Styal Golf Course Accommodation Works Non-Technical Summary 1007/6.15.2/169 September 2013
Document Control Sheet Project Title: Styal Golf Course Report Title: Non Technical Summary Document No: 1032775.014.001 Revision: 1.0 Status: Draft Control Date: September 2013 Record of Issue Issue Status Author Date Check Date Authorised Date 1 Draft J Booth Sep 2013 H Roberts Sep 2013 R McEvan Sep 2013 2 Final J Booth Sep 2013 H Roberts Sep 2013 R McEvan Sep 2013 Distribution Organisation Contact Copies Stockport MBC Naz Huda Electronic Stockport MBC Joe Roberts Electronic URS Sam Rosillo Electronic This Report is presented to SMBC in respect of the Styal Golf Course Environmental Statement and may not be used or relied on by any other person or by the client in relation to any other matters not covered specifically by the scope of this Report. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the report, Mouchel Limited is obliged to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence in the performance of the services required by SMBC and Mouchel Limited shall not be liable except to the extent that it has failed to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence, and this report shall be read and construed accordingly. This Report has been prepared by Mouchel Limited. No individual is personally liable in connection with the preparation of this Report. By receiving this Report and acting on it, the client or any other person accepts that no individual is personally liable whether in contract, tort, for breach of statutory duty or otherwise. Mouchel 2013
Styal Golf Course Accommodation Works ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Introduction As part of the South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy (SEMMMS), Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC), Manchester City Council (MCC) and Cheshire East Council (CEC) are promoting 10km of new road, predominately dual carriageway, connecting the A6 to Manchester Airport and incorporating the existing A555 dual carriageway to the south of Bramhall. The alignment of the Relief Road on the southern fringe of the Greater Manchester conurbation would cross the northern part of the Styal Golf Course (located between Manchester Airport and the settlements of Handforth and Heald Green), severing three golf holes from the rest of the 18 hole course. Accommodation works are therefore proposed to maintain use of the golf course during construction of the proposed Relief Road and to mitigate the impact of the Relief Road upon the Golf Course. The location of the Golf Course is shown below. Figure 1 Location Plan The objectives of the Styal Golf Course Accommodation Works (the Proposed Scheme) are: To ensure that Styal Golf Course can continue with its operations during the construction works. To maintain the functionality of Styal Golf Club and its viability as a business. Mouchel 2013 1
To make available land to accommodate the SEMMMS A6 to Manchester Relief Road. The Proposed Scheme requires development consent under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in accordance with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (EIA) Regulations 2011. An has been prepared to report the findings of the studies and assessments which have been undertaken and which will form part of the environmental information taken into account by the Planning Authority in determining whether planning consent should be granted. This outlines the principal environmental impacts identified in the and the proposed mitigation. Consultation A three week consultation period was undertaken during July 2013 where members of the local community and key stakeholders were invited to comment on the proposed layout for the remodelling of Styal Golf Course. During this period two public consultation events were held at Styal Golf Course; one with members of the public and the second specifically with golf club members. Targeted consultations (by letter, email or face-to-face meetings) have also been carried out with landowners and affected parties as well as environmental regulators. The purpose of the consultation exercise was to obtain environmental data relating to the existing site, ensure that all are given an opportunity to comment on the scheme and to assist in defining the key environmental issues associated with the Proposed Scheme. Feedback from consultations has helped inform the design of the scheme and environmental protection measures. Alternatives A number of variations of site layout were considered to accommodate the required number of new golf holes and the re-modelling of existing golf holes. The preferred layout was selected taking into account land area required, proximity to residential properties, local access and amenity and the requirements of the golf course. Mouchel 2013 2
Existing Environment The Proposed Scheme comprises the land within the boundary of Styal Golf Club and the two adjacent fields which border the south eastern edge of the golf course. The land adjacent to the proposed accommodation works comprise: the existing golf course; residential properties and fields used for agriculture to the west; residential properties associated with Station Road and Clay Lane to the south; an area of scrub/woodland and agricultural fields to the east; and a plant nursery and agricultural fields to the north. The Styal railway line immediately borders the golf course to the west. The existing Golf Course comprises pockets of semi-natural broad-leaved woodland and areas of improved grassland. There are also some areas of bare ground. There is a network of freshwater ponds throughout the Golf Course. Dobbin Brook runs outwith the Golf Club boundary to the south. The two adjacent fields which border the south eastern edge of the golf course are primarily used as grazing land for livestock. The field to the west comprises freshwater ponds whilst the field to the east comprises pockets of scrub, semi natural broadleaved woodland and native species hedgerows. One public right of way, Footpath (FP) 