REPORT Anglo American Woodsmith Project - Woodsmith Mine and Mineral Transport System
Non-Technical Summary
Client:
Anglo American
Reference:
1000-RHD-PA-RP-00005
Status:
Final/1
Date:
1 April 2026
Project related
HASKONING UK LTD.
4th Floor 15 Bermondsey Square London SE1 3UN
United Kingdom Water & Maritime VAT registration number: 792428892
Email: info@uk.haskoning.com Website: haskoning.com
Document title:
Anglo American Woodsmith Project - Woodsmith Mine and Mineral Transport System
Subtitle: Reference:
Non-Technical Summary 1000-RHD-PA-RP-00005
Status: Date:
Final/1
1 April 2026 Anglo American
Project name: Project number:
PB1110 EIA Team
Author(s):
Drafted by:
Haskoning
Checked by:
Principal Consultant
Date:
April 2026
Approved by:
Anglo American
Date:
April 2026
Classification:
Project related
Unless otherwise agreed with the Client, no part of this document may be reproduced or made public or used for any purpose other than that for which the document was produced. Haskoning UK Ltd. accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for this document other than towards the Client. This document may have been prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI); all AI-generated content has been reviewed and validated by our experts.
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Table of Contents 1 Introduction
1 1 1 1 2 2
1.1
The Applicant
2
Background to the Woodsmith Project
2.1 2.2 2.3
Planning History This Application Planning Policy
3
Amendments to the Currently Approved Development
3
4
Approach to the Environmental Impact Assessment
3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 9
4.1
Assessment Methodology
5
SES Technical Chapter Summaries
5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9
Chapter 5 Water Resources, Flood Risk, Drainage and Water Environment Regulations
Chapter 6 Geology and Hydrogeology Chapter 7 Landscape and Visual Impact
Chapter 8 Noise and Vibration
Chapter 9 Air Quality
Chapter 10 Traffic and Transport Chapter 11 Climate Change Chapter 12 Socio-economic
Chapter 13 Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment
6
Conclusions
9
Table of Tables Table 6-1 Summary of SES impact assessment conclusions
10
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Acronyms
CO 2
Carbon dioxide
EIA
Environmental Impact Assessment
ES
Environmental Statement
GHG
Greenhouse Gas
HRA
Habitat Regulations Assessment
MHF
Materials Handling Facility
MTS
Mineral Transport System
NYMNPA
North York Moors National Park Authority
RCBC
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
SAC
Special Area of Conservation
SEI
Supplementary Environmental Information
SES
Supplementary Environmental Statement
sHRA
Shadow Habitats Regulations Assessment
SPA
Special Protection Area
TTSA
Traffic and Transport Study Area
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Glossary of Terms
Term
Notes/ Description
Anglo American - a leading global mining company headquartered in the UK and listed on the FTSE 100 - is leading the development of the Woodsmith Project The geographic area where development will take place within the Extent of Works. The construction footprint. Intermediate shaft site located along the underground Mineral Transport System route, used to support the construction of the tunnel and for emergency egress during operations. Intermediate shaft site located along the underground Mineral Transport System route, used to support the construction of the
Anglo American
Development Area
Ladycross Plantation
Lockwood Beck
tunnel. During operation, the site will be used for water management, tunnel access/ egress and ventilation.
Materials Handling Facility at Teesside for processing Run of Mine ore. The Mineral Transport System Level and tunnel, including all associated infrastructure. The point at which the Mineral Transport System reaches the surface at Wilton, Teesside.
Materials Handling Facility
Mineral Transport System
Mineral Transport System Portal
North York Moors National Park
Location of Woodsmith Mine and Ladycross Plantation.
The Local Planning Authority and Minerals Planning Authority for the North York Moors National Park. The forms and documents submitted to the Local Planning Authority, requesting permission for a development. The approval provided by the Local Planning Authority/Minerals Planning Authority.
North York Moors National Park Authority
Planning application
Planning Permission
Polyhalite
A naturally occurring evaporite mineral.
The Local Planning Authority and Minerals Planning Authority for Redcar and Cleveland.
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
Used in reference to the scheme approved in 2015 as subsequently amended in 2018.
The Currently Approved Development
The surface access point of the underground polyhalite mine being developed in the northeast of England. The currently Approved Development incorporating Woodsmith Mine, Ladycross Plantation, Lockwood Beck, Tocketts Lythe and the MTS Tunnel Portal.
Woodsmith Mine
Woodsmith Project
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Anglo American Woodsmith Project - Woodsmith Mine and Mineral Transport System Environmental Impact Assessment Non-Technical Summary 1 Introduction 1.1 The Applicant 1. The Applicant is Anglo American Woodsmith Ltd, a subsidiary of Anglo American Plc. The Company is developing the Woodsmith Project in the UK and aims to be a world leading producer of multi-nutrient fertiliser. This involves the construction of a new state-of-the-art mine and associated mineral transportation, processing and port infrastructure to produce bulk volumes of polyhalite products. 2 Background to the Woodsmith Project 2. The Woodsmith Project was acquired by Anglo American in 2020 and is targeting the world’s largest and highest grade polyhalite deposit. 3. Polyhalite is a naturally occurring mineral containing major plant nutrients; potassium, sulphur, magnesium and calcium, that are essential for plant growth. As a multi-nutrient fertiliser Polyhalite’s use in the UK and internationally will support the agricultural sector in maintaining and enhancing crop yields, while promoting more sustainable farming practices. 4. The Woodsmith Project comprises a mine site (Woodsmith Mine) and a 37 km tunnel that will transport mined polyhalite material to processing and shipping facilities located on Teesside. There are five key elements of the Woodsmith Project, as follows: • The underground mine with a surface access point at Woodsmith Mine, Sneatonthorpe. • A Mineral Transport System (MTS) consisting of a 37km long tunnel that will transport the polyhalite material from the Woodsmith Mine to a Materials Handling Facility (MHF) located at Teesside. Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck are the two Intermediate shaft sites located along the underground MTS route, used to support the construction of the MTS tunnel • The MHF will granulate the polyhalite material to produce polyhalite products. • A Port Handling Facility (PHF) and associated overland conveyor to transport the polyhalite products to the harbour facilities. • Harbour facilities at Teesside. 2.1 Planning History 5. In 2014, planning applications were submitted to the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (RCBC) for permission to develop a polyhalite mine and underground MTS. This was supported by an Environmental Statement (ES) produced by Royal HaskoningDHV (Royal HaskoningDHV, 2014), which was updated by the following assessment, together forming the ‘original ES’: • Supplementary Environmental Information (2015 SEI), Royal HaskoningDHV, February 2015 (reference PB1110/R004/303688).
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6. Planning Permission was granted by the NYMNPA (reference NYM/2014/0676/MEIA), covering Woodsmith Mine and the Ladycross Plantation ‘intermediate’ MTS shaft site. 7. RCBC granted Planning Permission (reference R/2014/0627/FFM) for the areas of the Woodsmith Project within its remit, i.e., Lockwood Beck and Tocketts Lythe ‘intermediate’ shaft sites, and the MTS Tunnel Portal at Wilton International. 8. Amendments to Woodsmith Mine were granted permission in 2018 (reference NYMNPA NYM- 2017-0505-MEIA) via a Section 73 application that was supported by the 2017 SES produced by Lichfields (Lichfields, 2017). 2.2 This Application 9. As the Woodsmith Project has progressed, Anglo American has identified changes to the original design that are necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the currently Approved Development. Anglo American now seeks planning approval, via an amendment under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, from NYMNPA and RCBC, for a number of proposed design amendments, which are outlined in Section 3 . 10. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken in support of this planning application, encompassing an assessment of temporary and permanent activities during the lifetime of the Project for the following topics: • Water Resources, Flood Risk, Drainage and Water Environment Regulations. • Geology and Hydrogeology. • Landscape and Visual Impact. • Noise and Vibration. • Air Quality. • Traffic and Transport. • Climate Change. • Socio-economics. • Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment. 11. The EIA also provides context on the background, principal elements of, and rationale for the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development, in the context of it being an already permitted and part-implemented scheme. The topics included as part of the EIA have been identified and agreed via a formal scoping process carried out by the NYMNPA and RCBC. 12. The EIA is documented in a Supplementary Environmental Statement (SES), the full version of which is available in the application documents and can be viewed on the Planning Portals of NYMNPA and RCBC. A paper or electronic copy of the Environmental Statement can be requested by contacting Anglo American: • Email: cropnutrients.info@angloamerican.com • Postal address: Woodsmith Mine, Sneaton, Whitby, YO22 5BF 13. Reasonable copying and printing charges will be applied to paper or CD copies. 2.3 Planning Policy 14. The relevant national and local planning and environmental policy and legislation, in addition to any relevant technical guidance that underpins and informs the EIA, are detailed in SES Chapter 2 Background and Relationship to the Wider Project .
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15. A comprehensive review and summary of the current planning regime, relevant to the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development, is provided in the Planning Statement (Lichfields, 2026). 3 Amendments to the Currently Approved Development 16. The proposed design amendments to Woodsmith Mine and the MTS sites are retained within the existing development boundaries and do not impact any ‘new’ land than currently approved. The development at Woodsmith Mine has been consolidated to the area already impacted by the construction phase, with no additional ground disturbance to that already planned and approved. 17. The development footprint at Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck reduces, with the removal of areas of land previously required to permanently store material arising from the construction of the shafts and MTS tunnel, and the creation of associated roadways and surface water drainage features. 18. No development will occur at the Tocketts Lythe MTS site. 19. The amendments proposed at Woodsmith Mine, Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck are summarised in Section 2.4 of SES Chapter 2 Background and Relationship to the Wider Project . 4 Approach to the Environmental Impact Assessment 20. The scope of the SES, i.e., the assessment topics to be included (scoped in) in the EIA, was agreed with NYMNPA and RCBC via the submission of an Environmental Scoping Report (Haskoning, 2025) and the resulting Scoping Opinion responses (RCBC reference R/2025/0763/SCP; NYMNPA reference R/2025/0763/SCP), received in December 2025. 21. The EIA covers the activities involved in the construction and operational phases of Woodsmith Mine, Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck. Any impacts from decommissioning, anticipated to occur in the future, have not been quantitatively assessed, as further environmental assessment would be required prior to decommissioning occurring. Where relevant, the potential impacts associated with decommissioning, and how they would be managed, are discussed. 22. The SES considers whether any additional or different environmental impacts that have not been previously identified as part of the original EIA process, and as reported in the 2014 ES, or the 2017 SES, may arise in association with the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development. 4.1 Assessment Methodology 23. The EIA methodology and the application of significance to any impacts identified while undertaking this SES remains unchanged from that outlined in Chapter 5 The Environmental Impact Assessment Process and Methodology of the 2014 ES (Royal HaskoningDHV, 2014) and summarised in SES Chapter 4 Scoping and Methodology . Where an assessment, included within this SES, deviates from the overarching EIA methodology, e.g., a change in relevant guidance, this is detailed in the relevant assessment. 24. The assessment methodologies largely follow a similar overall approach but differ slightly between topics. This overall approach identifies receptors, e.g. people or habitats, that may be affected and considers how sensitive a receptor is to the impacts. Any effects that could arise, due to the construction and operation of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development,
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are identified. The severity and magnitude of the potential effect are determined based upon factors such as proximity, duration, frequency and severity. 25. The magnitude of an effect depends on how much change the receptor is likely to experience from existing conditions. The magnitude of the effect and the sensitivity of a receptor are together used to determine the significance of the ‘impact’. Where impacts are predicted to be moderate or major, they are significant in EIA terms. 26. Where any negative environmental impacts are predicted to occur, reasonable mitigation has been identified to potentially reduce the impact as far as possible. 27. The EIA was undertaken by competent experts with relevant professional qualifications and experience. 5 SES Technical Chapter Summaries 5.1 Chapter 5 Water Resources, Flood Risk, Drainage and Water Environment Regulations 28. The chapter assesses the potential effect of the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development in relation to surface and groundwater and flood risk. 29. There are no proposed changes to the water management principles and practices used within the Woodsmith Project, and surface water run-off and flooding risk will continue to be appropriately managed through safe design. This includes the submission of the following documents for approval by the Planning Authority and other relevant stakeholders including the Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authority, prior to the commencement of each phase of construction: • Hydrogeological Risk Assessment. • Construction and Operation Phase Ground and Surface Water Monitoring Scheme. • Remedial Action Plan. • Groundwater Management Scheme. • Construction Environmental Management Plan. • Surface Water Drainage Scheme. • Wastewater Management Scheme 30. During the operational phase, Surface Water Drainage Strategies will be adhered to at all three sites to mitigate potential surface water drainage and flood risk impacts. 31. The assessment concluded that with the continued adherence to the approved mitigation, monitoring and management plans that have been implemented throughout the construction of Woodsmith Mine, Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck to date, the impacts of the proposed amendments would be negligible during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases regarding the following: • Increased sediment supply. • Direct disturbance of surface watercourses. • Accidental release of fuels, oils, lubricants and construction materials. • Increased surface water flows from site drainage. • Increased sediment supply. • Direct disturbance of surface watercourses.
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32. These conclusions are unchanged from those in the original ES and remain as non-significant in EIA terms. 5.2 Chapter 6 Geology and Hydrogeology 33. The assessment describes existing conditions in relation to the geology and hydrogeology that underlies Woodsmith Mine and assesses the potential effect of the construction, operation, and decommissioning phases of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development. The minor amendments at Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck are scoped out of the assessment and are not considered to cause any significant hydrogeological impacts. 34. The proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development do not require additional mitigation measures to those identified in the 2014 ES. This includes the submission of the following documents for approval by NYMNPA and other relevant stakeholders including the Environment Agency, prior to the commencement of each phase of construction: • Hydrogeological Risk Assessment. • Construction and Operation Phase Ground and Surface Water Monitoring Scheme. • Remedial Action Plan. • Groundwater Management Scheme. • Construction Environmental Management Plan. 35. The assessment concluded that with the continued adherence to the approved mitigation, monitoring and management plans that have been implemented throughout the construction of Woodsmith Mine to date, the impacts of the proposed amendments would be minor adverse/ negligible during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases regarding the following: • Physical Impacts. • Chemical Impacts. • Cumulative Impacts. 36. These conclusions are unchanged from the original ES and remain as non-significant in EIA terms. Furthermore, the assessment also noted that there has been no evidence of adverse impacts on the sensitive ecosystem receptors, throughout the construction phase to date, at Ugglebarnby Moor, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) located to the west of Woodsmith Mine. 37. The proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development do not present any additional risk of impacts occurring. 5.3 Chapter 7 Landscape and Visual Impact 38. The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment identifies the effects of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development, including any physical effects on landscape features and on the ‘character’ of the landscape. 39. Several photomontages have been prepared to illustrate the location, visibility and appearance of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development within the existing landscape. 40. The proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development do not require additional mitigation measures to those identified in the 2014 ES and already embedded within the design of the project. 41. During the construction phase at Woodsmith Mine, the use of a ventilation shaft winding tower, sinking headframe and tower crane, will temporarily worsen the adverse effects upon nearby landscape and visual receptors. Certain visual aspects of the Special Qualities of the NYMNP will
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similarly be slightly more adversely affected by the short-term presence of the tower crane, although these will be within a localised area of the National Park. This does not increase the significance of the temporary construction phase impact already assessed as major adverse within the 2014 ES, which sets the basis for the currently Approved Development. 42. During the operational phase, the landscape and visual effects will remain the same as those of the currently Approved Development, resulting in either no change or minor beneficial effects. As mitigation planting becomes established, this is anticipated to be effective in screening the buildings and operational activity at Woodsmith Mine. 43. The reduction in the scale of development at Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck will reduce the magnitude and significance of adverse effects upon both landscape and visual receptors during the construction stage. This also includes effects upon the Special Qualities of the NYMNP. Similarly, during the operational phase, no adverse effects are predicted upon landscape or visual receptors at Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck. 5.4 Chapter 8 Noise and Vibration 44. The potential noise and vibration impacts associated with the construction and operation phases of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development have been assessed. The assessment was undertaken in line with relevant statutory and technical guidance on noise and vibration impacts of infrastructure development. 45. During the construction and operational phases, the noise and vibration impacts arising from the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development remain unchanged from those assessed and identified in the 2014 ES. 46. At Woodsmith Mine, Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck, existing noise controls, such as the submission of Noise and Vibration Monitoring Plans, will ensure noise levels do not exceed approved limits, and construction noise and vibration effects are expected to be non-significant in EIA terms. The only exception is construction traffic noise on the B1416 road at Woodsmith Mine, which will result in a minor adverse effect at nearby residential properties, however, this is non-significant in EIA terms and will only occur during the duration of the construction phase. 47. Noise and vibration effects during the operational phase are considered to be negligible to minor , which is also non-significant in EIA terms. 