News from down the country

national | environment | news report Tuesday February 23, 2010 19:09 by Contaminated Crow

Three windfarms, two telemasts, a sewage plant and turfcutting

Jack Roche, a local resident of Rockchapel, Co. Cork, has joined An Taisce in appealing against Cork County Council’s granting of planning permission for 8 wind turbines at Glentanmacelligot, Glennakeel South, Rockchapel. Mr. Roche has pointed out that over 60 wind turbines are planned for Rockchapel, a small area with a small population. Mr. Roche accuses developers of sourcing land for turbines on lower rather than higher ground for cost reasons. (Corkman (sic) 18/2/10, p. 13).

The Irish Wildlife Trust, which is concerned over effects on the hen harrier, and local residents, concerned over effects on beauty, natural heritage and quality of life, are behind 25 objections to proposals by West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd. for a 200 million Euro 31-turbine wind farm on Mount Callan, Co. Clare. (Clare People 16/2/10, p. 36).

Nearly two hundred people attended a meeting called by a local committee at the Bloomfield Hotel last week to express concern over a proposal by Galetech for a 12-turbine wind farm at Gaybrook, Co. Westmeath. (Westmeath Examiner 20/12/10, p. 3).

An Bord Pleanala has turned down an appeal by H3G against a decision by Westmeath County Council to refuse permission for a 42-metre telemast at Ballinafid, Multyfarnham, which had been opposed by local residents. (Westmeath Examiner 20/12/10, p. 9).

ESB Telecoms has offered to allay local concern over its proposal to erect a 36 metre telemast at Parteen, Co. Clare, to replace an existing mast at Ardnacrusha, by further testing of emissions from the existing mast. (Clare Champion 19/2/10, p. 16).

Local residents who opposed plans for a sewage plant at Ceibh an tSruthain, Carraroe, Co. Galway, have asked to meet local county councillors on foot of fears that the county council intends to reintroduce the proposal in the near future. (Connacht Tribune 19/2/10, p. 6).

Michael Fitzmaurice, chairperson of the Irish Turfcutters and Contractors’ Association, said this week that turfcutting will continue as usual this year, despite government plans to end turfcutting on 34,000 hectares of bog land on 32 raised bogs, mainly in the midlands and east Connacht. While an interdepartmental committee was set up last year to examine the issue, it has yet to report: the Vice President of the Connacht Branch of the IFA, who has called on Minister Gormley to allow turfcutting to continue, said that this failure to report suggested the committee’s establishment was intended only to give the impression of consultation. (Connacht Tribune 19/2/10, p. 27; Western people 16/2/10, p. 20).