nitrogen

deposition over the designated sites in the study area. Full modelling of potential air quality impacts from the proposed Power Generation Plant have been undertaken and are part of the EIA and shown in the ES of the EIA. This takes into account the contribution from stack emissions during operation, plus the likely air quality as a result of road traffic when the plant is open. Modelling shows that the

Stack height modelling has shown the greatest benefits for emissions dispersal is at between 30m and 35m and therefore the DCO will set a condition for the stacks to be within the stated range. Furthermore, NOx emission control is part of the embedded technology of the stack design and has been taken into account in the modelling for the EIA. This technology will be maintained as part of a regular maintenance schedule of the plant to ensure they remain in full working order. The Project will require a permit to operate and monitoring the performance of the plant against the permit conditions will be the responsibility of Natural Resource Wales. The performance of the emissions control will require testing of stack emissions throughout the operation phase. Even though transport impacts of the operation of the Project will be minimal a Travel Plan will be implemented to further reduce this, identifying ways to have a greater proportion of the workforce travelling to the site by sustainable travel modes.

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magnitude of the impacts on pollutant concentrations ranges from largely imperceptible for carbon monoxide and annual mean nitrogen dioxide, to medium for hourly mean nitrogen dioxide. The total pollutant concentrations remain well below the air quality objectives, even when considered to be combined with emissions from road traffic. So, there is likely to be a negligible health impact according the EIA. The model also indicates that dispersion from the stack will not travel towards Hirwaun or Rhigos villages and is most likely to travel north east. The impact of the Project operation on pollutant concentrations in the nearest AQMA (Aberdare) is stated by the EIA to be imperceptible. Therefore, although the health impacts are identified as negligible there may be some locations where air quality shows a slight decrease. However, due to the modelling testing various stack heights a height can be found that ensure the best dispersion to the atmosphere.

Ground Contamination and Stability Local residents and workers Site workers Children and Young People Older people

A full survey of ground contamination will be completed prior to construction of the proposed development, as described in the construction section. All necessary remediation will be completed prior to occupation of the site, meaning workers and visitors and local communities at the Power Generation Plant will not be at risk for ground contamination issues. The operation of the Project has some potential to increase ground contamination through the storage of chemicals and waste residues from power generation.

The storage of materials on site will need to ensure it complies with requirements to avoid risks of accidental leakage. Waste generated by the Project will be treated and disposed of to licenced waste treatment facilities and waste disposal sites There will be a point of contact provided for local residents and business should any of them be concerned about the development at any time.

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Water Local residents and workers Site workers Children and Young People Older people

The Power Generation Plant will utilise air cooling, instead of water which is normally the largest operational demand for water in the majority of UK power stations. Therefore, there will be not to be significant water demand from the Project, also there will be no direct discharges into existing waterways ensuring protection of the ground and surface water supplies. Other water used on site, for instance for washing turbine blades, will be tanked off-site by a licensed contractor for disposal at an appropriately licensed disposal facility. There will therefore be no impacts on water quality as a result of blade washing. A small amount of water will also be required for drinking and sanitation purposes. However, a similar number of operational workers will be employed as current uses. Therefore the domestic/sanitary water requirements during the operation phase will be broadly similar to current and past water requirements. The Power Generation Plant Site will be equipped with a surface water drainage system and a sewerage system. Details of these systems will be confirmed via a ‘prior approval’ type requirement as a condition for the granting of a DCO. It is not anticipated that surface water drainage will require specialist treatment. Surface water drainage will be uncontaminated and typical of surface water runoff from areas of hard standing and roads. Before reaching the main sewerage network the runoff will pass through oil interceptors / filters. Feasibility and design of any sustainable drainage systems will be agreed in advance with NRW through a requirement in the DCO. Further details can be found in the water section of the ES of the EIA.

No additional mitigation identified. The proposed development has integral water impact mitigation in the type of technology used. The detail design of the scheme to manage surface water drainage and discharge to the sewer related to sanitation will be agreed prior to development and secured through a condition of the development. Systems will ensure that any risk to water bodies is avoided through appropriate pollution control on site.

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Light Nearby residents

The Power Generation Plant will be operational during hours of darkness. This means there will be some additional lighting on the site in the evening and/or at night. Therefore, there is the potential for

Lighting design will ensure that light spillage and lights are directed into the site. If there are light complaints e.g. light shining directly into people’s homes then these will be investigated and specific mitigation put in place to ensure that this is

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additional lighting effects of development. This may have some impact on nearest the site. However, Properties near the site are predominately screened by high coniferous tree banks and the topography and the A465 to the north is lit by street lights throughout the night. Therefore, impacts on nearby residents are likely to be small.

mitigated. There will be a point of contact provided for local residents and business should any of them be concerned about the Project at any time.

Noise Local residents and workers Site workers Children and Young People Older people

A noise model has been used to predict the noise of the proposed Power Generation Plant. The EIA states that the noise increase is likely to be negligible inside properties even with window open. The level is low enough that it should not cause sleep disturbance. The gas AGI will also generate a small amount of noise, a low ‘hum’ or ‘hiss’ associated with regulating the flow. However, the noise is generally no perceptible except when very close to the AGI. There are no residential properties in close proximity so the likely impacts are negligible. Consideration has also been given to the potential for noise impacts due to the particular characteristics of noise, e.g. whines or hums. No impacts were identified as part of the EIA. The plant will only operate intermittently, so any noise emitted will also be also be intermittent. It is recognised that this may cause its own disturbance effects. However, as the noise levels predicted in properties will only show a negligible change it is unlikely to have particular disturbance effect.

Mitigation will include: Noise limits will be agreed with RCTCBC; Detailed design to help mitigate noise through layout and orientation of plant; Continual noise monitoring following commissioning of the new plant, agreed

with RCTCBC and implemented at regular intervals; Inherently quiet plant chosen where practicable; Maintenance of plant to avoid any abnormal noise impacts; There will be a point of contact provided for local residents and business should

any of them be concerned about the Project at any time. Where abnormal operations may lead to noise levels being breached (e.g.

equipment malfunction) the operator will inform RCTCBC and residents on the reason and how long it may last; and

Additional shielding, noise barriers or other appropriate measures will be implemented as appropriate in discussion with RCTCBC.

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Electromagnetic Fields Local residents and workers Site workers Children and Young People

The electric and magnetic fields described here are those produced by the generation and use of electricity. While many studies indicate that exposure to electric and magnetic fields do not cause health effects, others suggest that magnetic fields could be linked to some long term health effects. Some suggest health effects may include an increased risk in childhood leukaemia, but the link is not proven. The proposed electrical link will be underground and not in close proximity to any homes or residential areas.

Review of the site following the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines indicates that exposure to Electric and Magnetic Fields are well within Reference Limits and not significant. EMF generated by the underground cable will be much lower than from existing overhead power lines.

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Views Local businesses owners and residents Recreational users

Due to the location of the development there will be limited impact of the Project on existing communities. The Project could deliver some benefits in terms of the quality of the built environment and views to the site. These benefits would be through the removal of the large expanse of white roofs that currently characterise the site. As noted in a ‘Design Review Report’ issued by the Design Commission for Wales (January 2014) the “scheme demonstrates best practice in minimising the impact of infrastructure on the environment.” The stacks are likely to be visible from locations in and around the site as well as from further away. Due to the choice of technology, there will not be a visible ‘plume’ arising from the stacks. Views from the southern side of the valley looking into the National Park will have the stacks in the foreground. However, there is limited residential development in this location and impacts will be reduced as the buildings and stacks will not be seen against the sky, but will be seen against a backdrop of other industrial buildings and roads and general woodland/ screen planting. Views from the north side of the valley are from within the National Park. Views towards the site are all already affected by the remnants of open cast coal mining, roads, the former railway; overhead powerlines, and industrial units reducing any impact of the Project. There is the potential for this increased visual impact to have an effect

The location of the Power Generating Plant has been arranged to minimise the visual impacts and views from the Brecon Beacons National Park and from nearby homes. This takes advantage of the land form and screening from existing trees on the site. Landscape elements are proposed, including new tree planting, to further screen the site and reduce its visibility beyond that of the current industrial shed. However, the stacks will bring an additional height element, up to 35m, but will have no emissions plume. It has always been the intention of the applicants to ensure the development is of a good design quality. Early involvement of an architect and engaging with the Design Commission for Wales has been used to maximise opportunities for good design. Specific measures will include cladding of the buildings to help it blend, as much as is reasonably possible, with the landscape.

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on how satisfied people are with where they live and this may have an impact on wellbeing. A full assessment of the impact on the landscape is included in the ES of the EIA.


