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

such the only properties within the village which have unrestricted views
towards the site are those at the western end of Church Corner.
6.430 The clearest view of the development would be obtained from the two
public footpaths which run to the west of the village in the vicinity of where
the baseline photograph for this viewpoint has been taken. From this
location the Penny Hill turbines would be seen in the context of an
established agricultural environment of gently undulating fields but also in
the context of the urban fringe of Sheffield which would be visible in the
distance.
6.431 At this distance, where visible, the turbines would be relatively prominent
but would not dominate the view or prevent an appreciation of the
underlying and surrounding landscape. They would not obstruct the long
distance views available towards the Peak District.
6.432 Where there are clear views of the development, there would be a medium
magnitude of change in the view. However there would be no change in
the view experienced from the majority of residential properties in the
village.
Significance of Operational Effects on View
6.433 Therefore there would be a moderate effect on the private visual amenity
of a small number of properties on the western edge of the village and
from the footpaths which run around the western edge of the village.
However, there would be no effect on the visual amenity experienced
within the village itself.
Decommissioning Phase
6.434 From this viewpoint the works at ground level would not be visible during
the decommissioning phase. The only additional impact would be a minor
view of the cranes removing the turbines but this would be for a relatively
short time period. The cranes would be barely perceptible in the context of
the turbines being removed.
6.435 Therefore there would be no additional effect on the viewpoint during
decommissioning over and above those assessed as permanent under the
heading of Operational Phase.
Cumulative Effects
6.436 At this viewpoint the wind farms at Hampole and Marr would not be visible.
The cumulative ZTVs suggest that the turbines at the AMRC would be
visible but based on site visits, it is clear that they are screened by
intervening vegetation and buildings. The turbines at Loscar would be just
visible in the distance (approximately 8km away). At this distance they
would not be prominent and would not increase the magnitude of change
in the visual impact.
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement