The body responsible for the safe operation of Ireland’s airspace has requested the removal of a meteorological mast in East Clare.
AirNav Ireland has told Clare County Council that FuturEnergy Ireland’s structure in Knockshanvo is posing a real and serious danger to low flying aircraft.
Last month, FuturEnergy Ireland sought permission to retain its 80-metre meteorological mast on lands between Broadford and Sixmilebridge.
According to the company, the structure is necessary for wind assessment for its proposed 9 turbine windfarm, which it claims would provide enough clean energy to power 48,656 homes annually and save 1.6m tonnes of carbon emissions.
The mast has existed since November 2023 and FuturEnergy insists it qualifies as exempted development, however this is disputed by AirNav Ireland.
In a submission to Clare County Council seen by Clare FM, the organisation responsible for monitoring all 451,000 sq kilometres of Irish airspace claims the mast as erected represents a serious and unacceptable danger to low flying aircraft, particularly helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft engaged in lawful low-level operations.
AirNav Ireland goes on to say that the Mast is not fitted with aviation obstacle lighting, which has created a potentially hazardous situation for flight calibration checks of the Navigation Aids serving Shannon Airport .
