Council to oppose Waterford turbine plan in wind 'no-go area'
Wind turbines in the mountains
Waterford City and County Council are to recommend the refusal of the Scart Mountain Wind Farm.
If granted by An Bord Pleanála would see 14 wind turbines built in a wind exclusion zone in West Waterford.
A special meeting of the Dungarvan Lismore District Council was held this week to discuss the application.
The councillors were unanimous in their view that the application be refused and expressed anger that such a proposal be made in a “sensitive” area of Waterford.
Councillor Niamh O’Donovan, who lives within 2.5km of one of the proposed turbines, said the community were very much against it.
“I think West Waterford have taken our fair share of wind.
“I’m not willing to meet anyone halfway, and I know the people of Modeligo and the surrounding areas are not willing to compromise one bit," said Cllr O’Donovan.
Cllr O’Donovan said she was concerned the development would impact the local water system, drainage and landslides in the area.
She said as well as that there will be an impact on agriculture and protected species in the area.
She said this is why the area is designated a no-go area of wind infrastructure.
“If all of us can go to the extent of getting mortgages, looking for planning permission abiding by all the conditions, surely a development like this considering it is no wind zone," said Cllr O’Donovan.
Cllr Thomas Phelan said the council need to stand by the County Development Plan.
“If we don’t refuse this we would be saying our development plan wasn’t correct in the first place and we don’t stand over.
"We should stand over it and therefore I am happy to support the planning department's recommendation that the application be rejected.
“That no-go area wasn’t drawn up at random or arbitrarily and it was based on the latest guidance and with the OPR and we should stand over that,” said Cllr Phelan.
Cllr John Pratt said that there are communities with wind farms, that suffer because of the noise and flicker.
He said the development would be “absolutely appalling” in an area where they are trying to promote tourism.
“I would hate to think how it would turn out if it gets to go ahead,” said Cllr Pratt.
Senior Executive Planner Aisling O’Sullivan said they were all on the “same page.”
“Cllr O’Donovan, I hear what you are saying and that is why the planning authority is recommending a refusal of the development.
"It doesn’t comply with our wind energy policies and it doesn’t comply with our landscape designation and that is why we are recommending to An Bord Pleanála that it is refused,” said Ms O’Sullivan.
She acknowledged the work councillors and officials did on the County Development Plan which includes policies on renewable energy and land and seascape sensitivity.
She said that the plan was tested and assessed and found in line with national policy.
Therefore, the conclusion must be the recommendation to refuse the application and hope An Bord Pleanála uphold its local planning policies.
Ms O’Sullivan said from an environmental impact point of view, the local authority would be concerned about the hen harrier population and dry heath.
“So we have commented on the environmental losses and impact on species because as you rightly pointed out, they are critical in such a landscape,” said Ms O’Sullivan.
In her outline, Ms O’Sullivan told councillors that FuturEnergy is applying to construct 15 turbines between 179 and 185 meters high.
Thirteen of the turbines are in sensitive areas, and 14 are in wind exclusion zones.
The site they propose to develop on is 970 hectares, covering 14 townlands from south of the Tipperary border to the foothills of the Knockmealdown mountains.
As part of the development, FuturEnergy is also proposing to permanently upgrade the existing forest entrance and build six new site entrances.
As well as the turbines, the site would include a 100m metrological mast and a 111kv substation.
Several other site works and construction infrastructure were outlined at the meeting.
The developer is seeking 10-year planning permission with a 35-year operational life.
Elected members were told that as the development is the strategic infrastructure of national importance, the application is made directly to An Bord Pleanála.
Ms O’Sullivan told councillors that while the council do not have the power to refuse, they are obligated to provide a set of conditions should An Bord Pleanála grant the application.
She said even though the development would contravene the council's policies and they intend to recommend a refusal, they must comply with this obligation.
Therefore, the council are proposing to reduce the maximum height of the turbines to 150m and the operational life to 25 years.
They are also recommending the company make a special contribution toward road works the council will have to carry out.
“The road network facilitating this development- a lot of it is on local roads, and some of them are only a car and a bit wide, so there will have to be passing bays and road improvement and strengthening to facilitate this development.
"So we would be seeking a special contribution to any of those works,” said Ms O’Sullivan.
But Cllr O’Donovan said it isn’t enough of a reduction and even making the recommendations, as the council has, is “playing poker.”
“I don’t want passing bays. I can already use my local roads quite well. So, I don’t see the benefit to the local community at all, said Cllr O’Donovan.
The councillor proposed that they recommend, “half the height and half the number.”
“You know these developers ask for the sun, moon and stars when they only want the sun as such. So, might be worth going lower and calling them out,” said Cllr O’Donovan.
Ms O’Sullivan said that wouldn’t work because it would not be viable for the operator.
She said if they reduce down on height, the developer will just put in more turbines.
“I think we are very strong in our Chief Executives report and our refusal reasons. This will be assessed from scratch, and I would be quite satisfied that we have put forward a strong enough case,” said Ms O’Sullivan.
Cllr Niamh O’Donovan proposed the Chief Executives report recommending a refusal of the application.
The report was seconded by Thomas Phelan, who asked that it be included that the decision represented a unanimous view.
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