It’s claimed communities in Clare where wind farms are in development are “suffering” due to government inaction.
Clare County Council is to ask the Housing Minister to outline when he intends to publish the updated planning guidelines for wind energy developments, which have been in place for over 15 years.
Opposition to the construction of wind farms has been observed in several parts of the county in recent times such as Cahermurphy, Ballykett, Slieveacurry and parts of East Clare.
The Wind Energy Development Guidelines were published by the Department of Housing in 2006, but have not been updated since in spite of technological advancements and other factors.
A public consultation process on the guidelines was launched by the government in 2019 with noise, setback, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections noted as pressing concerns.
Kilkee Councillor Cillian Murphy has called on the local authority to ask the Housing Minister when he intends to publish the updated guidelines.
The Fianna Fáil councillor says the government’s failure to update the guidelines is “inexcusable” and believes Minister Darragh O’Brien should give clarity to affected communities.
It comes as plans to build a wind farm on the outskirts of Kilrush have been criticised over a lack of consultation with locals.
A planning application was submitted to Clare County Council by Ballykett Green Energy Limited on June 26th, which outlines plans to build four wind turbines each of 150 metres in height, a new site entrance onto the L6132, several peripheral buildings and seeks “a ten year permission and a 35-year operational life”.
A West Clare farmer has objected to the application on a number of environmental and consultation-related grounds as well as due to the close proximity of the site to other wind farms in the area.
Mark Wilson-Pierce, who submitted the objection to Clare County Council, believes most locals were oblivious to the proposed development until very recently.
However, in a statement to Clare FM, Ballykett Green Energy Limited have said “site notices were erected within two weeks prior to the lodging of the planning application, in compliance with statutory requirements” and community engagement has taken place since July 2022 in the form of “house-to-house visits, letter and project information distribution, a dedicated project website and Community Liaison Officer”.
Full statement from Ballykett Green Energy Ltd:
“An application by Ballykett Green Energy for a four-turbine wind energy development has been submitted, which would have the capacity to power 10,000 homes with green energy.
The site has been zoned as ‘open to consideration’ by Clare County Council as part of the Clare County Development Plan 2023 – 2029.
The site notices were erected within two weeks prior to the lodging of the planning application, in compliance with statutory requirements.
We have been engaging with residents of the Ballykett community since July 2022 to discuss the proposed project. This has involved house-to-house visits, letter and project information distribution, as well as a dedicated project website and Community Liaison Officer. We endeavored to engage with as many members of the community as possible and remain open and committed to working in partnership with residents as the development progresses, subject to the planning process.”
