Sheephouse Heights wind farm
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Surveys

A program of ecological surveys has been carried out at Sheephouse Heights between April 2006 and October 2007. The survey program was designed to provide ecological information upon which to base an assessment of the potential ecological effects of the proposed development.

Habitats

The site consists predominantly of arable farmland, with no botanical habitats or species of high conservation value. The access tracks will, where practical, follow field boundaries in order to minimise habitat loss and disturbance. All necessary measures will be taken to avoid or protect habitats and species during the construction and apparition of this development.

Ornithology

Bird surveys were conducted between April 2006 and October 2007 to establish the presence or absence of breeding, wintering or passage birds of conservation importance within the site and surrounding area, particularly those protected by UK or European law, and to quantify the potential collision risk to birds. These studies were conducted in conjunction with the RSPB.

Observations of target species of conservation importance were very infrequent and collision risk to all target species is considered to be negligible.

Mammals

Surveys were conducted to establish the presence and distribution of protected mammals, including bats, badgers, otters and water vole.

Neither otter nor water vole occurs at the site. Badgers are present within 1km of the site although it is unlikely they will be significantly affected by the wind farm development. Disturbance to setts during construction will be mitigated using protection zones around active setts and controlling access to these areas at sensitive times of day.

South Yorkshire Bat Group holds no records of bats from within the survey area. There are records of small roosts from Oxspring, Thurgoland, Penistone, Stocksbridge and Green Moor. All of these roosts are located over 1.8km from the survey area.