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

ates may occur, based on the results of the wintering VP survey and
assuming a 95% avoidance rate: one lapwing could be killed every year, 2
golden plovers could be killed every year, 4 kestrels could be killed every
year, 1 sparrowhawk could be killed every 25 years and 1 buzzard could
be killed every year.
8.53 The impact magnitude values assigned for the target species (lapwing,
golden plover, sparrowhawk and buzzard) are intermediate negative.
The nature conservation value that has been assigned to lapwing,
sparrowhawk and buzzard is low (local), therefore the impact assessment
value for lapwing, sparrowhawk and buzzard is slight adverse. The
nature conservation value that has been assigned to golden plover is
medium (regional/county), therefore the impact significance for golden
plover is moderate adverse.
8.54 The predicted collision mortality for kestrel is high in comparison to the
other target bird species. However it is considered that the Band Collision
Risk Model inflates collision mortality predictions for kestrel; this is related
to the type of flight behaviour unique to this species. Kestrels often spend
long periods of time hovering and therefore the amount of flight-time
recorded for this species is comparatively high. It is not possible to
account for hovering flight time when applying the Band Model and
therefore the collision mortality values for this species are considered to be
inflated. The impact magnitude value that has been assigned for kestrel
is intermediate negative, with an overall impact significance value of slight
adverse.
8.55 The impact magnitude value assigned for all other non-target species is
minor negative, therefore the overall impact significance value for all other
species is slight adverse.
DECOMMISSIONING PHASE
8.56 Decommissioning effects are predicted to be of similar or lesser
significance than construction effects and therefore not potentially
significant.
MITIGATION
8.57 Site selection and design has been an iterative process to achieve the
optimum site layout. Turbine locations and access tracks have been
located at a distance of at least 200m from areas of woodland and scrub,
thereby minimising impacts on these habitats and the species which may
use them.
Disturbance
8.58 To reduce the effect of construction noise and human disturbance on
breeding birds, construction would begin (and as much of the early
construction activity as possible should be completed) outside of the
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement