Winchester Oil Pipeline

Project
This scoping report is to provide Seascape Oil Networks Limited with an overview of the
proposed 600mm diameter oil pipeline project that will run from a point on the National
Transmission Pipeline north of Winchester to the Regional Transmission Pipeline to the south
and to invite early input from the developers in the identification of key issues, areas of concern
and additional environmental data available in order to inform the detailed Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) scoping process.

1. Introduction

1.1 This Report

This is a desktop constraints report for the impact assessment of a proposed oil pipeline
construction by Seascape Oil Networks Limited. This study aims to identify the significant
environmental, archaeological and socio-economic impacts that will be addressed in the
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process by:

 highlighting sensitive features of the existing environment;

 identifying project elements that have environmental impact potential;
 proposing the pipeline route and mitigation measures to minimize impact.

1.2 Project Objective

Seascape Oil Networks Limited is proposing to construct a new pipeline for oil transportation
from the National Transmission Pipeline (approximately 2.8km west of South Wonston) to the
Regional Transmission Pipeline (2km southeast of Winchester) in the county of Hampshire,
United Kingdom (UK). The selected corridor for the pipeline route is illustrated in Figure 1.1
1.3 Legislative Framework
The Pipeline Act 1962 requires that a Pipeline Construction Authorisation (PCA) be obtained
from the Secretary of State for the construction of an on-shore pipeline in the UK. The proposed
project is also subject to the Pipeline Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations
(2000) which stipulate the need of an EIA for pipeline construction for oil transportation.

Figure 1.1: Winchester and selected corridor (Source: OS Explorer Map).

Other supporting legislation includes the EC Directive 85/337/EEC (Assessment of the Effects of
Certain Public and Private Projects on the Environment), EC Directive 92/43/EC (Habitats
Directive), EC Directive 2009/147/EC (Birds Directive), the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act
(1981), Hedgerows Regulations (1997) and the UK Conservation of Species and Habitats
Regulations (2010).

2. The Proposed Project

2.1 Overview
This project is situated within the jurisdiction of the local planning authority of Winchester City
Council. The route selection has taken into consideration the Council’s relevant planning policies
and objectives.

The selected corridor for the construction of the pipeline is influenced by the position of the
connecting pipelines (the National Transmission Pipeline and the Regional Transmission
Pipeline) and the initial engineering feasibility study received.

The primary objective is to select an economically viable route with minimised impacts and risk
to the public and the environment.

This preliminary route selection was conducted using Ordnance Survey mapping, GIS datasets
from statutory consultees (English Heritage, Natural England) and the local council database.

2.2 Pipeline Construction

The proposed pipeline is 600mm in diameter and will be buried throughout its entire length with
a minimum cover of 1000mm with no above ground structures.

The standard dig trench lay technique is assumed; however, tunnelling and other trenchless
construction techniques will be required at environmentally sensitive areas, river crossings and at
interceptions with major traffic routes.

Pipeline construction is carried out within a 50m working width, which would include a
temporarily fenced corridor for storage of stripped topsoil, trench excavation and access road for
construction traffic. The excavated trench is back-filled with the material taken from it in reverse
order and the working area is returned to original condition as pre-arranged with landowners,
statutory and non-statutory consultees.
2.3 Pipeline Operation
The use of an integrated corrosion protection system to secure pipeline integrity and periodical
monitoring in line with existing maintenance schedules.

3. Environmental Assessment
The UK EIA regulations require a description of potential concerns/environmental aspects that
are expected to be significantly affected (including land use, population, ecology, water, air,
geographic, cultural/materials assets, landscape and the inter-relationship between them) by a
project and the mitigation measures to minimise such effects to be reported in the Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA).

The significant impacts expected from the development of this project, and which will be
identified in the EIA, have been categorised under the construction and the operational stages.
Table 1 below shows the occurrence and types of impact of these potential concerns.

Table 3.1: List of potential impacts and their occurrence.

Construction Operation
Impact type

-ve Unlikely
Landscape and visual impacts

-ve -ve
Land use

-ve Unlikely
Soils and agriculture
 -ve Unlikely
Biodiversity and habitats

-ve Unlikely
Water resources and flood risk

-ve Unlikely
Archaeology and cultural heritage

-ve Unlikely
Emissions

-ve Unlikely
Contaminated land and waste
management

-ve unlikely
Traffic and transport management

+ve Unlikely
Socio-economic

The buried nature of the project accounts for most construction impacts. The effects of most of
the impacts are short-lived, occurring for specific periods during construction.
Other concerns that have been scoped out of the EIA for the insignificant impacts that they have
include:

 Climate and topography: The project will have no impacts on the climate and
topography of the selected area;
  Safety: The pipeline will be designed and constructed in line with relevant codes of
practice;
 Geology and mining: The bedrock of the area is dominated mainly by chalk, mixed with
a combination of clay, silt and sand occurring together or in layers. There are no
recorded geological faults and mining activities in the proposed route. However, the
impact of the pipeline construction is limited to a laying depth of 1000mm that affects
mainly the surface topsoils.

4 Landscape and Visual Impacts

This component includes effects that the project might have on the appearance of the land,
resulting in alteration of the present character, quality and views experienced by the inhabitants
of the designated site.

The selected corridor has a varied landscape with different features including arable farmland,
clay lowland pastures, chalk downland, river valley and woodland including Avington Park, a
designated Parks and Garden. However, noticeable impacts on the character of the area will
occur during the summer construction phase in the visual range of the pipeline route and its
working areas.

The proposed pipeline is a buried structure, therefore impact is temporary, as restoration to the
original state is done immediately after the pipe is laid.

5 Land Use
A large proportion of land on the proposed route is currently for arable farming and pasture
fields, nature conservation sites and a few built-up urban/residential areas. There is a temporary
land take for construction and it will be kept within the working width.

There will be temporary disruptions on the farms, due to restrictions placed on movement of
livestock and farming machinery by the fenced working width. However, the project is
controlled to ensure proper restoration to the original condition.
Construction activity in the urban areas limits road and street accessibility to residents. All
existing cables and pipes on the route will be located by excavation to confirm their exact
location; however, other utilities including sewage pipes will create constraints.

The project has the potential to restrict future developments on its route.

6 Soils and Agriculture

The temporary loss of land use in the construction phase of this project will hinder livestock
movement and farm machinery, affecting pasture and cropping patterns. Creation of temporary
access across the working width and alternative drainage systems would help to minimise the
impact.

Other actions to mitigate impact could include refilling of trenches by excavated soil to ensure
quick re-instatement of the land; the use of low ground pressure vehicles and back-actors in soil
stripping to minimise soil compaction.

Construction is a relatively short-term activity spanning a few months and the land would
thereafter be restored to its original condition.

7 Biodiversity and Habitats

This component involves the establishment of baseline ecological conditions and the evaluation
of existing resources to identify the impact of the intended project on the flora and fauna, relating
to the variety of species and habitat. The review of the Winchester Biodiversity Action Plan
(BAP) shows areas of statutory and non-statutory nature conservation.

The selected corridor lies within several conservation areas, including ancient woodlands, Sites
of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a
Special Area of Conservation (SAC), as shown in Figure 7.1. The designated conservation areas
are reservoirs for biodiversity and preservation of habitats.
A large portion of land on the proposed route is used for agricultural activities, under the
environmental stewardship scheme to promote farming compatible with the maintenance of the
countryside and protection of the environment.

Conservation of biodiversity resources is usually enhanced by restricting developments in

designated areas (SACs and SSSIs), ancient woodlands and networks of natural habitats
(including hedgerows, field margins, river valleys and flood plains).

The major site of ecological importance is found at the River Itchen. This river is a classic chalk
river, which serves as natural habitat for several numbers of national and international priority
species including the water-crowfoot (Ranunculus penicillatus), Otter (Lutra lutra)*, Water vole
(Arvicola terrestris)* and the Southern damselfly. The ecology on the river depends on its flow
and water level, hence any disruption presents a threat to the nature conservation and the
adjoining flood plain.

Other noted fauna recorded in the working area include the Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis
lucina)*, Hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius)*, Barn owl (Tyto alba), Snipe (Gallinago
gallinago)*, Great crested newt and badgers.

Due to the high sensitivity, consultations with the following groups must take place before and
during construction:

 The Environmental Agency

 Natural England
 Hampshire County Ecologist
 Hampshire Bat Group
 Hampshire Ornithological Society
 Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group
 Hampshire Flora Group
 Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre; and
  The BSBI recorder for Winchester

The impact on the areas of conservation would be reduced by the consideration of trenchless
construction methods.

Figure 7.1: Habitat and biodiversity in the selected corridor

8 Water Resources and Flood Risk

To assess the effects of project construction with respect to surface water, drainage and ground
water. A flood risk assessment is required by the Environmental Agency and the local planning
authority for project proposals in Flood Zones 2 and 3. The selected corridor passes through
Flood Zones 2 at South Stoke, at farm area in Kings Worthy and in the River Itchen valley.

Although trenchless construction techniques are proposed for the River Itchen are, consultation
with and approval from the Environmental Agency is required for the conservation of the river’s
prominent feature as a classic chalk river from aquifer-fed springs.
Figure 8.1: Water resource and flood risk areas in the selected corridor

Construction activity is temporary in nature and would be carried out during periods of low
flooding risk; however, pipelines would be weight-coated to avoid flotation.

9 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

The earliest recorded settlement in the Winchester area dates back to 150BC in the Iron Age and
has since gathered rich diversity in historical background from the Romans, the Saxons, and the
Normans. This is an indication of potential archaeological findings on any selected route.

There are over 30 listed buildings and 15 scheduled monuments in the selected corridor, as
illustrated in Figure 9.1; however preliminary consultation with the Winchester County
Archaeologist is essential before and during archaeological work.
The proposed pipeline route would be selected to avoid all archaeological and heritage sites in
the working route; however, field evaluation is proposed to reduce the risk of damaging any
archaeological features.

Figure 9.1: Archaeological and heritage sites in the selected corridor.

10 Emissions
The pipeline construction has the potential to generate substantial emissions in terms of noise,
vibration, dust generation, air quality impacts, combustion emissions from plants and vehicles,
transfer of mud onto public highways and discharge to watercourses. The extent of impact is
dependent on the efficiency of control measures and the nearness to people and residences.

The emissions are temporary and spatial as they only occur in short periods of time in the work
areas.
11 Contaminated Land and Waste Management
Registered industrial pollution and landfill sites that will be avoided in the selected corridor are
listed below:

 Star Energy Oil UK Limited (oil pollution)

 Pentex Oil UK (oil pollution)
 Humphrey Farms (agricultural pollution)
 Alresford Drove (commercial landfill site)
 Morestead Sewage treatment works; and
 Landfills at the railway cutting in Manor Farm, Itchen Stoke.

A possible case of contaminated land may arise at the old Royal Air Force Base at Worthy Down
Camp. Other potential sources of unrecorded contaminated sites may be present, which will be
mitigated by the use of clay plugs in the pipeline trench.

Waste materials generated as a result of the pipeline construction must be handled in line with
the Code of Practice for waste minimisation and recycling in construction. Suitable disposal
routes and treatment methods will be adopted to mitigate the impact. Minimal impact is expected
as the excavated soil would be reused in covering trenches.

12 Traffic and Transportation

The pipeline construction will impact road users by causing temporary increase in traffic flows
and delays.

An appropriate traffic management system is required to identify potentially sensitive facilities

such as schools, and detail agreed traffic routes. The measures may include announcements of
future delays and diversions, road signs, traffic signals and temporary fencing.

The working area could be limited to one lane on roads and streets to reduce the length of
trenched road at any time. To ensure minimised traffic impacts, all major roads (M3, A272, A31,
A33, A34, B3047) crossings by the pipeline will be constructed using trenchless techniques.
13 Socio-economic Impact
The project would impact positively on the economic activities of the community during the
construction phase. There would be compensation made to farmers and landowners for
temporary and permanent land use, increased local employment opportunities dependent on
contractor requirements and income generation from local procurements and expenditure.

However, these positive impacts diminish with the completion of construction.

14 Recommendations and Conclusion

The consideration of the identified potential concerns related to the design and construction of
the pipeline would ensure that best environmental practices are followed. A comprehensive
Environmental Management System will be drawn up for the project, to serve as a guideline to
ensure both economic and practical considerations are taken into account when constructing the
pipeline.

The recommended pipeline route from preliminary study is a 17.8km route from estimated point
of inception to termination as detailed in the subsequent figures.
Figure 14.1: Proposed pipeline route in the selected corridor.
Figure 14.2: Proposed pipeline route in the selected corridor highlighting biodiversity and
habitat.
Figure 14.3: Proposed pipeline route in the selected corridor highlighting water resources and
flood risk.
Figure 14.4: Proposed pipeline route in the selected corridor highlighting archaeological features.
Figure 14.5: Proposed pipeline route in the selected corridor highlighting pollution sites and
landfill areas.

Appendix: Impact Summary and Proposed Mitigation Measures

Impact type Environmental Mitigation

impact of the measures
project

1 Landscape Disruption to The visual effect is

and visual landscape temporary in
impacts elements in the nature, due to the
working area, buried nature of
including farm project, lasting the
lands, hedgerow time required for
and Avington re-instatement.
 Park However,
trenchless
techniques are
proposed for
hedgerows and
Avington Park

2 Land use Disruption of Provision of

accessibility to alternative routes
farmland and
residents

Restrictions of Compensation
future clause in
developments on agreements with
pipeline route landowners

3 Soils and Disruption of Provision of

agriculture farming activities access across
during project working width and
construction temporary
drainage systems

Crop loss on land Re-instatement of

used for working farmland to
width original condition
after construction

Harm to plants Effect measures to

and animals prevent
introduction of
weeds and spread
of animal and
 plant diseases

Damage to topsoil Compaction risk

and subsoil could be reduced
by constructing in
summer and
restriction of
machine
movement in wet
weather

Soil can be
stripped and stored
in layers and back-
filled in reverse
order to ensure
quick
re-instatement

Use of low ground

pressure vehicles
and back-actors in
soil stripping to
minimise soil
compaction

4 Biodiversity Project impact to Employing non-

and habitats the aquatic open-cut
habitats and construction
species at the techniques would
Itchen River ensure that the
habitat and species
are not affected by
the pipeline
Project potential Construction
to alter floodplain through the
grazing habitat floodplains should
be carried out
during the periods
of lowest
precipitation and
flood risk. Pipe
should be weight-
coated to avoid
floating during
flooding periods

Impact on Pipeline route has

woodlands, tree- been selected to
lines and avoid trees
individual mature wherever possible
trees making use of
hedge gaps and
using of non-open-
cut techniques at
Avington Park

Disruption to Working width

hedgerows, would be reduced
reptiles, dormice, in passages
birds and bat through
habitats hedgerows and by
non-open-cut
techniques if
necessary

Working width
and hedgerows
will be reptile-
 proof fenced to
prevent animals
straying into the
working area

Disturbance to Minimise effects

birds on nesting birds
by removal of
possible nesting
sites before the
nesting season

Disturbance to Bat roost trees will

bats be avoided
wherever
encountered

Disturbance to Avoidance of
badgers badger sets
wherever possible;
however, badger
ramps will be
provided over the
pipeline trenches

5 Water Effects to surface Pipeline crossing

resources and watercourse using trenchless
flood risk including River techniques
Itchen

Project impact on Summer

the floodplains construction
period to ensure
 low water levels
allowing
floodwater gaps in
the overlying soil

Spillage and other Construction of

contaminants bunds for storage
polluting surface and in compliance
and ground water with relevant
regulatory
practices

Pipeline trench Installation of clay

acting as a new plugs and land
channel for water drainage designs
flows to maintain pre-
existing pattern

6 Archaeology Potential Pipeline route has

and cultural disturbance and been selected to
heritage destruction of avoid all statutory
archaeological protected sites and
materials archaeological
features

Further
archaeological
survey of the
pipeline route to
locate any
previously
unknown feature
7 Emissions Construction The use of
noise from plant silenced
and machinery compressors and
acoustic covers on
plant and
machinery. Use of
acoustic barriers
and informing
residents of
expected
increasing noise
levels

Dust generated Use of water spray

from construction along the working
activities corridor to
moisten the soil
surface and reduce
dust generated.
Speed limit for
vehicles along the
route to minimise
dust generation

Air quality All plants and

impacts from vehicles would be
combustion switched off when
emissions of not in use to
plants and minimise
vehicles emissions of
fumes and smoke

Pollution of public Cleaning of

roads and vehicle tyres
highways before leaving
 working areas to
reduce mud
transfer to roads
and highways.
Utilisation of road
sweepers to reduce
mud accumulation
on roads

8 Contaminated Impacts on the Selected pipeline

land and registered route to avoid all
waste pollution sites known and
management recorded
pollution sites

Waste produced Excavated soil

as a result of would be used in
construction back-filling the
activities opened trench.
Other waste
would be moved
using covered
skips and
containers.

Waste
management
plan to identify
likely waste,
handling and
disposal methods
in line with all
relevant
regulations.
9 Traffic and Disruption to Comprehensive
Transport normal traffic traffic
management flow experienced management plan
by residents and to identify road
other road users constraints and
sensitive areas
including schools
and hospitals and
provide
alternatives

Daily cyclic work

to limit stretch of
open trenched
road at any one
time.

Advance warnings
to residents and
other road users of
intended
disruption to road
use.

Use of trenchless
techniques in
pipeline crossings
of the the M3
highway and other
A-class roads.

10 Socio- Effects to socio- Compensation to

economics economical Landowners and
activities farmers for
temporary
landtake and
restrictions in
further
developments

Income generating
from project’s
local procurement
and expenditure

Employment
opportunities for
the local populace
in the community