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

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there are plans <strong>for</strong> light work such as hand digging or scrub clearance<br />

within 10 metres;<br />

there are some activities which may cause disturbance at greater<br />

distances (such as using explosives or pile driving) and these should<br />

be given individual consideration.<br />

Mitigation - Badgers<br />

7.94 The proposed turbine layout ensures that turbines are at least 200m away<br />

from any woodland, there<strong>for</strong>e minimising disturbance to any setts which<br />

may be located in woodlands (including woodland outside of the study<br />

area).<br />

7.95 During construction, land take <strong>for</strong> new access tracks will be kept to a width<br />

of around 5m, ensuring minimum land take. Upon restoration the final<br />

track width will be around 3.5m.<br />

7.96 For safety reasons, it is proposed that a speed limit will be imposed on<br />

newly built access tracks which will reduce the likelihood of badger road<br />

kill.<br />

7.97 Night time working with its associated need <strong>for</strong> additional lighting will be<br />

avoided as far as possible to reduce disturbance to badger, and any<br />

trenches left open overnight will have a means of escape <strong>for</strong> any animals<br />

that might fall in.<br />

7.98 Contractors and site maintenance workers will be given clear instruction<br />

about where care needs to be taken not to cause damage to setts or<br />

disturbance to badgers.<br />

7.99 The proposed site compound will be located at a distance of greater than<br />

50m from any known badger sett, there<strong>for</strong>e minimising disturbance to<br />

badger in terms of noise, human activity and light.<br />

7.100 Badger paths will not be obstructed by fencing or machinery.<br />

Further Work - Badgers<br />

7.101 Although no known badger setts will be affected by the proposed wind<br />

farm layout, pre-construction surveys will be undertaken to ensure that no<br />

new setts have been excavated within 30m of the works (or other distance<br />

where it is considered that disturbance will occur), ensuring that the works<br />

do not result in contravention of the law.<br />

Ecological Input To Site Design And Selection<br />

7.102 Site selection and design has been an iterative process, whereby the<br />

ecologists have worked closely with the Applicant to achieve the optimum<br />

site layout, such that the impact on the ecology was minimised. Ongoing<br />

liaison has been a vital part in minimising the ecological impact of the wind<br />

190<br />

Penny Hill Wind Farm<br />

Environmental Statement

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