June 20, 2013
Ireland

Laois senator to protest against wind farms

By Lynda Kiernan | Leinster Express | 20 June 2013 | www.leinsterexpress.ie

Laois Senator John Whelan is leading windfarm protestors in a march in Dublin tomorrow, Friday June 21, and is urging communities to make the trip up to the city to join him.

Buses have been organised by the Laois Wind Energy Awareness Group to collect people from villages around the county for the march.

Sen Whelan will be joined by Roscommon Senator John Kelly who has proposed a senate bill seeking a minimum 1.5km setback between turbines and houses.

“The protest march is apolitical and being organised by a broad alliance of community groups which have sprung up to challenge the need for over 2,500 giant wind turbines in Laois and across neighbouring counties,” said Sen Whelan.

He recently visited Poland to view wind turbines being erected, strengthening his opposition to the 2,000 turbines planned in the Irish midlands, to feed the UK electricity grid.

“These turbines really dominate the surrounding landscape and dwarf the tall evergreen treeline. They are ‘only’ 100 metres, compared to the massive 185 metre ones planned for the midlands. Apart from the issue of proximity to homes, there are legitimate concerns surrounding potential health hazards; impact on property values; general safety; harm to the rural habitat, landscape and visual amenity; damage to tourism sector (in scenic areas such as the Slieve Blooms); incessant noise and shadow flicker,” he says.

Sen Whelan rejects the claims that all powerlines will be underground, and that many jobs will be created. He slams “secret” land option agreements are “damaging and divisive in rural communities, causing strife between families, friends and neighbours”.

“I am urging support, this is a matter of serious concern to families throughout rural Ireland,” he said.

Busses are leaving from Ballybrittas, Vicarstown, Stradbally, Fisherstown, Luggacurran, Ballyroan, Rosenallis and surrounding areas on Friday morning. Call LWEAG on 083 447 8221 for more information.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/20/laois-senator-to-protest-against-wind-farms/