March 7, 2016
Ireland

West Waterford locals to hold windfarm meeting

Christy Parker | Irish Examiner | March 07, 2016 | www.irishexaminer.com

Residents opposed to a contested windfarm development in West Waterford are to hold a public information evening this week.

An Bord Pleanála had requested submissions on a revised environmental-impact statement around the proposed construction at Drumhills, Ballyduff, near Dungarvan.

Kilkenny-based Ecopower Developments Ltd had, last year, sought planning permission for 12 wind turbines, an 80m meteorological mast, plus access roads, electrical substation compound, and other associated works, in the rural townlands of Knocknaglogh Lower, Barranastook Upper, Knocknamona, Woodhouse, Tinakilly, Monageela and Killatoor, collectively known as the Drumhills.

The proposal drew 300 submissions opposing the application, from two action groups – Drumhills Community Wind Farm Awareness Group, and Dungarvan Against Wind Turbines.

Waterford Council, however, refused planning, citing “inadequate assessments” relating to heritage sites, haulage routes, landscape, visual amenity, noise impact and other issues.

The council decided the proposed development would “contravene the county development plan”.

Appealing the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála, Ecopower submitted a revised EIS to the planning body, last August.

The board said ,“in the interests of justice”, it informed locals of the revised statement, which is accessible at Dungarvan Civic Offices, and sought submissions from other parties.

The Drumhills information meeting will be held in Lawlor’s Hotel, Dungarvan, this Thursday at 7.30pm. One revision to Ecopower’s EIS deals with a new connection to a substation. But residents are concerned that it will increase traffic past a national school.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/03/07/west-waterford-locals-to-hold-windfarm-meeting/