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

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
6.44 The ultimate purpose of the LVIA is to evaluate the likely significance of
landscape and visual effects within the study area to assist the planning
authority to determine the acceptability of the scheme.
6.45 In accordance with the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Guidelines, 2nd Edition (Landscape Institute and IEMA, 2002), the
significance of effects is ascertained by cross referencing the sensitivity of
the baseline landscape or visual receptor and the magnitude of change as
a result of the development.
LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY
6.46 The sensitivity of an individual landscape feature reflects factors such as
its quality, value, contribution to landscape character and the degree to
which the particular element can be replaced. A particular feature may be
more sensitive in one location than in another. Therefore it is not possible
to simply place different types of landscape feature into sensitivity bands.
Where individual landscape features are affected, professional judgement
has been used as far as possible to give an objective evaluation of its
sensitivity. Justification is given for this evaluation where necessary.
6.47 The sensitivity of landscape character is an expression of a landscape‟s
ability to accommodate change, in this case the development of a wind
farm. It varies depending on the existing land use, pattern and scale of the
landscape, the degree of openness, scope for mitigation in keeping with
the existing landscape character, condition, value placed on the landscape
and any designations that may apply.
6.48 Landscape character is considered at two levels. Firstly impacts are
considered within the immediate landscape surrounding the site (a
nominal radius of 2km surrounding the site).
6.49 Secondly impacts on landscape character are considered at the wider
landscape level by reference to the national Joint Character Areas within
20km of the site. Based on early analysis of the landscape character within
the study area, it was concluded that there would be no significant effect
on landscape character beyond this distance. At any point beyond this
distance, it is considered that the visual influence of a wind farm would be
experienced in the context of any number of more prominent man made
features and therefore the impact of the turbines would in no instance
result in any greater than a slight effect on landscape character.
6.50 With regards to the immediate landscape character area, a site-specific
appraisal has been undertaken of the landscape within and immediately
surrounding the site and an evaluation is made in the baseline section of
this section regarding its sensitivity to wind energy development.
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement