BIOCONSTRUCT NEWENERGY LIMITED Anaerobic Digestion Plant, Brenda Road, Hartlepool ...

279 Pages·2017·16 MB·English

BIOCONSTRUCT NEWENERGY LIMITED

Anaerobic Digestion Plant, Brenda Road, Hartlepool

Environmental Permit Application

Site Conditions Report

May 2017

BIOCONSTRUCT NEWENERGY LIMITED
Anaerobic Digestion Plant, Brenda Road, Hartlepool
Environmental Permit Application
Site Conditions Report

CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1
2 SITE INFORMATION ............................................................................................................ 1
3 CONDITION OF THE LAND AT PERMIT ISSUE ..................................................................... 1
3.1 Geology and Hydrogeology ......................................................................................... 1
3.2 Site History and Potential Sources of Pollution .......................................................... 2
4 CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................... 4

APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Phase 1 Site Investigation Report
Appendix 2 Phase 2 Site Investigation Report

NT13024/002
May 2017
BIOCONSTRUCT NEWENERGY LIMITED
Anaerobic Digestion Plant, Brenda Road, Hartlepool
Environmental Permit Application
Site Conditions Report

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1 This report provides the Site Condition report for the Permit Application for the
anaerobic digestion plant at Brenda Road, Hartlepool. The report has been prepared
in accordance with the Environment Agency’s H5 template for site condition reports.
The report will be maintained during the life of the site and will be used to inform the
permit surrender.
1.1.2 The report provides brief details of the site, its environmental setting and the
condition of the land at permit issue and the proposed permitted activities and
environmental controls that will be in place.
1.1.3 Phase 1 and Phase 2 site investigation reports have been prepared for the site by
Solmek Limited and have been provided as Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of this report.
Relevant information from these reports has been summarised in this report for quick
reference.
2 SITE INFORMATION
2.1.1 The applicant is BioConstruct NewEnergy Limited and the operation will take place at
Tofts Road, West Hartlepool. The grid reference for the centre of the Site is NZ
51385/28285 The site boundary is shown on drawing NT 13024/001 and the site
layout on drawing NT13024/002.
3 CONDITION OF THE LAND AT PERMIT ISSUE
3.1 Geology and Hydrogeology
3.1.1 The Phase I investigation report indicates that the site is likely underlain by solid
geology of Carboniferous Middle Coal Measures Formation (MCM) most likely
comprising of cyclic beds of mudstone, siltstone and sandstone with coal seams of
varying thicknesses.
3.1.2 The drift deposits on site are likely to comprise of silty, sandy and gravelly Glacial Till
with occasional sandy and gravelly lenses.
3.1.3 As per the Phase 2 investigation report, natural deposits comprised stiff, locally firm
becoming stiff consistency brown mottled grey slightly sandy, slightly gravelly high
strength clay to depths between 12.50mbgl and 16.20mbgl. Within the north eastern
boreholes a layer of medium dense brown clayey fine to course sand was proven
within the stiff clay. The cohesive stratum was underlain with granular deposits of
dense and very dense gravel or, over the north eastern boreholes, dense and very
NT13024/002 Page 1
May 2017
BIOCONSTRUCT NEWENERGY LIMITED
Anaerobic Digestion Plant, Brenda Road, Hartlepool
Environmental Permit Application
Site Conditions Report

dense sand to depths of between 20.50mbgl and 30.20mbgl where rockhead of
sandstone was proven.
3.1.4 Shallow groundwater strikes were recorded in four boreholes between 8.00mbgl and
10.00mbgl within a sand layer. Deeper strikes were recorded between 13.00mbgl and
16.10mbgl which approximate to the granular stratum horizon. Groundwater was not
encountered within the trial pits.
3.1.5 A large area of made ground is all intrusions comprised brown topsoil.
3.1.6 The nearest surface water feature is located 159m west of the site. The Envirocheck
Report states there are no Licensed Discharge Consents entries within 600m of the
site. The Environment Agency website confirms that this has been classified as a
secondary B aquifer and there are no source protection zones in the immediate
vicinity of the site.
Surface Water
3.1.7 The North Sea coast is located approximately 2.5km from the site to the east. the
Seaton on Tees Channel is located at approximately 1.8km to the south of the site.
3.2 Site History and Potential Sources of Pollution
3.2.1 Historical OS mapping data (OS map of 1857) indicates the site comprised of and was
largely surrounded by arable farmland with the railway line already present on the
north-western boundary at that time. A review of subsequent historical maps has
identified that a building was constructed in the south-east of the site with tanks with
extension works evident on the 1981 maps and subsequent demolition/removal
activities. It also identified two rectangular buildings located in the south east of the
site in 2000.
3.2.2 Records indicate that there are two registered landfill sites and one historical landfill
site within 500m of the site. The desk based Phase I report concludes that site is
unlikely to have been exposed to anything other than minimal contamination, with
the south exposed to construction/demolition waste and possible oils or fuel from
former tanks. Asbestos may also be present on the site from previous building
cladding and roofing.
3.2.3 Considering the industrial land use of the site and its surroundings, a Phase II
investigation has been carried out and is presented as Appendix I. Based on the depth
of made ground, contamination profile and proposed end use of the site, no
NT13024/002 Page 2
May 2017
BIOCONSTRUCT NEWENERGY LIMITED
Anaerobic Digestion Plant, Brenda Road, Hartlepool
Environmental Permit Application
Site Conditions Report

