TURBINE TURMOIL IN MALLOW
DR BETTY HYDE OBJECTS TO PROPOSED WIND TURBINE AT CARRIGDUFF
A MALLOW GP has warned against the erection of a wind turbine and said it has the real potential to cause serious health difficulties for the elderly, children and people who suffer from migraines and motion sickness.
Dr Betty Hyde told The Corkman she was vehemently objecting to Coillte’s planning application to erect a single wind turbine with an overall tip height of up to 92.5 metres at Carrigduff.
She said: “A condition known as wind turbine syndrome is widely recognised. This outlines that some people who live close to turbines can develop problems, such as sleeplessness’, headache, dizziness, nausea, vertigo and lack of concentration.”
Other symptoms which some people may develop include palpitations, pressure on their ears, a feeling of panic and a sensation of quivering.
“Some people can relate differently to sounds and a lot of sounds can be low frequency noise. The vibrations from the blades can cause problems for people. Turbines are going 24/7 and therefore, ears are exposed to this night and day,” she said.
She said with the present application there are five houses within 500 metres of the single wind turbine and countless others within 2 km. “Turbines are usually placed in very rural areas but this is not a rural area. This will be near schools, housing estates and so many people. This turbine has the real potential to cause real problems for many people, particularly the young and the elderly,” she said.
She also signalled out people who suffer from motion sickness and migraines.
Dr Hyde said it was important for people to know that the final date for submissions if they have any observations/objections to the single wind turbine is Wednesday, May 21 at 4pm to the offices at Cork County Council.
At the public meeting held at the Arches on Tuesday night, Donie Shine, chairman of the Friends of Knockaroura mountain told The Corkman that Coillte should withdraw their planning application.
“There is a real fear that if planning is got for one turbine then it will just lead to a flurry of them. Coillte need to put up their hands and say that they got this one wrong,” he said.
However, Mr Shine said the committee are determined to “fight tooth and nail” against the application.
It was his view that a turbine would be a “blight on the land” especially since the proposal for Carrigduff is adjacent to the Knockaroura mountain which overlooks the town of Mallow.
“People use the mountain all the time to walk and it is my view that the region has huge potential for tourism. It would be a total shame to knock down trees that have been growing for years for a turbine. And if one turbine gets planning, then more will follow suit,” he said. At the time of going to print, The Corkman sought a right of reply from a representative from Coillte but did not receive one.