environmental statement - Rotherham's Online Application for ...

each viewpoint there is a comment on how vegetation, buildings or
topography would affect the actual visibility of the turbines. A comment on
the significance of visual impacts is given for each viewpoint. Any potential
cumulative effects are also discussed for each viewpoint.
6.262 A summary of the sensitivity of the viewpoint, magnitude of change in the
view and significance of effect is given in Table 6.8. Where a viewpoint is
representative of more than one type of visual receptor, the significance
rating carried forward to Table 6.8 is the rating that represents the most
sensitive receptor group represented by the viewpoint.
VIEWPOINT 1 ULLEY COUNTRY PARK
Nature and Sensitivity of Baseline View
6.263 This viewpoint is representative of the view experienced by visitors to Ulley
Country Park as they look towards the eastern end of Ulley Reservoir,
either whilst walking around the western edge of the reservoir or whilst
using the western part of the reservoir for water sports.
6.264 It should be noted that there is a considerable amount of vegetation along
the south western edge of the reservoir which restricts views across the
water from the visitor centre itself or the main car park. Vegetation along
the south western side of the reservoir also filters the view from the
footpath which runs around this part of the lake.
6.265 The footpath around the reservoir crosses over a dam on the north west
edge of the reservoir. At this point, the footpath is elevated above the
water and there are unrestricted views directly down the reservoir in the
direction of the site. During the period when this assessment was being
completed, this section of the footpath was inaccessible due to restoration
works being carried out on the dam however it was possible to get close to
the footpath at both ends which enabled an appreciation of the view from
this section of the path.
6.266 From the western part of the reservoir and the footpath which runs around
it, the view only extends as far as a hill which rises sharply towards Ulley
village just beyond the eastern end of the reservoir. This area of higher
ground is covered with deciduous woodland and arable farmland, and
restricts the view further east so that the site is currently not visible.
6.267 The photograph presented in Figure 6.10 was taken from the western
corner of the lake, at the water‟s edge, near to the visitor‟s centre. The
viewpoint is approximately 1.7km to the west of the site.
6.268 Due to the importance of this viewpoint for recreation and the number of
public footpaths passing through the Country Park the viewpoint is
considered to be of high sensitivity to a change in the view.
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement