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

14. RADIO-COMMUNICATIONS AND
TELEVISION
INTRODUCTION
14.1 “Planning Policy Statement 22 Renewable Energy – A Companion Guide”
(2004) highlights that „a wind turbine can interfere with electromagnetic
transmissions in two ways – by emitting an electromagnetic signal itself,
and by interfering with other electromagnetic signals.‟ Wind turbines can
potentially affect the latter by „blocking or deflecting line of sight radio or
microwave links, or by the „scattering‟ of transmission signals.‟…
„Specialist organisations responsible for the operation of the
electromagnetic links typically require 100m clearance either side of a line
of sight link from the swept are of turbine blades, though individual
consultations would be necessary to identify each organisations
safeguarding distances. Effects on such links can usually be resolved
through careful siting of individual turbines‟. .
14.2 Thorough consultation with relevant radio-communication and television
operators and stakeholders in order to identify potentially affected links at
an early and allow, where appropriate, mitigation through design should
and has been undertaken. The basis of this section has therefore been
consultation with a number of organisations known to have an interest in
radio-communications and television in the area.
METHODOLOGY AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT
RADIO-COMMUNICATION LINKS
14.3 The design of the wind farm has undergone a series of iterations taking
account of the different constraints across the site including telecoms links.
Where responses were received from the relevant link operators, this
information was used as much as possible in the design process. Drawing
HJB/681/PA20 shows the communication links that cross over or near to
the site. Exclusion zones for each of the links have been defined by the
Applicant using known information and the turbines have been located
outside these zones.
14.4 The Office of Communications (Ofcom) was contacted as the principal
consultee. Ofcom are responsible for maintaining a comprehensive
register of fixed links and are also the primary authority in the UK for the
development of new links.
14.5 Ofcom was contacted for initial comments that could be used in the
constraints mapping process prior to finalisation of the turbine layout.
14.6 A response from Ofcom was received on the 20.06.2006 (sent
14.06.2006) advising of 2 Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd links, 5 MLL Telecom Ltd
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement