WIND GROUP MAKES ITS CASE TO COUNCIL
SWAAG GROUP LEADS PROTEST OUTSIDE LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE
THE contentious issure of wind farm development in South Wicklow was to the fore at Arklow Municipal District as members of South Wicklow Wind Action Group (SWWAG) met with local councillors last Wednesday.
A number of residents from the south Wicklow area raised concerns with the Arklow councillors in relation to Ballycumber Wind Farm, which was granted permission for the erection of six wind turbines near Tinahely. Their concerns centered around grid connection between Ballycumber Wind Farm and the ESB sub-station in Avoca, which is currently the subject of a referral to An Bord Pleanála to rule whether or not it is exempted development. They have asked the council to revisit the matter.
SWWAG chairperson Richard More O’Ferrall set out a number of questions to the Arklow councillors seeking clarification on why a separate planning permission was not sought for the connection. The group holds the view that the laying of grid cables without separate planning approval contravenes one of the conditions set out by An Bord Pleanala.
A response from Wicklow County Council said that this does not contravene the planning conditions and that the developer – KBM Windfarm Ltd – appears to be in compliance with the conditions.
Mr More O’Ferrell referred to legal precedent following a previous High Court case and argued that an Exempt Development Declaration should not have been granted. He said that there was a ‘complete credibility gap’ between the council’s response and what the group set out before the members and that just because An Bord Pleanála did not make reference to an additional planning application when granting permission for the farm, does not mean that it is exempt.
The SWWAG delegation comprising Mr More O’Ferrell, Gerry Ryan, Fred Roach and Jack Lynch said that they are confident that the An Bord Pleanala appeal will be upheld, which would mean that the previously approved Ballycumber Wind Farm would be unable to proceed without seeking full planning permission from the County Council again.
Cllr Pat Fitzgerald outlined the council’s response and said that that was as much information as they could offer to the delegation. Cllr Pat Kennedy said that people should be able to raise their concerns and that wind farm developments, in general, are causing huge stress to those living in rural areas.
‘We do need answers here. We all talk about tourism and how beautiful Wicklow is and there has been no consultation with the people who have developed the countryside to what it is and who have been the custodians of the countryside for generations. The lack of consultation is just mind-boggling,’ he said.