Sense of place Local businesses owners and residents

Retaining the character of a place is an important part of protecting and enhancing a positive feeling in residents about the place they live and therefore their wellbeing. The construction of the site will be a change in use from distribution / industrial use to a Power Generation Plant. There may also be changes to views of the site from cairns in the nearby Brecon Beacons, which are a characteristic of the area and how the long history of people living in the landscape. However, views will be distance and the development site is previously developed, meaning impacts will be minor. Therefore, there are unlikely to have impacts on people’s wellbeing. A full assessment of the impact on built heritage and the landscape is included in the ES of the EIA. As a new development the Project and operators will need to ensure they connect with local communities and demonstrate how voices are being listened to. Without this recognition there is the chance of the project having adverse impacts on cohesion.

There site is already well screened from nearby residential properties by large stands of trees and natural topography. However, it will not be possible to fully screen the flues (nor desirable to in terms of air quality effects). Therefore, some minor residual impacts may remain. It is proposed to establish a community liaison group to maintain a dialogue between the plant operators and the local community.

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Local residents and workers Site workers Children and Young People

Local people may be concerned about operation of the Project due to the nature of the operations or other factors, such as views or disturbance. There may be some improvements to local wellbeing if the development allows people to get back into work, find a more secure employment and if the Project is seen as an asset and improvement to the facility that was there previously.

Ongoing engagement with local communities and a social investment strategy for the locality would help to make the Project a positive part of the local community. This includes recruitment of local staff where possible and procuring goods and services from local and regional businesses. There will be a point of contact provided for local residents and business should any of them be concerned about the development at any time.

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Site workers Children and young people Older People

The community infrastructure assessment as part of the socio-economic chapter of the EIA shows that there are a limited number of community facilities located in close proximity to the Project. Operation of the development is unlikely to have any impact on health, social care or community services. The operation workforce will be small and there is potential for workers to be drawn from local communities and therefore already be accessing local services. The development site has been allocated for employment use in local plans. Therefore, the proposed use will not result in any land for the potential for an alternative social use, including housing, community use or as open space. The operational staff will be covered by an occupational health and safety team to look after the health needs of workers.

Hirwaun Power Limited will work with RCTCBC to establish how benefits can be realised for the community.

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Essential Utilities Essential utilities National impacts Securing an energy future for the UK is important. This Power

Generation Plan will help provide a constant supply of energy by helping supporting the national grid supply in times of high demand or shortfall in

Not relevant. +

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energy provision from other providers e.g. renewables or non-renewables.

* N.B. The analysis of environmental issues is based on the findings of the Environmental Statement submitted alongside the planning application. Mitigation measures identified in the EIA are noted here where appropriate. For full details of the findings of the EIA please refer to the Environmental Statement. Appendix G also provides a summary.

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Appendix G HIA Scoping Response

Comments Received at HIA Scoping and HIA Response

Comment Respondent HIA Response

Welcome the preparation of the HIA following response from Public Health England and NHS Wales.

Wales Health Impact Support Unit (Public Health Wales)

Public Health England

NHS Wales / Cwm Taf Health Board

Noted

Recommendations for the scoping report to contain more detail on the timescales of the DCO.



The HIA is to be submitted as part of the DCO application. Timescales for construction are included.

There is a need for a community health profile to be included in the HIA.



Noted and included.

They would like to see HIA specific consultation and the scoping report lacked detail. There is no detail about which stakeholders were consulted and this needs to be made clearer. They advise additional workshops for the HIA. This should include members of the local public health team of Public Health Wales and local councillors and Communities First Cluster Partnership manager.



No additional stakeholder or local community was undertaken for the HIA.

The consultation section of the HIA reports on the findings of the consultation carried out for the DCO process (statutory and non-statutory). The feedback relevant to the health and the safety concerns of local people and stakeholders are reported.

Consideration of vulnerable groups in the local community and populations who may be affected should be listed in the HIA and mitigation discussed with them if necessary.



The vulnerable groups are identified in the HIA assessment matrices. However, no additional consultation has been completed.

Geographical Scope is appropriate. Wales Health Impact Support Unit (Public Health Wales)


Noted.

The substation at Rhigos needs to be part of the scope of the HIA. Also the cumulative effects with the Energy from Waste development must be considered.



Cumulative impacts are considered as part of the HIA, drawing on the Environmental Impact Assessment. However, the Project can only have influence over matters in its control and therefore these impacts are separately reported from Project impacts.


