October 24, 2007
Northern Ireland

Company submits wind turbine plan

A Mallusk plastics company which is planning to erect a massive wind turbine on its premises at Roughfort Road has urged local residents who may have concerns about the plan to get in touch with them.

Brett Martin, manufacturers of a range of plastic sheeting products for the construction industry, employs around 400 people at its Mallusk facility. But the firm has angered some local residents with plans to erect a 125 metre high turbine – thought to be one of the largest anywhere in Northern Ireland – at the site.

The company has carried out an environmental impact assessment with assistance from specialists in wind technology, and is confident the three megawatt turbine will help lower its electricity costs and reduce its carbon footprint.

However, one local resident who contacted the Times this week accused Brett Martin of failing to consult properly with neighbouring householders about the plan and of being “dismissive” of the local community’s concerns – a charge the company denies.

The woman, who didn’t want to be named, commented: “There is quite a lot of disgust among people around here about this and about the way a lot of people haven’t even been informed about the plan.

“Not even everyone living on the Roughfort Road has been informed about this, yet they are the people who’ll have to live near it, put up with the noise of it and the sight of it all the time.”

A spokesperson for Brett Martin said erection of the turbine would allow the company to maintain and improve its competitive position in the face of ever-increasing electricity costs.

“All relevant statutory bodies have been consulted, and in a recent letter distributed by the Planning Service residents seeking further information have been invited to contact us,” he commented.

The turbine application is expected to come before Newtownabbey Council’s Planning Committee for consideration early in the new year.

Newtownabbey Times

23 October 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/10/24/company-submits-wind-turbine-plan/