Wind wars in the hills of Donegal
Donegal Alternatives to Pylons has advised land owners that their statutory rights are not affected by An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant planning permission for a high voltage power line between Binbane and Letterkenny.
Alternatives to Pylons argue that views around Buncrana, Letterkenny, Donegal Town, Ardara and Killybegs have already been ruined by pylons and turbines.
In a statement released on Friday, the group say landowners should not be intimidated into signing any documents presented to them. Alternatives to Pylons is demanding the same service as Dublin where power lines are put underground.
“ESB are offering land owners small sums of money but how much money is worth losing your health for?” the statement asks.
“The proposed 110kv power line would be anything from 60 metres to 200 metres away from the existing 38kv and would create a sterile corridor between the two power lines. This would curtail farming practises as it is very unhealthy to live near or graze animals between power lines,” the statement read.
“This message goes out to landowners across the following townlands – Binbane, Meenacahan, Cloghervaddy, Meenagranoge, Meenybradden, Croagh, Meenadreen, Carrickstlieve Glebe, Monargan Glebe, nugborough, Gortnacart Glebe, Corraness Glebe, Garvegort Glebe, Kilrean Lower, Kilrean Upper, Tullyard, Gortnamucklagh, Letterilly, Loughcrillan, Stranagloch, Meenalargan, Straboy, Shallogan More, Shallogan Beg, Drumnalough, Drumconcoose, Meenamalragh, Stracashel, Meenachuit, Clogher East, Meenanarwa, Boultypatrick, Lughveen, Montymeane, Stranagoppoge,Meenasrone North, Bellanamore, Meenmore East, Meenadoran, Tievedeevan, Kingarrow, Cummrick, Meenatinny, Meeniroy, Meenacung, Altinierin, Altadush, Tullyhonour, Treankeel, Meenadaura, Ballygallan, Drumenan, Killymasny, Cark, Lenalea, Kirkneedy, Ballystrang, Rareagh, Listack, Corravaddy, Stralongford, Glentilid, Dooballagh, Corranagh, Listellian, Ardnagappary, Meenderrygamph, Dore, Arduns, Crolly, Cronaguiggy, Meencorwick, Bunawack, Lettercau, Ardmeen, Crohyboyle, Crovehy, Craghy, Oughtmeen, Croaghnashallog, Meenleckanalore, Croghbolie, Drumlaghdrid, Meenacarn, Galwolie, Boyoughter and Cloghercor.
“The fact is the ESB wants to put these power lines over our hills and bogs for wind turbines. There are many studies which show that property prices go down by 30 per cent where pylons and turbines are and tourists will stop coming if the landscape is lost. Why should wind companies profit while farmers, home owners, tourism ventures, B&B owners, hoteliers, pubs and restaurants lose money?
“Other small countries like Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark put all power lines underground as they consider them dangerous and European Directives prohibit pylons in sensitive landscapes.
“Alternatives to Pylons has been informed that the ESB and wind profiteers are approaching landowners to persuade them to allow pylons and wind turbines on their land but what they are not telling them is that they will be sued if their neighbours develop ‘wind turbine syndrome’ or cancers from the high voltage power lines.
“Also owners should know that no insurance company will insure lands where poles, pylons or turbines are erected and if an accident or landslide were to happen it would be the landowner who would be liable.
“Donegal already produces more wind energy than any other county in Ireland, ten times more than Wicklow or Mayo which are just as windy,” the statement read.
You can contact the group by emailing DonegalATP@gmail.com or on Facebook.
16 September 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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