Clare County Council will write to the Environment Minister to request that all proposed windfarms here are suspended until new guidelines on wind energy development are published.
It follows a peaceful protest held in the council chamber yesterday over plans to construct 66 turbines in East Clare.
Flicker, disturbing low frequency noise, mass movement of heavy goods vehicles, disruption to tourism, flooding and environmental damage are just some of the concerns of the East Clare Wind Farm Opposition Alliance.
There are currently 66 turbines proposed for the region across projects in Oatfield, Ballycar, Knockshanvo, Fahybeg, Carrownagowan and Lackareagh.
All of these are at various stages of planning and appeals, however the community group claims that the proposed infrastructure will devalue local properties by up to 25%.
Meelick resident and Spokesperson Bernadette Kiely believes that if the windfarms go ahead, residential areas will bear the greatest brunt.
The National Guidelines for Wind Energy Development in Ireland have not been updated since 2006 and back then a large wind turbine was considered to be anything over 100m in height.
Orsted Onshore is proposing to construct eleven three-blade turbines in Oatfield and although the project will aim to generate up to 50MW (Mega-Watts) of Green electricity, all of the turbines will be between 176m to 180m in heigth.
Following a motion put forward from Sixmilebridge Independent PJ Ryan, the local authority will now write to Environment Minister Eamon Ryan to request that all windfarm development here is suspended until new guidelines are published.
Councillor Ryan says clarity is urgently needed but, its key that a balance is struck between developer and local community interests.
A member of the Broadford-Oatfield Action Group meanwhile claims its vital that communities are aware of the size,scale and intensity of developments in their area.
Jim Fitzgerald believes that while renewable energy is to be welcomed, the proposed projects flout the county development plan.
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