November 2, 2010
Ireland

Tesco get go-ahead for giant windmills

By Cormac Murphy, www.herald.ie 1 November 2010

Tesco has got the go-ahead for 86-metre wind turbines in north Co Dublin.

An Bord Pleanala has given permission for the twin structures in Donabate, despite the plans having been slammed by the local community.

Bosses at the supermarket chain had originally wanted to make them 100 metres, but the board reduced the overall height.

The two 850kw turbines will be located at Tesco’s massive dry grocery distribution centre located north of Hearse Road and south of Turvey.

An Bord Pleanala said it took the decision “having regard to national and EU policy relating to the development of sustainable development resources”.

In addition, “the general stability of the site for a wind-powered electricity generating facility” was a factor.

The board said they considered the development “would not seriously injure the visual amenities or the landscape character of the area”.

Nevertheless, a series of complaints against the proposals had been lodged with both Fingal County Council and An Bord Pleanala.

In a letter of objection to the council, one local couple said the turbines would “interfere with the quiet enjoyment of their family home”.

They were also worried the electricity generating windmills “may hamper future development” of their land.

However, Tesco sees the project as an environmentally friendly way of generating electricity. It is understood the turbines need to be so high in order to capture enough wind to generate a viable amount of power.

The board specified that Tesco has to install facilities to minimise interference with radio or television reception in the area.

The company is also required to inform Fingal and the Irish Aviation Authority of the co-ordinates of the turbines, in the interests of air travel safety.

CONCERNED

Members of the Donabate Portrane Community Council came out against the plans.

Paul Mulville, the group’s planning officer, said: “While we are supportive of a move towards renewable energy technologies we are concerned that this particular proposal is inappropriate to this location.”

Another local couple pointed out the Tesco dry grocery centre is 27.7m high.

“The magnitude of the Tesco building has destroyed the scenic beauty of the area and can be seen from as far away as Malahide. It is absurd that permission is now sought by Tesco for two 100m-high wind turbines,” they wrote.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/02/tesco-get-go-ahead-for-giant-windmills/