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

Otter, Water Vole and White-Clawed Crayfish
7.55 No otter, water vole or white-clawed crayfish were recorded within the
study area, however suitable habitat exists. The watercourses within the
survey area could potentially become polluted by the materials stored and
used for construction, both during refuelling and during general use. Even
where watercourses are considered unsuitable for otter, pollutants may be
carried to connecting watercourses which are suitable. Pollutants such as
oil or petrol will reduce the waterproofing properties of the otter and water
vole‟s fur which will affect its ability to control its body temperature whilst
swimming. Pollutants such as oil or petrol are likely to cause mortalities or
force crayfish to vacate the area. As these species have not been
assigned a Nature Conservation Value the impact magnitude and
significance has not been assessed.
Great Crested Newt
7.56 No great crested newts were recorded within the study area, and the
identified pond is considered unsuitable. As there are no ponds within
500m of the study area, there are no foreseen impacts on great crested
newt from the proposed construction activities.
OPERATIONAL PHASE
Impacts
7.57 Assessment of the operation phase comprises impacts associated with
maintenance activities and the physical presence of wind farm
infrastructure. The operational life of the wind farm is expected to be 25
years.
Habitats
7.58 There will be a small loss of habitat relative to the size of the study area
throughout the operation period of the wind farm. The habitats that will be
affected are arable land, grass field margins, hedgerows, and
watercourses, and the loss is considered to be a minor negative impact,
equating to a significance of neutral to slight adverse.
7.59 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, resulting in a minor negative impact. The impact
significance is therefore neutral to slight adverse.
7.60 There may be some risk of pollution of soils and habitats through spillage
of oils and fuel during routine maintenance operations or through seepage
of lubricants and transformer oils to ground from the turbine structures
themselves during normal operation. Depending on the scale of
spillage/seepage and the type of vegetation/soils affected, this would have
an impact rating of minor to major negative. However due to the low
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement