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 Hatfield Colliery Powerfuel's application for a 900 MW Power Generation Station and its impact on Stainforth and the surrounding area |
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Introduction Local assesment |
Details of the application Transmission line application Links & downloads |
The Last 25 Years |
Application for 400kV Overhead transmission Line
Non Technical Summary
July 2008
This is a copy of the Non Technical Summary, available from Hatfield Colliery
and prepared by Heaton Planning
Click images to enlarge
This Non-Technical Summary (NTS) is based on an Environmental Statement (ES) that accompanies a s37 application for the installation 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.
 Site Location and Proposed Route Plan Click image to enlarge |
Site and its Surroundings |
Background to the Development
In 2003 planning permission was granted for a major masterplan
of re-development of the Hatfield Colliery site – The Hatfield
Power Park. The permission provides 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 430 MW 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 430 MW power plant to a 900 MW 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.
Description of the Proposed Development
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.
Landscape and Visuals
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.
Ecology and Nature Conservation
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.
Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
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
archaeological sites. There are, however, several sites in the
vicinity of the proposed towers, the nearest located at
approximately 65 m 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.
Electric and Magnetic Fields
All electronic equipment, including power lines, produce electric
and magnetic fields (EMF). The route
 3 Pylon tower types - Click image to enlarge |
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. |
Electromagnetic Compatibility
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
equipment in the vicinity may be affected of 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.
Audible Noise
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.
Need for the Development
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, therefore, contribute to the national need for energy which is briefly set out below. The Government has set out that around 30-35 GW 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 ompliance 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:
• Low carbon technologies, such as renewables;
• Improving coal-fired power station efficiency;
• Implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS); and
• Providing a diverse energy mix.
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 430 MW to 900 MW presents a sustainable, high-tech low emission solution to filling a significant proportion of the predicted gap in energy supply. At the same time the proposal will sustain local and regional economic growth.
Conclusions
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 package 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 SYNGAS 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 at the address given below, for a cost of £150 including vat.
Heaton Planning Ltd, 9 The Square, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5JT
T:0115 9375552 – F:0115 9372876