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

SUMMARY OF EFFECTS ON VISUAL AMENITY
6.719 The effects on visual amenity experienced throughout the study area
relate primarily to the six turbine structures and to a lesser degree the
meteorological mast. The ground level element of the development would
only be visible from a small number of properties and from a few PROW
which pass through or very close to the boundary of the site. Construction
effects would also only be experienced from these locations.
6.720 It is acknowledged that there are a number of residential properties and
isolated farmsteads within 2km of the site and that where these properties
have unrestricted views towards the site, the proposed turbines would be
prominent in the view. However it is also noted that many of the properties
within 2km of the site are orientated away from the Penny Hill site or have
vegetation and buildings around them which restrict views in the direction
of the site. A detailed assessment of the visual effects on residential
properties within 2km of the site is presented in Appendix 13.2.
6.721 It is considered that there would be a high magnitude of change and
therefore a substantial effect on the private visual amenity of 174 out of
approximately 3,353 properties within 2km of the site. This equates to
approximately 5% of the total number of properties within 2km of the site.
These properties are all located within the villages of Ulley, Upper
Whiston, Aughton and Aston-cum-Aughton but it is noted that only a
relatively small proportion of the properties within these villages would
experience these effects. From these properties, the turbines would be
prominent but not obstruct the view in any direction. They would not
prevent an appreciation of the underlying and surrounding agricultural
landscape.
6.722 There are also properties on the eastern side of the M1 which also lie
within 2km of the site. Any view of the turbines from these properties
would be across the M1. A relatively small number of properties on the
eastern edge of Brampton en le Morthen and Thurcroft and on the
surrounding lanes would have views of the upper sections of the turbines
beyond the motorway vegetation. Properties with a clear view of the
turbines within 2km of the nearest turbine and on the eastern side of the
M1 would experience a medium magnitude of change in the view and
therefore a moderate effect on visual amenity.
6.723 Between 2km and 5km of the site there are many villages, larger
settlements as well as numerous individual or isolated properties. At this
distance and where there are unobstructed views of the turbines there
would be a moderate effect on visual amenity experienced by residential
properties. It is the professional opinion of the Landscape Architects who
undertook this assessment, that where moderate effects on residential
properties have been identified, these effects are not likely to be
considered significant in terms of the EIA Regulations.
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement