Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has voiced his concerns regarding the planning of the wind farm that Gaoi an Iarthar Teo are proposing to build in Leitir Mucú and Doire an Fhéich, Costelloe, Co. Galway. He said “We are in favour of green energy but I am most concerned about the planning process, what will happen if planning is given, employment aspects, the height of the turbines, the noise that will be disruptive, and I am especially concerned about how close the turbines will be to the residents homes’’ He also said “Any development that is planned in a community should only go ahead if it has the whole backing of the community’’.
A public meeting was held in Halla Pobail Chamuis on Wednesday 26 Sept 2012 to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a proposed wind farm by Gaoi an Iarthar Teo to build 13 turbines, 135m high in the townlands of Leitir Mucú and Doire an Fhéich, Casla, Co. na Gaillimhe. A local community action group has been set up to scrutinise the plans of the wind farm proposed by Gaoi an Iarthar Teo.
The community is worried about many aspects regarding the planning process, and the company itself Gaoi an Iarthar Teo. Maryann Uí Chadhain, a local resident, said, “We don’t even know who Gaoi an Iarthar Teo are, we don’t know who their directors are, and if you search them on the internet, there isn’t even a website for ‘Gaoi an Iarthar Teo” She also said “The turbines will be 135 metres in height, and will be erected close to people’s homes in Leitir Mucú and Doire an Fhéich. Such a large scale wind farm development will drastically alter and damage the landscape that is a trademark for Connemara’’ It is understood that 48 loads of concrete will be needed for one foundation for one turbine and 13 turbines are planned for this area.
Gaoi an Iarthar Teo is offering a community fund totalling over €1.1 million over a twenty year period to 12 organisations within a ten mile radius of the proposed wind farm pending planning approval. The initial fund would be €250,000 with yearly additions of €50,000. When this money is divided between 12 organisations, each would receive around €20,000 each in the first year and approx. €4,500 thereafter. Is this the price for the beauty and scenic views of Leitir Mucú and Doire an Fhéich?
Residents are worried that once planning permission is given for this development the landscape of Connemara will be covered with wind farms. The people also believe that they are been given empty promises such as jobs and better economic prospects that will not materialise. This scenic area has been designated by Galway County Council in their Wind Energy Strategy as a “location in principle” suitable for wind farms. However, one single large turbine will alter the natural landscape moreover; the cumulative effect of a large wind farm such as this will drastically transform and damage
the landscape.
The change in sound will be disruptive to the resident community going about their daily routine. Homeowners who live close enough to a wind farm are facing sleep disturbances related to the constant noise and hum from a wind farm. These interruptions in sleep can also lead to other health-related problems. The nearest house to the turbine is approx. 500m away. There is no clear guideline for distances from turbines. Other countries have distances of 2km as a guideline. Senator John Kelly from Roscommon is trying to set a guideline of 1.5km. It was debated as a private members bill in the Seanad recently.
The Galway County Development plan has set out landscape sensitivity and character areas. The area where the wind farm is proposed is in an area with character and sensitivity classed as ‘High’ class 3 on a scale from 1-5. Issues relating to the value of homes such as scenic views or remoteness, and a quiet location, will deteriorate. Because of this change in environment, location and lifestyle, homeowners may see a loss in their property value. Also, such a large scale construction will change the local environment and also alter the local ecosystems and will displace wildlife in the area. In addition, local vegetation will be removed and permanently damaged. Loch Gleannach Muireann where our future water supply is coming from is in the watershed of this development and is therefore at risk.
Dúirt Seanadóir Shinn Féin, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh go bhfuil amhras air féin maidir le togra fuinneamh gaoithe atá dhá phleanáil le haghaidh ceantar Leitir Mucú agus Doire an Fhéich i gConamara. Dúirt sé ‘Tá Sinn Féin agus formhór an phobal i bhfabhar fuinneamh glas, ach tá an-imní orm faoin
bpróiséis & na polasaithe pleanála a bhaineann leis na cineál forbairtí seo. Tá amhras ar dhaoine faoi cé atá taobh thiar de na feilmeacha, na spriocanna fostaíochta áitiúla, airde na dtuirbíní, an torann a bhéas uathu agus go háirithe cé chomh gar agus a bheidh siad do na tithe. Má tá forbairtí mar seo le dul ar aghaidh ba cheart go mbeadh tacaíocht iomlán aige ón bpobal ina mbeidh siad agus ní léír dom go bhfuil sé sin ann’.
