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Opposition grows to Tipperary wind farm as action group raises over €5,270 

Credit:  Eoin Kelleher · Wed 29 Jan 2025 · independent.ie ~~

Opposition is growing in Tipperary to a proposed windfarm near Thurles which would include up to 12 turbines around 185m high, along with an accompanying battery farm to store electricity generated from the project.

The Brittas Wind Farm and Ballygammane Battery Farm Action Group has launched an online campaign hoping to fundraise up to €10,000 in opposition to the plans, which An Bord Pleanála has ruled as a ‘strategic infrastructure development’ (SID).

The proposed 10 to 12 wind turbines with a maximum height of 185m are expected to export 60MW to 72MW in the townlands of Brittas, Rossestown and Clobanna, near to and north of Thurles. The plans include an underground cable connection to the national electricity grid, and turbine delivery route.

In May 2024 the planning appeals board ruled that the Brittas wind farm project constituted an SID. The developer, Brittas Windfarm Limited, must therefore submit the plans directly to An Bord Pleanála.

The Brittas and Ballygammane Action Group held a public meeting on Wednesday, January 15, at which it was agreed that a target of €10,000 could be reached if 100 individuals donated €100.

Concerns centre on the visual impact, noise, flicker impact, construction disruption, property values, and the impact on the environment. There is a concern that a battery farm incorporating 48 battery storage units proposed for Ballygammane could go on fire “and the impact of this on Thurles could be huge,” according to the group who maintain the economic benefit is “for a few.”

So far the GoFundMe campaign, called the Brittas Ballygammane Thurles Action Group, has generated over €5,270 in donations.

“All donations of any amounts are welcome and very much appreciated,” said a spokesperson. “The proceeds will be going towards paying consultants to make submissions to An Bord Pleanála to get both the wind farm development and battery farm stopped.

“The turbines being brought to our area are 590 feet high, nearly five times the height of the Cathedral in Thurles or 22 two storey houses built on top of each other.” The campaign is about “residents protecting their homes and surrounding communities from massive invasion of huge environmental based infrastructure,” added a spokesperson.

“Ten 180m wind turbines and associated battery farm are being proposed to be erected in the Brittas-Ballygammane and surrounding areas. Donation proceeds will be put towards covering the costs of professional consultants making submissions on behalf of the group to An Bord Pleanála to try and get the project stopped.”

The group met again on Sunday, January 26, at Rahealty Hall, where they encouraged “as many households as possible to make submissions objecting to the wind farm.

“These submissions must be lodged with the An Bord Pleanála by February 14. If anyone needs advice on how to make a submission we will be holding write-up sessions next week in Rahealty Hall,” added the spokesperson.

According to a planning inspector’s report, the lands are “made up of agricultural fields, farms and rural dwellings bounded by hedgerows and treelines. An area of broadleaf forestry is located to the southwest of the site.

The River Suir transects the site from north to south. The N62 is located west of the site, running north to south. There are a small number of recorded monuments within the site boundary including two ringforts and two enclosures, one of which is located north of the Rossestown Bridge crossing of the River Suir. Brittas Castle is located in the southwest of the area.

Responding to a query raised by the board’s representatives, it was indicated that about 50 of the 200 houses within the 1.5km site radius are located within the 740m setback, and about seven or eight dwellings are landowners.

Brittas Windfarm Limited is associated with Danish energy company Ørsted.

Ørsted say the project “aims to supply clean and sustainable electricity to the national grid, supporting Ireland’s objective to achieve 80pc renewable electricity by 2030.”

Members of the public can view an online exhibition which includes the latest project information, environmental information and photomontages of the proposed Brittas Wind Farm at www.innovision.ie/brittas

“Environmental studies have commenced at the site,” stated Ørsted. “These studies, along with feedback from the local community and other stakeholders, will be used to inform the design of the project.” Ørsted’s target to have Brittas Wind Farm enter commercial operation is 2028.

Source:  Eoin Kelleher · Wed 29 Jan 2025 · independent.ie

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

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