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

Nature and Magnitude of Construction Impacts
6.390 From the majority of the M18, there would be no view of the construction
compound or the works at ground level during the construction phase. The
only additional impact would be a minor view of the cranes erecting the
turbines but this would be for a relatively short time period. Therefore there
would be no additional impact on the view during construction.
Significance of Construction Effects on View
6.391 There would be no effect on the viewpoint during construction.
Nature and Magnitude of Operational Impacts
6.392 A visual representation of the predicted view from this location is
presented in Figure 6.16.
6.393 Driving southwards on the M18, the ZTV suggests that the Penny Hill
turbines would be visible from the entire length of the M18 between north
of Junction 1 and the site. In reality, north of the point at which the
baseline photograph is taken, the M18 runs either in a cutting or is
enclosed by mature roadside vegetation for several kilometres such that
there is a limited view in the direction of the site.
6.394 South of the bridge where the B6060 crosses over the motorway the M18
emerges from the cutting and roadside vegetation enabling views south
westwards towards the development. At this point the turbines would be
sufficiently distant so that they were not dominant features in the view
although they would be prominent when looking straight ahead.
6.395 As the M18 approaches Junction 32 where it joins with the M1, the
turbines would appear to become gradually larger in the view. The turbines
would therefore be prominent for a length of approximately 3km of the
M18. However, assuming an average speed of 70 miles per hour, this
section of the motorway would be passed within just over a minute. Along
this section of the motorway, roadside vegetation would partly obscure the
lower parts of the turbines. There would then be a brief moment, lasting
only a few seconds, where the motorway is on embankment adjacent to
the site which would enable an unobstructed view to the west across the
site.
6.396 The top of the meteorological mast would also just be visible but the
access tracks, control building and substation would be screened by
intervening vegetation.
6.397 Where visible, the turbines would not detract notably from the visual
amenity experienced by the transient receptors using the route. Although
prominent for a short stretch of the motorway, in the context of the other
numerous built structures visible whilst driving southwest along any length
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement