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

6.405 The view towards the site from this section is directly along the M1.
Vehicle movements are therefore the dominant element in the view. Either
side of the M1 there are arable fields and tree belts.
6.406 As this view is experienced primarily by transient vehicle users, the
viewpoint is considered to be of low sensitivity to change in the view.
Nature and Magnitude of Construction Impacts
6.407 From the majority of the M1, there would be no view of the construction
compound or the works at ground level during the construction phase. The
only additional impact over and above those assessed as permanent
under the heading of Operational Phase 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
6.408 There would be no effect on the viewpoint during construction.
Nature and Magnitude of Operational Impacts
6.409 A visual representation of the predicted view from this location is
presented in Figure 6.17.
6.410 Driving northwards on the M1, views of the development would first be
gained as the motorway crosses over high land near Woodall Services.
Between Woodall Services and the point where the baseline photograph
was taken on the overbridge of the B6059 there are several locations
along the M1 where there would be uninterrupted views towards the
development. At this point however, the turbines would be sufficiently
distant so that they would not be prominent in the view considering that
there is a considerable amount of roadside infrastructure which would be
far more prominent in the view along the motorway.
6.411 Continuing northwards between this overbridge and the development there
are also locations where there would be uninterrupted views towards the
development. However, the majority of views in the direction of the
development would be limited due to roadside vegetation along the
motorway. As the M1 approaches the junction with the M18, the turbines
would become gradually more prominent in the view.
6.412 However, assuming an average speed of 70 miles per hour, this section of
the motorway would be passed within just over a few minutes. Along this
section of the motorway, roadside vegetation would obscure the lower
parts of the turbines. There would then be a brief moment, lasting only a
few seconds, where the motorway would be adjacent to the site which
would enable an unobstructed view westwards across the site.
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement