Waterford council to recommend refusal on Lyrenacarriga Wind Farm
Following a meeting of Waterford City and County Council regarding the Lyrenacarriga Wind Farm application lodged to An Bord Pleanála, it is understood that Waterford council are preparing to recommend a refusal on the development.
The application, which has been submitted as a Strategic Infrastructure Development, seeks to erect 17 wind turbines reaching a tip height of 150 metres.
“I am grateful to the mayor for agreeing to hold a special meeting at my request. It’s important that local elected representatives have an opportunity to discuss their views and to arrive at a common position. It’s also important that we could discuss our concerns and the concerns of the people we represent, with Waterford council’s planning department,” Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness said.
“Ultimately the right to grant or refuse planning permission rests with An Bord Pleanála, but Waterford council has the opportunity to submit a formal report as part of the planning permission. I am adamant that this report should recommend a refusal on this application, and I will be strongly advocating for this to happen,” he said.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Cllr McGuinness said he has been engaging with residents and campaigners in the Blackwater Valley that are deeply concerned about the proposed development and that Sinn Fein have already made representations to An Bord Pleanála on the matter.
“We are gravely concerned about the proposed wind farm at Lyrenacarriga. Having reviewed the planning application and following a process of engagement with our constituents, we made a comprehensive and detailed submission, outlining our objection to the proposed development.
“Our submission highlights issues relating to planning procedure and precedents, development plans and regulations, impact on homes and farms, and the potential environmental impacts,” Cllr McGuinness added.
While McGuinness said that he fully supports efforts to combat climate change, as well as the need to move away from the use of fossil fuels for energy regeneration, recognising the role of wind energy, he noted that he doesn’t believe that the proposed Lyrenacarriga development meets some important criteria required in wind energy development.
“We (Sinn Fein) also believe that the development of wind energy has to be carefully considered, balanced and forward-thinking. We don’t believe the current application meets these criteria. In our haste to address the global environmental crisis, we must be careful not to negatively impact on the local environment, on communities, on heritage, or on flora and fauna.
“Ultimately, An Bord Pleanála is the final decision-maker, however, Waterford council has the opportunity to contribute its view, and I am adamant that this should include a recommendation to refuse,” he noted.