Kilkenny community up in arms over ‘mega’ wind turbines planned within 720m of family homes 

Residents warn ten 180m-high turbines proposed for Ballyfasy which would be taller than the Spire and almost twice the Statue of Liberty could blight rural life, harm wildlife and devalue homes.

Residents of a rural community in Co Kilkenny say they are gravely concerned about the prospect of ten “mega” wind turbines being constructed in the area, with a number of the turbines expected to stand as close as 720 metres from a number of family homes.

Plans for a wind farm at Ballyfasy in Co Kilkenny, near Mullinavat, are currently before An Coimisiún Pleanála for review, and would see a total of ten wind turbines, at a height of nearly 180 metres each, constructed in the area, which is akin to four Croke Parks stacked on top of each other.

To put this in perspective, the Statue of Liberty is 93 metres tall so each of these turbines would equate to the height of nearly two Statues of Liberty standing on top of each other. The proposed turbines are also taller than Dublin’s Spire which stands at about 120 metres.

Residents say that the community has already done its fair share to support renewable energy, given the fact that the immediate area surrounding Ballyfasy is already home to two other wind farms, Ballymartin and Ballylog.

Standing at 120 metres, those turbines were erected several years ago and don’t generally cause upset with local residents as they were constructed far enough away from residences.

However, this latest proposed wind farm at Ballyfasy is too close to home for many local residents who cite concerns about the sheer size of the turbines, the noise they create and how close they will be to their homes.

Member of the ‘No to Ballyfasy Wind Farm Group’, Danny McLoughlin, whose house is about 750 metres from where one of the proposed turbines will be built, said that it is “preposterous” to construct such an “imposing” wind farm so close to a community.

“These industrial-scale machines will be around 720 metres from family homes if approved, in fact, within a 2km radius there are currently 168 family homes,” he said.

“The local community are bewildered as to why such an imposing wind farm would be erected so close to homes and in the middle of such a lush and rural area, with no consultation or advice sought from those most affected.”

Those speaking out against the proposed wind farm cite a number of concerns with the development including the protection of the local environment and residential area.

“Nature and environment are top concerns, after all the aim of a renewable energy source is to protect the environment,” said Mr McLoughlin.

“This is not the case with wind farms, unfortunately, the sheer scale of construction means swathes of Coillte forestry in Ballyfasy will be destroyed, local wildlife will be displaced with nesting grounds, roosts, feeding grounds and breeding grounds destroyed. Ballyfasy in particular homes a variety of local species such as bats, pine martins, red kite buzzards and badgers. Badgers in particular risk spreading TB within a locality if disturbed.

“The Glenmore River also sits downhill of Ballyfasy, a special area of conservation in its own right. The development has the potential to endanger the waters of this area too, a very heavy price to pay for an environmental development.”

Mr McLoughlin added that he also fears for the impact the proposed wind farm may have on the local residential area given firstly its proximity to homes and also the size and number of wind turbines.”},{“p”:”He said the intrusive noise, light flicker and the visual impact of wind farms built close to homes are all well documented, adding that he and many of those living in the surrounding area are concerned for the community’s future if the wind farm is given planning permission.

“Planning and mortgage approvals near turbines can be difficult,” he said. “A once thriving community may finds its populations dwindle as people are forced to move to surrounding areas.

“This would have a devastating impact on local GAA clubs, schools, as well as local heritage and history.”

Another local living in the Ballyfasy neighbourhood, who wished not to be named, added that they are worried about the depreciation in value of their property, which they had hoped to pass onto their children as part of their inheritance in the future.

This individual will have two wind turbines within 900 metres of their home, with the nearest of the two being just over 750 metres from their house.

“It obviously depends how many turbines are surrounding your home and how close they are, but there will be a depreciation in properties and we have been told anywhere from 15pc up to 59pc,” they said.

“You work all your life to pay off your mortgage, this is my kids’ inheritance when we are gone. The fact of the matter is, it will either be depreciated by a substantial amount, or an auctioneer has even told us we might not be even able to sell our property at all because who is going to want to come into a community where there are known health risks and visually it doesn’t look great either.”

Many residents of Ballyfasy and the surrounding areas of Mullinavat, Inistioge, Ballyvool, Ballykenna, Garrandarragh and Bohilla are calling on the Government to implement a moratorium on the construction of new wind farms until updated guidelines regulating wind farms are put in place.

“Current guidelines regulating wind farms currently date from 2006 and are severely outdated for the size and scale of modern developments,” said Mr McLoughlin.

“Efforts to have newer guidelines put in place to address the much larger and imposing turbines of today were drafted in 2019, but their implementation and approval have still not been ratified, with a Dáil vote in early December pushing these out for at least another year.

“Ballyfasy, and other areas affected by unsuitable developments, have urged the Government to instil a moratorium on all new wind farm developments until this issue is addressed.”

Aontú rep for Ferrybank, Gary O’Neill, said climate goals are taking priority over families who have lived in the area for generations. “Ireland has made international obligations to meet climate targets by 2030 so they are trying to put up as many wind farms as possible and if they bring in the new legislation today, that’s basically going to have a negative impact on reaching those climate goals.

“So if they were to bring in this updated legislation for wind farms it means that we won’t meet our climate goals so our climate goals are now taking priority over families, some of whom have children with additional needs.”

Mr O’Neill said he has been approached by a number of families who have multiple children with additional needs and sensory issues who have concerns about the short-term impact the construction of the wind farm will have on their children so close to their homes, along with the long-term impact of noise and shadow flicker.”},{“p”:”\”This massive development is alongside several households, including many who have multiple children with additional needs and children with sensory issues.

“The noise and shadow flicker is a major concern and any construction would almost certainly happen during night-time.”

Many of those living in the local community of Ballyfasy say they are not necessarily against wind farms as such, but are concerned about the lack of consultation that has taken place with those living in the area and how close the turbines will be to homes.

Subsequently, on New Year’s Day, Ballyfasy residents took part in a protest against the proposed wind farm.

“Renewable energy, though, does not have to be a dirty word it just has to be suitable and equitable,” said Mr McLoughlin. “Ballyfasy already has wind farms in its vicinity, in areas away from such a large population and of a size more suited for their locations. Proper planning and regulation could see communities embrace turbines, but it would require consultation and respect for local communities.”