Locals object to ‘mega turbines’

Tipperary Co Council has received more than 60 local submissions on a plan to build four wind turbines and a meteorological mast outside Nenagh.

Most of the submissions are outright objections to the plan by Coolderry Green Energy Limited for the townlands of Coolderry, Grenanstown, Ballinamona, Knockbrack, Kilconane, Kilkeary, Ballygasheen, Knockalton Upper, Lisbunny, Tyone and Lissatunny, Nenagh. The applicant, a renewable energy company based in Adare, Co Limerick, is seeking a 10-year planning permission and 35-year operational life for the wind farm. The 92m meteorological mast is to be a permanent structure.

With a tip height of 160m, a hub height of 92m, and a rotor diameter of 136m, local residents fear the turbines will tower over five times the height of a standard electricity pylon. They have raised concerns over the visual impact of the turbines, as well as noise, shadow flicker, impact on local roads, wildlife and ecology, and devaluation of property. While many expressed support for sustainable energy development, they believed the location for this wind farm is not suitable.

A public meeting was held in Toomevara at the end of last month, at which members of the local community were encouraged to make their opposition to the plan known before the submission deadline.

IMPACT ON SCHOOL

Among the submissions is one from the Board of Management of Kilkeary National School raising concerns over the potential impact of the proposed development on the school of 50 students and staff. A submission from the Kilkeary NS Parents Association feared learning interference with schoolchildren from the “industrial scale” turbines.

“Of particular concern are children with additional educational needs, including those with complex sensory and developmental needs,” the submissions states, adding that “the long-term viability of our local primary school depends upon attracting and retaining young families within the area. The presence of a large wind farm in such proximity to Kilkeary school may discourage prospective families from choosing to live in the area.”

‘OUR HOME, OUR WORK AND OUR FUTURE’

“This situation is not abstract - it is personal,” stated the Fogarty family of Knockbrack. “It is about our home, our work, and our future. We are deeply upset at the prospect of this development going ahead. We believe it is fundamentally unfair that we would be expected to carry such a heavy burden.”

Michael Smith of Norwood said people chose to live in the area “because of its peaceful nature, safety, and rural environment. This development risks permanently altering the character of the area and reducing the quality of life for those who call it home”.

Simon O’Meara of Coolderry described the plan as “deeply upsetting”. “The site of the proposed development is not suitable for mega turbines such as the ones proposed, and structures such as these will have an enormous negative impact on the landscape and people they are being imposed upon.”

A submission from Lissanisky House B&B stated that it welcomes approximately 200–300 guests each year. “Many choose to stay because of the combination of heritage, tranquillity and panoramic mountain views,” the submission stated. “It is reasonable to conclude that substantially altering the landscape setting of the property has the potential to reduce its attractiveness as a tourism destination.”

‘SHOCKWAVES’

A number of those making submissions took issue with the degree of consultation with people living in the wider vicinity of the proposed wind farm. Maireád and Anthony O’Neill, Kilkeary, noted that the planning application was published in the Irish Examiner “instead of the Nenagh Guardian, the area’s primary local newspaper. For many residents in the area, this was the first time they were made aware of the wind farm proposal. The impact of this planning application sent shockwaves through the community and deprived many residents of time to understand or discuss the project further.”

Similarly, Anne Gleeson of Ballinamona noted “the posting of both an advertisement and the planning notification in The Tipperary Star but not in the Nenagh Guardian. This is particularly disappointing and is hardly the action one would expect of a company that seeks to have open, transparent and meaningful engagement with the local residents.”

SUBMISSIONS FROM LOCAL COUNCILLORS

Cathaoirleach of Tipperary Co Council, Cllr Fiona Bonfield made a submission in which she also cited the “panoramic views across North Tipperary and adjoining counties” of the subject area. “The proposed turbines would introduce highly visible industrial structures into this landscape,” she submitted, telling the council that “approval of this application may create a precedent for additional wind energy development within the area. The cumulative implications of future applications should be considered as part of the assessment process.”

Cllr Pamela Quirke O’Meara also called for “careful consideration” of the planning application. Having attended the recent public meeting, Cllr Quirke O’Meara said she had received “a significant number of calls, emails and representations... The concerns raised with me have been genuine, considered and heartfelt.”

Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh had also engaged extensively with the local community. “The public submissions will raise serious, legitimate, and consistent concerns across multiple environmental, social, and planning domains,” she told the council

‘MODERATE BENEFICIAL EFFECT’

The Coolderry Green Energy plan involves a wide range of features, including a permanent material storage area, 38kV onsite substation, welfare facilities, car parking, security fencing and lighting.

The proposal includes for connection to the national grid via an underground cable from the proposed substation at the wind farm site to the existing Nenagh 110kV substation. It is proposed that the grid connection route will be 8.7km in total, most of it along the R498. At the site substation, the electricity generated by the wind farm will be metered and exported to the local electricity network via the grid connection.

“The applicant has considered a wide range of alternatives throughout the site selection, design development, and consultation process,” the council was informed in a commissioned Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

The EIAR concluded that the proposal would have “a moderate beneficial effect, which is significant on climate during the operational phase as it will contribute to the generation of renewable electricity and assist in the displacement of electricity generated from fossil fuel sources, thereby supporting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions”.

Tipperary Co Council is to issue its decision on the application by July 23.