Sustainable rural regeneration - Conclusion
A greater emphasis on the optimisation of water-based restoration design is appropriate given the long-term effects of restoration compared with the relatively short operational life of a quarry and the proven potential for schemes to make a major beneficial contribution to the surrounding area. Conclusions on the overall project objectives are presented below.
There is potential for considering alternative land use solutions in relation to quarry sites and the use of alternative technoologes. However the complexity of sustainability issues needs to be considered and evaluated for a number of factors not just energy consumption. True sustainable development operates at a more complex and interdependent level and the presentation of data within this report provides only an indication how this can be achieved. Land use strategies need to be assessed against national, sub regional and local requirements and this can range from straight forward economic agendas to a mixture of social and environmental demands.
There is therefore a need for a more dynamic assessment or audit framework which encompasses these elements and providing quantifiable measures. For example the provision of new housing can have a positive effect on the local economy and social needs but there may be a detrimental impact on local biodiversity. These types of issues are normally considered as part of the planning process and it is here that perhaps that further evidence is required to support the principle of alternative end uses based on sustainable development. This relates especially to landscape planners, developers, land owners and mineral operators all of whom will need to be convinced of the relative commercial, social and environmental gains of using new solutions.
Overcoming existing planning and development control constraints could also be a potential barrier to determining final landuse options. Although much of planning policy guidance is aspirational it does not necessarly translate to planning control at a more localised level. Consideration needs to be given the mechanics of delivering the vision of sustainability and providing flexibility on a case by case basis.
The RETScreen software provides a free and relatively easy method of undertaking a screening assessment of the application of potential renewable energy technologies to the quarry environment. Subject to an initially favourable assessment more detailed feasibility work can be commissioned if required.
The site power consumption at Scorton was of a similar order of magnitude to many of the site afteruses considered. Therefore energy generation methods installed to support quarry operations would provide a valuable legacy for subsequent users.
The use of renewable heat energy from biomass, solar or ground source heat pumps is of limited use for quarry operations, potentially with the exception of pre-heating (and heat reclamation in the case of heat pumps). However, considerable potential exists to employ an open and closed loop ground source heat pump system to heat any proposed developments at the site, and potentially existing buildings in the surrounding community. Biomass production for use in district heating or within a combined heat and power plant is another potential option.
Sufficient ground source energy is available via an open loop to supply any of the potential site afteruses considered. The site operational electricity requirements could potentially be met through the use of a single large wind turbine or multiple smaller ones. A hydro-electric facility on the Swale could generate some 70% of the site energy requirements.
Barriers exist, such as visual objections and the radar shadow associated with wind turbines, and the significant capital costs and flood issues associated with engineering works in the River Swale. However, as energy costs continue to rise the potential for use of these technologies is worth assessing and reviewing periodically. The wider benefits to the surrounding communities and potential for carbon off-setting should also be considered.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to corporate investors, on both a local and global scale. As such the promotion of sustainable operations and end use by quarrying companies will become more imperative. Our research indicates the potential for sustainable energy to contribute financially and environmentally to both the quarry company and the surrounding community during quarry operations and during site afteruse. Rising energy costs and carbon taxes will continue to increase the financial incentives to install renewable energy technology. The international drive to reduce carbon emissions will benefit those enlightened companies that invest in low/zero carbon technologies. Sustainability indicators are likely to become a feature of future planning applications. Consumers are making increasing demands for low CO2 emissions associated with both production and transport of materials. Many aggregates companies have started some form of CO2 accounting procedure and off-setting through the implementation of sustainable energy technologies should feed into this.
Barriers still exist to renewable energy and mineral companies may feel that creation of a hydro-electric facility or erection of a wind turbine may raise objections from the Environment Agency or Parish Council, potentially reducing the likelihood of obtaining planning permission. However, it may also be seen as a positive step in promoting sustainable rural regeneration if integrated at inception into the overall site master plan.
The potential for the integration of sustainable technologies within quarry restoration has been recognised. Planners predict that the proposed construction of Eastgate renewable energy village in County Durham has the potential to create 150 jobs on-site and another 200 in spin-off industries (The Northern Echo, p5, 1/2/08). The site is to be developed on a restored quarry operated by Lafarge and will utilise wind, solar, geothermal, hydro-electric and biomass to be fully self-sufficient in energy. The development is planned to promote opportunities for skilled workers in the renewable sector and will include geothermally heated public hot spa, homes, businesses, hotel, visitor centre, education and leisure facilities.