April 2, 2015
Northern Ireland

Office meeting to be held following turbine refusal

Thursday, 2 April 2015 | Ballycastle Chronicle | ballycastle.thechronicle.uk.com

A planning application for the erection of a wind turbine on Dun-a-mallaght Road, Ballycastle, which received 43 letters of objection, has been refused.
At last Monday night’s planning meeting held in Sheskburn House, the packed public gallery heard an office meeting will now be scheduled with planners and representatives for the applicant Bailey Waste.
Planners refused for a number of reasons including that the development would have an unacceptable adverse impact on the visual amenity of the Antrim Coast, it would damage the intrinsic character and quality of this tourist asset by reason of unacceptable visual impact, failure to show there won’t be a detrimental impact on adjacent properties by reason of noise impact and that the development would have an acceptable impact on aviation safety.
Back in February The Chronicle told how locals were up in arms about the prospect of another turbine joining the already existing one.
At Monday’s meeting Independent Cllr Seamus Blaney said there already is one turbine and queried how much difference another would make. He said: “There are so many inconsistencies, God help Councillors when they’re the ones have to make the planning decisions.”
A representative for Planning told members that when windfarms are passed, the areas where they go are carefully selected and positioned.
Cllr Padriag McShane proposed an Office Meeting.
Sinn Fein’s Cllr Cara McShane said that when the new Council is up and running Councillors will have to make very difficult decisions which may not be popular with people.
Chairman Dónal Cunningham said from the feedback it seems like more of a cumulative impact, adding that one turbine is one too many.
SDLP Cllr Catherine McCambridge described the already existing turbine as “an ugly piece of furniture” in the countryside and urged against another.
Although members agreed that it was the application being called into question, not the applicant.
UUP Cllr Joan Baird said she had nothing against the applicant but that the turbine was planned for a very prominent area and could be seen from all angles. She labelled the existing one a “blight on the landscape”.
An office meeting will be held later this month.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/04/02/office-meeting-to-be-held-following-turbine-refusal/