June 9, 2014
Ireland

Locals ‘disappointed’ with go-ahead for windfarm

By Catherine Ketch | The Southern Star | www.southernstar.ie

Cork County Council has attached 38 conditions to the granting of planning permission for a controversial windfarm located between Ballingeary and Dunmanway.

Two of the original 12 turbines for which planning was sought, have been omitted, and another turbine is to be relocated 70m to the south of its planned position. All turbines have a maximum blade height of 131m.

The Council has granted a ten-year permission to Shehy More Windfarm Ltd to construct the windfarm at Cloghboola, Gortnacarriga, Tooreenalour, Garrynatorna and Shehy More, between Inchigeela/Ballingeary and Dunmanway.

The plans were lodged at the end of September last year but Cork County Council deferred for further information in November.

The further information was received in April.

A total of 55 valid representations were received by the Council in relation to the project, none of which were in support of the wind farm.

Some local residents have said they are shocked at the granting of permission for an ‘industrial-sized development’ on what is seen as an iconic mountain in West Cork. Concern centres around the impact on the landscape, tourism, archaeology, wildlife and remote residences in West Cork.

Local resident and archaeologist Tony Miller said he was disappointed with the decision, due to the fact the location was a ‘much-visited scenic area’.

‘Shehy Mountain has an iconic presence in the landscape,’ he told The Southern Star. ‘I would also be concerned about the effect it would have on the wildlife and the archaeology of the area.’

Those opposed to the development have four weeks from the date of the order, May 21, to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/06/09/locals-disappointed-with-go-ahead-for-windfarm/