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

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
7.79 No great crested newt 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 decommissioning activities.
MITIGATION
7.80 Four common forms of mitigation are recognised:
Avoidance - Avoidance and prevention of adverse impacts through the
design of the scheme and sensitive programming of works, for example
re-siting the proposed turbines and access tracks to retain key
ecological features;
Reduction - Mitigation to reduce the scale and severity of impacts, for
example restricting the working area in areas of ecological interest;
Restoration - Reinstatement to replace ecologically sensitive habitats
through habitat re-creation, for example restoration of hedgerows
crossed by access tracks; and
Enhancement - Enhancement and improvement of existing conditions,
for example planting species chosen to enhance the diversity and
ecological interest of the reinstated area.
7.81 The most effective way of mitigating against ecological impacts is
avoidance by careful positioning of turbines and associated infrastructure
to avoid areas of ecological importance. This has been addressed as far
as possible by the wind farm design, using available field and desk based
survey information.
HABITATS
7.82 All site compounds and access tracks will be of the minimum size required
for safe working. Stockpiling of materials will be kept to a minimum.
Waste materials will be removed from the site and disposed of at the
earliest opportunity.
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement