Climate change impact assessment
The purpose of this assessment is to help us understand the likely impacts of our decisions on the environment of North Yorkshire and on our aspiration to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030, or as close to that date as possible. The intention is to mitigate negative effects and identify projects which will have positive effects.
This document should be completed in consultation with the supporting guidance. The final document will be published as part of the decision making process and should be written in Plain English.
If you have any additional queries which are not covered by the guidance please email climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk
Version 2: amended 11 August 2021
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Title of proposal |
Welburn Hall School – Replacement of Heating and Drainage Infrastructure |
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Brief description of proposal |
Significant programme of works to replace heating and drainage infrastructure following the identification of significant failures at the School |
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Directorate |
CYPS |
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Service area |
Strategic Planning |
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Lead officer |
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Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment |
Jon Holden, Head of Property Service |
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Date impact assessment started |
24 November 2022 |
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Options appraisal Were any other options considered in trying to achieve the aim of this project? If so, please give brief details and explain why alternative options were not progressed.
The project proposed to be undertaken at Welburn Hall has been informed by detailed surveys and feasibility studies that have identified the extent of failure and the most effective solutions for addressing the failures within both the heating and drainage infrastructure at the School site. This work has identified significant failures associated with both, and a risk of catastrophic failure that is associated with either / both that would affect the continued educational provision at the School.
Options for the design of the work are limited by the Grade 2* listed planning status of the School and, therefore, the project will include extensive work to remove, and dispose of, significant amounts of asbestos waste that is currently utilised to insulate the existing heating ducts and pipework.
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What impact will this proposal have on council budgets? Will it be cost neutral, have increased cost or reduce costs?
Please explain briefly why this will be the result, detailing estimated savings or costs where this is possible.
The proposed works will not impact upon the Council’s revenue budgets. They will have a positive impact upon the School’s revenue budget as a result of: -
1. A reduction in responsive maintenance activity arising from the periodic failure of both heating and drainage; and 2. Reduced expenditure in respect of heating arising from the installation of modern, more efficient oil heating boilers
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How will this proposal impact on the environment?
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Positive impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
No impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
Negative impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
Explain why will it have this effect and over what timescale?
Where possible/relevant please include: · Changes over and above business as usual · Evidence or measurement of effect · Figures for CO2e · Links to relevant documents |
Explain how you plan to mitigate any negative impacts.
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Explain how you plan to improve any positive outcomes as far as possible. |
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Minimise greenhouse gas emissions e.g. reducing emissions from travel, increasing energy efficiencies etc.
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Emissions from travel |
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x |
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Emissions from construction |
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x |
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Emissions from data storage |
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x |
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Emissions from running of buildings |
x |
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The proposed works will include the replacement of the existing oil fired boilers with new, efficient oil boilers which will enable lower carbon emissions. Alternative low-carbon technologies could not be incorporated because of the age / type / condition of the of the building. The installation of either Air Source or Ground Source Heat Pumps would require an associated programme of building fabric improvement and insulation works that would be beyond the scope of the current project and budget. Such a project would require an assessment of the current electrical supply to the School and, potentially, an upgrade of that supply. |
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Other |
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Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic |
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x |
The proposed construction project will result in the production of waste, including asbestos waste. The County Council will work with its designers / contractors to ensure that waste is minimised |
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Reduce water consumption |
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x |
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Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)
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x |
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x |
The proposed project will improve the drainage infrastructure at the School site and will significantly reduce the risk of pollution in the local environment. The construction project will, however, create some pollution, including noise. The County Council will work closely with its contractors to ensure that this is minimised |
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Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers |
x |
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The proposed project will improve both the heating and drainage infrastructure at the School. It will, therefore, improve the resilience of the School to the effects of climate change |
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Enhance conservation and wildlife |
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x |
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Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape |
x |
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The proposed project will result in the improvement of a Grade II listed property and will, therefore, contribute to North Yorkshire’s heritage |
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Other (please state below) |
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Are there any recognised good practice environmental standards in relation to this proposal? If so, please detail how this proposal meets those standards. |
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Summary Summarise the findings of your impact assessment, including impacts, the recommendation in relation to addressing impacts, including any legal advice, and next steps. This summary should be used as part of the report to the decision maker.
Detailed building surveys have identified that the educational provision at Welburn Hall School is at significant risk arising from the condition of both the heating (Main Hall) and drainage infrastructure serving the School’s site. The condition of both is such that there is a risk of catastrophic failure that would result in the closure of either the Main Hall (heating) or the whole site (drainage) pending the completion of required repair. Arising from the Grade II listed status of the building and its construction significant projects would be required in order to address both the heating and drainage and it is, therefore, recommended that both are addressed via a planned programme of work that provides for continued educational provision at the School during the period of the construction works.
This climate change assessment has demonstrated that the proposed project would have a positive impact upon climate change impact through both the provision of a more effective drainage system (reduced risk of pollution to the local environment) and more efficient oil heating boilers (reduced CO2 emissions). The assessment has noted that the provision of Air Source or Ground Source Heat Pumps would result in a greater reduction in CO2 emissions but that such a proposal would not be suitable for the Main Hall, even in the event that additional fabric / building services improvements were to be implemented. It is noted, however, that the potential exists for such technology to be implemented in addition to the new oil boilers in a future scheme, subject to an assessment of the electricity supply to the School site.
The impact assessment has noted, however, that the proposed construction project will also have negative impacts arising from the waste that will be produced (including hazardous asbestos waste) and noise pollution that will arise. In both cases the County Council will work closely with its contractors to ensure that waste is minimised, and disposed of in accordance with the environmental regulations and that noise pollution is controlled.
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Sign off section
This climate change impact assessment was completed by:
Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature):
Date:
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