Coore windfarm refusal welcomed by residents

RESIDENTS in West Clare have issued a cautious welcome to planning refusal for a scaled-down proposed windfarm to the west of Slieve Callan.
McMahon Finn Wind Acquisitions Limited was refused planning permission to erect six wind turbines, with a hub height of 85m and rotor diameter of 82m, electrical substation and control building, internal road, system, borrow pits, temporary construction compound and all associated site works at Coore West, Shanavogh East and West.
An application for 12 wind turbines with hub height of 85m and rotor diameter of 71m, which was submitted by the company on the same site last year, was deemed incomplete by the planning authority.
In a statement to The Clare Champion, a residents’ spokesperson said they are cautiously optimistic by the council’s decision to refuse planning permission.
“This development would have placed very large industrial turbines too close to our homes and we are pleased with the council’s acknowledgement of our concerns about proximity to homes, noise, loss of amenity and property values,” she stated.
Having regard to the scale of the proposed development, the location of the site on relatively open lands in proximity to existing residential properties, the noise generated from the proposed wind turbines and from the construction of the proposed development, the council ruled the proposed development might seriously injure the amenities of residential property due to noise and visual overbearing.
The authority claimed the development would pose an unacceptable risk to water quality standards in the receiving watercourse, would be prejudicial to public health and impact surrounding surface waters.
It stated it wasn’t satisfied the development, by itself or in conjunction with existing and permitted windfarm developments in the vicinity, would not have a significant adverse ecological impact on the foraging ground of the hen harrier and may also negatively impact on species and habitats in the area.
Concern about the impact on bat species in the area was also expressed by the authority, which stated its dissatisfaction with the width and alignment of the proposed haul route and the risk of endangering traffic safety on the regional road.
Commenting on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), it stated inadequate information was provided concerning burrow holes, peat depths, architectural heritage, carrying capacity on the Coore Road, potential of shadow flicker and potential location of wells in the vicinity.
In total, 44 objections were received by the local authority. Objectors claimed the development would have a negative impact on residential amenities and expressed concern about the adequacy of the EIA, assessment on ground and surface water, noise and shadow flicker, property values, the hen harrier, the proposed haulage route, views towards the Atlantic Ocean and Cliffs of Moher, tourist numbers and the Coore Community Scheme, which provided a mains water connection to dwellings.
Planning documents revealed there were 27 occupied dwellings within 820m of the site, of which 14 are located within 500m.
A letter provided to the council on July 5 last by the agents for the development, Inis Environmental Consultants Limited, stated it had been contacted by numerous people who wanted to voice their support for the wind farm proposal.
“Seventy-nine people from the immediate area signed a petition stating they would like to see the project go ahead and support it fully. The support from the locality and not from the people involved with the project, illustrates the more accurate picture of local sentiment towards the proposed development,” said Inis managing director, Howard Williams.
In a submission to the council, Deputy Michael McNamara stated he supported the need for renewable energy and the aim of the County Development Plan to create a low-carbon county.
Having met some residents in the area, Deputy McNamara said householders believed the proposed separation distances were inadequate and related to much smaller turbines.
“This close proximity, if permitted, may give rise to serious issues, concerning noise, shadow flicker, low frequency vibration and otherwise detract from the residential amenities of the area affecting the health of those living in close proximity. It may also result in a devaluation of their property.
“In relation to noise, the proposal may breach the Department of Environment’s wind energy guidelines to local authorities, which recommend noise levels of no greater than 35-40 dBA adjacent to homes. A level of 42 dBA is conservatively predicted by the applicants,” he said.
“As this noise will be equally present day or night, it is an even greater concern as the World Health Organisation recommends that noise levels don’t exceed 30 dBA at night time.
Most of the residents support, in principle, developments of this nature once their needs and rights are respected in a fair manner,” he added.
Efforts  by The Clare Champion to contact a company spokesman concerning its next move proved unsuccessful.