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

motorway. As the M1 approaches the junction with the M18, the turbines
would become gradually more prominent in the view.
6.642 However, assuming an average speed of 70 miles per hour, this section of
the motorway would be passed within just 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.
6.643 It is therefore considered that the proposed development would result in
no greater than a slight effect on the visual amenity of the transient visual
receptors using the M1.
6.644 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 B6060 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.
6.645 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 that they were not dominant features in the view
although they would be prominent when looking straight ahead.
6.646 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.
6.647 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
of the M18, the turbines would result in a low magnitude of change in the
views experienced by users of the motorway.
6.648 It is considered that the proposed development would result in no greater
than a slight effect on the visual amenity of the transient visual receptors
using this route.
6.649 The nearest „A‟ road to the site is the A618 which runs in a north-south
direction between Rotherham and Clowne. At its nearest point to the site,
it passes 1.5km to the west of the nearest turbine. The turbines would be
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement