Evesham Land off Abbey Road NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY PREPARED FOR: Hallam Land Management Ltd BY: David Lock Associates NOVEMBER 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
EveshamLand off Abbey Road
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
PREPARED FOR:
Hallam Land Management Ltd
BY:
David Lock Associates
NOVEMBER 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham Outline Planning Application
Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
David Lock Associates Ltd Jubb Consulting Ltd Brookbanks Consulting Ltd FPCR Environment and Design Ltd Orion Heritage Montagu Evans LLP Land Research Associates Ltd
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Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham Outline Planning Application
Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
David Lock Associates Ltd Jubb Consulting Ltd Brookbanks Consulting Ltd FPCR Environment and Design Ltd Orion Heritage Montagu Evans LLP Land Research Associates Ltd
3
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 This document summarises the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
of proposals for a mixed use development for up to 220 dwellings with employment
uses, provision of up to 60 extra care units, open space and landscaping, new
vehicular and pedestrian access, orchard and infrastructure works on Land West of
Abbey Road, Evesham.
1.2 EIA is a process whereby the environmental effects of a proposed development are
rigorously assessed. It enables potentially “significant” environmental effects to be
identified and appropriate mitigation measures to be proposed, removing or minimising
potential adverse effects.
1.3 The proposals are the subject of an outline planning application. The Application Site
lies within the administrative boundary of Wychavon District (WDC). The application
site boundary is shown in the following Plan.
Application Site: Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham
Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham Outline Planning Application
Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
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1.4 David Lock Associates (DLA) is the co-ordinator of this document. DLA are members
of The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). This is a not-
for-profit membership organisation established to promote best practice standards in
environmental management, auditing and assessment.
1.5 In line with IEMA best practice, the EIA has been an integral part of the design of the
Proposed Development, with the principal aim to reduce of significant adverse
environmental effects or, wherever possible, to remove them through the design
process. Such mitigation is referred to as inherent or design mitigation. In assessing
the environmental impacts of the Proposed Development, full account has been taken
of both its construction and operational/post completion stages.
1.6 The significance of particular effects of the Proposed Development is determined by
the interaction between the magnitude of those effects and the sensitivity of the
receptors affected. Four levels of significance are identified across the ES: “major”,
“moderate”, “minor” and “negligible”. Any beneficial effects are noted, as well as
adverse ones. Where any temporary, short- or medium-term, indirect, secondary or
interactive effects are predicted, these too are recorded. All assessments of the
significance of effects take account of proposed mitigation measures, although any
significant potential effects in the absence of such measures are also identified. The
terms “effect” and “impact” are used interchangeably.
1.7 This document is a non-technical summary of the main findings of the full
Environmental Statement (ES) which also accompanies the application. The ES
includes chapters on each topic identified as potentially being significantly affected by
the Proposed Development. Chapters are supported by figures and technical
appendices. The ES is structured as follows:
• Volume 1: comprises the main text of the ES; and
• Volume 2: contains figures and appendices as referred to in Volume 1.
1.8 The individual topic chapters in Volume 1 of the ES are structured as follows:
• Introduction – identifying the topic under consideration;
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• Assessment Methodology – setting out the scope and method of the assessment,
and identifying the criteria used to assess the significance of the effects of the
Proposed Development;
• Relevant Policy – summarising policy, legislation and guidance relating specifically
to the topic under consideration;
• Baseline Conditions – providing a description of the baseline conditions pertinent
to that topic;
• Potential Effects – identifying likely significant effects in the absence of mitigation
measures, during both the construction and operational/occupation stages of the
Proposed Development;
• Mitigation Measures – proposing any measures which are necessary to avoid or
reduce any significant potential adverse effects, beyond the measures inherent
within the Proposed Development; and
• Residual Effects – identifying any residual effects of the Proposed Development,
taking account of the mitigation measures proposed and assessing the
significance of those residual effects.
1.9 The ES will be available to view on the Planning section of the WDC website
(www.wychavon.gov.uk) and can be viewed in person during office hours at the
following address:
Wychavon District Council
Planning department
Civic Centre
Queen Elizabeth Drive
Pershore
Worcestershire
WR10 1PT
1.10 Copies of the ES may also be purchased from David Lock Associates at the address
below:
David Lock Associates
50 North Thirteenth Street
Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3BP
Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham Outline Planning Application
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1.11 The ES is priced as follows:
• CD of the full ES: free of charge
• Hard copy of the Non-Technical Summary: free of charge
• Hard Copy of Volume 1: £80.00
• Hard Copy of Volume 2: £250.00
Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham Outline Planning Application
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2 APPLICATION SITE AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
The Site
2.1 The application site is located immediately to the south-west of Evesham town centre
inside the bow of the River Avon, to the west and to the south. Immediately to the
south is the prominent Evesham Leisure Centre. To the south of the river the suburban
area of Fairfield straddles the A4184 (Cheltenham Road) while the distinct settlement
of Hampton extends westwards either side of the B4084 (Pershore Road). The rising
escarpment of the Cotswolds AONB lies some distance to the south of Evesham.
2.2 The application site totals some 20.1 hectares and is located to the west of Abbey
Road (A4141) which heads north/south towards the town centre, and across the River
Avon. The centre of Evesham lies some 400m to the north (from the nearest point of
the site).
2.3 The Site occupies a generally west facing slope which levels out into the River Avon
floodplain. Boat Lane which extends westwards from the town centre to the River Avon
divides the Site into two parcels.
2.4 The northern part of the Site, to the north of Boat Lane, is bounded to the north by
Blind Lane and to the east by new residential development and properties forming part
of the Evesham urban area. It comprises part of a former garden nursery. This part of
the Site is dominated by rough grassland.
2.5 To the south of Boat Lane the Site comprises predominantly arable farmland which
extends in a southerly direction as far as Evesham Leisure Centre and the open space
of Corporation Meadow near the River Avon. The land again falls very gently towards
the western Site boundary and the Avon. The river in this location has good margins
of riparian vegetation whilst the associated low lying grassland is used for recreational
activities and provides a focus for activities in adjacent areas of public open space.
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2.6 A plant nursery comprising polytunnels and areas of hard standing together with
cultivated ground occupies a position within the Site adjacent to the eastern boundary.
This part of the Site has a circa 125m road frontage to Abbey Road. To the north of
the nursery the Site is bounded by generally commercial properties on Abbey Lane
and residential properties on Boat Lane.
2.7 The Site does not fall within any national or local landscape designation. While the
western parts of the site fall within the 1 in 1000 year floodplain of the River Avon, no
new built development is proposed within the floodplain.
2.8 The Abbot Chyryton Wall Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) is located within the
Site on the south side of Boat Lane. The remains of Evesham Abbey SAM lie
approximately 200m to the east of the Site on the opposite side of Abbey Road. At its
closest point the Evesham Conservation Area, comprising the historic core of the
settlement, lies approximately 50m from the Site boundary.
2.9 The main vegetation features associated with the Site comprise hedgerows and tree
lines (both deciduous and coniferous) together with occasional scattered broadleaved
trees. An avenue of mature lime trees extends around the south western periphery of
the Site adjacent to the River Avon. There are no ponds or standing water features
located within the Site.
2.10 In terms of landscape character, the Site, comprising arable fields, rough grassland,
patchy scrub and areas of hard standing, is strongly influenced by the built up area
and existing settlement edge. Primarily the site falls within the Evesham urban
character area. It is visually influenced by the surrounding built form including
residential and commercial properties together with Evesham Leisure Centre.
2.11 With the exception of the Abbot Chyryton Wall Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM),
which is to be retained, the Site itself contains no particularly distinctive, unusual or
rare features in respect of landscape character. The river itself is a distinctive
landscape feature.
Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham Outline Planning Application
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The Application Proposals
2.12 The application is submitted in outline for:
• up to 220 dwellings;
• up to 60 Extra Care units;
• up to 2,490 sq m square meters of employment floorspace;
• open space and landscaping including provision for children’s play;
• community orchard;
• vehicular and pedestrian access off Abbey Road;
• parking;
• expansion of car parking for Leisure Centre; and
• engineering and infrastructure operations.
2.13 The formal description of development comprises:
Outline Planning Application for a mixed use development to provide up to 220 dwellings, up to 60 extra care units (C2) employment uses (up to 2,490 sq metres of B1 business uses), open space and landscaping including children’s play, new vehicular and pedestrian access off Abbey Road, community orchard, parking, expansion of leisure centre car park, engineering (including ground modelling) works, site reclamation (including demolition) and
infrastructure (including cycle and pedestrian connections).
2.14 The application drawings are as follows:
HLM016–052 Application site
HLM016-DFP-001F Development Framework Plan
HLM016-BHP-001C Building Heights Plan
W14134-006-Rev B Access Junction
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Development Framework Plan
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2.15 This application follows the previously submitted proposal on this site for up to 380
dwellings, 2,500 sq m of B1 employment use and associated open space and
landscaping which is still in determination by Wychavon District Council under
application reference W/15/02325/OU. Accordingly, comments which have been
submitted regarding the previously submitted application have been considered and
reflected, where appropriate, in this application.
2.16 The concept behind the development at land West of Abbey Road is one of a
sensitively designed, well planned scheme which respects the site’s landscape setting
but retains and reinforces a strong relationship with the existing town framework,
connecting effectively with the rest of Evesham.
2.17 This proposal proposes a lower quantum of development (up to 220 dwellings), from
that previously submitted and in addition, includes an element of car parking for the
adjacent leisure centre and provision for up to 60 extra care units.
2.18 Up to 40% of the new dwellings will be affordable in nature (including affordable rent)
and providing a mix of house types. The average density of the development is 30.2
dwellings per hectare, but variations in density across the site, will be reflective of the
character of each part of the site.
2.19 A small area of approximately 0.6 hectares of employment land is proposed within the
development at a location adjacent to the existing employment areas beyond the site.
2.20 Variations in Building Heights will be adopted across the development although the
substantial majority of buildings will be no more than 2 storeys. On the western edge
of the site a maximum building height of 7.5 metres is proposed. In limited locations
along the primary street in the southern part of the development the maximum height
will be 10.5 metres to allow a limited number of buildings to be 2.5 or 3 storeys.
2.21 Vehicular access to the site will be directly off Abbey Lane onto Abbey Road via a
standard priority junction. The new residential area will include a network of safe
streets that will be designed to promote the ease of movement for pedestrians and
cyclists. This includes the pedestrian and cycle links to Boat Lane and Bewdley Lane.
Bewdley Lane will also provide for an emergency access.
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2.22 The proposed development will be set within an attractive landscape setting, with the
establishment of a high quality public realm that is served by formal and informal open
spaces. Some 11 hectares of the site will comprise open space, over 50% of the site.
2.23 Areas of open space are provided abutting the riverside area, adjacent to Abbot
Chyryton’s Wall and also separating residential development parcels to provide green
corridors through the development and provide opportunities for views towards the
town.
2.24 Open space abuts the River Avon with a combination of other elements of open space
located at other points within the development. Provision is made for children’s play in
the form of a Locally Equipped Area of Play set in open space south of Boat Lane, as
well as through more informal opportunities within the site. Specific areas of open
space are identified at the entrance of the site, where a community orchard is
proposed, and generous open space provision is made on either side of Boat Lane
(particularly to the south).
2.25 The retained Abbot Chyryton’s Wall Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) will be
located within the open space setting on the south side of Boat Lane. A range of
sustainable urban drainage solutions will be incorporated into both the built and green
environments. While the western parts of the site fall within the 1 in 1000 year
floodplain of the River Avon, no new built development is proposed within the
floodplain.
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3 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT
3.1 The ES sets out the principal elements of the relevant planning policy context for the
proposed development on Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham.
3.2 The policy context comprises primarily the National Planning Policy Framework, and
the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).
3.3 The South Worcestershire Development Plan has now been adopted and allocates
this site for development under Policy 50/7. The policy sets out a number of design
principles related to the site’s development. The design of the proposed scheme
responds to these policy aspirations.
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4 TOPIC AREAS
Socio Economic Effects 4.1 No significant adverse socio-economic effects are predicted. Instead a number of
beneficial effects on the local economy are predicted including beneficial effects in
terms of meeting local housing needs, including for affordable housing.
4.2 Beneficial effects on open space and play provision also arise.
4.3 Any impacts on education and community facility provision would be mitigated through
the provision of any necessary contributions to address specific impacts arising from
the development.
Transport Effects
4.4 A Transport Assessment (TA) has been produced and forms part of the Environmental
Statement. The TA sets out in further detail the transport issues and how these are
addressed and demonstrates how the proposals are consistent with the principles of
sustainable development and with transport objectives. The TA demonstrates, based
on extensive evidence and surveys, that the application proposals will not have a
significant impact on the local road network.
4.5 The development will result in a network of high quality streets for pedestrian and
cyclists which will link into the existing pedestrian and cycle network and provide
access to key facilities and services including the town centre, railway station and
employment areas. This will include links through to Boat Lane and Bewdley Lane with
Boat Lane being closed to through traffic enhancing the walking/cycling environment.
An emergency access will be provided off Bewdley Lane, controlled by a barrier similar.
4.6 The street pattern will be designed on a legible and direct network of interconnected
routes. Streets will be overlooked by properties and will act as functional community
spaces. Streets will not be designed on motor traffic criteria and will be interesting,
varied and attractive, offering higher levels of safety and pedestrian and cycle priority.
The development will be safe, attractive and welcoming for pedestrians and cyclists.
Traffic speed will be carefully controlled by design so as to create a calm and safe
environment for all.
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4.7 A Travel plan for residents and other occupiers of the development will play an
important role in promoting the use of public transport, cycling and walking. The TP for
the residential and employment components which accompanies the application
includes specific measures and will be finalised and implemented prior to the
occupation of the residential and employment units.
4.8 With the implementation of a construction traffic management plan the impact of
construction traffic will be mitigated to level where the impact will be negligible.
4.9 Highway capacity mitigation by means of signal optimisation will be provided at High
Street/Worcester Road/the A4184 junction. This will improve highway capacity to a
level above predicted base operating conditions and hence will more than mitigate the
impact of the development.
4.10 With the proposed junction improvement and other mitigation measures including
implementation of a Travel Plan the anticipated traffic movements can be
accommodated in capacity and safety terms on the surrounding highway network. The
proposed junction improvement will improve the operation of the highway network in
capacity and safety terms when compared with the Base Scenarios. The residual
impact of the increase in vehicle movements on the local highway network brought
about by the operation of the development will be negligible.
Air Quality
4.11 Consideration has been given to the risks associated with the construction process in
particular in relation to dust emissions but also to the management measures that can
be employed to reduce emissions of dust and limit dispersion. Where dust emission
controls have been used effectively, large-scale operations have been successfully
undertaken without impacts to nearby properties.
4.12 A risk of impacts is possible at adjacent residential properties during unmitigated
construction but appropriate mitigation measures have been identified and are
proposed to be adopted in the form of a Construction Environmental Management Plan
(CEMP). Following implementation of the measures recommended for inclusion within
the CEMP the impact of emissions during construction of the proposed development
would be negligible or slight adverse.
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4.13 Operational effects have also been considered in particular in relation to pollutants
generated by traffic and other activities. Annual mean NO2 and PM10 concentrations
are predicted to be ‘well below’ the objective of 40 μg/m3 at all locations. The impact of
the development is therefore predicted to be negligible in respect of both pollutants
therefore no mitigation measures are considered necessary.
Noise
4.14 Potential construction noise impacts are localised, and temporary in nature. The
proposed CEMP to be developed will set out practical construction noise control
measures, and taking these into account, any noise effects are expected to be limited
to be a small magnitude generally and moderate magnitude at worst, equating to an
impact of low significance.
4.15 A road traffic noise assessment, has also been completed, taking account of changes
in traffic flows associated with the development. The assessments completed above
have considered both the proposed dwellings and the existing residential dwellings. It
has been noted that Abbey Lane will experience a small increase in noise levels,
however the increase in noise effect is still small. As a whole, the noise assessments
do not identify any significant adverse impacts and thus no residual effects are
anticipated.
Landscape and Visual Effects
4.16 The Landscape and Visual effects of the proposed development are assessed on a
comprehensive basis. In the context of the landscape and visual impact assessment,
a series of mitigation measures are incorporated as an integral part of the scheme
design. This iterative process has resulted in the proposed development being
designed and modified to take account of the surveys and assessments undertaken.
Primary measures adopted as part of the proposals have considered many aspects,
including the location, extent, siting and height of the built development.
4.17 The Site lies within the context of the urban and settlement edge of Evesham and its
landscape character is influenced by relationship with the built form and the river
corridor that lies to west. It is considered to be rather unremarkable in its landscape
character, with no marked sense of scenic quality or any pronounced sense of
tranquillity. It is not covered by any landscape designation, contains no rare or
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particularly distinctive landscape features, and is considered to be a landscape that
has the ability to absorb change and well-planned development and Green
infrastructure (GI) provision as presented by the Proposed Development.
4.18 The Site is visually contained within the wider landscape by a combination of the
surrounding built fabric of Evesham and by rising land to the west of the river.
Consequently, development upon the Site would be well contained and would result in
very localised effects, with no direct effects on the wider landscape. Moreover, built
development would be located alongside the settlement edge and within the setting of
the A4184, Evesham Leisure Centre and the modern residential edge of the town. It
would, therefore, not be a completely uncharacteristic new element, nor would it be an
incongruous element given that context.
4.19 The design approach is sensitive to surrounding receptors and elements such as the
River Avon, the riverside walks and the open space of Corporation Meadow, the Abbey
Road approach and the context of Boat Lane. The development includes an extensive
GI framework of habitat creation and accessible greenspace that provides, for
example, an appropriate and sensitively designed interface between the Proposed
Development and the river corridor which includes corridors of greenspace stretching
from the river corridor into the layout. Whilst there would be localised close range views
of the Proposed Development, the majority of receptors currently afford views of built
elements and their view -and experience- is influenced to differing levels by the built
up area of Evesham. Built development, whilst noticeable at the outset, would be
experienced within that context.
4.20 It is concluded that the initial effects Post Completion will progressively reduce through
the maturing of the proposed landscape framework with this framework, to include tree
and hedgerow planting, ‘softening’ the built form and strengthening the landscape
fabric of the site. Given time for buildings to weather and the GI to establish, the
mitigation detailed above would reduce the initial landscape and visual effects from
minor or moderate adverse, to minor adverse or minor beneficial. With effective
mitigation there would be no unacceptable or overriding landscape or visual effects.
None of the landscape and visual effects are judged to be significant.
4.21 A well planned development and an extensive GI framework is considered to be
appropriate within this landscape context and will provide a number of valuable
landscape and recreational benefits in the form of new and accessible public open
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space, improved and enhanced footpath links through the Proposed Development, and
facilities for children's play. It also delivers bio-diversity enhancements through, for
example, greater tree and hedgerow planting and wetland creation. The Proposed
Development offers the opportunity to positively address the aims and objectives of
the Evesham Riverside Strategy Development Framework. Furthermore, new planting
is in keeping with the objectives of the Worcestershire Landscape Character
Assessment Portfolio. In addition, it is considered that the development provides an
opportunity in which to provide an improved setting for the Leisure Centre.
Ecology
4.22 Comprehensive surveys of the habitats and protected species of the site have been
undertaken.
4.23 There are no statutory sites of international nature conservation importance (e.g.
Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or Ramsar
Sites) present within the application site or within a 5km radius. There are no statutory
sites of notable ecological interest of National or Regional Importance within 2km of
the application site.
4.24 The closest non-statutory sites to the application site are the River Avon SWS and
Clark’s Hill SWS/Clark’s Meadow GIS. The River Avon SWS runs adjacent to the site
and is an important wildlife corridor with woodland, scrub, reedbeds and swamps along
its length. Clark’s Hill SWS/Clark’s Meadow GIS is located to the opposite side of the
river.
4.25 Design and mitigation measures are integral approaches that have been adopted as
part of the iterative design process. The proposed scheme has been carefully
developed to address the ecology and nature conservation issues that have been
identified by the baseline analysis. A green infrastructure framework is proposed as
part of the masterplan approach, to avoid, reduce or offset any adverse effects arising
from the scheme and includes retained habitats and diverse habitat creation.
4.26 The scheme design has incorporated the majority of the existing features of ecological
interest within the application site. These features will be enhanced by further tree and
shrub planting and enhancement of existing species-poor semi-improved grassland.
Habitats will be managed to provide further biodiversity interest and to enhance
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linkages between retained habitat features, and therefore habitat connectivity for
commuting and foraging wildlife. The informal landscape habitats to be created will
include shrub, trees, SUDs features and open meadow grassland areas designed to
link to retained riverine habitats.
4.27 The GI will provide a variety of informal habitats for recreational and amenity activity.
Impacts on local designated sites through increased visitor pressure are therefore
expected to be Negligible in magnitude and significance.
4.28 Any potential pollution effects will be addressed by good management practices will
be adopted, including the implementation of standard pollution control mechanisms
and adherence to the relevant Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidelines
(PPG) at all times during works.
4.29 With the implementation of the mitigation and enhancement scheme the residual
effects on the relevant habitats and species are considered to be reduced to Negligible
effects or Minor positive benefits for all groups with the exception of breeding linnet at
local level, for which there will be a Minor (not significant) residual effect.
4.30 The habitats to be created or enhanced will enrich the existing broad corridor of semi-
improved grassland bordering the River Avon and will include naturalistic planting of
native trees, scrub, ponds and enhanced grassland areas that will link to the retained
hedgerows and tree lines within the site and to neighbouring riverine habitats in the
local area. As the new habitats mature the site will provide value to a greater range of
fauna than it does currently, both increasing the variety and extent of priority habitats,
providing increased foraging, commuting and nesting habitats for a wide range of
species as they mature. This benefit is considered to be of at least Minor magnitude
within the context of the overall site, with Minor permanent positive benefits at a local
level for a wide range of protected, notable and more common species.
Archaeology
4.31 A series of surveys have been completed included a desk based assessment,
geophysical surveys of the site and evaluation trenches dug within the site.
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4.32 The archaeological remains recorded within the Application Site are generally in arable
fields and are subject to regular ploughing.
4.32.1 The evaluation trenching has enabled the results of the geophysical survey to be assessed. The evaluation was implemented according to a Written Scheme of Investigation that was submitted and approved by Worcestershire County Council and its results are considered to enable a full assessment of the archaeological survival on site and the potential impacts of the proposed development on archaeological remains to be undertaken to a high degree of certainty.
4.33 With the mitigation identified, there will be no adverse residual effects on non-
designated heritage assets. Archaeological remains within the developed areas of the
Site will have been excavated and recorded and the results published. There will be
no long-term adverse effects once the excavation and recording of the archaeological
remains have been completed. There will be a benefit accruing from the investigation
into and the dissemination of the results of excavations and/or watching briefs of
remains that may be present within the Site leading to a better understanding of the
archaeology of the area.
Built Heritage
4.34 The site contains one scheduled ancient monument, Abbot Chyryton’s Wall (it is also
a Grade II listed structure). This is part of the wall defining the northern boundary of
the outer enclosure of the Abbey. It forms the southern edge of Boat Lane and is in a
relatively poor state of repair. With the exception of Abbot Chyryton’s Wall, there are
no listed buildings within the site although there are listed buildings within the Evesham
Conservation Area to the north and east and at Hampton on the opposite side of the
river.
4.35 Some minor adverse impacts on the cultural heritage value of assets have been
reported, comprising the Evesham Conservation Area, Evesham Abbey, Bell Tower,
Church of All Saints, Church of St Lawrence, Abbot Chyryton’s Wall, however following
a qualitative appraisal of the impacts, these effects are not considered to harm the
appreciation of the assets.
4.36 The layout of the development has been devised to maintain areas of open space,
particularly along the river to the east and north, and to the west alongside Abbey
Road, which is the area of the Site closest to the Abbey Scheduled Monument. It is
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proposed to extend the riverside walk across the edge of the site bounding the river,
which is a landscape enhancement. From this area, the placement of the development
blocks will enable glimpsed views of the Bell Tower.
4.37 The application proposals have been designed to respect the setting of Abbot
Chyryton’s Wall). The scheme has been designed to ensure that it is retained in an
area of open space. The eastern end of the setting of the wall will change due to the
presence of the access road that will cross Boat Lane.
4.38 The Proposed Development provides the opportunity to create new views, publicly
accessible and managed for their amenity, including from a new public open space,
extending the riverside walk, which will reinforce an awareness of the Abbey, the
appreciation of the historic form of the town and special interest of the listed buildings.
Agriculture and Soils
4.39 Consideration has been given to the effects of construction and the development on
the existing soil resources, on agricultural businesses and on agricultural land.
4.40 The use of soil protection measures and a re-use strategy through the construction
stage will mitigate potential residual damage to the topsoil resource. The protection of
topsoil resources and the retention of generous areas of open space within the
development proposals will result in a minor adverse effect on soil resources. The
effect of the loss of the land on agricultural businesses is also considered a minor
adverse effect.
4.41 Part of the site has been categorised as best and most versatile agricultural land.
However, the majority of this land is of sub-grade 3a quality, which is a common
resource in the Wychavon District. The land is separated on all sides from other
agricultural land by considerable distances, and the proposed development would not
result in any fragmentation of farmland or agricultural businesses. The effects are
therefore regarded as minor adverse.
Water resources 4.42 A comprehensive Flood Risk Assessment is included in the Environmental Statement
that accompanies the application.
Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham Outline Planning Application
Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
David Lock Associates Ltd Jubb Consulting Ltd Brookbanks Consulting Ltd FPCR Environment and Design Ltd Orion Heritage Montagu Evans LLP Land Research Associates Ltd
22
4.43 In terms of fluvial flood risk, the majority of the Application Site lies within Flood Zone
1; being an area of Low Probability of flooding, however the River Avon to the south
and west, is identified to flood during both the 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000 year events.
4.44 To minimise the potential environmental effects on Flood Risk and Drainage related
matters, the following specific measures are being incorporated into the design.
• compliance with guidance in terms of flood routing and resilience for new
developments
• provision of a storm water SuDS management system;
• connection to a point of adequacy on the foul water drainage network;
• provision of ongoing maintenance for SuDS features, ordinary watercourse and
existing artificial water bodies; and
• adoption and associated ongoing maintenance of development storm and foul
drainage system
4.45 Nor is built development proposed within the floodplain. Management of the
construction process will also ensure that the risk of disturbance or contamination
during the construction process is negligible.
4.46 With the mitigation described above the risks of flooding, contamination or other risks
to the water resources are assessed as negligible. Indeed, since the project has been
designed to avoid significant hydrological effects resulting from changes in the
catchment drainage characteristics and provides for site run off controlled to below the
existing baseline rate then there are likely to be overall beneficial impacts in terms of
flooding of surrounding watercourses and adjacent land and property.
Ground Conditions
4.47 The assessment of ground conditions within this ES is based on the Geo-
Environmental Appraisal by Brookbanks Consulting Limited, and which comprises
Appendix 13.1 of the Environmental Statement.
4.48 The Geo-Environmental Phase 1 Desk Study Appraisal identifies no significant
contaminative considerations relating to the Project and the preliminary conceptual
model identifies the contaminative risk for the Project to be low.
Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham Outline Planning Application
Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
David Lock Associates Ltd Jubb Consulting Ltd Brookbanks Consulting Ltd FPCR Environment and Design Ltd Orion Heritage Montagu Evans LLP Land Research Associates Ltd
23
4.49 With appropriate mitigation including construction management and the provision of a
Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) which includes passive treatment to remove
potentially contaminative materials, the potential effects of the development and its
construction phases are considered to be negligible.
Waste
4.50 The Development has been designed to avoid significant adverse effects resulting
during operational phase and construction works. With the introduction of a Waste
Management Plan to include awareness of household and other recycling
opportunities, residual effects are assessed as neutral.
Utilities
4.51 Short term potential effects during the construction phases are considered to be
negligible.
4.52 The potential Post-completion effect is also assessed as negligible and not significant.
The site, during operation, will not impact on the baseline conditions. Information
gathered in relation to the baseline site conditions, when considered in the context of
the development proposals and proposed mitigation; does not identify any significant
environmental effect or constraint on development.
Land West of Abbey Road, Evesham Outline Planning Application
Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary
David Lock Associates Ltd Jubb Consulting Ltd Brookbanks Consulting Ltd FPCR Environment and Design Ltd Orion Heritage Montagu Evans LLP Land Research Associates Ltd
24
5 CONCLUSIONS
5.1 The EIA has assessed the effects of the proposed development having regard to the
existing baseline conditions.
5.2 It sets out the mitigation measures incorporated in or proposed as part of the
application proposals whether in the form of extensive green infrastructure provision,
measures to enhance biodiversity, a sustainable urban drainage system designed to
reduce run off from the site below present levels, a Travel Plan to promote sustainable
transport choices, and appropriate highway measures.
5.3 The Assessment has found that the proposed development would have few residual
effects that are not capable of being appropriately mitigated and few effects of more
than minor significance, whether adverse or beneficial, following appropriate
mitigation. This is particularly the case after the construction phases of the
development.
5.4 One area where substantial effects would arise would be in the positive socio-
economic impacts of the development. The application proposals will result in
substantial and demonstrable benefits in terms of meeting the need for new homes in
a sustainable manner, fostering economic development and contributing positively to
Evesham.
5.5 The potential for cumulative impacts arising as a result of the Proposed Development
in combination with development of additional and adjacent sites in the immediate
areas, have been considered as part of the environmental assessments undertaken
within the ES. The nature of the cumulative impacts have been set out in full in the
assessments made for instance those related to traffic impacts where growth of traffic
within the area has been taken account.
5.6 In overall terms, the outcome of the EIA is that significant beneficial effects are
substantial, significant adverse effects are limited and beneficial effects outweigh
adverse effects.