10, crosses the Proposed Scheme east-west and links into FP119 which runs north-south along the edge of the area of scrub/woodland to the east of the Golf Course. The area of scrub/woodland contains a network of informal pathways that are used informally for local access, particularly by dog walkers. FP10 and FP119 are primarily used by dog walkers and for recreation. Styal Conservation Area is located just beyond the boundary of the Golf Club, to the southwest. Listed Buildings are also located outwith the Golf Club boundary within the village of Styal to the west and also to the east at The Grange. The Proposed Scheme The Proposed Scheme comprises the construction of three new golf holes on land to the south east of Styal Golf Course (see Appendix A) to replace those that would be severed by the SEMMMS A6 to Manchester Relief Road. These three new holes would become holes 5-7 of the re-numbered course layout. A further five holes would be altered to provide adequate safety margins from the proposed Relief Road and good connections with the new holes. Mouchel 2013 3
It is expected that construction of the Proposed Scheme would be undertaken between February 2014 and May 2015 and would be split into 3 Phases: Phase 1 comprises the construction of the three holes in the new land. Phase 2 comprises the alteration of the existing holes. Phase 3 entails the construction of a realigned 1st tee, extension of an existing lake, and bunding/tree planting on the southern boundary of the planned Relief Road. Environmental Impacts and Mitigation The Proposed Scheme and associated mitigation measures have been designed to minimise adverse environmental effects. Nonetheless some impacts would arise from the proposals and these are summarised below, along with measures to reduce their effect. Air Quality The construction works have the potential to create dust. However, this would be localised and of short term duration as construction activities would be phased and works would be split so as not to occur continuously in all areas, thereby controlling the potential level of dust emission. Construction activities would incorporate standard measures aimed at reducing dust emissions thereby reducing the risk of disturbance or nuisance. Noise Properties located in close proximity to the Proposed Scheme may experience short term elevated noise/vibration during construction. However, construction activities would incorporate standard measures aimed at controlling noise emissions and reducing the risk of disturbance or nuisance. Local residents will be provided with advance notice of any construction work activities that are likely to cause disruption. In addition, a community liaison officer will be appointed as a point of contact for residents. Landscape The extension of the Styal Golf Course to incorporate two existing fields to the south east would result in a minor modification to the existing landscape but core features would not be significantly altered. Activity on the Golf Course would be extended to be visible from several immediately adjacent dwellings with existing views of the two fields but the change would only be slight. Planting proposed as part of the design changes would reflect local vegetation patterns and over time would reduce overall awareness of the proposed changes to the Golf Course. Mouchel 2013 4
Nature Conservation The Proposed Scheme would result in loss of small blocks of woodland. These features provide bird nesting habitat and are likely to be used by foraging bats. Two ponds would be remodelled; one of these is known to support great crested newts. Appropriate landscaping (including tree and hedgerow planting and pond remodelling and creation) would be undertaken to compensate for affected habitat. Vegetation/tree removal would either be undertaken outside the bird breeding season or trees and scrub checked for the presence of breeding birds/active nests prior to site clearance. Great crested newts (and other amphibians and reptiles) would be captured and removed prior to vegetation clearance/pond remodelling. Water Environment During the construction period there is potential for sediments and other pollutants (such as chemicals, fuels, oils) to enter water bodies and watercourses as a result of vehicle movements, earth moving or accidental spillage. Water quality would be protected by the implementation of appropriate pollution control measures throughout the construction period. Golf course drainage would be included within the Proposed Scheme and surface water run-off will be appropriately controlled and discharged. Environmental Commitments The has identified the following key measures to be included as commitments as part of the Proposed Scheme, with a view to reducing potential impacts identified during the assessment: Good construction site practices to be implemented to control construction related noise, dust and traffic emissions. Landscaping strategy including tree, hedgerow and shrub planting, grassland seeding, pond remodelling and creation. Two new ponds created throughout the landscaped areas to compensate for the remodelling of one great crested newt breeding pond. Capture and removal of great crested newt and other amphibians and reptiles from construction working areas. Appropriate pollution control procedures to reduce the risk of sediment and other pollutants entering watercourses. Mouchel 2013 5
A full copy of the is available for public viewing, free of charge, during normal office hours at the address below and also on the Cheshire East Council website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk. Printed copies of the may be obtained, on written request, from at a charge of 100. A CD of the and a hard copy of the Non-Technical Summary are available free of charge. To view the, or to request a copy of the Environmental Statement please contact: SEMMMS Project Team 1st Floor Fred Perry House c/o Stopford House SK1 3XE Mouchel 2013 6
Appendix A Proposed Scheme Layout Mouchel 2013 7
Appendix B Key Environmental Receptors Mouchel 2013 8