August 31, 2007
Ireland

Objections to wind farm planned for Dolla

Proposals for a windfarm in the Dolla area have provoked objections from residents in the local community.

North Tipperary County Council has granted permission with eleven conditions to Pat O’Donoghue to develop two turbines and an access road in the townlands of Boherlody, Lisgarriff West and Knockmeal.

An appeal against the decision has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala by the residents of Boherlody and Lisgarriff West who are objecting to the proposed 80 metre high turbines.

Residents say the proposed development is not in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development of the area. They say the two turbines would be in the direct visual path of their homes.We feel we have not been given an adequate reason why planning was granted despite such a visual intrusion,? the resident state in correspondence to the planning board.

They say the wind turbines will be seen from fifteen miles away. They express fears that flicker from the blades of the turbines will cause them annoyance and worry their livestock.

The residents argue that there are areas of less impact where the windfarm could have been developed ? for example, at the back of Keeper Hill. The visual impact could have been reduced if the wind turbines were erected in the many wind valleys in the area with a hill as a backdrop.?

The objectors express fears about the impact of noise from the turbines and on their impact on wildlife. They ask if any study has been carried out on flora and fauna, especially the birds in the area. They says there could be endangered species in the area which they are not aware of. ?It may be that the ecosystem is very tenuous in these hills.?

Fears that water supplies could be disrupted during the construction phase have also been expressed, with residents saying that supplies to a number of houses come from wells in the area of the proposed windfarm site.

Residents feel their lives could be put at risk if an aircraft crashed into one of the turbines. They say the hill for the site of the windfarm lies under many of the aircraft routes to Shannon Airport.

They say the windfarm would devalue their homes and property and deter people from living in the area as nobody would want to live under noisy and colossal turbines.

Residents say they want to be compensated for any losses if the development goes ahead.

The Guardian

25 August 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/08/31/objections-to-wind-farm-planned-for-dolla/