Professor John Glasson
FAcSS
Professor Emeritus in Planning and Impact Assessment
School of the Built Environment
Role
John Glasson has academic qualifications in economics (LSE) and regional planning (Lancaster); he is a chartered town planner (MRTPI), and member of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA).
He is a Consultant and Professor Emeritus of Planning and Impact Assessment in Oxford Brookes University's Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment, and a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Innovation Management and Research at Birkbeck. He was a Visiting Professor in Environmental Planning at Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia (2000-2014), and has been Visiting Professor at UTM (Malaysia) and UClan (Lancashire).
John was the Head of the Oxford Brookes University School of Planning from 1980-2003, and was the first Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Consultancy at Oxford Brookes. In 2009, he was awarded the title of Academician of the UK Academy of Social Sciences (AcSS, now FAcSS), particularly for his contributions in linking research and practice in his areas of expertise
Teaching and supervision
John makes occasional teaching inputs, especially to Masters programmes. He has supervised over 30 doctoral students, and has examined similar numbers in the UK and several countries overseas. He has run many short courses and makes external presentations/webinars on various aspects of EIA, Energy Projects and Regional and Strategic Planning, in the UK and overseas.
Research
John was the Founding Director of the Oxford institute for Sustainable Development (OISD) and the Impact Assessment Unit (IAU), both at Oxford Brookes University, and of the Oxfordshire Economic Observatory (OEO) (joint Oxford University, Oxford Brookes and Birkbeck). He has successfully managed over 75 major research and consultancy projects, valued at over £8 million in total, for: the UK, EU and Western Australian governments; UK research councils; major agencies and especially for the energy industry—primarily in the fields of impact assessment and regional planning.
He managed the major 8-year project monitoring the socio-economic impacts of building the last nuclear power station, Sizewell B, between 1988 and 1995; he also carried out socio-economic impact studies for the JET nuclear fusion project. He has recently been a socio-economics consultant to EDF Energy for the proposed nuclear new build at Hinkley Point and Sizewell in the UK, and to the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) on impact assessment procedures for a UK Deep Mined Geological Nuclear Waste Depository. He also advised on the local socio-economic impacts of a new power station development at Wylfa in Anglesey.
A recent research project (2018-2019) for the New Nuclear Local Authorities Group (NNLAG) has involved the monitoring and auditing of the local and regional socio-economic and environmental impacts of the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station. A current Vattenfall/EU funded research project (2017—2021) focuses on assessing the local and regional socio-economic impacts of the construction and operation of major offshore windfarms in the UK North Sea.
Groups
Projects
Publications
Journal articles
-
Glasson J, Durning B, Welch K, 'The impacts of offshore wind farms (OWFs) on local tourism and recreation -- evolving lessons from practice'
Journal of Energy and Power Technology 4 (4) (2022)
ISSN: 2690-1692AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARThe article examines the nature of impacts of the rapidly growing Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) industry on tourism and recreation in coastal communities, especially in the UK. The multi-methods research approach includes reviews of literature, content of OWF Environmental Statements (ESs) for predicted impacts, recent practice for actual impacts, and the use of mitigation and enhancement measures. Findings from literature indicate that the overall impact on tourism appears relatively benign, and sometimes positive. The UK ES review identified tourism as an important topic, identifying mostly no/negligible predicted negative impacts, and some examples of predicted positive impacts. There is limited use of enhancement measures, including visitor centres and boat trips, and a previously under-reported use of developer community benefits funding for local area recreation and tourism facilities. Recommendations include early engagement with the community, developer long-term commitment to mitigation and enhancement measures, plus monitoring of tourism and recreation impacts over time.
-
Glasson J, Durning B, Welch K, Olorundami T, 'The local socio-economic impacts of offshore wind farms '
Environmental Impact Assessment Review 95 (2022)
ISSN: 0195-9255 eISSN: 1873-6432AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARThe offshore wind farm (OWF) industry is of growing importance, particularly in Europe. However, the local socio-economic impacts of OWF projects have received little attention compared with biophysical impacts. Yet, they have the potential to be significant for the regeneration of declining coastal communities. Drawing on findings from academic and industry literature, from a review of ESs (Environmental Statements) for OWFs and from particular case studies, the paper found differential coverage of social and economic impacts, and differences between predicted and actual impacts, by stage in project life. For example, the ES predictions substantially overestimated local offshore construction stage economic impacts, but underestimated other elements of the OWF lifecycle, including onshore construction, and especially the 20-25 years of the operation and management stage. The Aberdeen (Scotland) case study showed the importance of the engagement strategy of the developer. Drawing on the major Hornsea projects, off the coast of Yorkshire (England), the research also highlighted the positive and cumulative impacts of scale and hub status, where a programme of large OWFs can have important local impacts. The research identified some factors leading to the identified outcomes, including the changing size and location of OWF projects, the relevant legislative and regulatory context behind the decision-making processes for OWF projects, and the responses and relationships of stakeholders involved in the process. The key role of monitoring impacts is an underpinning issue and a requirement for the more effective assessment of impacts.
-
Glasson J, 'Community Benefits and UK Offshore Wind Farms: Evolving Convergence in a Divergent Practice'
Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management 22 (01n02) (2021)
ISSN: 1464-3332 eISSN: 1757-5605AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARThe Offshore Wind sector is a major, dynamic, and rapidly evolving renewable energy industry. This is particularly so in Europe, and especially in the UK. Associated with the growth of the industry has been a growth of interest in community benefits as voluntary measures provided by a developer to the host community. However, in many cases, and for some of the large North Sea distant offshore wind farms, the benefits packages have been disparate and pro rata much smaller than for the well-established onshore wind farm industry. However, there are signs of change. This paper explores the issues of community benefits for the UK offshore sector and evolving practice, as reflected in a macro study of the adoption of community benefits approaches across the industry. This is followed by a more in-depth micro- approach, which explores approaches that have been adopted in three case studies of recent OWF projects — Aberdeen, Beatrice and the Hornsea Array. Whilst there is still much divergence in practice, there are also examples of some convergence, and the development of a more replicable practice. Particularly notable is the adoption of annual community benefits funds, as the key element of community benefits schemes/agreements between developers, local authorities and local communities.
-
Glasson J, Durning B, Broderick M, Welch K, 'Monitoring and auditing the local socio-economic and environmental impacts of the early stage construction of Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station, UK'
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 39 (2) (2020) pp.84-95
ISSN: 1461-5517 eISSN: 1471-5465AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARMajor projects, in sectors such as transport, energy, minerals and water, have long life cycles and can have significant local and regional environmental and socio-economic impacts. The impacts of the construction stage can be particularly damaging, if not managed well. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) seeks to anticipate such impacts, mitigate adverse and enhance positive impacts through design innovations and associated conditions. However, the approach is only as good as the implementation of such innovations and conditions. The issue of monitoring and auditing of actual, as against predicted, impacts is an Achilles heel in the planning and assessment process. Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station in the UK is currently one of the largest construction projects in Europe. A recent study of the live project provides a unique insight into the actual local impacts of the early construction years, and appropriate methods of assessment. It identifies KPIs, examines monitoring data, and audits findings against the predictions. The results show varying performance across key impact sectors. Explanations of differences are set out, together with recommendations for improving monitoring and auditing practice.
-
Glasson J, 'Large Energy Projects and Community Benefits Agreements - some experience from the UK'
Environmental Impact Assessment Review 65 (2017) pp.12-20
ISSN: 0195-9255AbstractLarge projects are often controversial projects, with wide ranging implications for host localities. Energy projects, including windfarms, nuclear power stations, and the more recent cases of fracking and nuclear waste geological disposal, provide particularly high profile cases. In response to concern there has been the emergence of a whole family of new procedures, processes and methods for their assessment and management, including the advent of Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs). This article examines some of the critical issues around the increasing use of such agreements, including: their justification, relationship to the planning process, scale of benefits (which can be very large), types of benefits, and their management and distribution. The focus is on emerging UK practice in relation to energy projects, but there will also be reference to some relevant practice elsewhere—especially in the EU and North America.Published here Open Access on RADAR -
Shiers D, Weston J, Wilson E, Glasson J, Deller L, 'Implementing new EU environmental law: the short life of the UK Site Waste Management Plan Regulations'
Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 57 (7) (2013) pp.1003-1022
ISSN: 0964-0568 eISSN: 1360-0559AbstractUsing an analytical framework based on current implementation theory, this research examines the transposition of the EU Waste Framework Directive into UK law and local government development control procedures. The study which forms the basis of this paper was commissioned by the UK Government to evaluate the effectiveness of the construction Waste Management Plans introduced as a legal requirement in 2008. It was found that its implementation had largely failed and that these new laws had been ineffective. Subsequently, in March 2012 the UK Government announced its intention to withdraw these Regulations. In the context of current deregulatory pressures, but with the continuing need to minimise construction waste, this research concludes that more attention should be paid by central government to their current ‘top-down’ implementation procedures in order to better roll-out new environmental legislation in the future.Published here -
Rizzo A, Glasson J, 'Iskandar Malaysia'
Cities: The International Journal of Urban Policy and Planning 29 (2012) pp.417-427
ISSN: 0264-2751 eISSN: 1873-6084AbstractSince 2006, the Federal Malaysian government has developed the South-Johor Economic Region as a major corridor for economic development. A vision, known as Iskandar Malaysia, has been facilitated through a Comprehensive Development Plan underpinning strategies to boost the physical and economic development of the Johor Bahru metropolitan area. The latter borders Singapore; the two cities, separated by a one km. sea channel, are linked by two bridges. Thousands of people cross the Johor Straits to enjoy better wages (in Singapore) and cheap goods (in Malaysia). The paper provides an analysis of the Iskandar Malaysia Vision. A key message is the need for future plans to consider both cities, Johor Bahru and Singapore, as part of an emerging transnational urban region.Published here -
Glasson J, Cozens P, 'Making communities safer from crime: an undervalued element in impact assessment'
Environmental Impact Assessment Review 31 (1) (2011) pp.25-35
ISSN: 0195-9255AbstractPublished hereCrime and safety are significant issues for individuals, communities and businesses but they have tended to be undervalued elements in the consideration of social impacts in impact assessment theory and practice. It has been argued that crime is a form of pollution and an externality of development. In principle, the precautionary impact assessment family of approaches should be very useful here. The paper explores first the coverage of crime and safety issues in both the longer history of EIA, followed by the much shorter history of SEA and Sustainability Appraisal (SA). It then considers several key issues for advancing better practice. These include: the recognition of the lifecycles of projects and plans and the relevant dimensions of the local safety and crime baseline; the need to employ meaningful data, including “fear of crime” considerations; and the consideration of innovative approaches to the use of indicators. Evidence and theories from the field of environmental criminology are presented as crucial to understanding crime and its association with land-use. The paper concludes with an exploration of appropriate mitigation measures for anticipating and designing out crime. Examples draw in particular on evolving practice in the UK and Australia.
-
Jones T, Glasson J, Wood D, Fulton E, 'Regional planning and resilient futures: destination modelling and tourism development ' the case of the Ningaloo Coastal Region in Western Australia.'
Planning Practice and Research 26 (6) (2011) pp.393-415
ISSN: 0269-7459 eISSN: 1360-0583AbstractPublished hereThe Ningaloo Destination Model (NDM) is an approach that engages key stakeholders in a more participative learning process, with the implications of potential future changes clearly set out for all to see. The case study for this approach is a region in Western Australia that is home to a globally significant fringing coral reef. This paper focuses on how the process and use of the NDM project builds regional resilience to cope with disturbances to socioecological systems in the context of regional planning. The various stages of the development and use of the NDM are discussed. The paper concludes that the NDM needs more than good data and reliable modelling to contribute to regional planning; it also needs to encourage the characteristics that build regional resilience through the modelling process and model use.
-
Perdicoúlis A, Glasson J, 'The use of indicators in planning: effectiveness and risks'
Planning Practice and Research 26 (3) (2011) pp.349-367
ISSN: 0269-7459 eISSN: 1360-0583AbstractPublished hereIndicators are often used to facilitate planning or governance functions such as policy and decision-making. However, simplifications associated with the creation and use of indicators are capable of undermining the proper conduct of particular tasks. This article analyses the use of indicators in key planning tasks in relation to potential effectiveness and risks, and reflects on the use and creation of indicators.
-
Durning B, Carpenter J, Glasson J, Butina Watson G, 'The spiral of knowledge development: professional knowledge development in planning'
Planning Practice and Research 25 (4) (2010) pp.497-516
ISSN: 0269-7459 eISSN: 1360-0583AbstractPublished hereThis paper explores knowledge development in professional planners in England, in both the public and private sectors. Through an exploration of how they engage and interact with a rapidly expanding knowledge base, the paper identifies how knowledge and expertise are developed that thereby inform their professional practice. It identifies the role, position in the career and level of expertise of the planner as influential to the drivers for knowledge development and the tools and techniques employed. It proposes that the level of expertise in professional planners should be seen as a spiral rather than a linear transition, and that the planning professional will move in and out of this spiral during their career in response to the changing demands of their professional practice. This paper adds to the body of academic work on the subject of practical knowledge development in planners, which is so far limited in the peer-reviewed literature.
-
Helbron H, Schmidt M, Glasson J, Downes N, 'Indicators for Strategic Environmental Assessment in Regional Land Use Planning to Assess Conflicts With Adaptation to Global Climate Change'
Ecological Indicators 11 (2009) pp.90-95
ISSN: 1470-160XPublished here -
Perdicoulis A, Glasson J, 'The causality premise of EIA in practice'
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 27 (3) (2009) pp.247-250
ISSN: 1461-5517 eISSN: 1471-5465AbstractThis article is concerned with issues regarding the rigour of the expression of causality in EIA and the alternative means of communicating that, such as causal diagrams, text, and impact matrices. The intention is to promote discussion and experimentation about thinking and expressing causality clearly in EIA, which can hopefully make a contribution to better practice.Published here -
Perdicoulis A, Glasson J, 'Causal Networks in Eia'
Environmental Impact Assessment Review 26 (2006) pp.553-569
ISSN: 0195-9255 eISSN: 1873-6432Published here -
Glasson J, Chadwick A, Smith HL, 'Defining, Explaining and Managing High-tech Growth: the Case of Oxfordshire'
European Planning Studies 14 (2006) pp.503-524
ISSN: 0965-4313 eISSN: 1469-5944Published here -
Wood G, Glasson J, Becker J, 'Eia Scoping in England and Wales: Practitioner Approaches, Perspectives and Constraints'
Environmental Impact Assessment Review 26 (2006) pp.221-241
ISSN: 0195-9255 eISSN: 1873-6432Published here -
Wood D, Glasson J, 'Giving the Environment a Voice: the Transformational Potential of Valuing Tourism in Sensitive Natural Environments: the case of the Ningaloo Coastal Region, Western Australia '
Planning Practice and Research 20 (4) (2005) pp.391-407
ISSN: 0269-7459 eISSN: 1360-0583Published here -
Smith HL, Glasson J, Chadwick A, 'The Geography of Talent: Entrepreneurship and Local Economic Development in Oxfordshire'
Entrepreneurship and Regional Development 17 (2005) pp.449-478
ISSN: 0898-5626 eISSN: 1464-5114Published here -
Glasson J, 'Better monitoring for better impact management: the local socio-economic impacts of constructing Sizewell B nuclear power station'
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 23 (3) (2005) pp.215-226
ISSN: 1461-5517 eISSN: 1471-5465AbstractPublished hereDrawing on a comprehensive longitudinal research monitoring study of the construction of Sizewell B nuclear power station in the UK, the article highlights local socio-economic impacts and approaches to their better management. It explores local employment and expenditure impacts and ways to maximise local benefits. Approaches to the internalisation of some impacts, for example, on the housing market and on health services, to live within the capacity of local services, are also examined. Monitoring and controlling the impacts of a major project on the neglected area of crime provides another facet to the research. The paper concludes with an exploration of several barometers of local opinion of impacts, providing social constructions of the reality of the power station development. It provides examples of how the management of a major construction project in its local community can be clearly improved through a long running monitoring programme.
-
GLASSON J, GODFREY K, GOODALL B, VANDERBORG J, ABSALOM H, 'Visitor Management in Heritage Cities'
Tourism Management 15 (1994) pp.388-389
ISSN: 0261-5177 eISSN: 1879-3193 -
GLASSON J, VANDERWEE D, BARRETT B, 'A Local Income and Employment Multiplier Analysis of a Proposed Nuclear-power Station Development at Hinkley Point in Somerset'
Urban Studies 25 (1988) pp.248-261
ISSN: 0042-0980 eISSN: 1360-063X
Books
-
Glasson J, Therivel R, Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment: 5th Edition , Routledge (2019)
ISBN: 9781138600751 eISBN: 9780429470738AbstractPublished hereA comprehensive, clearly structured and readable overview of the subject, Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment has established itself as the leading introduction to EIA worldwide. This fifth edition is a major update reflecting many significant changes in EIA procedures, process, practice and prospects over the last decade. In particular, it includes:
* a much more international dimension, drawing on EIA activities worldwide;
*an up-to-date coverage of the revised EU EIA Directive and its implementation;
* the associated update of contemporary UK procedures and practice;
* best practice on evolving methods in the EIA process;
* a rich array of UK and many international case studies;
* a new coverage of emerging EIA impact topics, including equality/deprivation; culture; resettlement; climate change; ecosystem services; and risk, resilience and cumulative impacts;
* an appraisal of some next steps in the EIA process, including a more effective and proportionate EIA; the impact of technological change; the changing interpretation of the project; project implementation, monitoring and adaptive management; and moves towards a more integrated impact assessment. Together, these topics act as a kind of action list for future EIA;
* the development of SEA legislation and practice in the UK, EU and worldwide; and
*a set of appendices containing key legislation and an EIS review framework.It is also makes full use of colour illustrations and chapter questions for discussion. Written by two authors with extensive research, training and consultancy experience of EIA, this book brings together the most up-to-date information from many sources.
Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment 5th Edition provides a complete, and critical, introductory text that also supports further studies. Students in undergraduate and postgraduate planning programmes will find it essential as a course text, as will students of environmental management/policy, environmental sciences/studies, geography and built environment. Key stakeholders involved in assessment activities – planners, developers, community groups, pressure groups and decision-makers in government and business – will also welcome this latest edition as a very effective means of getting to grips with the many facets of this important and evolving subject that affects a widening range of development projects. -- Provided by publisher.
-
Brunner J, Glasson J, (ed.), Contemporary Issues in Australian Urban and Regional Planning, Routledge (2015)
ISBN: 9781138819252 eISBN: 9781315744698AbstractPublished hereContemporary Issues in Australian Urban and Regional Planning looks at a wide range of planning issues in Australia from the city to the regional scale, covering key topics in sustainable development and planning including economic, social, environmental and governance perspectives. It also covers issues of climate change, population and urbanization trends, economic competitiveness and the Quadruple Bottom Line (QBL) Sustainability agenda.
The book is organized around three key elements:
* Pressures and Principles of development and planning for sustainability
* Planning Practice and Processes focused on essential topics including cities, regions, rural areas, and social and environmental issues and
* Future Processes and Prospects for planning practice and education covering the fundamental issues of assessing sustainability, managing risk, effective participation and evolving approaches to planning education.Contemporary Issues in Australian Urban and Regional Planning is an invaluable resource for students and practitioners of planning and related fields and provides a critical perspective on current issues in evolving natural and socio-economic contexts in Australian planning. -- Provided by publisher.
-
Glasson J, Therivel R, Chadwick A, Introduction to environmental impact assessment 4th edition, Routledge (2011)
ISBN: 9780415664707AbstractIntroduction to Environmental Impact Assessment provides students and practitioners with a clearly structured overview of the subject, as well as critical analysis and support for further studies. Written by three authors with extensive research, training and practical experience in EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment), the book covers the latest EIA legislation, guidance and good practice. -
Rodriguez-Bachiller, A & Glasson, J, Expert Systems and Geographic Information Systems for Impact Assessment , Taylor and Francis (2004)
ISBN: 0-415-30725-2AbstractPublished hereImpact Assessment is becoming part and parcel of an increasing number of development proposals in the UK and Europe. As the practice of Impact Assessment develops it becomes more standardized and good practice starts to be defined. However, the quality of Impact Assessment is still far from satisfactory. Expert Systems and GIS for Impact Assessment discusses the potential of integrating these two well known computer technologies to help with the process of Impact Assessment. The proposition behind the work is that all three areas are potentially complementary and that mutual benefits can be gained from bringing them together in the field of planning.
Following an introduction to each area, the various ways in which GIS and Expert Systems can be applied are discussed. This book is aimed at professionals working with Environmental Impact Assessment, GIS and expert-systems professionals and students in these areas. -- Provided by publisher.
Book chapters
-
Glasson J, 'Socio-economic impacts 1: Overview and economic impacts' in Therivel R, Wood G (ed.), Methods of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment , Routledge (2018)
ISBN: 9781138647671 eISBN: 9781315626932AbstractPublished hereMajor projects can have a wide range of impacts on a locality – including biophysical and socio-economic – and the trade-off between such impacts is often crucial in decision-making. This chapter begins with an initial overview of the socio-economic impacts of projects/developments, which explains the nature of such impacts. It explores the evolving story, covering issues of definition and semantics surrounding terms such as 'socio-economic impact assessment' and 'social impact assessment'. Economic impacts, including the direct employment impacts and the wider, indirect impacts on a local and regional economy, are then discussed in more detail. The chapter draws in part on the work of the Impacts Assessment Unit (IAU) in the School of Planning at Oxford Brookes University, which has undertaken many research and consultancy studies on the socio-economic impacts of major projects. The early recognition, by some analysts, of the importance of socio-economic impacts in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process was partly reflected in legislation.
-
Chadwick A, Glasson J, 'Socio-economic Impacts 2:Social impacts' in Therivel R, Wood G (ed.), Methods of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment , Routledge (2018)
ISBN: 9781138647671 eISBN: 9781315626932AbstractPublished hereThe workforce involved in the construction and operation of any major project is likely to be drawn partly from within daily commuting distance of the project site and partly from further afield. Major projects may also have other types of population impacts, including on health and on population displacement and resettlement. Socio-economic impacts can be summarised as the "people impacts" of development actions, and socio-economic impact assessments/social impact assessments (SIA) focus on the human dimension of environments. The chapter considers a number of key concepts of particular relevance to social impacts. These include participation and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), human rights, and environmental justice. The issue of differential power in decision-making links very much into issues surrounding the relationship between major projects, Indigenous peoples, and FPIC. There have been various examples of project developments which have generated severe human rights issues.
-
Glasson J, Lawton Smith H, 'Technological transfer in the perspective of town dimension: the case of Oxford and Oxfordshire in the uk' in Towns in a Rural World, Ashgate (2013)
ISBN: 9781409471592
Reviews
-
Glasson J, review of Cases in Planning 4: Regional Planning
Geographical Research 46 (2008) pp.374-375
ISSN: 1745-5863 eISSN: 1745-5871 -
OBrien J, Keivani R, Glasson J, review of Towards a New Paradigm in Environmental Policy Development in High-income Developing Countries: the Case of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Progress in Planning 68 (2008) pp.201-256
ISSN: 0305-9006 eISSN: 1873-4510Published here -
GLASSON J, review of Perspectives on the Environment - Interdisciplinary Research Network on Environment and Society - Holder,j, Lane,p, Eden,s, Reeve,r, Collier,u, Anderson,k
Regional Studies 29 (1995) pp.224-225
ISSN: 0034-3404 eISSN: 1360-0591 -
GLASSON J, review of Regional-planning and the Environment - Time for a Sea-change
Urban Studies 32 (1995) pp.713-731
ISSN: 0042-0980 eISSN: 1360-063X -
GLASSON J, review of The Fall and Rise of Regional-planning in the Economically Advanced Nations
Urban Studies 29 (1992) pp.505-531
ISSN: 0042-0980 eISSN: 1360-063X
Other publications
-
Glasson J, Durning B, Broderick M, 'HINKLEY POINT C PEAK CONSTRUCTION: IMPACTS MONITORING AND AUDITING STUDY (2023-24)', (2024)
Published here Open Access on RADAR -
Glasson J, Durning B, Olorundami T, Welch K, 'Guidance on assessing the socio-economic impacts of offshore wind farms (OWFs) ', (2020)
Published here Open Access on RADAR -
Glasson J, Durning B, Olorundami T, Welch K, 'Technical Report 4: European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) (Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm): Socio-Economic Impacts Monitoring Study ', (2020)
AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARExecutive Summary.
Aims: This study is one element of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) Environmental Research and Monitoring Programme supported by Vattenfall. The focus of this element of the whole programme is on the socio-economic impacts of Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) projects on the human environment. The EOWDC study provides the most detailed element of the socio-economics impacts research programme. Through detailed monitoring of the EOWDC over its lifecycle to date, the research seeks to provide a more robust evidence base of actual socio-economic impacts - particularly at the local and regional level - and so help to reduce uncertainties in future assessment/practices. The research compares these, as far as is possible, with the predicted impacts in the Environmental Statement (ES) for the project. The EOWDC is a relatively small OWF with 11 turbines/c 93.2MW, and with total expenditure (Totex) of about £280m. It is located 2.4km offshore. It is also an innovative project in terms of technology. It has offshore and onshore elements; the latter includes a sub-station at Blackdog, and a 7.5 km cable connection to SSE’s Dyce sub-station. Construction was completed in the Summer of 2018, and the first power flowed into the grid in September of that year.
Approach: the research approach included regular meetings/telecoms with Vattenfall project staff; workshops with representatives of local authorities/agencies and with the local Belhelvie Community Council to explore evolving project impacts and responses; and various surveys through the lifecycle of the project to identify actual socio-economic impacts. The ES (DTZ, 2011) uses Inner (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire), Wider (Scotland), and UK study areas. The focus here is on the Inner and Wider spatial areas. There was good data for the research from Vattenfall contracts spending; onshore tier 1 contractor contracts data, and sub-station workforce survey; community responses to proposed Community Benefits Fund; various community surveys; and press coverage of the project over its lifecycle. However, data was much thinner for the offshore construction stage activities of the two main tier 1 contractors.
Structure of the Report: the report has five parts. Part A provides an Introduction and Overview of the study. Part B analyses the findings gained on the actual economic impacts over the lifecycle to date of the EOWDC. It also seeks to compare the actual impacts with those forecast in the ES. The approach is largely quantitative, focusing on employment and wider economic effects. Part C concentrates on the social impacts, including analyses of various perception studies undertaken by the project and by Vattenfall (re Community Benefits Fund). The data on the social impacts is generally more qualitative in nature. A further section, Part D, very briefly reviews socio-economic impacts on the two floating OWF developments off the Aberdeenshire coast -- Hywind and Kincardine. A final section, Part E , draws out some conclusions on the actual socio-economic impacts and compares these, as far as is possible, with the predicted impacts in the ES for the project. It also summarises cumulative effects of the EOWDC with the adjacent floating OWF projects.
Summary of Economic Impacts Findings: the EOWDC project performed well against economic impact predictions for the onshore construction and for the early O&M stages of the project life cycle -- stages that tend to be underplayed in EIAs and in the ES documentation, but which are especially important for local economic benefits. The O&M stage is particularly significant in terms of the high local percentage of the total economic impacts, over a 20-25 year life. In contrast, for this project, the local and Scotland wide economic benefits from offshore construction appear to be very limited, and much less than predicted. There are some caveats, relating to the relatively small size of the EOWDC project, and data gaps from two key tier 1 contractors, but even so, the actual impacts are estimated as being low and well below those predicted in the original ES documents. The nearby Hywind floating wind farm project appears to have even larger construction stage leakages, and indeed, there may be even less local economic benefit from the O&M stage than anticipated in the low impact scenario for that project. This leakage of the offshore construction stage benefits is a major concern to local, regional and national authorities, as noted by the Scottish Energy Minister at an offshore wind summit in Edinburgh in early 2020 – ‘Scotland is the ideal location for offshore wind, but recent projects have not delivered the significant economic opportunities we want to see for Scottish businesses’. Summary of Social Impacts Findings: there was very little coverage of social impacts in the ES documentation, and there was no evidence of any significant actual impacts on social infrastructure, such as housing and local services. However, from the various surveys, there were some community concerns, although these lessened over the life cycle. Community views of the project during the consenting and pre-construction stage comprised elements of ‘resistance’ due to uncertainty over the number, size and location of the turbines. Parts of the community felt ‘blighted’ due to decades of historic legacy of unwanted development and made vocal objection to the development. Yet others expressed that they did not mind the proposed development and sought to ‘get on board’ with the project. These differing views (possibly somewhat exaggerated by the media) did result in some loss of social cohesion within the communities during the pre-construction and construction stage, but this was less of an issue into the early O&M stage. Concerning visual impacts during construction of the onshore and offshore elements, most respondents (over 50% in each case) felt that the impacts were as expected. These dropped slightly in a later survey of community views during the O&M stage, when ‘as experienced’ or ‘not experienced’ was the dominant response. Many responses used the word ‘surprise’ in relation to the wind turbines – how big they are and how close to the shore. The biggest ‘feeling’ in relation to the windfarm was that it was ‘good to see clean energy being generated’ (80%). However, a number of qualitative comments indicate some conflicted viewpoints e.g. ‘not great for the seascape but the renewable energy is necessary’. Of importance for management of both social and economic impacts is the engagement strategy of the developer.There is evidence of much good practice in the Vattenfall approach, well managed by the project’s Local Community Liaison Officer, throughout the life cycle from pre-construction through to early O&M. The introduction of the EOWDC Community Benefits Fund (CBF), known as the Unlock our Future Fund, is another very important feature of long-term community engagement.
-
Glasson J, Durning B, Broderick M, Welch K, 'Study on the impacts of the early stage construction of the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Nuclear Power Station', (2020)
Published here -
Durning B, Glasson J, Carpenter J, Butina Watson G, 'Professional knowledge development for sustainable communities', (2007)
-
GLASSON J, 'Oxford - a Heritage City Under Pressure - Visitors, Impacts and Management Responses', (1994)
Professional information
Memberships of professional bodies
John is a chartered town planner (MRTPI), member of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), member of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS).
He is Editor of the Routledge Natural and Built Environment book series, and is on the editorial boards of several journals: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management, and International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development.
Consultancy
John has considerable experience of acting as an international reviewer/adviser, most recently for the socio-economic impacts of major energy projects, including the decommissioning of the first Canadian nuclear power station. Other projects include for state planning in Western Australia, for sub-regional planning in the UK Midlands, for the Thames Estuary 2100 Strategy, for the Browse LNG project in NW Australia, and for strategic energy planning for British Energy. In 2010, he was appointed a Commissioner for the UK IPC (now PINS, National Infrastructure Directorate) to examine proposed new UK infrastructure projects, and led the examination of Hornsea 2 – currently the largest approved off shore wind farm in the world.