48. There are minor changes in the significance of noise and vibration effects for some receptors, when compared with those identified in the 2014 ES, 2015 SES and 2017 SEI. However, overall, the residual effects of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development are negligible to minor adverse , which is non-significant in EIA terms and is compliant with the aims of relevant planning policy. 5.5 Chapter 9 Air Quality 49. The potential air quality impacts associated with the construction and operational phases of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development at Woodsmith Mine have been assessed. Operational traffic and ventilation emissions were scoped out or assessed qualitatively and deemed not significant. The study assessed emissions from various project-related plant, equipment, ventilation systems and construction traffic. 50. An air quality assessment for Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck, for the construction and operational phases, was scoped out as the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development will reduce any potential for adverse air quality impacts. This is because surface construction works are significantly progressed at both sites, there will be no increase in vehicle
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movements and the development footprint at Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck has reduced in scale compared to the original planning permission. 51. The effect of the following construction and operational emission sources on human and ecological receptors were deemed non-significant : • Non-road mobile machinery exhaust emissions. • Blasting emissions. • Construction road vehicle exhaust emissions. • Operational road vehicle exhaust emissions. • Woodsmith Mine ventilation emissions. 52. Further conclusions on the impacts of nutrient nitrogen deposition on sensitive ecological receptors are detailed in Section 5.9 . 53. The assessment concludes that air quality conditions are currently good and are improving, even with the currently Approved Development being under construction. With the continued adherence to existing mitigation measures, it is anticipated that any effects on air quality during the construction or operational phases of the proposed amendments will be non-significant . 5.6 Chapter 10 Traffic and Transport 54. The potential traffic and transport impacts at Woodsmith Mine associated with the construction and operational phases of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development upon traffic sensitive receptors have been assessed. The assessment was undertaken in accordance with approaches informed by consultation with North Yorkshire Council and RCBC (as the local highway authorities), and in compliance with all relevant policies, legislation and guidance. 55. An assessment of traffic and transport impacts for Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck has been scoped out, as there will not be an increase in vehicle movements as a result of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development. 56. In accordance with national guidance, a Traffic and Transport Study Area (TTSA) was identified. Existing traffic conditions were established and sensitive traffic receptors within the TTSA were identified. Any routes within the TTSA that could potentially be affected by changes in traffic associated with the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development were identified. A total of 12 links were assessed for any impacts on pedestrian severance and delay, amenity, fear and intimidation, and road safety and driver delay. 57. The proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development will require a small increase in the maximum number of daily heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), increasing from 63 to 70 for a period of approximately six months during the construction phase. These additional HGVs will support the transport of polyhalite before the MTS is commissioned. During the operational phase, there will be an increase to a maximum of 40 HGV daily deliveries, which is consistent with the average number of deliveries that have been effectively managed since construction commenced in 2017. 58. Additional mitigation measures in relation to heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were identified, including limiting HGV movements to outside sensitive hours, such as during school start and finish times, and any exceedance in approved HGV numbers would require notification and justification to North Yorkshire Council and the NYMNPA. 59. With the application of existing and additional mitigation measures, the impacts for both the construction and operational phases upon traffic receptors were assessed to be non-significant
