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

there is already considerable movement in the landscape, notably along
the M1.
6.711 Although the landscape is predominantly agricultural, there is considerable
evidence of human activity and therefore the development would not be
introducing manmade features into a wild or untouched landscape. The
spacing of the turbines would be such that they would not be too closely
clustered and the overall layout would be a well-balanced composition.
6.712 The turbines would attract attention but would not prevent appreciation
and visual comprehension of the underlying and surrounding landscape. It
is therefore considered that the turbines would have a medium magnitude
of impact on the immediate landscape but that this would not necessarily
be detrimental to the character of it.
6.713 As the immediate landscape has been assessed as being of medium
sensitivity overall it is considered that there would be a moderate effect
on the character of the landscape immediately surrounding the site. It has
also been assessed that there would be no greater than a slight effect on
the landscape character of the wider landscape.
6.714 The construction and decommissioning effects would be temporary in
nature (scheduled to take approximately 10 months). It is considered that
during these phases there would be no more than a slight additional
effect on the landscape character of the immediately surrounding
landscape.
6.715 There are no national landscape designations within the study area and
therefore there would be no effect on any such landscapes. There would
be no effect on the Peak District National Park.
6.716 The site lies within the South Yorkshire Green Belt. It is acknowledged that
the turbines would have a minor impact on the openness of the Green Belt
in that the structures would all occupy land that has not previously been
built upon. However this loss of openness would be extremely modest in
scale. Therefore, it is considered that there would be no greater than a
slight effect on the openness of the Green Belt or the purposes for which
it was designated.
6.717 The site also lies within the Ulley-Whiston Area of High Landscape Value
(AHLV). It has been assessed that there would be no greater than a slight
effect on the underlying structure and pattern of the landscape or on the
hedgerows within the site and therefore the quality of the underlying
landscape would not be compromised by the development.
6.718 There would be no direct landscape and visual effects on any listed
buildings, Scheduled Ancient Monuments or sites listed on the register of
historic gardens and designed landscapes. There would be no effect on
the setting of any registered parks and gardens.
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement