Campaigners 'deeply concerned' about wind farm plan with turbines reaching up to 200 metres in height
The Delvin-Raharney-Ballivor Wind Action Group has said it is "deeply concerned" at the planning permission application by Bord na Móna for up to 26 turbines of 200m in height.
The group was strongly opposed to the Bracklyn Wind Farm development holding a number of public meetings and lodging submissions against the proposal. However, the application was ultimately approved by An Bord Pleanala last year.
Daryl Kennedy, Chairperson of the Delvin-Raharney-Ballivor Wind Action claimed that they had already seen through the approval of planning permission for the nine turbine windfarm in the neighbouring area of Bracklyn, Westmeath, "that An Bord Pleanala have taken a very light-touch approach to the consenting process".
"No serious consideration was given to the multitude of concerns expressed by the impacted communities. Regretfully we expect to see the same approach by An Bord Pleanala with the Bord na Móna windfarm application."
He claimed that government departments involved are unwilling or unable to explain how more and more turbines will result in climate change mitigation.
"An Bord Pleanala do not examine the merits of another windfarm and appear to throw a blind eye to the negative impacts such as impact on wildlife, the thousands of tonnes of concrete which will be poured into the bogs for this development, the 10's of kilometres of new roads through the proposed windfarm etc.
"Our group strongly believes that there are much better alternatives for the Bord na Mona lands, from development of solar energy to growth of biomass materials for renewable energy generation; rewilding of significant portions of the bogs; development of commercial and diverse horticulture to create long term employment; development of a commercial garden centre with family leisure and dining facilities etc.
"Bord na Mona lacks imagination and An Bord Pleanala appears to lack rigour. A very disappointing set of circumstances which will have a negative impact on local communities until the 2050's [if approved]."