October 22, 2012
Ireland

Fears over wind farms; Medical expert claims up to 120 people could suffer health risks

Donegal Democrat | 22 October 2012 | www.donegaldemocrat.ie

A medical expert has claimed that up to 120 people who live within 1.5km of a proposed wind farm in Donegal could suffer health risks if the development goes ahead.

Dr Christopher Hanning, an honorary consultant in sleep disorders medicine at the University Hospitals of Leicester, was giving evidence at an oral hearing on the proposed wind farm at Straboy, near Glenties.

Dr Hanning said there is compelling evidence from recent studies that wind turbine noise can impair the health of people living too close to them.

Donegal County Council says it is adhering to national policy and guidelines.

Wind energy guidelines here state that “in general noise is unlikely to be a significant problem where the distance from the nearest turbine to a noise sensitive property is more than 500 metres.”

In its submission to the oral hearing the council, said: “It may well be that there are emerging concerns in relation to adverse health affects rising from wind farms, which may ultimately require greater separation distances to houses and centres of population.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/22/fears-over-wind-farms-medical-expert-claims-up-to-120-people-could-suffer-health-risks/