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

visual receptor groups. Viewpoints of low sensitivity have been considered
in the assessment but the focus of the study is centred on where impacts
were likely to be most significant. On balance, therefore, the selected
viewpoints are inherently more sensitive than the average visual receptor
in the study area.
6.59 It is important not to confuse the concept of visual sensitivity with the
perception of wind turbines. Many people have a predisposition towards
wind farms. It is acknowledged that some people consider wind turbines
to be unattractive but many people also enjoy the sight of them. It is not
the purpose of this section to influence personal opinion about the
aesthetic appearance of wind farms.
6.60 Visual receptor sensitivity has been described as high, medium or low.
MAGNITUDE OF LANDSCAPE IMPACTS
6.61 Two types of landscape impact are considered:
Physical changes to existing landscape features; and
The impact on the landscape character (both direct impacts on the
immediate landscape character area and indirect impacts on other
landscape character areas within the study area).
MAGNITUDE OF IMPACTS ON LANDSCAPE FEATURES
6.62 Professional judgement has been used as appropriate to determine the
magnitude of direct physical impacts on individual existing landscape
features using the following criteria as guidance only:
No Change - No loss or alteration to existing landscape features;
Low Magnitude of Change - Minor loss or alteration to part of an
existing landscape feature;
Medium Magnitude of Change - Some loss or some alteration to part
of an existing landscape feature; and
High Magnitude of Change - Total or major loss or major alteration to
an existing landscape feature.
MAGNITUDE OF IMPACTS ON THE IMMEDIATE LANDSCAPE CHARACTER
6.63 The magnitude of direct impacts on the immediate landscape character is
influenced by a number of factors including: the extent to which existing
landscape features are lost or altered, the introduction of new features and
the resulting alteration to the scale, landform, land cover and pattern of the
landscape. Professional judgement has been used as appropriate to
determine the magnitude using the following criteria as guidance only:
61
Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement