Back to list AQUIND Interconnector

Representation by PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND (PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND)

Date submitted
17 February 2020
Submitted by
Other statutory consultees

Thank you for your consultation regarding the above development. Public Health England (PHE) welcomes the opportunity to comment on your proposals at this stage of the project and can confirm that: 1. We are satisfied with the methodology used to undertake the environmental assessment. 2. We note that operational emissions to air and ground water have been scoped out of the environmental assessment on the basis that traffic flows will be unaffected, and the onshore cable and converter station do not cause any emissions during operation. We are reassured that modelled air emissions from the use of backup diesel generators do not exceed air quality objectives and are likely to have a negligible impact on local air quality. 3. Potential impacts arising from historic ground contamination have been considered in the Environmental Statement and there is a requirement that a scheme to assess and manage these impacts be agreed with the relevant local authority in consultation with the Environment Agency, as the relevant regulatory authorities with regards to contaminated land. 4. The Onshore Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan includes provisions for the management, assessment and control of dust, pollution incidents, land contamination, plant and vehicle movements, impacts on water resources and waste management. The document proposes full consultation / agreement with the appropriate regulatory bodies and consequently we believe these matters can be satisfactorily addressed and wish to make no additional comments. 5. Potential impacts of the static and alternating electric and magnetic fields associated with the onshore electricity infrastructure have been considered and satisfactorily addressed, We are satisfied that, based on the submitted documentation and suggested control/mitigation measures, the development is unlikely to present a significant risk to public health. For that reason, we do not wish to register an interest in the application on this occasion. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.