Environmental Planning
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Client: AstraZeneca UK Ltd
Background: Avlon Works at Severnside is a key production site for pharmaceuticals for AstraZeneca. The Works were authorised under Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) consent to discharge effluent, including surface drainage, trade and sanitary waste, into the Severn Estuary, an internationally designated site of nature conservation importance.
In 2002 the company planned a new treatment plant (ETP) to improve the quality of effluent discharging to the estuary. Landmark was commissioned to prepare EIAs to inform two applications; one for planning consent to South Gloucestershire Council, and another for consent for a Major Variation of the existing IPC authorisation, to the Environment Agency. Both applications were also subject to Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Regulations.
Description: The Severn Estuary supports large and diverse populations of internationally important wildfowl, invertebrates and migratory fish in a unique ecosystem, comprising inter-tidal mudflats, sandbanks, rocky platforms and saltmarsh. A number of these features occur close to the effluent discharge point. Although the overall effect of the scheme would be a major improvement in the quality of effluent discharging to the Estuary, the development team had to find a way to construct and operate the ETP without causing damage to the international site, or to terrestrial ecology and archaeological features. Extensive research was undertaken to describe the micro-environment of the estuary and to analyse the chemical, biological and physical effects of constructing and operating the ETP and outfall. Landmark’s environmental planners coordinated and managed both of the EIAs and, together with our ecologists, prepared information to inform the Appropriate Assessment.
Client Benefits : Planning permission and consent to vary the discharge authorisation were both granted and the ETP began testing operations in 2005, and opened fully in 2006. Informed management of the EIAs to secure dual consents ensured a consistent, authoritative and clear presentation of complex environmental issues.
