Environment Minister to examine Drumquin windfarm issue
Drumquin’s apparent position as the centre for windfarm development in West Tyrone is to be examined by the Minister for Environment at Stormont, Edwin Poots.
The DUP politician made a commitment to address the issue when it was raised at a meeting last week. The development comes as the famed ‘Hills Above Drumquin’ look set to be home for over 140 wind turbines.
Earlier this month Omagh councillors warned that the number of wind turbines locally was reaching what they described as saturation point. This came after it was revealed that 306 applications for turbines out of the north’s total of 562 were in the area. A map showing the location of the windfarms was provided the Minister. The concerns on the issue were raised by local Sinn Féin councillor, Frankie Donnelly, who told the meeting that there was a “geographic disparity” in the siting of the windfarms.
Whilst stressing that the people of the area were not against the erection of the turbines, he said certain safeguards needed to be provided.
He also called for a special clause to be introduced whereby the local communities would benefit financially and otherwise from the siting of the turbines in their local areas.
Recent years have seen a proliferation of windfarms on higher areas of Tyrone. These include Fivemiletown Mountain, the locality between Sixmilecross and Ballygawley and on the Sperrins close to Newtownstewart.
The matter was also raised at the monthly meeting of Omagh District Council earlier this month when councillors from all parties expressed concern at the number of windfarms being erected.
Amongst those who attended the meeting with Minister Poots, was West Tyrone MLA, Barry McElduff.
Speaking following it, he said that, while there is support for efforts to meet targets on renewable energy, this should not be at the expense of rural areas such as Drumquin.
By Alan Rodgers
Ulster Herald
16 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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