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

human activity and therefore the development would not be introducing
manmade features into a wild or untouched landscape. The spacing of the
turbines would be such that they would not be too closely clustered and
the overall layout would be a well-balanced composition.
6.227 The turbines would therefore attract attention but would not prevent
appreciation and visual comprehension of the underlying and surrounding
landscape. There would be no impact on historic landscape field patterns
which would remain intact below the turbines.
6.228 It is therefore considered that the turbines would have a medium
magnitude of impact on the immediate landscape but that this would not
necessarily be detrimental to the character of it.
6.229 As the immediate landscape has been assessed as being of medium
sensitivity, overall it is considered that there would be a moderate effect
on the character of the landscape immediately surrounding the site.
Decommissioning Phase
6.230 The effect of the wind farm on landscape character would decrease
incrementally as turbines are removed. The additional effects of
decommissioning activities would be relatively incidental to the turbines
being taken down. The impacts on landscape character would be the
same as during the construction period but in reverse.
6.231 Overall, it is considered that there would be no more than a low magnitude
of change during decommissioning and therefore there would be only a
slight effect on landscape character.
6.232 Once decommissioned the site would be returned to agricultural use.
Access tracks would be removed unless required for ongoing agricultural
activities. The concrete foundations of the turbines would be broken up
and removed or left in situ, covered with topsoil and reinstated with
vegetation. All ancilliary structures such as the control building and
substation would be removed and the ground restored. Therefore there
would remain only a slight residual effect on landscape character.
EFFECTS ON SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS
6.233 The effects on the wider landscape character are assessed using the
National Joint Character Areas identified in the Character Assessment of
England produced by the (former) Countryside Commission and English
Nature.
6.234 The magnitude of change to the landscape character in each national
character area as a result of the Penny Hill development has been
determined using professional judgement based on the following factors:
The percentage of the overall character area from where the Penny Hill
site would be theoretically visible;
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Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement