Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
We commissioned an EIA undertaken by independent and suitably qualified environmental specialists to consider the potential effects of the construction, operation and maintenance of the PoA Terminal and Foreshore Works (“the Consented Development”) on the environment. The EIA demonstrated that, through careful design and use of mitigation measures, the Consented Development would not result in any long term significant adverse environmental effects.
Given the Proposed Development constitutes a realignment of the foreshore elements of the Consented Development, it is not anticipated that there would be any additional adverse effects of the Proposed Development to those reported in the Environmental Statement (ES) for the Consented Development. An ES was submitted with the Marine Licence (ML) application [CML2365] for the offshore works in the marine environment. Most mitigation measures have been secured through the Consented Development and would also apply to the Proposed Development. These mitigation measures can be viewed in the draft Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), which is available here.
EIA Screening
An EIA Screening has been conducted to determine whether the Proposed Development should be subject to an EIA, by identifying whether it is likely to have significant effects on the environment.
The realignment has a slightly smaller seabed footprint in the inter-tidal and sub-tidal areas, due to a more direct, straight route. The realigned cable laying, construction plant, equipment area and repositioning of the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) Exit Pit will be an additional 250m away from the Little Tern colony at Gronant Dunes, reducing potential disturbance during the breeding season. The cable will be routed through an area with lower Tern foraging distribution and activity (<1.5%).
The analysis shows that the realignment does not introduce new or additional significant environmental effects and, rather has ecological and environmental benefits in comparison to the original route proposed in the Consented Development.
The Screening Opinion from Flintshire County Council (FCC) on 4 June 2025 confirmed that the Proposed Development does not require an EIA; the potential impact on the receiving environment is not considered to be significant because of the localised and temporary nature of the impact.
Gronant Dunes
Environmental Documents
The planning application will include the following environmental assessments:
You can provide your feedback on the Proposed Development or contact us with any enquiries by:
- Sending an email to: hello@hynethub.co.uk
- Writing a letter to: Freepost LBCCS. You don’t need a stamp.