Couple’s ‘life on hold’ for decade over windfarm plan

A West Clare couple have claimed they may have to “put their life on hold” for the next decade if An Bord Pleanála grants planning permission for a new €100 million windfarm.

John O’Brien and his wife, Maeve have revealed they are “on tenderhooks” over the possible impact of having 45 wind turbines just a short distance from their new home in Shragh.
They are deliberating whether or not to undertake minor home-improvements, such as constructing a patio area and feel trapped if the project does go ahead.
It could take at least six months before the appeal board makes its final decision. The couple then wondered how long it would take the company to get connected to the grid if it is approved.
Maeve explains all the uncertainty is causing them even more stress and anxiety. “We have to put our lives on hold for the next eight or 10 years. We will find it extremely difficult to sell our house if we wanted to move.
“This issue isn’t just affecting Doonbeg, Kilrush and Cooraclare. A lot of Clare has been zoned acceptable in principle for wind turbines. It looks as if the only way to escape living near an industrial windfarm is to live in the middle of a town.
“I am from the countryside and I want to live in the countryside. John came from the town and wanted to live in the countryside. Even if we did manage to move, what will stop the same thing from happening again if we move to another part of the countryside,” she asked.
The couple moved into their new home in August 2009 just before the Clare Wind Energy Strategy was changed in December.
John said he can’t understand how it is appropriate to have 58 turbines stretching from Morrissey’s Pub in Doonbeg to Tullabrack, or why 45 turbines could be allowed in a locality where it is zoned for medium-sized windfarms of up to 11 turbines.
He is extremely concerned about the 82m hub height of the new turbines, considering the height of the 102m ones in Monmore.
He said he is also at a loss to understand how shadow flicker is calculated, considering his house will experience, according to the developers, about 5.2 hours of actual flicker in a worst case scenario per year compared to under 18 hours for a neighbouring house.
According to the EIS, shadow flicker will not affect residents if they have blinds. John has queried if this means they will have to close their blinds during the summer? If the current developers sell on the project to international investors in the event of planning approval, Maeve wondered who residents contact in the event of a problem with noise, shadow flicker or other issues.
Having worked in tourism-related industries since she was 15, the hotel and catering management graduate said she doesn’t believe a proposed viewing tower will attract visitors to the area.
“People come to West Clare for peace and quiet and not to be looking at industrial turbines. Businesses who are supporting this project stand to profit in some way but I don’t think they would be so happy if it was outside their back door.
“While some new jobs will be created in construction, others will be lost because no new houses will be built in this area. If we knew this project was going ahead, we would not have bought this house,” she explained.
While the couple are hoping to start a family, they said they are extremely worried about some research claiming wind turbines can cause photo sensitivity in children, which may lead to epilepsy.
John insisted if they do have children that they will not be attending Shragh National School if plans go ahead for 45 turbines and a main substation behind the school.
“A lot of people are only finding out about the windfarm now. People who have expressed their support weren’t aware of the sheer size or scale of the windfarms.
“Landowners have signed confidentiality agreements and are not allowed to say anything to their neighbours. A lot of people who supported the project said ‘no, that is not going here’ when they saw the map where they will be located.”
While the couple support wind and green energy, they are extremely concerned about the prospect of looking at 16 turbines behind their house and another 29 to the right of their front door.
The couple also noted the divisions the project has already created between those supporting and objecting to it. They also urged West Clare residents to log on the rural protection group’s website www.ruralprotectiongroup.com and make submission to An Bord Pleanála before the closing date on January 6.
A Clare Coastal Wind ­Power Limited spokesman told The Clare Champion the company would not be commenting and would leave the decision to An Bord Pleanála.