Stewart distances himself from West Clare windfarm

RTÉ presenter and award-winning architect, Duncan Stewart has requested the developers of a proposed wind farm in West Clare to cease using his name and photograph in future publicity literature.
McMahon Finn Wind Limited said this week, however, that a leaflet, delivered to 40 residents in the Shanvogh and Coore areas in Mullagh, containing photographs of Duncan Stewart at an information meeting, with the developers and at a wind measurement device “was never intended to be a promotional leaflet but rather a genuine effort to convey information to the local community”.
Mr Stewart provided a talk as an unpaid guest on the need for Irish wind farms to be community led with sharing of benefits for local people at a public consultation meeting organised by McMahon Finn Wind Limited in Miltown Malbay in July.
This meeting was held before Clare County Council recently invalidated plans for a 390-foot 12-turbine wind farm in Shanavogh and Coor, Mullagh near Miltown Malbay. The proposed development is located about two miles from a €200 million Mount Callan wind farm, which was granted planning permission by the county council and has now been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
Having visited the site of the wind farms in Shanavogh and Coor, Mr Stewart discovered a number of houses would be clearly affected by the development.
After his talk, he met residents who expressed their serious reservations and he felt they appeared to be very genuine, reasonable and balanced in their comments.
Before he left that evening, the developers agreed with him to move the turbines that were causing concern to acceptable distances from the houses.
The developers subsequently delivered an information leaflet to 40 residents containing photographs of Duncan Stewart at the information meeting, with the developers and at a wind measurement device.
It stated, “Duncan Stewart, champion of wind energy in Ireland introduced this project vision at our public meeting on July 20. He expressed the need for change and outlined the many benefits of becoming involved in such an initiative. At this meeting, we committed to providing further information on community involvement in this project.”
Mr Stewart, who is not commercially involved with the company, told The Clare Champion many residents remain very upset with this project and as it stood it was not a community wind farm that he had envisaged.
He hoped the council’s recent decision would provide some breathing space for all outstanding issues to be resolved between the parties.
Having met the three developers, Ronan McMahon, Bobby Finn and Pat Taylor, Mr Stewart described them as three very genuine people who really cared about doing the right thing.
He understood that Mr McMahon was originally from part of the land in question and while he no longer lived there, his parents’ farm comprised of part of the development.
However, he claimed the developers hadn’t kept him informed of the progress concerning outstanding issues before they lodged their planning application.
“Unless an amicable and fair resolution is achieved before the developers re-lodge for planning, I will have no wish to lend my support or endorse their project.
“I hope this issues can be resolved in a satisfactory manner. It would be a great tragedy if this community became split. Understandably, where some very decent farming families may be lucky to realise a small portion of the benefits accruing from this project, it would be a tragedy that they be set against their close friends and neighbours who based on unfolding circumstances, may feel hopelessly trodden on and find their rights and concerns to be disregarded and abused.
“I passionately feel for all those residents concerned. I still hold enough belief in Ronan, Bobby and Pat to resolve this and I remain somewhat confident that a solution will be found before this planning application progresses any further.
The promoters of the Coor-Shanovogh wind farm stated they were committed to the development and implementation of their wind energy project in West Clare.
In a statement to The Clare Champion, McMahon Finn Wind Limited stressed it appreciated and valued the advice and support of wind expert Duncan Stewart.
Following the public meeting on July 20 last, the developers altered the proposed wind farm plan, removing three turbines and extending the distance from houses at the request of Mr Stewart arising from consultations with some concerned householders.
There are a number of shareholdings models under which the local community can become financially involved.
The developers explained after discussions it was felt that the current proposed format was most beneficial to the local community in that it didn’t involve any financial outlay for their shareholding.
“The promoters have made every effort to consult with local individuals, keeping them advised and informed of design improvements and the progress of the project.
“The inclusion of Duncan Stewart in this information leaflet in September was a way of communicating his enthusiasm and commitment to the wind energy industry and sharing his expertise in this sector.
“It was never intended to be a promotional leaflet but rather a genuine effort to convey information to the local community,” the statement said.
“Ducan came to the public information meeting on July 20 in a supportive capacity to share his experience and knowledge of the importance of wind energy in Ireland’s future.
“Duncan does not have any shareholding or commercial involvement in the company. McMahon Finn Wind Limited will continue to be accessible, open and transparent in all its deliberations and actions in respect of this project,” added the statement.