remediation is considered necessary below the proposed building footprint and areas
of hardstanding and none will be undertaken.
Permitted Activities
3.2.4 The permitted activities on site will comprise the anaerobic digestion of food, dairy
and agricultural wastes. Waste will be transferred to the site in tankers from which it
will be unloaded for treatment or storage in pre-storage tanks. Waste is then
transferred to the digesters through sealed pipelines. The processing area will be
contained within a concrete wall arrangement, capable of holding 110% of the
capacity of the largest tank or 20% of the total capacity of all tanks/containers within
the bund, whichever is larger.
3.2.5 Chemicals stored on site comprise the following:
• Oil in the form of fresh oil for use in the CHP engines and subsequent waste oils.
These will be stored within the CHP building and will be disposed off-site;
• Iron chloride will be stored in a 25m3 tank next to the Technical building; and
• Anti-foaming agent will be stored within an IBC (1000 litre capacity) within the
Technical Building.
3.2.6 These chemicals will be used based on monitoring of the digestion process. The
chemicals will be stored in appropriate tanks or IBCs within bunded areas.
Incompatible materials will be stored separately.
3.2.7 Whilst all waste storage vessels will be provided with concrete surfacing and bunding
it is not intended that the site will be fully surfaced. An area of hardstanding will be
provided at the site entrance to allow the access and egress of delivery or
maintenance vehicles.
3.2.8 Pipe runs will be inspected on a regular basis and all pipes will be maintained as
necessary. Each pipe run will be fitted with cut off valves so that it can be isolated in
the event of a leak, facilitating repairs and preventing any further loss of liquid.
3.2.9 Following treatment digestate will be stored in four digestate storage tanks and will
be exported off site for use as fertiliser. Digestate is to be produced to PAS110
standards.
3.2.10 Further details are provided in the reports “Operating Techniques” and
“Environmental Risk Assessment and Accident Management Plan” which accompany
the permit application.
NT13024/002 Page 3
May 2017
BIOCONSTRUCT NEWENERGY LIMITED
Anaerobic Digestion Plant, Brenda Road, Hartlepool
Environmental Permit Application
Site Conditions Report

4 CONCLUSION
4.1.1 The site comprises of brown field land. Baseline data collected for the site indicates
that the made ground should be classed as being contaminated. However, when
considering the depth of made ground, contamination profile and proposed land use,
no remediation of the site is considered necessary below the proposed building
footprint and areas of hardstanding.
4.1.2 The site lies on a secondary B aquifer comprising mudstones. No surface water bodies
are present within 500m of the site.
4.1.3 All tanks associated with the site will be constructed over an impermeable concrete
base and the processing area will be provided with bunding (by way of a 2.5m high
concrete containment wall) to 110% of the capacity of the largest tank.
4.1.4 All plant and infrastructure at the site will be inspected on a regular basis and will be
maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations. It is concluded
that the site is unlikely to cause pollution due to the containment measures and
maintenance programme that is in place.
4.1.5 The phase II investigation contains sufficient detail to provide a baseline for site
surrender.

NT13024/002 Page 4
May 2017
Phase 1: Desk Study
New Bio-Gas Plant, Hartlepool
Harkin Associates
S160722

Solmek Ltd
12 Yarm Road
Stockton-on-Tees
TS18 3NA
Tel: [phone]
www.solmek.com
RT073 Issue 1

PHASE 1 DESK STUDY

NEW BIO-GAS PLANT, HARTLEPOOL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... 1 
2  INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION ............................................................................ 2 
3  SITE WALKOVER AND DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................. 2 
4  SITE HISTORY ........................................................................................................................................ 3 
5  ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ................................................................................................................. 4 
6  CONCEPTUAL SITE MODEL .................................................................................................................. 6 
7  PROPOSED PHASE TWO INTRUSIVE WORKS ................................................................................... 9 

TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF SITE HISTORY ..................................................................................................... 3 
TABLE 2: POTENTIAL PRIORITY CONTAMINANTS ................................................................................... 7 
TABLE 3: POTENTIAL GROUND GAS POLLUTION LINKAGES ................................................................. 8 
TABLE 4: PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL MODEL ....................................................................................... 8 
TABLE 5: SITE INVESTIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................ 9 

APPENDICES

Appendix A - Drawings and Photographs
Appendix B - Historical Maps
Appendix C - Envirocheck Reports
Appendix D - Mining Report
Appendix E - Notes on Limitations

Revision Date Prepared By Signed

K Morgan
Engineering Geologist

Checked By

July
Final
2016 Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Approved By

Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Phase 1 Desk Study – August 2016
Report: S160722 – New Bio-Gas Plant, Hartlepool
RT073 Issue 1

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Site Address Tofts Road West, Hartlepool
Site Description The desk study area is located west of Brenda Road and north of Toft Road West and comprises
two rough square areas. The southern section is generally covered with level hardstanding as relict
floor slabs from the previous developments, access is gained from the east of the site where a
building used as offices is located, the office is of brick and flat roof construction. The remaining
area is used as parking and storage.

The northern section is accessed from the east of Brenda Road which is relatively level is topography
and covered with un-managed grass, dense heads and woodland mark the boundaries of the site.
A railway line is present to the north and commercial warehouses are located to the northeast of the
site.

Site History
On Site The earliest maps showed that the site is located within an agricultural area, the northern proportion
of the site has remained agricultural. In the late 1960 a commercial building and tanks where
constructed to the south of the site and this was expanded in 1980’s. Demolition of the works began
in late 1980’s and some of the buildings still remain.

Offsite From the earliest maps a railway line was noted along the northwest boundary of the site, the most
significant development was the construction of the works to the west of the site in the mid 1930’s,
the development was also extended up to the boundary in the early 1980’s.
Proposed End Use The proposed development is outlined for industrial development which includes large dimeter
tanks, bund walls and buildings.
Environmental Setting
Landfill & Waste The Envirocheck Report indicates that there are two Registered Landfill Sites located within 500m
of the site.

Regulated Industries The nearest Waste Treatment and Disposal Site located 139m south of the site.

The Envirocheck Report indicates that there are thirty Contemporary Trade Directory Entries located
within 250m of the site. There are two located on the site, however both are listed as inactive. The
nearest active site is located 55m south of the site.

There are fifty-eight records of Integrated Pollution controls and sixteen Integrated Pollution
Prevention and Control entries located within 500m of the site.

The Envirocheck Report indicates that there are two Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Control
sites located within 500m of the site.

Geology The solid geology on the site is shown as mudstone, siltstone and sandstone with coal seams of
varying thicknesses and drift deposits are likely to Glacial Till.

Hydrogeology The solid geology beneath the site is classified as a Principal Aquifer and the overlying drift is
classified as Secondary Aquifer - Undifferentiated.

Hydrology The site does not lie within a source protection zone.

Flooding The nearest surface water feature is located 159m west of the site.

Radon Gas The site is not at risk of Flooding from Rivers and the Seas without defences.

Preliminary Geotechnical Given the expected ground conditions noted in the sections above, the use of strip foundations is
Assessment anticipated at present for lightly loaded structure, however a deeper piled foundation maybe more
appropriate for heavily loaded structures.

Preliminary Contamination The desk study has shown that the site is unlikely to have been exposed to anything other than
Assessment minimal contamination, with the south exposed to construction/demolition waste and possible oils
or fuel from former tanks. Asbestos may also be present on the site from previous building cladding
and roofing.

Potential Sources of Due to the nature of the development and expected ground condiation ground gas montoring is
Ground Gas not recommended.

Phase Two  A series of cable percussive boreholes with in-situ testing and samples.
Recommendations  3no. rotary core follow-on within the cable percussive boreholes.
 A series of machine excavated trial pits to supplement borehole data.
 Geotechnical and contamination testing.

Phase 1 Desk Study – August 2016
Report: S160722 – New Bio-Gas Plant, Hartlepool 1