Hydro or off-shore alternatives?

MOUNTIVERS resident Rita McInerney, who was opposed to the proposed development of a windfarm in Doonbeg, has expressed support for the An Bórd Pleanála decision to reject the development.

“Obviously, I’m supportive of the decision. I think the scale of the development was too immense for the locality. I would be in favour of renewable energy in various forums but we already have seven windfarms and planning permission for another six in the general area,” she said on Wednesday.

“There is a also a development over by Doolough Lake, which has proven quite successful, from what I can gather. There are other options when it comes to renewable energy in terms of hydro and off-shore that should be explored. We need to look at the resources that we have in terms of our tourism and our landscape and what is for the common good. I don’t think we should look at one thing and let that be the be all and end all. Further to that, it seemed to contravene the development plan that is in place for the county. In that respect, it made no sense,” Ms McInerney added. 

“We have other resources that we need to protect and develop but I don’t think it is the end of renewable energy as a resource. I think we have to look at it a bit more holistically and at different options rather than put all of our eggs in one basket. I just thought that the scale and the size of the development was inappropriate,” she suggested.

Meanwhile, Miltown Malbay county councillor Christy Curtin believes the decision of An Bórd Pleanála to reject the development of a windfarm in Doonbeg should be respected, as it was arrived at by an independent body.

“I didn’t come down for or against the project from the start but I did say that I would wait for An Bórd Pleanála to give their adjudication. I think there was a full and comprehensive evaluation carried out by An Bórd Pleanála, with the added bonus of a full oral hearing. They are an independent planning authority,” Councillor Curtin told The Clare Champion.

He said he attended some of the oral hearing, held earlier this year in Spanish Point.

“I attended one session of the oral hearing and I thought it was very well conducted. We have to trust the independent body such as this to make a fair decision and give it fair consideration. I think in that context, there was a fair evaluation, from what I could gauge,” Councillor Curtin concluded.

Efforts by The Clare Champion to secure a statement from Clare Coastal Wind Power Limited proved unsuccessful at the time of going to press.