Environment

THE publication of new greenhouse gas emissions targets for agriculture has left Clare farmers feeling angry and let down by the government, according to a local farm leader. Clare Beef Plan chairman, Joe Woulfe, said local farmers fear the 25% cut in emissions by 2030 will led to a dramatic drop in production and income for producers at a time of spiralling input costs. Mr Woulfe said the government needs to outline in detail how it intends to implement these new targets without adversely impacting farmers’ incomes. “How can farmers continue to operate if they are hit with a 25% drop in their production and income. Farmers don’t have options like other sectors – they can’t drive around in electric tractors that don’t exist. “Farmers are very concerned about their future livelihoods. Inputs are increasing all the time uncontrollably. It is like we are heading for Brexit round two. “After Brexit, the price of beef dropped, but at least the …

A COMPANY planning the development of seven wind turbines on land to the east of Kilbane has pledged to provide more detailed information to residents over the coming months. EDF Renewables Ireland, which has confirmed plans to develop a 50MW wind farm, held a public consultation clinic on Tuesday, August 16 last when residents were invited to discuss their views and concerns with members of the project team. The proposed Lackareagh Wind Farm, which could power more than 35,000 homes, will be located in the townlands of Killeagy and Shannaknock. In an information leaflet provided to residents on Tuesday, the company stated it would be carrying out more detailed environmental studies at the site, including ecology, noise, landscape and visual assessments as well as measuring wind speeds. The results of these studies along with feedback gathered throughout consultation with communities will be used to determine the final turbine layout. The company will also be undertaking a transport and access study …

THE manager of a Parteen factory, which constructed a “100 metre tall wind turbine” that is “taller than the tower housing Big Ben in London” in the wrong place, has revealed their electricity costs have almost trebled over a 12-month period. An Enforcement Notice issued by Clare County Council on March 8, 2021 requested Limerick Blow Moulding to decommission and remove a wind turbine erected near the factory on or before Thursday, April 8, 2021 following an alleged breach of a planning permission condition. However, this wind turbine, which has attracted numerous planning objections from residents, two Clare deputies Cathal Crowe and Violet-Anne Wynne and Senator Timmy Dooley, is still in situ but is not operational. It has also been claimed by Deputy Crowe this wind turbine is “visually obtrusive” when viewed from local scenic areas including the Shannon River, St Thomas’s Island and King John’s Castle in Limerick City The company recently applied for retention permission for a revised …

IT is now highly likely that An Bord Pleanála will make the final decision on the proposed development of “Ireland’s largest solar farm” in South-East Clare after two residents vowed to appeal any planning approval granted by Clare County Council. If Reeve Wave Limited is refused a 10-year planning permission to develop a solar array at Ballyglass, Coolderry, Dromintobin North, Reanbrone and Oakfield townlands, Ardnacrusha, it also has the option of appealing any refusal to the independent appeals’ board. This proposal, which has been described as “Ireland’s largest solar farm” by the Blackwater Concern Solar Group (BCSG) has prompted a series of submissions from 22 residents, and well known environmentalist Peter Sweetman of Wild Ireland Defence CLG and Others. Listed as signatories were Paula Reidy, Bunratty; Denis and Rose O’Donnell, Blackwater; Stephanie and Alan Higgins, Blackwater; Eunice Randle, Coolderra, Ardnacrusha; Michael and Mary Clery, Blackwater; Keith Larkin, Clonlara village; Susanne O’Dalaigh, Blackwater; Liam and Rachel Mannix, Oakfield, Clonlara; Greg Larkin …

THE presence of a member of An Garda Siochána in Kilbane for a so-called protest that never materialised against a proposed wind farm left a sour taste among residents who gathered to attend a public consultation clinic on Tuesday evening. One Garda stood in the village during the information clinic that was organised by EDF Renewables and a second Garda came in a different vehicle for a brief period before departing shortly afterwards when it was patently clear there was no sign of any public demonstration. A member of An Garda Siochána from Tulla Garda Station told the Clare Champion he was tasked earlier that day to maintain a Garda presence in Kilbane for a planned protest. Acknowledging there was no sign of any public demonstration, he said that he couldn’t leave the village until he was sure everything was ok. He left before the consultation clinic finished at 7pm. EDF Renewables organised a public consultation clinic in a mobile …

Deputy Cathal Crowe has called on the government to publish long-awaited new planing guidelines for wind turbines without any further delay. Frustration is growing among communities throughout Clare who have major misgivings about the proliferation of wind turbines and the ongoing delay in updating the 2006 national wind energy guidelines. In fact, the government commenced a public consultation process on these guidelines on December 12, 2019. In November 2019, Deputy Crowe recalled they were due to come before the Dáil for ratification but these draft guidelines were not brought into law and have sat on Minister Eamon Ryan’s desk. “I raised this at a Fianna Fáil parliamentary party and I was backed up by a number of rural deputies. “The National Guidelines on Wind Energy date back to 2006, which are outdated and not fit for purpose. “New wind farm guidelines are absolutely vital, no matter what side of the fence you are on. If you want a proliferation of …

FIFTEEN conditions were attached to the decision to grant planning permission to Art Data Centres, one of which is that it pays over €2 million to Clare County Council. The chief executive’s order stated that prior to the commencement of the development, the developer/applicant “shall pay a contribution of €2,137,320 to Clare County Council in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the Planning Authority”. It added, “At the time of payment, the contribution will be subject to any applicable adjustment in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Planning Authority’s development contribution scheme in place at the time of payment.” The planning permission is for a period of ten years from it being granted. Another condition is that prior to commencement, the developer shall submit a schedule of mitigation measures, as identified in its Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Waste Management Plan, in a completed and phased Construction Environmental Management Plan and Waste Management …

THE development of a €450 million data centre on the outskirts of Ennis moved closer this week, as Clare County Council granted it planning permission. Environmental group Futureproof Clare described the Council’s decision as “abhorrent” and on Wednesday a spokesman told The Champion they would appeal it to An Bord Pleanála and that others who had objected to the development will do likewise. Art Data Centres is behind the planning application, which it says will generate up to 450 permanent jobs when fully operational, with up to 1,200 in the construction phase along with 600 in support services. It would be located just off the main Ennis-Tulla road and would also be easily accessible from the M18. Clare County Council has been enthusiastic about the development of a data centre at the site for a number of years and in 2019  it amended the County Development Plan to facilitate one. At the time the Council’s Director of Economic Development Liam …