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in EIA terms. These conclusions are unchanged from those assessed and identified in the original ES. 5.7 Chapter 11 Climate Change 60. The construction and operational activities associated with the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development will result in the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere. A GHG assessment was undertaken to provide an estimate of emissions that will be released during the construction and operational phases, as a result of the change in vehicle movements. 61. The construction and operational phase emissions were compared to the UK’s Carbon Budgets, which set a limit on the amount of GHG emissions the UK is allowed to release over five-year periods. This was done to gauge how the emissions arising from the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development would contribute to the UK’s overall emissions. 62. The GHG assessment concluded that the construction emissions released would have a negligible contribution to the UK’s 4 th , 5 th and 6 th Carbon Budgets and are considered to have a minor adverse effect on climate change, which is non-significant in EIA terms. Similarly, the operational emissions would have a negligible contribution to the UK’s 7 th Carbon Budget and are considered to have a minor adverse effect on climate change, which is non-significant in EIA terms. The project will not impact the UK’s ability to meet its Carbon Budget or Net Zero 2050 targets. 63. Additionally, Anglo American has taken the following steps to reduce GHG emissions and boost the carbon sequestration potential of surrounding habitats: • Switched from the approved large diesel generators to primarily mains electrical power at Woodsmith Mine, Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck. • Created and enhanced new and existing habitats at and in proximity to the currently Approved Development. • Removed Tocketts Lythe from development proposals and reduced the development footprint at Ladycross Plantation and Lockwood Beck. 64. The Woodsmith Project is also investing in tree planting to boost carbon sequestration, as the agreed Section 106 payments include the provision of funds to the North York Moors National Park for the planting of trees aimed at offsetting 10% of the Woodsmith Project’s GHG emissions. To date, the NYMNPA has planted 286,000 trees. 5.8 Chapter 12 Socio-economic 65. This Chapter assessed the socio-economic effects that may arise because of the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development. The assessment focused on the currently Approved Development as a whole and set out the socio-economic context of the area by analysing a number of factors including: • Population. • Size of the labour market. • Qualifications. • Housing and Accommodation. • Wages. 66. The assessment concluded that since the 2014 ES, there has been an improvement in the overall local economy and demographics. The Chapter also identified significant beneficial impacts relating to both direct and indirect employment during the construction and operational phases,
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Gross Value Added (GVA) during the construction phase, and increased macroeconomic effects, including GVA and exports during the operational phase. 67. A negligible adverse impact was associated with eventual decommissioning, due to the loss of employment during operation. However, Anglo American will seek to minimise any adverse effects by developing a Mine Closure Plan. 5.9 Chapter 13 Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment 68. A Shadow Habitats Regulations Assessment (sHRA) was prepared to assess whether or not the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development could result in ‘likely significant effects’ on a European Designated Site. European Designated Sites include Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). The sHRA focused on Woodsmith Mine only and assessed the impacts on the North York Moors SAC and North York Moors SPA, both of which are located adjacent to the boundary of Woodsmith Mine. 69. A screening exercise was conducted to identify how European Designated Sites could be affected by the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development. The screening includes consideration of impact pathways such as habitat loss, disturbance, changes in water quality and quantity, and in ‑ combination effects with other plans or projects. The qualifying features of each site were then assessed against the characteristics of the proposed amendments to determine whether they, alone or in-combination, could give rise to a likely significant effect. 70. The screening concluded that there will be no groundwater related impacts that could result in likely significant effects within the North York Moors SAC, therefore, further assessment of groundwater impacts was not required. 71. Construction related road traffic exhaust emissions were identified as requiring further assessment. Therefore, the sHRA assessed if any air quality impacts arising from road traffic exhaust emissions during the construction phase of the proposed amendments of the currently Approved Development would be likely to have a significant effect on North York Moors SAC and North York Moors SPA. 72. The assessment concluded that any air quality effects on the SAC and SPA because of emissions will not result in any adverse effects, which is non-significant in EIA terms. 6 Conclusions 73. The proposed amendments to the Currently Approved Development, in their current setting will, once constructed and operational, allow for the safe and efficient mining and transport of polyhalite. 74. The SES concludes that the activities associated with the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development will not give rise to significant adverse environmental or social effects, over and above those already arising as a result of the current planning permissions and thus do not pose a risk to the environment or communities. 75. Any residual impacts identified in the original ES (2014) either remain unchanged, are improved or are removed entirely, when compared with those identified from the assessment of the proposed amendments (as summarised in Table 6-1 ). 76. Further information on any mitigation identified within the SES, and the effect this has on the residual impacts identified, can be found in Table 14-1 of SES Chapter 14 Conclusions .
