Fight against Dromahair wind turbines continues
A community in Dromahair are continuing their fight against planned wind turbines in the area and are asking election candidates to support a ‘wider vision’.
Wind Aware Dromahair are asking each election candidate in the Sligo Leitrim, South Donegal and North Roscommon constituency to pledge to have a wider vision to tackle carbon emissions and climate change
The group is seeking the commitment while they attempt to block the introduction of ‘giant wind turbines’ into the North Leitrim area.
The group is asking successful candidates to commit to establishing planning regulations which give strong protection to the environment and to families living near turbine developments.
The group are also asking for incoming TDs to demand a moratorium on all wind farm planning submissions until strong planning regulations are in place.
Speaking to The Sligo Champion, Adrienne Diamond from the group said the group are lodging objections to proposed wind farms.
At the moment the group is aware that planning permission for the Croagh ten turbine wind farm which are planned to be 170 metres in height will be going for planning in the next two months.
Adrienne and the group has also put in an objection to the planned extension of five turbines at the 15 turbine site at Tullynamoyle wind farm
“If they add more they will be clearly seen, it will impact on tourism and it’s setting a precedence for these giant turbines getting in.”
An appeal has been put in to An Bord Pleanala to overturn the planning decision by Leitrim
Co Co.
“The main basis we did that on is that the Tullynamoyle wind farm goes into a special area of conservation. That area is designated in the Leitrim Development Plan as a special area of interest,” explained Adrienne.
They say in the development plan they won’t put wind turbines in designated areas of beauty.”
Adrienne adds, “This is the start of the march of the turbines.”
And with tourism growing in Leitrim she fears the turbines will impact this budding sector.
“If they cover these drumlins with turbines it’s going to be really detrimental.”
Another issue the group has is with the current guidelines for wind turbines, which have been in existence since 2006.
A review of guidelines is currently out for review and the group, along with 52 others plan to put their penny in the pot in terms of having their say.
Adrienne, who runs a tourism adventure business with her partner Graham tells The Sligo Champion the noise they can hear from the turbines already on site in the area is ‘ horrible’.
“I was working outside all day using the chainsaw but still the turbines are so noisy. It winds you up and makes you tense, it’s awful.”
Having held a meeting opposing these wind farms last year and attracting 100 attendees, Adrienne said the group is buoyed by the levels of support.
In just 2km of the planned turbines there are up to 50 houses that would be impacted, and Adrienne believes people in a wider radius of 2km would be affected.
“We don’t have any of these big wind turbines yet, it will be a sad day if they go up.”