This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) is based on an Environmental Statement (ES) that accompanies a s37 application for the installation of a 400kV single circuit overhead line connecting the Hatfield 900MW (CCGT/Coal IGCC) Power Station with the National Grid substation at the former Thorpe Marsh Power Station site. The NTS looks at the main elements of the proposals that have the potential to impact positively and/or negatively on the environment and local residents.  In preparing the application regard has been had to the contents of schedule 4 of the Town & Country Planning (EIA) Regulations 1999 (as amended in 2000) and schedule 3 of the Electricity Works (EIA) (England & Wales) Regulations 2000.

 

 

The site is approximately 12km to the north of Doncaster. The transmission line route runs for approximately 9.5km starting from Hatfield Power Station, heading north over agricultural land in parallel with the M18, turning west and heading above Fishlake, then turns in a south westerly direction running in parrallel with the River Dun to a National Grid substation at the disused Thorpe Marsh Power Station.

 

 

In 2003 planning permission was granted for a major masterplan of re-development of the Hatfield Colliery site - The Hatfield Power Park. The permissionprovides for a significant area of employment uses, colliery development and spoil disposal and the development of a clean coal technology power station.

The Power Station that features in the masterplan for the Hatfield Power Park was granted permission in August 2003 under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

The section 36 permission provides for the construction and operation of a 430MW coal integrated combined cycle generating station to be sited on land adjacent to the colliery surface structures and plant.

A subsequent s36 application to increase the capacity of the 430MW power plant to a 900MW Gas and Coal IGCC power plant was submitted to BERR in March 2008.

In order to connect the proposed station to the National Grid Powerfuel need to install a 400kV single circuit transmission line.

 

 

The proposed development involves the erection of a total of 30 towers (pylons) on land between the Hatfield Power Park and the old Thorpe Marsh Power Station.  The towers will support the single circuit 400kV overhead transmission line running for a distance of approximately 9.5km.

It is proposed that 3 types of tower design will be required; the termination tower, the angle line tower design and the standard line tower design.

The termination towers measure approximately 44m high, the angle line towers measure approximately 36m high and the standard line towers stand slightly taller at 39m high. Each is designed to suspend a single circuit 400kV transmission line.

 

 

The following sections summarise the main topic areas that have been assessed in preparation of the Environmental Statement (ES). Full technical reports relating to the assessment of the potential impacts have been prepared and are attached to the full ES.

 

 

Work has been carried out to assess the anticipated landscape and visual effects that the proposed towers and associated power lines route would have on the surrounding area. Given the fixed start and end points for the route, there is little possibility of limiting the landscape and visual effects by means of further route refinement or screening. The proposed  route has been developed with the intention of minimising landscape and visual effects as far as possible and to avoid settlements as far as practicable.

 

 

Assessment has been carried out on the potential impact that the proposed powerlines and pylons may have on sites of ecological interest along the proposed powerline route. The use of overhead lines, as opposed to underground cables, has limited the amount of invasive operations required thus reducing the ecological impact of connecting a nationally and regionally important energy resource, Hatfield Power Station, to the national grid.

The key will be to employ a suitable range of mitigation measures to avoid an unnecessary detrimental impact on ecology that is of local, national and regional value whilst also allowing for a nationally valuable electricity resource to be connected to the grid.

 

 

Assessment work has been carried out on the potential impact that the proposed towers may have on archaeology and the historic environment located along the power line route. Initial archaeological appraisals of the area have indicated that the proposed route does not physically damage any recorded archaeologcial sites. There are, however, several sites in the vicinity of the proposed towers, the nearest located at apporximately 65m away. This would indicate that there is some potential for previously unrecorded archaeological sites along the route. The key will be to employ a suitable range of mitigation measures to avoid an unnecessary detrimental impact on archaeology that is of local, national and regional value whilst also allowing for a nationally valuable electricity resource to be connected to the grid.

 

 

All electronic equipment, including power lines, produce electric and magnetic fields (EMF). The route passes in relatively close proximity to residential property and crosses a number of public footpaths. As a result, the impact that these fields have on human health needs to be given consideration. The route has, therefore, been considered in accordance with the relevant regulations and it has been concluded that, due to the proximity of the line to residential properties, there will be no increase in exposure to EMF beyond that which would normally be produced by domestic products along the route.

 

 

The operation of high voltage equipment and overhead lines can generate electromagnetic fields over a wide range of frequencies. It is possible that electrical or electronic equipement in the vicinity may be affected or interfered with  by such electronic fields. In the case of the Hatfield to Thorpe  Marsh overhead line the equipment that would be included will be tested to meet relevant regulations and thus result in little or no interference to the general public.

 

 

The proposed route for the overhead lines has been chosen to minimise the impact on potentially noise sensitive receptors. Nevertheless, powerlines can give rise to noise of differing types. Following noise impact assessments it has been concluded that the only likely noise impact may arise from sudden rain events, such as summer storms. However, events such as this will account for a small proportion of the overhead lines operation lifetime, during which noise levels commonly diminish as the line weathers.

 

 

The proposed power lines are needed to enable connection to the national grid via a new substation located at the former Thorpe Marsh power station site. The installation of overhead power lines will enable Hatfield Power Station to connect to the National Grid and, therfore, contribute to the national need for energy which is briefly set out below.

The Government has set out that around 30-35GW of electricity will need to be provided by new generation plant capacity to meet the rising electricity demand as the economy grows and to replace the retirement of many, less efficient, nuclear and coal-fired power stations in compliance with EU legislation.

In order to fill the gap in supply and meet the increasing demand it is widely recognised that substantial investment will be required in:

The energy supply issues facing the UK are imminent. Regeneration initiatives are progressing at Stainforth/Hatfield centering on the Hatfield Power Park development. The proposal for s36 consent to increase the planned power generation plants output from 430MW to 900MW presents a sustainable, high-tech low emission solution to filling a significant proportion of the predicted gap in energy supply. At the same time, through the mine and the power station, the proposal will sustain local and regional econimic growth.

 

 

The environmental assessments carried out in preparation of the application have confirmed that although there will be some visual impact and an intermittent noise impact as a result of the proposal it is not likely that they will be severe or major. It is envisaged that there is potential for some archaeological and ecological impact, however, these can be mitigated against.

The powerlines, as part of a pachage of energy infrastructure of the Hatfield Power Park would facilitate the delivery of a low emissions power station development including clean coal power generation, based on coal gasification and SYGAS combustion, with carbon capture and export. It is considered that the positive benefits of the proposal outweigh  the potential negative effects that would result from the development.

 

The full Environmental Statement is available for viewing at Doncaster MBC offices, which are open during normal office hours. If you wish to purchase a copy of the Environmental Statement they are available from Heaton Planning (9 The Square, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5JT) for a cost of £150 including vat or £30 including vat for a CD