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Table 6-1 Summary of SES impact assessment conclusions
2026 Assessment
Currently Approved Development
Chapter
Summary
Construction and Decommissioning
Operation
The EIA concludes negligible adverse physical and chemical impacts to the water environment, during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases, which is not significant in EIA terms. The EIA concludes the potential for minor and negligible physical and chemical impacts to the local geology and hydrogeology during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases of the proposed amendments to Woodsmith Mine, which is not significant in EIA terms. The EIA concludes that during the construction phase, there will be a short-term, localised worsening of major adverse effects to close-range landscape and visual receptors. Minor beneficial effects are anticipated during the operational phase. The EIA concludes that whilst there will be minor adverse effects, overall, there will be a reduction in the magnitude and significance of adverse effects upon landscape and visual receptors during the construction stage. No significant adverse effects are anticipated during the operational phase. The EIA concludes that whilst there will be minor adverse effects, overall, there will be a reduction in the magnitude and significance of adverse effects upon landscape and visual receptors during the construction stage. No adverse effects are anticipated during the operational phase. The EIA concludes that the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development do not introduce
Chapter 5 Water Resources, Flood Risk, Drainage and Water Environment Regulations
Negligible
Negligible
Negligible
Minor adverse / negligible
Chapter 6 Geology and Hydrogeology
Minor adverse / negligible
Minor adverse
No change / minor beneficial
Major adverse
Major Adverse
Woodsmith Mine
Moderate major adverse
No change / no adverse effects
Ladycross Plantation
Minor adverse
Chapter7 Landscape and Visual Impact
Moderate major adverse
No change / no adverse effects
Minor adverse
Lockwood Beck
Minor adverse / negligible
Minor adverse / negligible
Chapter 8 Noise and Vibration
Minor adverse
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2026 Assessment
Currently Approved Development
Chapter
Summary
Construction and Decommissioning
Operation
any new significant noise or vibration effects compared with the approved scheme.
The predicted impacts, both during construction and operation, remain not significant in EIA terms. The EIA concludes that no significant air quality effects are predicted for human receptors during construction or operation. Mine ventilation and operational traffic impacts are negligible . For ecological receptors, NOx and most NH ₃ impacts are low, but some NH ₃ and deposition effects exceed screening thresholds (refer to SES Chapter 13 Shadow Habitats Regulations Assessment ). The EIA concludes that the impacts for of both the construction and operational phases upon traffic receptors were assessed to be not significant in EIA terms. The EIA concludes that no significant effects on climate change are predicted as a result of the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development. The EIA concludes that the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development will produce several significant beneficial impacts during the construction and operational phases. Negligible adverse impacts will be associated with decommissioning.
Negligible
Negligible
Chapter 9 Air Quality
Slight (minor) adverse
Minor adverse
Minor adverse
Chapter 10 Traffic and Transport Minor adverse
Minor adverse
Minor adverse
Chapter 11 Climate Change
Not previously assessed
Moderate beneficial
Major beneficial
Chapter 12 Socio-economic
Major beneficial
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2026 Assessment
Currently Approved Development
Chapter
Summary
Construction and Decommissioning
Operation
No potential LSE, screened out of any
The EIA concludes that the proposed amendments to the currently Approved Development will not result in adverse effects on the integrity of the North York Moors SAC or SPA, either alone or in ‑ combination.
No adverse effect on integrity
Chapter 13 Shadow Habitats Regulations Assessment
No adverse effect on integrity
further sHRA assessment
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