Residents concerned about windfarm urged to visit Offaly site

Bord na Móna\Powergen proposing to develop 26-turbine site on bogs within the Ballivor Bog Group

Residents in the Ballivor area concerned about proposals for a windfarm in their area are being advised to visit the Mountlucas windfarm in Offaly.

Bord na Móna\Powergen are proposing to develop a wind farm on bogs within the Ballivor Bog Group.

The proposals are for 26 turbines in Meath and Westmeath at Ballivor, Bracklin, Carranstown, Lisclogher and Lisclogher West bogs.

Concerned local residents have indicated that they propose to form a group to oppose the windfarm, but have been advised to visit a similar development in Offaly to see it in operation.

Cllr Noel French advised local residents to visit the Mountlucas windfarm.

“I have visited the Mountlucas windfarm and was pleasantly surprised by how it works and is laid out.

“Bord na Mona have suggested people go and have a look at it and I would advise people to have a look at it. It is just about an hour away from Ballivor.”

Cllr French said he was in favour of wind energy but was also concerned about people's homes.

“We are currently using guidelines that were adopted five or six years ago. New proposed guidelines have not been adopted and I am not in favour of all of them,” he said.

“We have to look at alternative energy and should have looked at it a long time ago but people should have a right to enjoy their homes.

“I would be happier if there was a greater set back distance,” he said.

Following public consultation in March, Bord na Mona has now produced a draft wind turbine layout.

The draft layout comprises of 26 wind turbines as well as an on-site electricity substation and an electrical connection to the appropriate node on the National Grid.

The proposed turbines will have an overall blade tip height of up to 200 metres above ground level.

The turbine layout has been designed with a minimum setback distance of 800m to the nearest house from a turbine.

The windfarm will be 2km west of Ballivor, 2.5km southeast of Delvin and 3km east of Raharney.

According to Bord na Mona, the development of the proposed Ballivor windfarm will support up to 100 jobs at peak construction and 3-5 long term, high quality technical jobs in operations and maintenance.

“Local communities will also benefit from additional rates paid to the local authority which support the provision of local services, a community benefit scheme and the upgrading of road infrastructure where necessary in the local area. Similar to Mountlucas windfarm, it is also intended to facilitate the public use of the internal roadways for recreation and amenity,” according to the company, which also indicated it would set up a community gain fund for the local area.