Environmental Impact Assessment For Proposed Mixed-use Development At Moor Lane Bus Station, Bolton

Project Objective

This is a desktop study report for the impact assessment of a proposed demolition of all existing buildings and structures and erection of a mixed-use development comprising 208 dwellings, commercial floorspace, Public Square, landscaping, parking, highway works and other associated works land at Moor Lane Bus Station, Moor Lane, Bolton by Seascope construction limited company. This study aims at identifying the significant environmental impacts that is addressed in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process by:

• Highlighting sensitive features of the existing environment;
• Identifying project elements that have environmental impact potential;
• Mitigation measures to minimize impact.

Seascope construction limited company is proposing to demolish all existing buildings and structures and erect a mixed-use development comprising 208 dwellings, commercial floorspace, Public Square, landscaping, parking, highway works and other associated works land at Moor Lane Bus Station, Moor Lane, Bolton.

1. To identify and assess the proposed project’s important environmental impacts.
2. To see if the planned project’s amenities are compatible with the surrounding land usage.
3. Determine and estimate the cost of the environmental and effectiveness of the project proposed.
4. To assess and choose the successful project solution from the many alternatives identified.
5. To integrate environmental planning processes and monitoring procedures during the implementation and operating phases of the project.

The site measures approximately 1.78 hectares in area and is located within the heart of Bolton town centre, immediately to the east of the civic core. It primarily comprises the former Moor Lane bus station but is irregular in shape as it also includes two parcels of land to the north and south of the Job Centre on Blackhorse Street. It can broadly be considered to be bounded by Moor Lane to the west, by Bolton Courts and Cheadle Square to the north, by Queen Street / Le Mans Crescent to the east and by Ashburner Street / Bolton Market to the south.

A long the land side of the Moor Lane, there will be two six-story apartment complexes, 44 three-story townhouses at the centre area, and two four-story blocks apartment on both side of Job Centre, behind the side of Le Mans Crescent.

Element 1 – A block of apartments opposite to Moor Lane (on the North)

This structure element would have six floors and would be bordered on the western side by a Moor Lane, the north side by the east-west new  linear park, the eastern side by the north-south new linear park, the southern side by the new access residential vehicular road. There would also be 52 units in total, with 19 one-bedroom flats, 29 two-bedroom flats, and 4 three-bedroom duplex apartments.

The majority of these intended units would have access to amenity on the external space via projected balconies on the south, north, and eastern elevations.

Element 2 – A block of apartments opposite to Moor Lane (on the South)

This structure element would have six floors and would be bordered on the western side by a Moor Lane, the eastern side by the north-south new linear park, the northern side by the new access residential vehicular road. There would also be 52 units in total, with 19 one-bedroom flats, 29 two-bedroom flats, and 4 three-bedroom duplex apartments.

Site Description of Proposed Project

The majority of these intended units would have access to amenity on the external space via projected balconies on the south, north, and eastern elevations.

Element 3 – In the center of the land, four blocks of three-story dwellings (on the North)

These flats would have three floors, but with a unique roof line generated by the second floor private terrace, either on the back or front. They will be bordered on the western side by a new linear north-south park, on the north side by new linear east-west park, Blackhorse Street on the east, and on the southern side by the new access residential vehicular road. There will be a series of 20 units, organized in a four blocks around the gated courtyard with 20 automobile parking places, one per house. Flat-roofs are used in these homes to conceal photovoltaic cells put on the roof. 

The design of private terraces would ensure there is a maximum solar gain while emphasizing the elevation to the Blackhorse Street, and the north side by the new linear east-west park. Each residence would also have a modest enclosed back space, in addition to the raised private terrace.

Element 4 – In the center of the land, four blocks of three-story dwellings (on the South)

These flats would have three floors, but with a unique roof line generated by the second floor private terrace, either on the back or front. They will be bordered on the western side by a new linear north-south park, on the north side by new linear east-west park, Blackhorse Street on the east, and on the southern side by the new access residential vehicular road. There will be a series of 24 units, organized in a four blocks around the gated courtyard with 24 automobile parking places, one per house. Flat-roofs are used in these homes to conceal photovoltaic cells put on the roof. 

The design of private terraces would ensure there is a maximum solar gain while emphasizing the elevation to the Blackhorse Street, and the north side by the new linear east-west park. Each residence would also have a modest enclosed back space, in addition to the raised private terrace.

Element 5 – A four-story building near the area of Job Centre (on the North). 

This structure element would have four floor and would be surrounded by  the  Blackhorse Street on the west, the northern side by the new linear of the east-west park, the eastern side by the Queen Street, and the southern side by the Job Centre. There would also be 24 one-bedroom flats and 9 two-bedroom flats in total, for a total of 33 flats. Two business units, one 155 square meters and another 253 square meters, are proposals for a ground floor, each looping around the north-western and north-eastern block’s corners, with one residential apartments entry dividing commercial units into two. This part was designed to have a civic aspect, with grooved corners, and a repeating window arrangement, similar to the other buildings in the centre of Bolton town civic core. Buff brick was proposed as a material, which is in accordance to the civic centre. This component is expected to provide housing for adults over the age of 55.

Design Criteria, Standards and Neighborhood Development

Element 5 – A four-story building near the area of Job Centre (on the South). 

This structure element, located on the site of the five retail structures that are slated for demolition,  would have four floor and would be surrounded by  the  Blackhorse Street on the west, the northern side by the new linear of the east-west park, the eastern side by the Queen Street, and the southern side by the Ashburner Street. There would also be 12 one-bedroom flats and 15 two-bedroom flats in total, for a total of 27 flats. One business units with 397 square is proposals for a ground floor, having facades on Ashburner Street, Blackhorse Street, and Queen Street (partially). Barn Street would be the entrance to the residential apartments. This part was planned to have a civic aspect, with slightly curved corners and a repeating window arrangement, similar to the other buildings in the centre of Bolton town civic core. Buff brick was proposed as a material, which is in accordance to the civic centre

A preliminary investigation will be undertaken to determine the topography, ground water tablelevel, nature and characteristics of the soil and bearing capacities. The results will determine thenature of the structural forms that will be adopted with regards to foundations. The structural design criteria will depend on the structure. The type of sewerage disposal system and storm water drainage system adopted will also be influenced by the results of the preliminary investigation. All the designs will comply with the applicable codes of practice. The foundations will also be governed by the results from the geotechnical investigation.

1. Pre-construction stage
2. a) Preparation of a plan and requisition of the necessary clearances from the competent authorities.
3. b) Assessment of baseline conditions in order to evaluate market dynamics for infrastructural essential service
4. b) Assessment of baseline conditions in order to evaluate market dynamics for infrastructural essential service
5. c) Preparation of the EIA report and Report Study Report, as well as the necessary permissions
6. Stage of construction
7. a) Creation of similar works as well as all necessary supportive infrastructure for the construction project: This would include transporting machinery and deploying personnel to the respective construction site.
8. b) Purchasing and transporting construction supplies: The contractor will procure construction materials from a variety of sources. Because different materials would be required at different stages of the building, material supply will have a continual operation throughout the construction project.
9. c)  Residential home construction, Borehole drilling, and associated services and facilities: The authorized engineering designs and layout of site plans must be carried out. The layout will be in accordance with the provided specifications  by the owner to the contractor, and will be overseen by trained engineers.
10. d) Excavations and filling of land: Excavation would be done for site preparation of the building’s foundations for all the residential homes, as well as all other utilities and facilities proposed.
11. e) Concrete Work, masonry, and Activities Related: A number of masonry activities and other work activities will be involved in the construction of buildings wall, perimeter walls, floors, foundations, pavements, and system of drainage, among many other elements of the project.
12. f) Steel structural Works: For further stability, the structures will have to be reinforced using structural steel. W elding, steel cutting, and erection are all part of steel work.
13. g) Sheet Metal and roofing Work: Cutting of sheet metal, elevating roofing materials like structural timber and concrete roofing tiles to the roof, and securing roof materials  are all part of the roofing process. 

1. h) Construction waste which cannot be reused for  landscaping or backfilling work on the site will be dumped in designated dumpsites by a licensed waste contracted handler.
2. i) Electrical Work: During the building of the structures, electrical work would comprise the electrical gadgets installation and appliances such as lighting apparatus, electrical cables, sockets, and lighting apparatus, among other things. Other activities that involve electrical use, such as metal cutting and welding, will also be available.

Some applicable environmental legislation that were used includes:

• The Town and Country Planning Act (1990)
• Building Regulations (2000)
• Planning Act 1990
• Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act, 1991
• Environmental Protection Act 1990

In this investigation, the following strategies were used:

• The site’s main information is collected through internet maps.
• In UK, a review of several environmental statutes and the acknowledgment of social and cultural norms were conducted.
• A desktop assessment was conducted to identify environmental risks related with the planned development.
• Review of previous studies and reports of a comparable nature
• Mitigation measures to be implemented are determined in order to reduce the risk of negative environmental consequences.
• And, eventually, public involvement in the project’s progress.

In summary, the following are expected to be the positive and negative impacts of the proposed project:

The proposed project is expected to benefit community on both national and local level. The advantages will be felt during the building and occupation phases, including the following:

• Optimal land use for provision of a dwelling unit, that results to a rise of the local/national Residential stock and quality that enables an increase self-employment options.
• Under the effects of the anticipated development, sewer and water facilities will be built.
• Social interaction will be improved. The development will gather together people from various cultural enterprises, allowing for the exchange of ideas that will result in improved business operations as well as an increase client’s number through networking among the occupants.
• Development of a market for products and services, particularly building inputs such as raw materials, machinery, and labor. During the construction phase, several secondary businesses are likely to emerge, particularly those that provide food  to the construction personnel.

In addition to the projected good effects, there are a few potential downsides, most of which will occur during the project’s construction..

• Fauna Impact – The clearance of the site, as well as sound and dust pollution from building activities, will cause some relatively insignificant disturbance to small types of animals. Small type of animals will need to relocate.
• Particles dust from excavations and construction operations pollute the atmosphere. Elevated levels of noxious gases such as sulphur, nitrogen oxide, and carbon, from the associated machinery will have an influence on public health, specifically in the direct influence zone.Also, throughout construction, emission levels from machinery and controlled burning of leftovers from clearance, scrub management, and exotics control, among other things, can result in massive of smoke, which is dangerous when it blows across highways. lowering the visibility of drivers or reducing the number of paths and rides
• Noise Disturbance – The majority of site work  entails the use of machinery, varying from chainsaws to heavy machinery. Because noise diminishes exponentially with distance and most nearby region are far away from homes, noise disturbances are not an issue.
• Construction machines will produce oil waste and spills. If no mitigating measures are put in place, these could harm the environment, including soil and water.

Matrices are used to identify and determine which environmental receptors are likely to be significantly impacted by the proposed development.

• Determine the best time of year to work, particularly in respect to the species already existing in the area, to minimize biodiversity disruptions and construction time. Construction of bat boxes in and around the project, as well as the removal of possible nesting locations before the nesting season, should all be done to get as many species out of the construction area as possible.
• Maintaining stakeholder participation throughout the EIA process will be a key component of this strategy. It will allow significant concerns from several stakeholders to be addressed as soon as possible, while also allowing the public to directly affect a development that will have an impact on their environment.
• To reduce air pollution and exhaust emissions, contractors will be required to utilize highly inductive and maintained equipment, as well as to turn off engines when they are idling. If any burning happens, it should be done in a controlled manner to reduce smoke nuisance by taking into account the following factors

1. Wind speed and direction and speed,
2. Reducing heap of soil content ,
3. Allowing cut materials time  to dry sufficiently while making sure the nature that surrounds is not dry enough to impact a fire risk,
4. Posting warning signs on roads where there is a risk of smoke shifting, and
5. Informing the Fire Department of the purpose to burn.

1. Watering all current construction spaces twice daily
2. Covering all trucks designed to transport soil, sand, as well as other loose materials or requiring all trucks to maintain at least two feet of freeboard; and
3. Paving, applying water three times daily, or applying (non-toxic) soil stabilizers to all unpaved access roads, parking areas, and staging areas at construction sites.
4. Do not excavate when the weather is extremely dry.

• During the clearance phase of the project, chemical techniques of eradication of the field should be avoided. Chemicals meant for usage should be carefully chosen by the pesticide safety department and used according to manufacturer’s instructions. They should not be used near a river or drain because they are not exactly stable for use near water.
• Hazardous substance management and an emergency preparedness plan should be implemented. This will include things like cleaning up accidental spills quickly and safely, as well as recommending hazardous-material management procedures to minimize the risk of a spill during construction

Involving well-informed community of stakeholders is essential towards the success of this development project. For these reasons there is a broad community of stakeholders with varying levels of potential involvement

• People who regularly commute through the areas which might be disrupted by road construction and closures;
• People who live in the nearby region but are not directly affected.
• Flora Group
• Biodiversity Information Centre
• County Ecologist

• People whose houses are less than 50 meters away from the site of construction
• People who frequent natural areas for recreation are likely to be harmed.
• Those who may be inconvenienced by additional roadwork and closures due to noise, dust, and lost time

Stakeholders are physically the largest group. The most effective way to inform this group will be through local newspaper columns, leaflets, public notice and displays Material provided will include background information on the project as well as times and locations of further public exhibitions and displays.

Stakeholder participation will be an important aspect of this strategy throughout the whole EIA process. It will allow strong concerns from several stakeholders to be addressed as soon as feasible, while also allowing the community to have direct input into a project that will have an impact on their environment.

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