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

BASELINE CONDITIONS
Site Specific Landscape Appraisal
6.120 This section provides an objective and factual description of the landscape
features and character of the landscape within and immediately
surrounding the site boundary. The landscape context of the site is
illustrated in Figure 6.3.
Landform & Topography
6.121 The Penny Hill site straddles a ridge which extends westwards as a spur
from the elevated limestone plateau in the east. It is characterised by an
area of gently undulating, elevated ground divided by a shallow valley in
the southern part and bounded by steep slopes to the north. The highest
parts of the site are at an elevation of approximately 120m AOD in the
eastern and south western parts of the site and the lowest part of the site
is at an elevation of approximately 70m AOD in the valley base at the
north west tip of the development boundary.
6.122 Steep slopes falling towards the Ulley Brook valley and Ulley Reservoir
beyond the development site characterise the immediate context to the
west.
6.123 Although steeply undulating, the region to the west is generally lower than
the limestone plateau which is aligned in a north south direction to the east
of the development site. Here landform gently undulates although there
are a number of high points located within approximately 4km radius at
South Anston (129m AOD), Laughton en le Morthen (125m AOD), Carr Hill
(150m AOD) and Lings Common (145m AOD).
Watercourse & Drainage
6.124 There are two main watercourses in the vicinity of the site; the northern
and southern branches of the Ulley Brook. Both of these lie outside the
site boundary itself.
6.125 The first of these watercourses lies to the north of the site and flows
westwards from the woods at Swallow Mill Ponds towards Ulley Reservoir.
Water from land within the northern part of the site (north of Penny Hill
Lane) drains into this watercourse.
6.126 The second of these watercourses flows westwards from near junction 31
of the M1 towards Ulley Reservoir. Water on land within the southern part
of the site (south of Penny Hill Lane) drains into this watercourse and there
are a few forked tributaries through the southern part of the site which
connect with this brook.
6.127 The two branches of the Ulley Brook converge at Ulley Reservoir
approximately 1km to the west of the site. This is the nearest large body of
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement