Assessments of the environmental effects

As detailed in the Description of Main Environmental Impacts and Proposed Mitigation section within this Record of Determination, there are no significant effects anticipated on any environmental receptors as a result of the proposed works.

A HRA was undertaken due to the scheme’s proximity and ecological connectivity with the Cuillins SPA. The HRA confirmed that the works will not result in LSE on the designated feature of the SPA.

While several of the schemes are currently programmed to occur simultaneously there is potential for small cumulative effects on impacts such as noise. However, the works are located on an active trunk road which is spans active waterway in close proximity to the Clackmannanshire Bridge and a railway line. As such the existing baseline noise conditions in and around the Kincardine Bridge are likely to be moderate and slight temporary increases in noise as a result of construction activities are not expected to be significant, even when occurring at the same time as other schemes. As such, the proposed works are not anticipated to result in significant environmental effects. Any small cyclic activities undertaken on the Kincardine Bridge, not included within this RoD, will take into account already-programmed works and as such, any cumulative effect will be limited.

A search of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner’s website (map search) has identified no works noted as being planned, on the Kincardine Bridge or in proximity to the works which will be undertaken at the same time, other than those already assessed within this report. TM is not required for the full duration of each scheme but where it is necessary TM will be coordinated to minimise disturbance.

In addition, a search using the Falkirk Council planning portal has identified seven planning applications within 300m of the scheme extents in the last two years, however all seven relate to amendments for a single project.

Table 1: Planning applications in the last two years within 300m of the southern side of the bridge extents

Reference

Proposal

Status

Decision

Distance from scheme

P/20/0398/COND04

Compliance with Conditions of P/20/0398/FUL - Demolition of Existing Kiosk Building, Erection of Petrol Filling Station with Associated Kiosk (Class 1), Jet Washes, Restaurant (Including Drive-Thru) (Class 3), Formation of Site Access, Parking Provision, Landscaping and Ancillary Works

Awaiting decision

N/A

230m west

P/20/0398/COND01

Compliance with Conditions of P/20/0398/FUL - Demolition of Existing Kiosk Building, Erection of Petrol Filling Station with Associated Kiosk (Class 1), Jet Washes, Restaurant (Including Drive-Thru) (Class 3), Formation of Site Access, Parking Provision, Landscaping and Ancillary Works

Unknown

Condition(s) Discharged

230m west

P/20/0398/NMV02

Amendment to P/20/0398/FUL - Demolition of Existing Kiosk Building, Erection of Petrol Filling Station with Associated Kiosk (Class 1), Jet Washes, Restaurant (Including Drive-Thru) (Class 3), Formation of Site Access, Parking Provision, Landscaping and Ancillary Works

Decided

Withdrawn

230m west

P/20/0398/COND02

Compliance with Conditions of P/20/0398/FUL - Demolition of Existing Kiosk Building, Erection of Petrol Filling Station with Associated Kiosk (Class 1), Jet Washes, Restaurant (Including Drive-Thru) (Class 3), Formation of Site Access, Parking Provision, Landscaping and Ancillary Works

Awaiting decision

N/A

230m west

P/24/0428/VRC

Variation of Condition 2 of Application Ref P/20/0398/FUL (Demolition of Existing Kiosk Building, Erection of Petrol Filling Station with Associated Kiosk (Class 1), Jet Washes, Restaurant (Including Drive-Thru) (Class 3), Formation of Site Access, Parking Provision, Landscaping and Ancillary Works) to allow works to commence on site

Awaiting decision

N/A

230m west

P/25/0055/VRC

Variation of Conditions 6 and 9 of Application Reference - P/20/0398/FUL dated 21/10/21 - (Demolition of Existing Kiosk Building, Erection of Petrol Filling Station with Associated Kiosk (Class 1), Jet Washes, Restaurant (Including Drive-Thru) (Class 3), Formation of Site Access, Parking Provision, Landscaping and Ancillary Works) for Changes to the Visibility Splay and Phasing of the Development and Cycle Path on the North Side of Higginsneuk Ferry

Decided

Grant Planning Permission

230m west

P/20/0398/COND03

Compliance with Conditions of P/20/0398/FUL - Demolition of Existing Kiosk Building, Erection of Petrol Filling Station with Associated Kiosk (Class 1), Jet Washes, Restaurant (Including Drive-Thru) (Class 3), Formation of Site Access, Parking Provision, Landscaping and Ancillary Works

Awaiting decision

N/A

230m west

There are twelve applications listed on the Fife Council planning portal within 300m of the scheme extents in the last two years:

Table 2: Planning applications in the last two years within 300m of the northern side of the bridge extents

Reference

Proposal

Status

Decision

Distance from scheme

25/02561/CON

Installation of life preservers on the A985 Kincardine Bridge

Decided

Case Closed

On Kincardine Bridge

25/00867/LBC

Listed building consent for internal and external alterations including installation of new and replacement windows, door, installation of rooflights, repainting and repointing

Registered

N/A

25m northeast

25/00868/FULL

Change of use from public house (Sui Generis) to dwellinghouse (Class 9) including installation of new and replacement windows, door, installation of rooflights and repainting

Registered

N/A

25m northeast

24/02017/CLP

Certificate of lawfulness (proposed) for installation of replacement windows

Decided

Application Permitted – no conditions

75m north

24/02645/FULL

Alterations to flatted dwelling including installation of rooflights to front, dormer extension to rear, installation of windows to front and side, erection of domestic outbuildings and installation of pedestrian gate to walled garden

Decided

Application Permitted with Conditions

80m northeast

24/00260/FULL

Alterations to flatted dwelling including installation of 2 No. rooflights to front, 3 No. dormers to rear, 1 No. window to side, vehicle access including hard standing and electrical charging point, erection of gate, storage container and garden room within walled garden

Withdrawn

Application Withdrawn

80m northeast

25/01190/LBC

Listed Building Consent for installation of replacement windows and door

Registered

N/A

85m north

25/01191/FUL

Installation of replacement windows and doors

Registered

N/A

85m north

24/02640/TEL

Notification of intention to install a 10m high pole - Community Hall Play Area, Forth Street, Kincardine

Decided

Case Closed

150m north

24/00962/TEL

Notification of intention to install a 9m high pole - Opposite 6 Silver Street, Kincardine

Decided

Case Closed

190m east

25/03314/TEL

Notification of intention to install an 11m high pole - North-East of Senior Citizens Centre, Station Road, Kincardine

Decided

Case Closed

200m north

24/02067/PN

Prior Approval for installation of replacement windows

Decided

Application Permitted – no conditions

290m north

The works associated with these applications are generally relatively minor in nature, therefore it is unlikely that the proposed works will have a significant cumulative effect with any other future works in the area. The only major works are those detailed in P/25/0055/VRC, which have very recently been granted. As such, it is unlikely that the works will progress soon, or simultaneously with the proposed works on the Kincardine Bridge. Additionally, the planning applications are not within 300m of every project on the Kincardine Bridge, limiting any potential cumulative effects.

In addition, a comprehensive in-combination impact assessment has been undertaken as part of the HRA in support of the seven-year marine licence which identified the one project, the SPV Replacement, for potential in-combination impacts. Although for seven other projects an in-combination assessment was not possible at the time of writing due to lack of information and that it would therefore be for these future developments to take into account the results of the A985 Kincardine Bridge 7-Year Marine Licence HRA. While the potential for in-combination impacts with the SPV Replacement were noted, these are in relation to impacts to the saltmarsh habitats required to facilitate the 50ft span concrete and bearing replacement works which will not be undertaken within the 2026/2027 financial year.