July 26, 2017
Northern Ireland

Turbines may well blow an ill wind over locals, expert claims

Thursday, 27 July 2017 | www.tyronecon.co.uk

People in West Tyrone faced a greater risk of suffering health complaints caused by the low-frequency noise (LFN) generated by wind farms, a leading expert on the human impacts of wind turbine noise has claimed.

Dr Mariana Alves-Pereira, of the Lusofona University in Portugal, told a public meeting in Broughderg, near Greencastle, on Monday night that people should actually consider leaving the area – at least on a temporary basis – to avoid the potential long-term impacts wind farms could have on their health and well-being.

The Sperrins, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary of its designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty next year, has been a battle ground between locals and developers over wind farm project developments over the past number of years.

A number of large operations have been refused planning permission across Tyrone including Mullaghturk, Slievard Mountain and Lisnharney. However SSE Airtricity is still pushing for a 33-turbine farm in the area that will be visible from the ancient Beaghmore Stone Circles.

The audience of around 200 packed the local community centre to hear of a case study from Portugal where a family was found to be exposed to LFN which was caused by the operation of nearby wind turbines.

Two local speakers, Mary McKenna, secretary of the Broughderg Area Development Association and Kerry McCrory, a local holistic wellness practitioner, both gave detailed and vivid accounts of living in this region and their experiences dealing with the prospect of major wind farm developments in their area.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/07/26/turbines-may-well-blow-an-ill-wind-over-locals-expert-claims/