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

Designated/Wildlife Sites
7.50 During construction there will be no direct impact on statutory and non
statutory sites. A RMBC Natural History Heritage Site, Morthen Brook (a
section of which is referred to as a branch of Ulley Brook in this report) is
within and bounds the study area, however the nearest turbine is
approximately 230m from the watercourse. Spring Wood is also a Natural
History Heritage Site which bounds the southern boundary of the study
area, however the nearest turbine is approximately 340m from the edge of
the woodland. These distances are deemed to be of sufficient distances
away to result in a neutral impact, which is therefore of neutral
significance.
Habitats
7.51 The proposed turbine locations will impact on arable land which is
generally considered to be of negligible conservation importance. Due to
disturbance there will be a minor negative impact, however the impact
significance is neutral. Short sections of hedgerows, and associated grass
field margin, will need to be removed where the proposed access tracks
cross them. As hedgerows and grass field margins provide locally
important habitat for birds, mammals and invertebrates it is considered
that the magnitude of impact without mitigation would be intermediate
negative, leading to an impact significance of slight adverse. The
access tracks will cross three watercourses of low ecological value. Due
to the small loss of habitat, it is considered that this will be a minor
negative impact, with an impact significance of slight adverse. Spillages
of vehicle fuel, oils, cement and dust would have intermediate to major
negative potential impacts on the habitats within the study area, through
toxic effects on soil and vegetation, increases in pH of the soils, and
pollution of watercourses which are of Local Importance. The impact
significance is considered to be slight to moderate adverse. Trampling /
damage of vegetation and erosion of soils might occur in places due to
movement of vehicles, heavy plant and site staff. This would lead to minor
damage of habitats of Low Importance, resulting in a minor negative
impact. The impact significance is therefore neutral to slight adverse.
Bats
7.52 Disturbance impacts may arise at the points where tracks are constructed
close to field boundaries such as hedges and tree lines. This may
discourage use of these habitats by diverting bats from their usual
flightlines. The impact of the construction of the access tracks in close
proximity to hedgerows is considered to be minor negative - therefore the
significance of impact is considered to be slight adverse. Impacts may
also arise where access tracks breach hedgerows and sections are
removed. Gaps in hedgerows/tree lines may make it difficult for bats to
commute along these flightlines. As the number of hedgerows to be
breached is minimal, the impact of creating gaps in hedgerows is
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement