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

6.671 The overall magnitude of change in landscape character within the study
area would be low and therefore there would be no greater than a slight
cumulative effect on landscape character within the study area.
Cumulative Visual Effects
Simultaneous and Successive Cumulative Visual Effects
6.672 The cumulative ZTVs (Figures 6.30, 6.31, 6.32 and 6.33) suggest that
there would be several locations within the study area where the Penny
Hill development would be visible either simultaneously (i.e. in the same
angle of view) or successively (i.e. by turning around on the spot) with
views of the Loscar, Marr and Hampole wind farms, and the AMRC
turbines. However, it should be noted that in reality the study area
comprises both large urban areas and an agricultural landscape containing
hedgerows, tree groups and buildings. Therefore there are few locations
with unobstructed views in more than one direction.
6.673 Table 6.9 summarises the theoretical occurrence of simultaneous and
successive impacts at each of the assessment viewpoints. It should be
noted that this greatly over exaggerates the actual cumulative visibility
from each of the assessment viewpoints.
6.674 Figure 6.30 suggests that there would be a few places where the AMRC
turbines would be visible at the same time as the Penny Hill development.
However, site visits have clearly shown that the visibility of the AMRC
turbines is greatly exaggerated by the cumulative ZTV. Essentially, the
ZTV does not take account of the urban infrastructure in the vicinity of the
AMRC turbines which greatly obstructs the views of the turbines. Based on
extensive site visits to the areas highlighted as being within the cumulative
zone of influence of the AMRC turbines and the Penny Hill development, it
is considered that there would be only one location where both sites would
actually be visible at the same time, namely at the Catcliffe junction of the
A630 which is raised slightly enabling views across the surrounding
landscape. The only people to experience this view would be transient
receptors travelling along the A630. From this location the turbines would
be seen in the context of industrial buildings and major development and
consequently, even taking cumulative effects into account, there would be
no greater than a slight effect on the visual amenity of people travelling
along this section of the road.
6.675 Figures 6.32 and 6.33 suggest that there would be several places where
the Marr and Hampole turbines would be visible at the same time as the
Penny Hill development. However, these cumulative ZTVs do not take
account of the vegetation and urban structures between Penny Hill and
these sites. Based on extensive site visits to the areas highlighted as
being within the cumulative zone of influence of the AMRC turbines and
the Penny Hill development, it is considered that there would be very few
locations where there would be any simultaneous or successive visibility
between Penny Hill and either of these other two sites.
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement