October 10, 2019
Ireland

Major concerns over potential Bottlehill wind farm

Amy Nolan | 09.10.2019 | www.echolive.ie

Update: Brookfield Renewable Ireland and Coillte have rejected the claims from the NVTA that they failed to answer questions on Tuesday’s meeting, stating:

“Members of the project team and several technical experts working on the project had project material on display and were available to answer associated questions at the event.”

The developers have also stated:

“Five community information and engagement sessions were held between Autumn 2018 and Summer 2019 to discuss key aspects of the project, as well as the environmental studies which the project will be designed and assessed against.”

A proposed wind farm development of 22 turbines, each 169 meters high along with a battery storage facility in the Bottlehill and Glannasack areas has sparked major concerns amongst residents.

Last night, a meeting was attended by a large number of community members from Carrignavar, Mourbeabbey, Glenville, Killavullen, Whitechurch and Grenagh, who will all be affected if the development goes ahead.

The wind farm which was proposed by Brookfield Renewable Ireland and Coillte last year sparked concerns with residents from the outset in terms of the potential impact on health, ecology, noise levels and broadband connectivity.

“We do not have a problem with the turbines, it’s the proximity to houses that has us alarmed”, one member of Nagle View Turbine Aware (NVTA), the group which is lobbying against the development told The Echo.

“At 169 meters high, the turbines would be two and a half times the height of The Elysian,” the source continued.

The latest meeting between the NVTA and Brookfield Renewable Ireland and Coillte broke down last night after the developers refused to answer questions concerning the residents.

“The manner in which Brookfield Renewable Ireland and Coillte dealt with us was very disrespectful”, Amy Connolly of the NVTA said.

“The information session was supposed to provide us with answers but when we gathered at the ecology stand and began to ask questions we were told ‘this is not the format we prepared for’ and they refused point-blank to engage with us,” Ms Connolly continued.

Up to now, residents have been given two out of five promised workshops from the developers which they have found wholly unsatisfactory.

Another meeting is due to take place in Glenville tomorrow night.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/10/10/major-concerns-over-potential-bottlehill-wind-farm/