October 15, 2014
Ireland

Trump happy with wind farm decision

By Claire Gallagher | Clare People | Oct 15, 2014 | www.clarepeople.com

The Trump Organisation has praised the work of Clare County Council who last week rejected a wind farm just south of Doonbeg village, for the second time.
The international company said its objection also sent a clear message that it will continue to object to other wind farms that “threatens its investment”.
Meanwhile the local authority said it rejected the proposal for the nine-turbine wind farm on a number of grounds, while also taking into account the local wind energy strategy and the county development plan.
“Having regard to the number of existing and permitted wind turbines in the immediate area of the proposed development, Clare County Council considered that an additional nine wind turbines as proposed would lead to an excessive concentration of wind turbines at this location that would be contrary to the provisions of the Clare Wind Energy Strategy and the Clare County Development Plan,” a council spokesperson said.
“It was further considered that the cumulative impact of the proposed development would be seriously injurious to the residential, visual and tourism amenities of the area. Finally, the Planning Authority considered that the potential impact on the Fresh Water Pearl Mussel and other environmental concerns had not been adequately addressed.”
This was the second application by Clare Coastal Wind Power Ltd to build a wind farm just two kilometres south of Doonbeg village.
In its latest application, the company applied for a 10-year planning permission that would allow nine electricity generating wind turbines of up to 126 metres in height to be built in Carrowmore South, Einagh and Shragh.
As many as 42 objections were lodged against the project which would have benefited a number of local landowners.
Among the strongest objectors was the Trump Organisation who purchased the Trump International Golf Links Ireland in Doonbeg, an estimated four kilometres from the rejected wind farm.
Executive vice president and counsel with the Trump Organisation George A. Sorial told The Clare People the company was very pleased that the project had been rejected.
“The Clare County Council should be commended for the decision to protect their constituents and the business of tourism, which is absolutely vital to the area,” he said.
“It also sends a very strong message to future applicants that The Trump Organization will vigorously oppose any wind turbine proposal that threatens our investment in County Clare and Ireland.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/10/15/trump-happy-with-wind-farm-decision/