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

6.15 It is acknowledged that beyond 15km from the site, effectively the only
possible scenario which could result in significant landscape and visual
effects is where there are distant elevated views (e.g. from hill tops) over
rural landscapes which exhibit minimal human influence. In the case of the
Penny Hill site, it is noted that within 20km of the site, there are major
urban centres in every direction and as such there are no distant elevated
positions which enable views towards the site over landscapes untouched
by modern built development.
6.16 The 20km study area was selected as it extends out as far as the Peak
District National Park enabling consideration of any elevated views from
the west. This radius was therefore considered appropriate for the location
of the development proposed.
CONSULTATIONS
6.17 Pegasus Environmental consulted Rotherham Metropolitan Borough
Council (MBC) and proposed a selection of assessment viewpoints in a
letter dated 28th July 2008. Following a series of discussions regarding
these viewpoints, it was agreed to include an additional 4 viewpoints to the
16 originally selected by the project Landscape Architect.
6.18 Natural England commented on the Scoping Report in a letter dated 30th
July 2008 and welcomed the inclusion of an LVIA in the ES. It noted that
the Peak District National Park was just within the 20km study area of the
site and requested that views to and from it be considered in the LVIA. It
also requested that there be an analysis of views and vistas from any
National Trails within the ZTV and requested that views from Public Rights
of Way also be considered in the assessment. This report accommodates
all of these requests.
6.19 CPRE also provided comments on the Scoping Report and suggested a
number of viewpoints for inclusion in the assessment. Of the 6 viewpoints
selected, 3 have been adopted in this assessment. The remaining three
viewpoints were very close to other viewpoints which had already been
selected and so it is considered that these are represented by the
viewpoints included in this assessment.
LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
6.20 A baseline landscape assessment was carried out to determine the current
features and character of the landscape within and surrounding the site.
6.21 The baseline landscape assessment involved firstly a review of desk
material including:
Ordnance Survey maps at 1:50 000, 1:25 000 and 1:10 000 scales;
Aerial photographs of the site and surrounding area;
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement