Environment

Biodiversity Net Gain

SGL is committed to delivering a biodiversity net gain of over 10% as part of the port redevelopment proposals. This will be achieved by:

  • Retaining where possible and enhancing existing trees, woodlands, hedgerows, scrub, wetland and grassland habitats.
  • Creating new areas of habitat along the boundaries of the site and through the centre to create green linkages.
  • Creating new ponds to the west of the site to provide aquatic habitats for the existing reptile population whilst also supporting invertebrate and local amphibians.
  • On-site habitat creation and enhancement will provide foraging and breeding opportunities for reptile and bird populations, while the wider area beyond the site will still provide ample agricultural and pastoral habitats to support these populations, e.g. Dibden Bay SSSI and the wider landscape to the south.
  • New planting on-site will include specimen tree planting to aid habitat creation as well as sections of native woodland and scrub planting to improve the site’s biodiversity.
  • Planting of seasonal bulbs in areas of existing poor semi-improved grasslands and amenity grasslands which will aid pollinator habitats.
  • Plants have been chosen to maximise biodiversity net gain with 98% as native species and a variety of plants to maximise biodiversity on the site.
  • At the new site entrance semi-mature specimen planting is proposed to provide a semi-mature habitat for the local wildlife.
  • Our new planting and enhancements have been designed to increase connectivity across the site and with the wider landscape (including with Dibden Bay SSSI and the New Forest National Park).
  • Increased connectivity will allow for the expansion of local wildlife populations and help them to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Additionally, SGL is hoping to provide funding for approximately 25 hectares on the Cadland Estate, which is approximately 9km south of the port. Unlike the port this new area will be accessible to the public so that everyone in the local community that uses the area can enjoy the benefit. At the Cadland Estate the enhancements will include areas of grassland (lowland dry acid grassland), heathland and shrub (gorsescrub) and woodland and forest (woodpasture and parkland).

Air Quality

Air quality has been assessed as part of the application and, as with other reports, has informed the final development proposals. An outline Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), will be developed prior to construction. This will ensure pollution control measures are implemented as described in the Environmental Statement submitted with the application.

Operational mitigation measures will be implemented for the aggregates handling/ processing plant and associated asphalt and concrete batch plants. This includes the use of fabric dust filters, covered stock bays, enclosed plant systems, dust suppression via water sprays and road sweeper, bunded areas, petrol interceptors and drainage silt collection systems. An Environmental Management System ISO 14001 is to be adopted within the next two years for the operation of the site.

Noise

A full Noise Assessment has been completed as part of the application. We have designed a number of elements into the proposals to
ensure that noise from the port is as limited as possible and remains within acceptable levels. This includes:

• Locating high intensity development – activity which can be noisier, high volume activity and tall structures – at the core of the site.
• Placing restrictions on certain operational processes during night time, such as the movement of aggregates to supply the concrete batching plant.
• Soft landscaping proposed around the site, including a large area of planting adjacent to Normandy Way to reduce noise and improve air quality.

SGL is very supportive of the commitment made by Hampshire County Council to re-surface Normandy Way and we will continue to encourage the Council to maintain this road to the
highest standard. A better road surface with vehicles travelling at the correct speed will reduce the noise from HGVs and all other vehicles accessing the port and the surrounding area.

Ecology

The proposals have taken into consideration the port’s proximity to the Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar & Dibden Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and enhancements to the ecological buffer zone between Marchwood and the SSSI are proposed.

Extensive ecological surveys have been conducted and the majority of the site is of low ecological value, although some good quality habitats exist including reedbeds, scrub, wooded areas and some grassland.

Biodiversity onsite will be enhanced

As there are no plans to change the marine infrastructure, the impact on marine life is likely to be minimal and increased vessel movements will only comprise a small proportion of daily vessel movements in the River Test.

An Environmental Statement has been submitted as part of the Planning Application.

A number of key elements from the Environmental Statement are included below:

  • Surface water will be managed on-site through Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Drainage upgrades will include provision for extreme flood events and changes due to climate change to prevent flooding on-site.
  • The surfaces on-site have been designed to be used for a long period of time without deteriorating. The pavements shall use site-own materials from the proposed on-site aggregates and concrete batch plants which will reduce the impacts on the environment and support the aspiration to achieve a circular economy.
  • The proposed earthworks strategy for the site aims to re-use materials within the site, thus reducing the volumes of material to be imported or exported from the site.
  • We will be using LED lighting technology across the site as this will reduce the impact on bats. We will also have lighting control systems in place to save energy and reduce impact from the lighting on the ecology onsite.
  • We have also designed the lighting to reduce its impact on the SSSI boundary, along with reducing sky glow, obtrusive light and light spill.
  • EV charging points will be provided on site for electric vehicles with scope to expand charging facilities in the future as EV charging demand increases.
  • In the future as further technology develops it is the intention that plant on-site will be replaced with electric operated plant and vehicles.
  • Solar panels are included within the designs to provide sustainable energy for the buildings.
  • Currently the vessels arriving to Marchwood Port cannot connect to shore side power. However, we are safeguarding land so that we can deliver shore to ship power infrastructure in the future when vessels using the port are able to make use of this.

The port will continue to have fencing around the perimeter and there will be no public access for safety and defence security.

View towards the River Test

Construction Management

If planning permission is granted by New Forest District Council in  2021 work could begin onsite soon after. A Construction Management Plan will need to be agreed with NFDC in advance of work commencing onsite and will detail how the construction will be managed to limit the impact on the local community, environment and wildlife. The earthworks strategy has been developed to maximise the use of onsite material and minimise any import or export of materials with opportunities for any material required to be brought in via sea rather than road. If you would like to be kept updated on developments at the port, please sign up for updates.