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

Regulations, it is important that they should be prepared on a realistic
basis and without unnecessary elaboration.‟
3.28 In defining the „significant‟ environmental effects to be considered within
this ES, account has been taken of the Scoping Opinion, consultation
responses from other organisations and previous experience of
applications of this nature.
Assessing the Impacts
3.29 The methodology and terminology used to assess the environmental
effects in the ES are consistent with one another, in order that
comparisons can be made between different sections. The sensitivity, or
„value‟, of the resource/receptors, coupled with the magnitude of the
impact (before and after mitigation measures) provides an indication of the
level of significance of an effect. The assessment categories used in each
of the assessments seek to define:
the type of effect, i.e. whether it is positive, negative, neutral or
uncertain;
the probability of the effect occurring based on the scale of certain,
likely or unlikely;
the sensitivity/value of the resource/receptors (this could also be the
„number of receptors‟ – e.g. population exposed to different effects);
the magnitude of the impacts;
the significance of the impacts; and
where appropriate, if the effect is temporary.
Mitigation of Impacts
3.30 Where potentially adverse impacts are predicted, the magnitude of these
impacts can be mitigated through a variety of positive interventions. Such
intervention to address potentially negative effects can take place at all
stages in the development of a proposal, from site selection through to
operation and decommissioning and should be identified within the EIA.
3.31 Proposals to mitigate against the potentially adverse effects of the
proposed wind farm have been incorporated into virtually all elements of
the site selection and design process and are also incorporated into
proposed construction, operation and decommissioning plans for the site.
References to proposed mitigation are therefore made throughout the ES.
3.32 The individual assessments identify potential mitigation opportunities with
regard to specific effects. Various forms of mitigation, which are both
proposed, and which have already been undertaken, are identified
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement