August 17, 2006
U.K.
U.K.
http://www.tipperarytoday.co.uk
North Tipperary County Council says it does not have enough information to properly access a planning application for a large windfarm proposed for a site near Thurles.
The local authority has requested the developer, Anglo American Lisheen Mining Ltd., to provide further information on their plans for the development of 22 wind turbine generators in the townlands of Barnalisheen, Cooleeny, Derryfada, Derryville and Killoran.
As part of the development there are plans for access roads, and associated infrastructure. The application has been accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment.
But the council has notified the company that the information it has provided is “not adequate” in order to fully access the proposal. It says it wants further information within six months, or the application will be declared withdrawn.
The council has ordered that an archaeological assessment of the site be carried out by a suitably qualified archaeologist. This assessment must include a Visual Impact Assessment of the proposed development.
The local authority wants the company to list specific details of monuments in the area that may be affected by the development. “For example, there are several cairn and megalith sites located on high ground, as well as other sites that are within the vicinity,” says the council, which claims that there is no discussion on these sites in the Environmental Impact Statement submitted by the company.
The council says the Visual Impact Assessment must address the visual impact that the windfarm would have on the historic sites. It also wants a visual impact of the development on Kilcooley Abbey.
A waste management plan both for the construction and operational phases of the proposed windfarm must be submitted and the council has asked for issues to be clarified around mitigating noise from the facility.
The council is also seeking further information on the construction phase so that it can access the impact on access roads to the site. It wants the company to establish the noise impact of the windfarm on ten houses in the area and on a number of sites where planning permissions for houses have been granted.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/08/17/lisheen-wind-farm-info-not-adequate-council/