Surf Snowdonia, Dolgarrog

Environmental Statement ‐ Non Technical Summary

February 2014

in association with

1. Introduction

Conwy Adventure Leisure Ltd. (CAL) is applying to Conwy County Borough

Council (CCBC) for an amendment to the consented planning permission of

the redevelopment of the former Dolgarrog Aluminium Works site, Dolgarrog,

Conwy. The Outline and Full planning applications seek consent for the

redevelopment of the site to deliver a leisure-led mixed use scheme,

comprising:

A new watersports facility;

A multi-functional ‘hub’ area to include restaurant/café, retail,

children's play and changing facilities; and

Associated infrastructure, landscaping and open space.

The site is 18.5ha in area and is located in Dolgarrog, Conwy. The site location

is shown in Figure 1.1 and the planning application boundaries are shown in

Figure 1.2. Further detail on the proposed development is provided in Section

3.

The potentially significant environmental impacts of the proposed

development have been assessed through a process called Environmental

Impact Assessment (EIA). EIA is a procedure required under the terms of the

European Union Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects on

certain public and private projects on the environment.

The EIA Directive is currently enacted into Welsh legislation through The

Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and

Wales) Regulations 1999 (the EIA Regulations) as amended.

CCBC determined that the proposals constitute EIA Development under

Schedule 2 12(c) and 12(d) of the 1999 EIA Regulations (as amended) and

therefore, an EIA was required to be undertaken.

The potentially significant environmental impacts of the proposed

development have subsequently been documented in an Environmental

Statement (ES) which is submitted as part of the planning applications.

This document provides a Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of the ES. It provides

detail of the site and its surroundings, the proposed development, the likely

environmental impacts of the proposed development and what measures are

proposed to reduce, avoid or compensate for potentially adverse impacts and

maximise beneficial impacts (mitigation measures).

Public Involvement

A public exhibition was held on 27th March 2013, with 250-300 people in

attendance. A number of key issues were raised by local residents which have

taken into account by the project team, and have been considered in further

detail within the Statement of Community Involvement, which has been

submitted as part of the applications.

Benefits of the proposed development

The Environmental Statement has been prepared to consider the

environmental, social and economic impacts of the proposals. The

outcome of the statement demonstrated that the scheme would not have

a detrimental impact on these three dimensions; which give rise to

sustainable development.

The Wavegarden technology will be the first of its kind within the UK, and

the exclusivity deal that CAL have in place with the suppliers will ensure

that North Wales secures its place as the primary destination for tourists,

bringing visitors from all over the UK and abroad.

The proposed development will create over 90 temporary construction

jobs over an anticipated 18 month period, and over 100 permanent direct

and indirect jobs when Surf Snowdonia is fully operational.

Surf Snowdonia will enhance the economic success of Dolgarrog, Conwy

and North Wales, creating an additional 75,000 trips into the area, and an

estimated £5 million annual expenditure on tourism activities. This will

positively impact on other businesses within the area who will directly

benefit from the additional visitors.

Figure 1.1 Site Location Plan

Note: The buildings shown on the image have now been cleared

Figure 1.2 Full and Outline Application Redline boundaries (not for official use)

Plan 1 – Redline showing the boundary of the Outline application that seeks

Consent for the building elements of the scheme.

Plan 2 – Redline showing the boundary of the Full application that seeks consent for the infrastructure works

2. Environmental Impact Assessment

Scoping

Scoping is not a mandatory requirement of the EIA Regulations, but is seen as

good practice. The purpose of scoping is to ensure that the environmental

studies undertaken during the preparation of the ES provide all the relevant

information on the likely significant environmental effects of the project. An

EIA Scoping Opinion was received from CCBC in March 2013 and is included in

Appendix B of the ES.

The technical scope of the EIA has been informed by the following:

Schedule 4 of the EIA Regulations;

Previous technical assessments of the site;

Pre-application meeting between NJL and CCBC Development

Management Officers in February 2013;

CCBC Scoping Opinion; and

Further consultation undertaken as part of the EIA.

Through this scoping process, the environmental topics identified as having

the potential for significant environmental effects are:

Soils and Groundwater;

Flooding and Drainage;

Ecology;

Landscape and Visual;

Traffic and Transport;

Noise and Vibration;

Air Quality and Dust;

Socio-economics; and

Archaeology.

Liaison with CCBC did not establish a requirement for cumulative impact

assessment with other proposed developments, as no relevant developments

were identified in the study area. This position was kept under review during the

EIA process, but no further relevant developments have been identified.

Impact Prediction

Each technical assessment within the EIA firstly establishes the existing conditions

known as the ‘environmental baseline’, which identifies potentially sensitive

receptors to environmental impact e.g. ecological sites, watercourses etc. The

environmental baseline is then the basis against which the potential impacts are

assessed.

Environmental impacts can be positive (known as ‘beneficial’) or negative (known

as ‘adverse’), temporary or permanent and vary in their duration and spatial

scale. The significance of an environmental impact is assessed based on a

combination of its magnitude (i.e. intensity) and the sensitivity of the receiving

receptor.

There is no statutory definition of significance.

In this ES the following descriptive terms are used:

Substantial;

Moderate;

Minor; and

Negligible.

Mitigation

Mitigation measures can be put in place to avoid, reduce or compensate for

potential adverse impacts, or to enhance beneficial impacts.

The EIA has identified appropriate mitigation measures based on the assessment

of potential significant impacts.

These mitigation measures are divided into:

Inherent mitigation measures – those ‘designed in’ to the scheme and

certain to be delivered;

Standard mitigation – e.g. construction mitigation with a high degree of

certainty over delivery; and

Actionable mitigation measures - those that require a controlling mechanism

or legal undertaking to be implemented, but are under the control of the

applicant, CCBC or Statutory Bodies and therefore, have a good certainty over

delivery, e.g. Planning Conditions and legal planning agreements with CCBC.

The purpose of defining mitigation in this way is to make it clear how the

mitigation is to be delivered.

Describing Potential Impacts

The determination of impact significance in each of the technical chapters is

presented under the following scenarios:

Impact Assessment - with inherent and standard mitigation measures

implemented; and

Residual Impact Assessment – with inherent, standard and actionable

mitigation measures implemented.

3. The Site and Surrounding

The site is approximately 18.5 hectares in area, is located within the village of

Dolgarrog and is bounded by:

West: The B5106 that links Conwy with Betws-y-Coed and an existing

residential dwelling;

North West and North: A Hydro-Electric Power Station, an area of

woodland and the Afon Porth-llwyd. A small part of the Morfa Uchaf

Dyffryn Conwy Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) bounds the

northern boundary of the site;

North East and East: An area of semi-improved grassland that is

outside of the SSSI. Beyond the grassland is the Afon Conwy, which is

located approximately 230m east of the site boundary at its closest

point;

South and South East: An area of marshy grassland and an area of

broadleaved woodland; and

South West: A small industrial unit used by an engineering company.

The site was purchased by Ainscough Strategic Land in 2008 following the

closure of the aluminium works and sold to Conwy Adventure Leisure Ltd. in

2012.

The buildings have now been demolished and the site cleared for

redevelopment.

The site now comprises:

6ha of former aluminium works infrastructure, mainly in the centre of

the site which is now cleared.

Over 6ha of improved and amenity grassland, mainly at the north

east, east and south east of the site.

Over 4ha of woodland, some at the north of the site and the rest at

the south and south east.

A former landfill at the north of the site (wooded area).

An old bunker that contains a bat roost and a small night shelter

constructed as bat mitigation for the demolition of the aluminium

works buildings.

A children’s playground at the south west of the site.

A grass football pitch and an all-weather five-a-side football pitch at

the south east of the site.

The topography of the site includes a relatively steep slope along the western

boundary and is then gently sloping from west to east, with the cleared building

bases in the centre of the site forming a plateau.

Figure 3.1 Site and Surroundings

4. The Proposed Development

The planning application seeks Full and Outline consent for a tourism led

surfing and water sports adventure attraction to be known as ‘Surf

Snowdonia’.

The built elements (buildings) application is in outline, details of individual

elements of the scheme will be worked up at the reserved matters stage, with

this application setting minimum and maximum parameters for the future

development including building heights and widths.

The infrastructure works are being applied for in Full.

Entrance and Parking Area

This new arrival space from Conwy Road will announce the new development

and create a safe entry and exit point for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

The main parking area will be designed with materials that reflect the

character of the woodland edge planting such as permeable parking bays,

reinforced gravels and permeable macadam roadways.

Hub Building and Viewing Terrace

The Hub building will offer areas for gathering and formally organised events

will also be provided.

This area will contain the Viewing Plaza from which access to the Restaurant,

Indoor Play and Reception and Changing block is provided. The Reception will

provide the managed access required to control use of the facilities whilst the

viewing plaza and restaurant spill out space provide viewing areas for

members of the public not wishing to access the parks water activities.

Wavegarden Lake

The Wavegarden will include the following main areas:

• The Hub viewing area and Boardwalk

• Beginners Area

• Main ‘Wave Zone’

• Viewing Lawn

Activity Pool

This area will focus on providing a range of high energy, water based activities.

Access from the Hub building will be created by pedestrian routes and viewing

terraces in the spaces between the main lake and the activity pool.

Lower Fields

The lower area of the site will be earmarked for management of the existing open

grassland to become a floral rich meadow, with a new pedestrian footpath area.

Control points will be utilised along the footpath network to safely manage access

to the meadow.

Woodland Edge

The southern woodland will be maintained and the car park will abut to the edge

of the woodland.

The northern woodland will be fenced off with no public access.

Both woodlands will be managed as a biodiversity resource.

Figure 4.1 Illustrative Land Use

Figure 4.2 Illustrative Masterplan

Figure 4.3 Artists Impression of the scheme

5. Alternatives

The EIA Regulations require that the EIA considers ‘alternatives’ to the

proposed development and indicate the reasons for progressing the chosen

alternative, taking into account the environmental effects.

Site Location

The location of the proposed development is paramount to its success. A

potential site has to be accessible and also in the ‘heart’ of the Welsh tourism

mecca of Conwy.

No alternative sites were identified, or currently on the market that offered

the benefits of the proposed site. The requirements were constrained by the

necessary size and the preferred location.

Finding a site that had been previously used and identified as Brownfield land,

presented a beneficial opportunity that would have the potential to limit the

negative environmental effects that using a Greenfield site presents.

As such, no alternative locations were identified for the proposed

development.

Site Layout

The layout of the proposed development as shown in the Illustrative

Masterplan has been informed by:

The space requirements for the various elements of the proposed

development;

Flood risk;

Existing ground conditions, habitats and protected species;

Existing utilities and land ownership constraints;

Access and vehicle parking; and

Landscape character and views within the site, as well as into and out

of the site.

The site layout has been revised during the preparation of the application, based

on the above factors and the findings of the technical assessments.

6. Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts

Soils and Groundwater

The former aluminium works operated under a pollution and prevention

control permit granted by the Environment Agency Wales on 19th December

2003 (original permit no. BS8354).

A number of Site Investigation reports have been undertaken over the past

few years to comply with the requirements of the permits.

A Closure Plan was designed and executed for the decommissioning and

demolition of the Dolgarrog site in conjunction with the Environment Agency

Wales. A decontamination plan was agreed with and signed off by the

Environment Agency Wales. The report confirms that the decommissioning

log proves that the Closure Plan was executed effectively.

Mitigation Measures

The former use of the site as an aluminium works gives rise to the potential

for contamination to be present in soils and groundwater.

A number of mitigation measures have been identified at different stages of

the construction such as:

During the construction phase standard best practice mitigation

measures for each identified receptor will be implemented.

Surface water management plan and appropriate remediation where

identified to be necessary.

Install gas protection measures where required.

Appropriate remediation of site/ protective cover/ trenches.

Appropriate remediation design.

Following the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures, the

residual impacts on the ground conditions and contamination during the

construction phases of the proposed development are anticipated to be

Negligible.

Following implementation of the proposed mitigation measures, the residual

impacts during the operational phase of the proposed development are

anticipated to be Negligible.

Flooding and Drainage

The site is subject to fluvial and tidal flooding. The site falls partially within Zone

C of the NRW Flood Plan mapping.

The worst case fluvial and tidal flood scenarios were found to be (a) 1 in 1000-

year fluvial flood (0.1% AEP); and (b) 200 year tidal flood (0.5% AEP) with climate

change taken into account.

A number of mitigation actions will be implemented to ensure the proposed

development does not increase the risk of flooding on or off site.

Mitigation measures will include:

Raising of site levels in areas to be used for accommodation and commercial activities (Figure 6.1);

Safe, dry access and egress; and

Development of Flood Action Plan related to the low lying areas of the site e.g. Car Parking.

Ecology

There are a number of statutory and non-statutory nature conservation

designations within the 5km of the site boundary, these include:

Morta Uchaf, Dyffryn Conwy SSSI (Adjacent to the northern site

boundary);

Coed Dolgarrog SSSI and National Nature Reserve (NNR) (136m);

Ceunant Dylyn SSSI(1.3km);

Figure 6.1: Land Raising Strategy

Eyri/Snowdonia Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and SSSI (1.3km);

Plas Maenan SSSI (1.3km);

Pont Dolgarrog March (260m);

Ceunant Porth Llwyd (260m); and

Coed Tal-y-Bont (450m).

An ‘extended’ Phase 1 Habitat Survey (Figure 6.2) of the site and its

immediate environs was undertaken on the 24th July 2012 by an experience

Ecologist. Surveys for protected species were undertaken between July 2012

and February 2013 and in line with published methodologies to inform an

assessment of the site.

The comprehensive surveys identified a number of habitats on site, and the

following species were found to be present within the site.

1. Surveys for reptiles found that the site supports three reptile species

which includes an exceptional population of slow worms and low

populations of grass snakes and common lizards.

2. Several bird species were recorded during the Phase I Survey, these

include robin, jay, long-tailed tit, carrion crow, blue tit, mistle thrush

and pied wagtail. These are all common, widespread species and are

typical of the habitats present on-site.

3. Kingfisher (a WCA schedule 1 and amber listed species) were

observed feeding along the Power Station race adjacent to the site.

4. Several reed bunting were observed in a feeding flock during a winter

site visit.

5. It has been confirmed that bunker TN1 is still being used as a

hibernation site for the lesser horseshoe bat.

The development of the site will inevitably lead to some habitat loss within

the site. However, where possible, the development design has sought to

avoid valuable ecological resources within and adjacent to the site.

No adverse residual impacts to any statutory or non-statutory nature

conservation designations are predicted to arise from the proposed

development.

It is considered that the overall ecological impact of development proposals will

be negligible.

Landscape and Visual

The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment examined the landscape and visual

impacts in relation to the current development proposals for the site, in

accordance with the Guidelines for Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment, 3rd

Edition, 2013.

The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment has identified the following

landscape impacts:

Designated landscapes

A moderate beneficial impact on the Historic Landscape.

A negligible impact on Ancient Woodland.

A negligible impact on Snowdonia National Park.

A negligible impact on Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

A negligible impact on Special Areas of Conservation.

A negligible impact on National Nature Reserves

A moderate beneficial impact on the Landscape Value Area

Landscape Character

• A minor beneficial impact on landscape character at the national level.

• A major beneficial impact on landscape character at the local level.

Figure 6.2: On-site Ecological Habitats

Woodland

• A moderate beneficial impact on woodland.

Topography

• A neutral impact on topography.

Footpaths & Cycleways

• A minor beneficial impact on footpaths and cycleways.

Other Site Features of Value

• A moderate beneficial impact on play & sports Facilities.

• A minor beneficial impact on ditches.

• A negligible impact on the canal.

• A minor beneficial impact on former hedgerows.

A minor beneficial impact on trees.

A number of mitigation measures are planned for the site, including an

extensive planting programme that will introduce a new woodland, the

retention of long, open views and vistas with sensitive positioning of planting

and buildings, and a management plan that will ensure habitats and

recreational areas are incorporated together.

The proposed development is likely to result in significant improvements in

terms of the landscape and visual qualities of the site. This is largely due to

the degraded character of the site at present, due to previous development

on the site, and also due to the high quality approach to the proposed built

development and associated landscape proposals, which will ensure that the

proposed development as a whole will be a positive addition to the

landscape, entirely in keeping with the surrounding landscape character.

Traffic and Transport

Vehicular access into the site is via the existing priority controlled junction

off the B5106 Conway Road.

The B5106 Conway Road runs generally in a north-south alignment along the

western side of the Conwy Valley between Conwy and Betws-y-Coed.

When the site was previously used as the Dolgarrog Aluminium Works it used to

employ up to 180 employees and on average the site used to generate between

20 and 30 HGV movements each week which would equate to between 40 and 60

two-way HGV movements per week. These HGV movements would be in addition

to the vehicle movements generated by the employees of the works.

When the site was fully operational it generated a substantial level of vehicle

movements. Surf Snowdonia is expected to generate similar levels of vehicle

movements and as such there is not expected to be traffic issues.

To ensure traffic movements are managed, a number of mitigation measures will

be implemented. These are as follows (but will evolve with the scheme):

A total of 290 car parking spaces on the site, the car parking layout will be

designed to incorporate both coach and car parking. The parking area has

been designed this way to enable a flexible operation.

The proposed development will include secure and conveniently located

cycle parking provision, the level of cycle parking will be agreed with

Conwy County Borough Council at a more advanced stage of the planning

process.

The layout of the development site has been designed to link with

the existing pedestrian infrastructure located within the vicinity of

the site.

The existing Clark Street carriageway will be retained.

A number of standard mitigation measures will be implemented through the

construction phased, such as wheel wash facilities, construction traffic

specific routes and parking for construction workers on-site.

In summary, the proposed development is forecast to result in minimal

increases in vehicle movements on the local highway network.

It is therefore concluded that the proposed development will not result in any

residual traffic or transport impacts when it is fully operational.

Noise

A noise impact assessment for the proposed site has been undertaken and

considered the site’s suitability for a noise generating development. The

assessment looked at the potential impacts that the development may have

on the existing noise climate during the construction phase and upon

completion through its operational stage.

Assessment of impacts has been based on a long-term noise survey,

consultation with the local authority and national planning policy and

guidance documents.

The following noise and vibration impacts have been assessed:

Construction noise and vibration on the existing noise sensitive

receptors; and

Operational noise associated with plant and equipment, car parking

and visitors on-site.

The following conclusions have been reached:

Short-term negligible adverse impacts are expected as a result of construction noise;

Short-term minor to negligible adverse impacts are expected as a result of construction vibration;

Short-term negligible impacts are expected as a result of construction related traffic;

With regard to operational noise, long-term negligible impacts are expected as a result of plant/equipment operation, car park noise and visitors using the facility.

Air Quality

The air quality and dust effects associated with the site preparation and

construction works at the proposed development has been considered.

The following effects were considered:

Potential dust effects arising from the breakout and excavation of the

existing areas of hard standing on the site;

Potential dust effects arising from the movement and storage of materials

on the site, including during the creation of the earth bund and raising of

the building platforms; and

Potential air quality effects associated with the vehicles accessing the site

during this phase of works.

The potential dust and air quality effects upon existing sensitive receptors during

the site preparation and construction phase of works will be negligible once the

mitigation measures have been implemented.

The mitigation measures will include the following:

All dust and air quality complaints will be recorded and appropriate

measures will be taken to identify causes and reduce emissions in a

timely manner.

Ensure effective water suppression is used during demolition operations.

Minimisation of vehicle movements and limitation of vehicle speeds – the

slower the vehicle speeds, the lower the dust generation.

Ensuring that all vehicles will be sheeted when loaded.

Dampening down of exposed stored materials, which will be stored as far

from sensitive receptors as possible.

Avoidance of activities that generate large amounts of dust during windy

conditions.

Socio-economics

Socio-economic impacts were addressed to show the effects on the local

economy in terms of visitor numbers, input into the local economy and any

detrimental impacts on the welsh language.

The following benefits of the proposed scheme for the Conwy area were

identified:

It will generate +75,000 additional tourism trips and +£5.0 million

annual on and off site tourism expenditure. The generation of new

tourism trips is a direct, permanent impact which meets a recognised

need to bring higher spending residents into Conwy and North Wales

more generally and to grow the activity tourism sector. The

significance of the tourism effect is therefore considered to be

Substantial Beneficial.

It will generate +90 temporary construction jobs over the two year

construction programme, +100 permanent direct and indirect jobs

when operational. There is a recognised need for job creation in

Conwy and in the Conwy Valley in particular. The Conwy Valley has a

very narrow economic base with high levels on under-employment.

The significance of the employment effect is therefore considered to

be Substantial Beneficial.

It will create opportunities for an estimated 7,500 Conwy residents to

participate in sport activities per annum. The significance of the

health and active lifestyle impacts is assessed as Moderate Beneficial.

There are not considered to be any detrimental impacts on Welsh language as

a result of the scheme – where the effect is assessed as being Negligible.

Archaeology

A cultural heritage assessment of the site at the Former Aluminium Works,

was carried out to addresses the potential impacts of the proposed

development on potential buried archaeological remains, historic buildings,

and historic landscape.

The findings of the assessment showed the following:

The potential for harm upon any surviving below ground

archaeological remains is limited, because of the previous

development and make up across the site.

The construction of the factory, and the make-up for the remaining

areas, will have reduced remains across the majority of the site.

The design of the scheme has included consideration of the historic

environment, and as a result the area of undeveloped greenfield land

in the north-eastern area of the proposed development site,

considered to be the area with the greatest potential for currently

unrecorded remains, will be set aside, and will not be impacted by

construction.

The only heritage asset identified within the site is the remains of the

former tramway in the western area of the site but this area does not

form part of the proposals.

A watching brief (somebody checking the ground through

construction works) during the excavation of the lake is deemed

sufficient to recover possible exposed archaeological remains.

7. Further Information

Copies of the ES, together with the planning application documents, will be

made available for inspection at the following location:

Conwy County Borough Council Development Control Civic Offices Colwyn Bay Conwy LL29 8AR Comments on the ES should be addressed to Ceri Thomas at the above address. Copies of this Non-Technical Summary (NTS) are available free of charge. Hard copies of the ES can be purchased for a cost of £75 and electronic versions on CD are £5. The ES is also available at: http://www.conwyadventureleisure.co.uk/ For a copy of either the NTS or ES please contact NJL Consulting: NJL Consulting Unit 8 – Ashbrook Office Park Longstone Road Heald Green M22 5LB Tel: 0845 362 8202 Email: info@njlconsulting.co.uk