Residents step up campaign to oppose a major wind farm development
Credit: Connie Duffy | 08 Apr 2023 | donegallive.ie ~~
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Residents in West Donegal are to step up their campaign to oppose a major wind farm development in their area that could see wind turbines twice the height of the Statue of Liberty erected in their area.
Danish multinational power company Ørsted and joint venture company FuturEnergy Ireland (Coillte and ESB) have submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for 19 200m (656ft) high industrial wind turbines, pylons and a new substation on ten square kilometres between Doochary and the Gweebarra Bridge.
A spokesperson for the Gweebarra Conservation Group said locals were very worried about the proposed development on a number of fronts adding over 5,500 people have already signed their Save the Gweebarra petition.
“The developers of the proposed wind farm admit that the turbines would be seen from at least 20km from the Gweebarra River with flashing lights day and night.
“Land and property values would fall within sight or hearing of the wind farm, pylons and substation. Nobody wants their view destroyed or their property devalued.
“The county’s tourism industry would be drastically affected as the turbines would be seen from houses and tourism businesses in Loughanure, Annagry, Arranmore Island, Burtonport, Ardara, Fintown, Glenties, Dungloe, Portnoo, Doochary, Lettermacaward, the Blue Stacks, Glenveagh National Park and Donegal’s iconic Errigal Mountain as well as along the Wild Atlantic Way.
“Donegal cannot afford to lose tourists, given tourism is the county’s biggest employer.”
The spokesperson added that building a wind farm here would be a catastrophe with the displacement of people and wildlife and it would have the very real potential to pollute the Gweebarra River, one of the last salmon rivers in Ireland.
“It would also have the potential to pollute over a dozen household water wells of people living adjacent to the proposed site.
“We in Donegal are entitled to what the law calls the ‘quiet enjoyment’ of our homes. We in the Gweebarra Conservation Group are calling on Donegal County Council to vehemently oppose this planning application to An Bord Pleanála.
In order to help people make objections to An Bord Pleanála the Gweebarra Conservation Group is holding an information session in St Bridget’s Hall, Leitirmacaward today Saturday April 8, between 4pm and 9pm. Objections must be submitted to An Bord Pleanála before 5pm on May 8.
People can drop in anytime between those hours and get help with letters of objection or sign letters that they have compiled.
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