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

6.630 Beyond 5km any views of the Penny Hill turbines from these routes would
be seen in the context of the wider developed area of Sheffield and
Rotherham surrounding the site.
6.631 Therefore there would be a high magnitude of change and consequently a
substantial effect on the visual amenity experienced by people using the
short section of the Transpennine Trail Network and the Rotherham
Roundwalk between Aughton and Rotherham but no greater than a slight
effect on the remainder of these routes. In the context of the routes as a
whole the visual effects would only be experienced along a very short
section of their overall length.
6.632 Other long distance footpaths, the Cuckoo Way, Robin Hood Way,
Sheffield Country Walk and Dearne Way/Barnsley Boundary Walk pass
through the 20km study area but none are closer than 6km from the site.
Although the ZTV suggests that the Penny Hill turbines would be visible
from some sections of these routes, in reality views of the turbines would
be limited to very short sections at elevated positions. At this distance and
in the context of the wider panoramic views of the surrounding urban areas
of Sheffield and Rotherham available from these high points, the turbines
would not be prominent. Therefore there would be no greater than a slight
effect on the visual amenity experienced along any of these long distance
trails.
6.633 There are two Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Doorstep Walks
(numbers 6 and 7) which pass through or immediately adjacent to the site,
Doorstep Walk number 7 (The Farmland Trail) runs through the site. From
these routes there would be largely unrestricted views of the Penny Hill
turbines which would be prominent in the view. However, at no point would
the development obstruct or prevent an appreciation of the underlying and
surrounding landscape. There would be a high magnitude of change in the
baseline view along these Doorstep walks resulting in a substantial effect
on visual amenity experienced from them.
6.634 There are also a small number of other public rights of way in the
immediate vicinity of the site (including footpaths, bridleways and minor
roads) from which there would be largely unrestricted views of the Penny
Hill turbines. These include the following:
A PROW which crosses the south of the site as it runs from Ulley to the
edge of the M1;
A bridleway which runs along the site boundary between Penny Hill
Lane and Upper Whiston;
A series of PROWs around the northern edge of Aston;
A PROW which runs between Ulley and Aughton.
6.635 Along each of the above public rights of way, the Penny Hill development
would be prominent in the view. However, at no point would it obstruct or
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement