Galloper Wind Farm Project - National Infrastructure Planning

2842_SLVIA
Where intermediate ratings are given, e.g. "Moderate-Minor", this indicates
an effect that is both less than Moderate and more than Slight, rather than
one which varies across the range. In such cases, the higher rating will
always be given first; this does not mean that the impact is closer to that
higher rating, but is done to facilitate the identification of the more
significant effects within tables.
The process of forming a judgement of significance of effect is based upon the
assessments of magnitude of effects and sensitivity of the receptor to come to
a professional judgement of how important this effect is in terms of making a
decision about whether consent should be granted. This judgement is
illustrated by the table below:
SENSITIVITY
MAGNITUDE Low Medium High
High Moderate Major-Moderate Major
Medium Moderate-Minor Moderate Major-Moderate
Low Minor Moderate-Minor Moderate
Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible
9) Limitations
The nature (or valency) of the effect (Positive, Neutral or Adverse) is not
identified. In the case of wind farms, there are difficulties in indicating
whether seascape/landscape and visual effects will be positive or adverse.
Much depends upon the attitudes and predispositions of the individual. As
has been shown in a number of opinion surveys, the attitudes of the general
public vary widely from those who think that wind farms blight the
landscape to others who feel that they are a beautiful or positive addition, in
some instances regardless of the natural beauty/value of the landscape in
question. In general terms there appears to be a majority view that is positive
towards wind energy generation and its appearance in the seascape /
countryside and this is particularly so once a wind farm is built in a
particular location. In examining visual effects, it is not realistic to ignore
public opinion (nor the likelihood that professionally qualified landscape
architects may have differing positions) when discussing the effect upon
views perceived by the public and positive/adverse judgements are therefore
not made within assessments.