Locals say NO to proposed bog wind farm near Ballycumber 

Residents from across Offaly and Westmeath are coming together this week in opposition to the proposed Bellair Wind Farm, which will be located on a Bord na Móna landbank across Bellair Bog, near Ballycumber.

Speaking to the Tribune, the locals cited serious concerns about the long-term environmental, health, and social impact of the project.

The wind farm, being advanced by Bord na Móna and SSE Airtricity, is currently in its early consultation stage; however, locals told the Tribune that they strongly feel that “enough is enough.”

They are calling on other concerned members of the local communties to join them for a public meeting this Wednesday 11th June “to gather and discuss where we as a community are positioned” The meeting will be held in The Grand Hotel Moate, at 8pm.

Communities living near the proposed site believe the development is being fast-tracked without adequate regard for the cumulative impact on rural life, health, and the natural landscape. “We are not against renewable energy, but this development is in the wrong place and at the wrong scale,” said a spokesperson for the group. “Our homes, our wellbeing, and our countryside are not collateral for poorly sited industrial wind infrastructure with no long-term vision.”

He added that some of the key reasons for their opposition include:

• Noise pollution and sleep disturbance. “The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends noise levels from wind turbines should not exceed 45 dB Lden to protect human health. Many wind farms, including this one, risk breaching these limits, especially at night.”

• Environmental and landscape degradation. “The project risks damaging sensitive habitats, scenic views, and local biodiversity.”

• Failure to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals: “The development undermines several SDGs, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and Goal 15 (Life on Land), by prioritising commercial energy production over community and ecological wellbeing.”

• Inadequate community consultation. Locals feel the process is being driven top-down, without meaningful local input.

Wednesday’s public meeting will be used to discuss the issues further and prepare ahead of the planned community engagement sessions by Bord na Móna and SSE Airtricity later in June. “This is an opportunity for anyone concerned about the Bellair Wind Farm to get informed, ask questions, and get involved in protecting our local environment and communities,” said the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, BnM and SSE Renewables are inviting members of the local community to a series of upcoming public consultation sessions regarding the proposed Bellair Wind Farm. In a statement Bord na Móna and SSE said this project is the latest onshore wind farm development proposed as part of BnM and SSE Renewables’ joint venture partnership and “will be located on Bord na Móna’s landbank across Bellair North and Bellair South Bogs in Counties Offaly and Westmeath.” BnM and SSE Renewables said the public consultation sessions will be held in Ballycumber in Offaly, and Ballinahown and Moate in Westmeath, and “will offer members of the public a chance to engage with the project team and provide feedback on the proposed development.”

As part of their community engagement programme for Bellair Wind Farm, BnM and SSE Renewables have appointed a designated Community Liaison Specialist. Members of the project team will be present at the upcoming consultation sessions to gather feedback from the public and address any questions.

The dates, times and locations of the public consultation events are: Tuesday June 17, 5 to 8.30pm. Ballycumber GAA Club R35 T1H5; Wednesday June 18 – 5 to 8.30pm – Ballinahown Community Hall N37 D768; Tuesday June 24 – 5 to 8.30pm The Carmelite Centre Moate N37 AQ24.

BnM and SSE Renewables will develop a draft layout for the wind farm project in the coming months. “Further public consultation events will take place to gather additional insights from the local community in advance of submitting a planning application,” said the BnM SSE statement. “If delivered, the proposed Bellair Wind Farm would bring a range of benefits to the local area, including a dedicated Community Benefit Fund.

“We announced our joint venture last year, one of the largest onshore renewables joint ventures in the history of the state. If fully delivered, it is expected the portfolio of wind farms will generate up to 800MW of renewable energy, enough to be capable of powering the average annual energy demand of around half a million homes annually, while displacing up to half a million tonnes of carbon emissions each year – making a substantial contribution to Ireland’s 2030 renewable energy goals set out in the national Climate Action Plan 2024.”