PHE welcomes your decision to adopt best practice and provide a separate Health Impact Report as part of the final submission for a development Consent Order.

Public Health England Noted.

Notes that PHE’s previous comment on the EIA Scoping Report identified what should be included in the ES chapter.


The inclusion of transport and pollution risks in the technical scope of the document is welcomed.



Noted.

We accept the use of qualitative data in the assessment of some impacts but would recommend that the report fully considers any quantitative information available. This would usually include traffic impact assessments, local authority air quality assessments and the output of any predictive modelling relating to either traffic related pollution or plume modelling associated with the proposed power station.



The HIA draws on the technical assessments of the EIA in relation to these issues although reporting is qualitative in the EIA. No additional technical information is included in the HIA to avoid information being misrepresented or taken out of context. Full cross reference is provided to the Environmental Statement.

The use of a summary table indicating potential positive and negative impacts is acceptable to PHE, subject to a clear explanation of the decision making methodology used.


It will be necessary to demonstrate compliance with ICNIRP guidelines for electromagnetic forces for underground cables.



Electrical infrastructure EMF assessment has been completed for the Project and reported in the EIA and HIA.

We would recommend that you fully consider EIA scoping response on:

Potential public health impacts from air, land and water caused by development involving potentially contaminated land (including land associated with gas pipeline or power line construction).

Transport or traffic related air quality impacts arising from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the station.

Potential public health impacts of electric and magnetic fields associated with power generation, substations or transmission systems.



These impacts are considered as part of the HIA.

As this application is within Wales, you are also required to consult Public Health Wales who is a statutory consultee in its own right.

Public Health England Public Health Wales have been included as a consultee.


Response has been prepared in conjunction with advice from Public Health Wales as well as PHE Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards.


Noted

Public Health England does not have the primary public health remit in Wales


Noted.

Para 1.2.3 we suggest adding here “...and to suggest ways in which negative health impacts can be mitigated and positive health impacts enhanced.



Now included.

Refer to the original scoping response provided by the Health Board on the EIA.



This has been taken into account preparation of the Environmental Statement.

It would be useful to provide a list of documents to be reviewed as part of the policy analysis.



A list is contained in the HIA.

A community health profile needs to be included within the HIA report.



This is included in the baseline section.

Although the Scoping Report states that there has been extensive consultation and feedback, this has been contained within and shaped by the overall Environmental Statement (ES). We believe that the focus is mainly on economic and environmental effects and health risks and data and information collected as part of the EIA is not sufficient to inform the HIA.



The consultation has primarily been for the DCO application and therefore covers all aspects of the development, including economic and environmental effects but not limited to them.

‘Education and Training’ should be added to the core list identified in para 4.3.1. However, WHIASU suggests that the potential for impacts against all determinants be considered as part of the HIA.



Skills attainment fits more naturally under the ‘Employment and Income Determinant’


Appendix H Cumulative Effects

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Cumulative Impacts

The Environmental Impact Assessment process has included the consideration of cumulative impacts of the proposed Hirwaun Power Generation Plant with other developments that are proposed and committed for development in the local area. A list of these other developments has been agreed as part of the EIA process and included in the ES. Developments are:

• Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Farm – planning consent • Mynydd Bwlifa Wind Farm – planning consent • Supermarket – Bryngelli Estate, Hirwaun – planning consent • Environ Energy from Waste Plant – Hirwaun Industrial Estate – planning consent • Rhigos Substation – under construction.

Air quality and landscape assessments also take into account the Hirwaun Energy Centre.

Pen Y Cymedd Wind Farm

Mynydd Bwlifa Wind Farm

Supermarket Enviroparks: Energy from Waste Rhigos Substation

Air Quality

Not considered Not considered Not considered Maximum ground level concentrations of NO2 are well within the air quality objectives for annual and hourly means and, as such, no cumulative impacts on human health are anticipated with the operation of the Project. The impacts of the Project at the point of maximum cumulative impacts are negligible i.e. the maximum contribution from other sources and the maximum cumulative contributions. When daily mean impacts from the Project are greatest, the impacts from Enviroparks and other developments are negligible i.e. 0.6% of the critical level. Maximum daily impacts at the location of maximum impact of the Project occur under north-westerly winds. Under these conditions, impacts are dominated by Enviroparks and the contribution of the

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development is 0.0004 ug/Nm3 i.e. imperceptibly small. The conclusions of the assessment of the impacts of the Project are robust whether considered in isolation or cumulatively with other developments. That is to say, the impacts of the Project are imperceptibly small and will not give appreciable effects on the sensitive habitats, irrespective of the cumulative impacts with background concentrations and other developments. (The dispersion modelling also included cumulative impacts with the Hirwaun Energy Plan and Green Frog STOR – as these will all generate emissions).

Noise (NSR – Noise sensitive receptor used in the noise assessment for the Power Generation Plant)

The nearest NSR is 13km. Over this distance wind noise from the turbines will have fallen to background noise levels.

The nearest NSR is 4km. Over this distance wind noise from the turbines will have fallen to background noise levels.

Bounded by residential therefore noise mitigation wouodl have to be part of their planning consent. Therefore, no impacts on the receptors to the power plant receptors.

Full cumulative assessment completed using data from the planning application. There is one common NSR: Tai Cwplau, a working farm. This results in a ‘reasonable’ ambient noise level, below the ‘good’ level at other receptors. Noise llevels are still well within WHO guideline values. Therefore, there is minor adverse impact.

Not included

Water Will not have any water use. No overlap in construction phase.

Will not have any water use. No overlap in construction phase.

Development is unlikely to coincide. Water use is unlikely to be an

Construction phases unlikely to coincide. This project nor the Hirwaun power project will have discharge to water. Unlikely to be any cumulative effect.

Will not have any water use. No overlap in construction phase.

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Some distance from project site. No cumulative impact likely.

Some distance from project site. No cumulative impact likely.

issue during operation.

Ground No cumulative impacts likely due to the type of impact identified at the Hirwaun project site.

No cumulative impacts likely due to the type of impact identified at the Hirwaun project site.

No cumulative impacts likely due to the type of impact identified at the Hirwaun project site.

No cumulative impacts likely due to ground impacts specific to the Hirwaun Project site.

No cumulative impacts likely due to ground impacts specific to the Hirwaun Project site.

Built Heritage None due to distance

None due to distance. None due to distance.

Potential for combined impact on WWII Ordnance factory. However, mitigation will be as suggested for the Hirwaun Power Generation Project.

Potential for combined impact on WWII Ordnance factory. However, mitigation will be as suggested for the Hirwaun Power Generation Project.

Traffic and transport

Due to be completed by 2018 and negligible operation traffic so not included in assessment.

No significant increase in traffic at construction, only abnormal size loads. Negligible operation traffic so not included in assessment.

Supermarkets at and opposite Ferris Bakery have full operational traffic assessment integrated into the main assessment of operational impacts of the Hirwaun Power Generation Project.

Operational traffic not included in the assessment as shift patterns would not impact on the traffic for the Hirwaun Power Generation Project.

Produces negligible operational traffic and is not included in the assessment.

Landscape None identified. From the north there may be partial views of the turbine blades of the Mynydd Wind Farm may

None identified. Including: Hirwaun Energy Centre and INRG Solar PV Site There will be a cumulative impact of the Enviroparks EfW and the Rhigos Substation and the Hirwaun Energy Centre. However, the overall impacts from the south of the site are reduced as they are all

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just be visible on top of the hill to the south, but this is unlikely.

set within the Hirwaun Industrial Estate and within existing tree and vegetation screening. The EIA does not identify the impact as significant. From the east some upper parts of the various tall vertical structure of the Hirwaun Energy Centre and EfW will be visible, although the substation will be screened. Impacts are also not identified as significant. From deep into the National Park to the north the Enviroparks EfW will be seen in front of the Project. The Hirwaun Energy Centre would be visible to the left of the view. The pylons of the Rhigos substation will be visible to the right of Enviroparks EfW, however the main substation infrastructure would be screened by existing vegetation. Further afield it may be possible to view some of the panels at the INRG solar PV proposal at Hendre Fawr. These impacts are considered of a low magnitude and not significant. From just north of the site The Hirwaun Energy Centre would be visible to the left of the view. The pylons of the Rhigos substation will be visible to the right of Enviroparks EfW, however the main substation infrastructure would be screened by existing vegetation. These effects are considered to be of a low magnitude not significant. From the north and west the upper parts of the various tall vertical structures of the Hirwaun Energy Centre and the Enviroparks EfW will be visible. The Rhigos Substation will be screened by existing intervening vegetation. These effects are considered to be of a low magnitude and not significant.

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