EDDC has just completed negotiations with Tesco on specific noise control measures required for the Pipeline currently being constructed to bring seaborne infill materials to the Seaton Regeneration site.

As part of the approval to the Tesco Seaton Store Application in September 2009, the level of the whole of the Seaton Regeneration site needs to be raised by an average of 1.2 metres. This is a substantial volume of approximately 300,000m3. Originally 40% of this volume was approved to be brought to the site by road, but influenced by our work to protect Axmouth and Seaton roads, the 7,000 HGV movements have ultimately been reduced to zero.

All the infill materials are now to be brought to the site by a Pipeline, and were originally quarried from an area close to the Isle of Wight. Materials will be discharged by pipe from a barge lying approximately 1.5klm off Seaton. This is a significant undertaking, using techniques previously used for large reclamation projects across the world

EDDC Environmental Health have agreed specific noise control measures required for the site, and have issued the required consent, under S.61 of the Control of Pollution Act. This has taken some time, although the contractors have been fully complying with the conditions in the consent, since the end of the first week on site. There are no outstanding issues of concern to EDDC Environmental Health Officers who have established good and open lines of communications 24 hours a day if necessary. EDDC 'Out of Hours' Officers are aware of the agreed operating hours and procedures, as are the Police. If 'Out of Hours' calls are received by EDDC, Home Safeguard will pass the enquiry through to an Environmental Health Officer.

An EDDC Environmental Health Officer will be on site at the time of the first consignment of fill material, to monitor the sound of material travelling through the pipeline. It has however been highlighted that any such operation will generate a level of audible noise due to the unique, intermittent and temporary nature of the process. This process was itself designed to mitigate a much more significant disturbance which would have been expected, had the level of infill materials orginally consented to be delivered by road actually have been delivered by this means.

Ambient noise levels in and around the Yacht Club vary considerably (affected by wind and sea conditions), as well as the noise made by the boats themselves. EDDC Environmental Health Officers believe that it is most likely that these will mask the sound of material travelling through the pipe.

Working hours condition within the consent is as follows:

“Where noise is audible at the nearest residential façade, the various activities are limited to the following hours:-

Enabling Works:

Monday to Friday        0800 - 1800
Saturday                     0800 – 1300

Filling Operations: At any time on any day (each delivery lasting c. 3 hours)

Distribution of Fill:

0700 – 2200 on any day.”

If any members of the public have concerns regarding noise, or any other pollution issues such as dust, light, or contaminated land, they can make direct contact with EDDC Environmental Health Officers.

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