Doonbeg windfarm supporters in the majority

The proposed construction of a controversial €100 million windfarm in West Clare has attracted over twice as many supporters as objectors, it emerged this week.
The Clare Champion has learned the development of 45 wind turbines near Doonbeg by Clare Coastal Wind Power has prompted 1,970 signatures of support from based on a submission to An Bord Pleanála. This includes letters of support from over 129 businesses and virtually all of the traders in Doonbeg village. The Doonbeg Tourism and Marketing Group and members of Kilrush Rugby Club are also backing the proposed development.
However, the appeals board has also received a signed petition from 874 objectors, all of whom are over 18 years of age, against the development. This includes about 90 residents, who are employed at Doonbeg Golf and Lodge, and the petition primarily represents people living locally.
The proposed windfarm at Carrowmore South, Einagh, Monmore North, Doonbeg, Shragh, Mountrivers and Drumillihy would have 45 turbines, with a hub height of 85 metres and a rotor diameter of 82m.
The development would also include hard standings, a 110kv substation containing two control buildings, an electrical compound and a waste water holding tank, a new free span concrete bridge over the Doonbeg River, a permanent meteorological mast, a viewing tower, drainage and site works.
West Clare Railway Company managing director, Jackie Whelan warned in his submission, “The adverse visual impact of any extra turbines on the landscape will have such a devastating effect on the economy, community and amenity value of the area that the railway’s future development in the same district is placed in considerable doubt”.
“People will come once to see the windfarm but this is hardly the tourist potential being offered by the WCR and the development of activity holidays. Common sense alone, therefore, dictates that the detrimental visual effects that the windfarm will have on tourism will be severe.
“Any income gained by individual households from giving their permission to build a turbine on their land will not compensate them from property devaluation for a very long time, if ever,” he cautioned.
Michael Leahy, chartered architect and regional and urban planner, has made a comprehensive submission to the appeals’ board objecting to the development on behalf of a local group.
They include Ennis Chamber CEO, Rita McInerney, who lives in Mountrivers, Doonbeg; George and Anne Whelan, David and Kathy O’Gorman, John and Maeve O’Brien of Shragh, Doonbeg;Jeroen Bos and Astrid Adler of Monmore, John McGeorge of Doonmore, Doonbeg and Doonbeg footballers, Brian and Colm Dillon, who also live in Mountrivers, Doonbeg.

Two other Doonbeg footballers, Conor Whelan and Frank O’Dea, have also signed separate objections, which have been lodged with the appeals’ board.
In his wide-ranging submission, Mr Leahy claimed the windfarm doesn’t comply with the Clare Development Plan, wasn’t a sustainable development without a means of storage, would have a very significant impact on the unspoiled landscape, would adversely affect tourism, was contrary to national guidelines and best practice, result in property devaluation and nuisance for residents and presented a hazard for local helicopter aviation.
BirdWatch Ireland claimed in its submission insufficient information has been provided to assess the potential impacts on the whooper swan and Greenland white-fronted goose and other wild birds of national and international importance that use this region.
However, a number of residents have lodged submissions supporting the development. These householders noted 79 farmers will receive annual income from land leases, over 250 construction and 20 permanent jobs will be created for the 25-year lifetime of the development, while the provision of 135 megawatts of electricity would help Clare reach its renewable energy targets of 550 megawatts by 2020.
The company’s consultants, Jennings O’Donovan Consulting Engineers, Sligo, who prepared the planning application and EIS for the windfarm, noted the Irish Wind Energy Association’s (IWEA) analysis showed the wind energy sector in Ireland could support 1.5 jobs per megawatt.
It noted the development aims to generate about 423,000MWh of electricity annually enough to supply up to 72,450 households. The windfarm would indirectly, benefit the region by providing a power supply platform on which to develop industrial sectors. By displacing fossil fuel generation, the wind farm would avoid the annual discharges of 207,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent energy production from 77,280 tonnes of oil a year.
“Shragh windfarm is located in one of the best served grid infrastructural areas in Ireland and will connect with the existing robust infrastructure of the West Clare region.
“It is considered that, subject to the enforcement of all mitigation measures outlines in the EIS, the development of the wind farm and ancillary elements at Shragh and the surrounding townlands would not have a significant impact on the environment or amenity of the area,” they stated.