December 22, 2011
Ireland

Charlestown wind turbine gets green light despite objections

By Marian Harrison, Western People, www.westernpeople.com 21 December 2011

An electricity generating wind turbine, which attracted numerous objections, has been given the go ahead in Charlestown.

Wind Energy Direct plans to erect the 85-metre high turbine at Brackloonagh but must comply with 27 planning conditions before they can start work.

The application, which was submitted to Mayo Co Council last June, attracted six separate observations.

Marie Osvald Caffrey objected to the erection of the turbine close to TJ Grady’s factory on the basis of its visual impact on her home and the village.

“This is further industrialisation of our village and cannot be considered sustainable planning,” she remarked. “In coming to your decision please consider that if you draw a circle around the Grady property there are approximately 17 homes immediately bordering the site where the wind turbine is being constructed. The Ballymote Road runs alongside the proposed construction site and is a busy country road. From a health and safety point of view and with the home and traffic density in mind I would ask the council to consider what the effects might be if a blade or blades snapped off as has been known to happen.”

Kathleen and Lisa Caffrey of Brackloon objected to the development saying it could not be considered to be proper planning and sustainable development in the area.

Tommie and Bernadette Tarpey of Clooncouse, Charlestown, told planners the proposed development was in a residential area and pointed out that it would be as close as 140 metres from their lands.

“We strongly feel that such proposed development will devalue the property that we have and should any of our children wish to build houses on the property they will be within a short distance of the wind turbine, or if we wished to sell the lands as sites,” read their objection.

Marie and Pat Duffy of Gowel, Charlestown objected on the grounds that it contravenes proper planning and development of the area and the negative visual impact it will have on the landscape.

William Tarpey of Clooncouse, Charlestown also voiced his objection but to no avail.

In granting planning permission, Mayo Co Council ordered the developer to lodge a sum of €100,000 with the council to provide as security against potential damage to the roads in the area. A cash deposit of €30,000 will be taken to secure the satisfactory reinstatement of the site.

A sum of €2,142 must also be paid in respect of community facilities.

Construction operations involving heavy goods vehicles shall be restricted between 8am and 8pm on Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays. Noise levels shall be monitored and not exceed certain levels and a survey of the existing national and local roads shall be carried out before and after construction works to ascertain damage if any to the roads.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/22/charlestown-wind-turbine-gets-green-light-despite-objections/