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

EFFECTS ON IMMEDIATE LANDSCAPE CHARACTER
Construction Phase
6.211 It is recognised that there would be some additional effects during
construction, over above those assessed as permanent effects under the
heading of Operational Phase below, although the additional effects
resulting from construction activities would be relatively incidental when
viewed in the context of the turbines being erected. The effects on
landscape character would increase incrementally as construction
progresses and as more turbines are put into place.
6.212 During the construction period, there would be earth movements
associated with construction of the crane hard standing areas, the
foundations for the turbines, the access tracks and underground cable
routes. These activities would all result in soil disturbance. The impact on
landscape character would arise therefore from the temporary stockpiling
of soil, exposure of bare earth and the movement of construction vehicles.
6.213 As the site is within an agricultural landscape, the exposure of bare soil
and the movement of large vehicles in fields would not be entirely
uncharacteristic although it is acknowledged that the scale of the
movement would be slightly greater than on a typical farm.
6.214 There would also be a temporary increase in personnel on site and a
temporary construction compound just south of Penny Hill Lane. Topsoil
would be stripped from the compound area and used to create mounds
around the east, south and west sides to provide some screening of
activities within the compound.
6.215 The compound is proposed adjacent to an existing mature hedgerow so
that it is partially screened by vegetation and therefore would have a
limited influence on the landscape character of the surrounding area.
6.216 The fenced compound consisting of cabins, car parking bays and lay down
areas would result in a low magnitude of change and a temporary effect on
the immediately surrounding landscape. It should be noted that, the
temporary site cabins would not be entirely out of character as metallic
sheds and barns are a common feature of many of the farms in the
surrounding area.
6.217 There would be cranes involved in the erection of the turbines but these
would have less of an impact on the landscape than the turbines being
erected.
6.218 Overall, it is considered that there would be no more than a low magnitude
of additional change during construction and therefore there would be only
a slight effect on landscape character. The construction effects would be
temporary in nature (scheduled to take approximately 10 months) and are
unlikely to all occur at the same time during the construction phase.
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement