Campaigners ‘deeply concerned’ about wind farm plan with turbines reaching up to 200 metres in height 

The Delvin-Raharney-Ballivor Wind Action Group has said it is “deeply concerned” at the planning permission application by Bord na Móna for up to 26 turbines of 200m in height.

The group was strongly opposed to the Bracklyn Wind Farm development holding a number of public meetings and lodging submissions against the proposal. However, the application was ultimately approved by An Bord Pleanála last year.

Daryl Kennedy, Chairperson of the Delvin-Raharney-Ballivor Wind Action Group claimed that they had already seen through the approval of planning permission for the nine turbine windfarm in the neighbouring area of Bracklyn, Westmeath, “that An Bord Pleanála have taken a very light-touch approach to the consenting process”.

“No serious consideration was given to the multitude of concerns expressed by the impacted communities. Regretfully we expect to see the same approach by An Bord Pleanála with the Bord na Móna windfarm application.”

He claimed that government departments involved are unwilling or unable to explain how more and more turbines will result in climate change mitigation.

“An Bord Pleanála do not examine the merits of another windfarm and appear to throw a blind eye to the negative impacts such as impact on wildlife, the thousands of tonnes of concrete which will be poured into the bogs for this development, the 10’s of kilometres of new roads through the proposed windfarm etc.

“Our group strongly believes that there are much better alternatives for the Bord na Móna lands, from development of solar energy to growth of biomass materials for renewable energy generation; rewilding of significant portions of the bogs; development of commercial and diverse horticulture to create long term employment; development of a commercial garden centre with family leisure and dining facilities etc.

“Bord na Móna lacks imagination and An Bord Pleanála appears to lack rigour. A very disappointing set of circumstances which will have a negative impact on local communities until the 2050’s [if approved].”

Community events next week on proposed local windfarm

Adrian Cusack | Published: Thu 6 Apr 2023 | westmeathindependent.ie

A group of local residents concerned about the proposed development of a nine-turbine windfarm in the Moyvoughley and Drumraney areas of South Westmeath will be holding two community events next week to assist locals interested in making a submission to An Bord Pleanála on the plans.

The events are taking place in Ballymore Community Centre on Thursday next, April 13, from 6pm to 9pm, and in Moyvoughley Communuity Centre the following day, Friday, April 14, from 6pm to 9pm.

They are being organised by the Moyvoughley Wind Turbine Awareness group, which operates the Facebook page, ‘No to Wind Farm in Ballymore, Drumraney, Moyvoughley Area’.

A planning application for the windfarm, officially named the Umma More Renewable Energy Development, was lodged with An Bord Pleanála last month, and public submissions on it can be made up until May 4.

The application states that the development would be located 2km southwest of Ballymore, and 6.6km north of Moate, in the townlands of Ballynafearagh, Raheen, Baskin High, Baskin Low, Lissanode, Umma Beg or Moneynamanagh, and Umma More.

It would consist of nine turbines, “with an overall ground-to-blade tip height of 185 metres; a rotor blade diameter of 162 metres; and hub height of 104 metres,” as well as associated foundations and hardstanding areas.

Peter Cunningham Jr, one of those involved in organising the community events next week, said they were prompted by the number of enquiries made by people who wanted to make a submission to An Bord Pleanála but didn’t know how to go about it.

“Sending submissions to An Bord Pleanála is not something that many people would be familiar with, so the plan is to have a few of us in Ballymore Community Centre and Moyvoughley Community Hall so that we can explain how it is that they make a submission.”

He said that the events would not be about telling people what to say in their submission, but rather to assist and facilitate them if they wanted to make their views known.

The windfarm proposal has been developed by the Enerco Energy Ltd, and the planning application was lodged on behalf of Umma More Limited of Lissarda Business Park. Lissarda, Cork.

Mr Cunningham said one of his concerns was that the development would “open up South Westmeath” for additional windfarms.

“You can see the way it’s gone in Offaly, with one windfarm going up and then lots more following on from it,” he commented.

“Ireland’s Climate Action Plan set a target of 9 Gigawatts of onshore wind turbine capacity (by 2030).

“When you look at this (South Westmeath) wind farm you’re talking about 55.8 Megawatts, which is only going to account for 0.62% of that 9 Gigawatts.

“So at what point do people realise that these turbines are either going to cover the country, to reach 9 Gigawatts, or else a different policy will have to be put in place to come up with an alternative?” Mr Cunningham said.

The planning application for the development is for a 30-year lifespan for the turbines, and details are included in the application of 18 landowners who have given consent to have their land used for the project.

A website for the development stated that it had the potential to make “a significant contribution to achieving the country’s renewable energy targets and assist in reducing Ireland’s dependency on fossil fuels”.