‘Bhí cruinniú poiblí ar siúl i Halla Phobail Chamuis an tseachtain seo caite, le plé a dhéanamh ar na buntáistí agus na mí-bhuntáistí a bhaineann leis an bhfeilm muillte gaoithe atá dhá phleanáil i Leitir Mucú, ina dtógfar trí turbín gaoithe déag, céad tríocha cúig méadar ar airde ag comhlacht darb ainm ‘Gaoi an Iarthair teo.’. Tá coiste curtha le chéile ag muintir na háite chun scrúdú grinn a dhéanamh ar an iarratas pleanála atá dhá bheartú ag ‘Gaoi an Iarthar teo.’’, a deir Ó Clochartaigh.
‘Dúirt bean áítiúil a bhí i láthair, Maryann Uí Chadhain, ‘Níl a fhios againn go díreach cé hiad féin, Tá imní orm mar gheall nach bhfuil fiú suíomh idirlíne ag an gcomhlacht seo, níl a fhios againn cé hiad na stiúrthóirí, agus níl cumarsáid ar bith déanta acu le pobal na háite’. Dúirt Maryann freisin, ‘Ní hamháin sin, ach tá na tuirbíní gaoithe 135 méadar ar airde, chomh gar do na tithe, beidh áilleacht agus radharcanna na háite míllte acu, radharc a bhfuil clú agus cáil Chonamara leis. Tuigtear go dteastóidh 48 ualach stroighin le haghaidh tuirbín amháin agus tá 13 acu dhá phleanáil le cur ann.
Tá imní ar Ó Clochartaigh faoi na seifteanna atá in úsáíd ag an gcomhlacht leis an bpobal áitiúil a mhealladh. Dar leis, ‘Táthar ag gealladh 1.1 milliún euro a thabhairt do 12 eagraíocht atá i bhfoisceacht 10 míle do na tuirbíní thar thréimhse scór bliain. Sin €250,000 don chéad bhliain agus €50,000 chuile bhliain ina dhiaidh sin. B’fhearr liom go bhfágfaí geallúintaí den chineál seo as an áireamh go dtí go mbeidh an proiséas pleanála thart. B’fhearr liom go mbeadh daoine ar son, nó i gcoinne an fhorbairt bunaithe ar fhiúntas an togra. Tá sé ró-éasca cur i leith na comhlachta gur cineál
‘breabaireacht’ atá i gceist, agus bíodh sin fíor nó bréagach sin an tuairim a bheidh ag cuid mhaith daoine’,
'Tá daoine ag rá liom freisin go bhfuil imní orthu chomh maith, má fhaightear cead pleanála le haghaidh na muillte gaoithe seo, nach mbeidh ann ach a thús agus go mbeidh an áit brataithe leo amach anseo’, dar leis an Seanadóir. ‘Dúradh sa gcruinniú gur geallúintí folamh atá dhá thabhairt ag na forbróirí maidir le postanna agus borradh eacnamaíochta. Bhí daoine den dtuairim gur baoite atá ann chun an pobal a mhealladh. Tá an ceantar álainn seo luaite ag Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe mar cheantar gur feidir feirm muilte gaoithe a thógáil ann ‘i bprionsabal. Measann cuid mhaith de mhuintir na háite go n-athróidh tuirbín gaoithe amháin an radharc tíre go brách, gan trácht air go leor acu a bheith i mullach a chéile ann’.
‘Tá an pobal imníoch maidir le cúrsaí sláinte de freisin. Dar leo, cuirfear isteach ar chodladh na hoíche de bharr torann na dtuirbíní agus d’fhéadfadh sé seo fadhbanna sláinte a chruthú. Beidh an teach is gaire tuairim cúig chéad méadar ó na tuirbíní gaoithe. I dtíortha eile is dhá chiliméadar an t-achar is gaire gur feidir letuirbín gaoithe a bheith do theach. Tá an Seanadóir John Kelly ó Ros Comáin ag iarraidh go mbeadh míle go leith idir theach agus tuirbín gaoithe i mbille
príobháideach atá tugtha os comhair an Oireachtais aige’.
‘Sa bPlean Forbartha Contae tá rangú tírdhreach áilleachta ‘Árd’ ag an gceantar seo, uimhir a 3 ar scála ó 1 go 5’, a deir Ó Clochartaigh. ‘Tá muintir na háite den dtuairim go bhfuil contúirt ann go dtitfidh luach na dtithe mar gheall ar an athrú mór a thiocfas ar an dtimpeallacht. Dar leo, beidh radharcanna athraithe, iargúltacht agus ciúnas imithe agus gnath shaol na ndaoine curtha trína chéile, gan trácht ar an méid tógáil á bheas le déanamh a d’fheadfadh an imhshaol a athrú. Tá Loch Gleannach Muireann buailte air, áit a mbeidh soláthar uisce poiblí á fháil ag muintir an cheantair, ó Rosmuc go dtí an Cheathrú Rua, agus meastar go mbeidh sé sin é féin i mbaol’, a deir Ó Clochartaigh. ‘B’fhearr ag an bointe seo go dtarraingeodh an comhlacht an t-iarratas seo siar go dti go mbeidh plé níos leithne agus glacadh iomlán ag an bpobal áitiuil leis’.
A public meeting was held in Halla Pobail Chamuis on Wednesday 26 Sept 2012 to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a proposed wind farm by Gaoi an Iarthar Teo to build 13 turbines, 135m high in the townlands of Leitir Mucú and Doire an Fhéich, Casla, Co. na Gaillimhe. A local community action group has been set up to scrutinise the plans of the wind farm proposed by Gaoi an Iarthar Teo.
The community is worried about many aspects regarding the planning process, and the company itself Gaoi an Iarthar Teo. Maryann Uí Chadhain, a local resident, said, “We don’t even know who Gaoi an Iarthar Teo are, we don’t know who their directors are, and if you search them on the internet, there isn’t even a website for ‘Gaoi an Iarthar Teo” She also said “The turbines will be 135 metres in height, and will be erected close to people’s homes in Leitir Mucú and Doire an Fhéich. Such a large scale wind farm development will drastically alter and damage the landscape that is a trademark for Connemara’’ It is understood that 48 loads of concrete will be needed for one foundation for one turbine and 13 turbines are planned for this area.
Gaoi an Iarthar Teo is offering a community fund totalling over €1.1 million over a twenty year period to 12 organisations within a ten mile radius of the proposed wind farm pending planning approval. The initial fund would be €250,000 with yearly additions of €50,000. When this money is divided between 12 organisations, each would receive around €20,000 each in the first year and approx. €4,500 thereafter. Is this the price for the beauty and scenic views of Leitir Mucú and Doire an Fhéich?
Residents are worried that once planning permission is given for this development the landscape of Connemara will be covered with wind farms. The people also believe that they are been given empty promises such as jobs and better economic prospects that will not materialise. This scenic area has been designated by Galway County Council in their Wind Energy Strategy as a “location in principle” suitable for wind farms. However, one single large turbine will alter the natural landscape moreover; the cumulative effect of a large wind farm such as this will drastically transform and damage
the landscape.
The change in sound will be disruptive to the resident community going about their daily routine. Homeowners who live close enough to a wind farm are facing sleep disturbances related to the constant noise and hum from a wind farm. These interruptions in sleep can also lead to other health-related problems. The nearest house to the turbine is approx. 500m away. There is no clear guideline for distances from turbines. Other countries have distances of 2km as a guideline. Senator John Kelly from Roscommon is trying to set a guideline of 1.5km. It was debated as a private members bill in the Seanad recently.
The Galway County Development plan has set out landscape sensitivity and character areas. The area where the wind farm is proposed is in an area with character and sensitivity classed as ‘High’ class 3 on a scale from 1-5. Issues relating to the value of homes such as scenic views or remoteness, and a quiet location, will deteriorate. Because of this change in environment, location and lifestyle, homeowners may see a loss in their property value. Also, such a large scale construction will change the local environment and also alter the local ecosystems and will displace wildlife in the area. In addition, local vegetation will be removed and permanently damaged. Loch Gleannach Muireann where our future water supply is coming from is in the watershed of this development and is therefore at risk.
Dúirt Seanadóir Shinn Féin, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh go bhfuil amhras air féin maidir le togra fuinneamh gaoithe atá dhá phleanáil le haghaidh ceantar Leitir Mucú agus Doire an Fhéich i gConamara. Dúirt sé ‘Tá Sinn Féin agus formhór an phobal i bhfabhar fuinneamh glas, ach tá an-imní orm faoin
bpróiséis & na polasaithe pleanála a bhaineann leis na cineál forbairtí seo. Tá amhras ar dhaoine faoi cé atá taobh thiar de na feilmeacha, na spriocanna fostaíochta áitiúla, airde na dtuirbíní, an torann a bhéas uathu agus go háirithe cé chomh gar agus a bheidh siad do na tithe. Má tá forbairtí mar seo le dul ar aghaidh ba cheart go mbeadh tacaíocht iomlán aige ón bpobal ina mbeidh siad agus ní léír dom go bhfuil sé sin ann’.
‘Bhí cruinniú poiblí ar siúl i Halla Phobail Chamuis an tseachtain seo caite, le plé a dhéanamh ar na buntáistí agus na mí-bhuntáistí a bhaineann leis an bhfeilm muillte gaoithe atá dhá phleanáil i Leitir Mucú, ina dtógfar trí turbín gaoithe déag, céad tríocha cúig méadar ar airde ag comhlacht darb ainm ‘Gaoi an Iarthair teo.’. Tá coiste curtha le chéile ag muintir na háite chun scrúdú grinn a dhéanamh ar an iarratas pleanála atá dhá bheartú ag ‘Gaoi an Iarthar teo.’’, a deir Ó Clochartaigh.
‘Dúirt bean áítiúil a bhí i láthair, Maryann Uí Chadhain, ‘Níl a fhios againn go díreach cé hiad féin, Tá imní orm mar gheall nach bhfuil fiú suíomh idirlíne ag an gcomhlacht seo, níl a fhios againn cé hiad na stiúrthóirí, agus níl cumarsáid ar bith déanta acu le pobal na háite’. Dúirt Maryann freisin, ‘Ní hamháin sin, ach tá na tuirbíní gaoithe 135 méadar ar airde, chomh gar do na tithe, beidh áilleacht agus radharcanna na háite míllte acu, radharc a bhfuil clú agus cáil Chonamara leis. Tuigtear go dteastóidh 48 ualach stroighin le haghaidh tuirbín amháin agus tá 13 acu dhá phleanáil le cur ann.
Tá imní ar Ó Clochartaigh faoi na seifteanna atá in úsáíd ag an gcomhlacht leis an bpobal áitiúil a mhealladh. Dar leis, ‘Táthar ag gealladh 1.1 milliún euro a thabhairt do 12 eagraíocht atá i bhfoisceacht 10 míle do na tuirbíní thar thréimhse scór bliain. Sin €250,000 don chéad bhliain agus €50,000 chuile bhliain ina dhiaidh sin. B’fhearr liom go bhfágfaí geallúintaí den chineál seo as an áireamh go dtí go mbeidh an proiséas pleanála thart. B’fhearr liom go mbeadh daoine ar son, nó i gcoinne an fhorbairt bunaithe ar fhiúntas an togra. Tá sé ró-éasca cur i leith na comhlachta gur cineál
‘breabaireacht’ atá i gceist, agus bíodh sin fíor nó bréagach sin an tuairim a bheidh ag cuid mhaith daoine’,
'Tá daoine ag rá liom freisin go bhfuil imní orthu chomh maith, má fhaightear cead pleanála le haghaidh na muillte gaoithe seo, nach mbeidh ann ach a thús agus go mbeidh an áit brataithe leo amach anseo’, dar leis an Seanadóir. ‘Dúradh sa gcruinniú gur geallúintí folamh atá dhá thabhairt ag na forbróirí maidir le postanna agus borradh eacnamaíochta. Bhí daoine den dtuairim gur baoite atá ann chun an pobal a mhealladh. Tá an ceantar álainn seo luaite ag Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe mar cheantar gur feidir feirm muilte gaoithe a thógáil ann ‘i bprionsabal. Measann cuid mhaith de mhuintir na háite go n-athróidh tuirbín gaoithe amháin an radharc tíre go brách, gan trácht air go leor acu a bheith i mullach a chéile ann’.
‘Tá an pobal imníoch maidir le cúrsaí sláinte de freisin. Dar leo, cuirfear isteach ar chodladh na hoíche de bharr torann na dtuirbíní agus d’fhéadfadh sé seo fadhbanna sláinte a chruthú. Beidh an teach is gaire tuairim cúig chéad méadar ó na tuirbíní gaoithe. I dtíortha eile is dhá chiliméadar an t-achar is gaire gur feidir letuirbín gaoithe a bheith do theach. Tá an Seanadóir John Kelly ó Ros Comáin ag iarraidh go mbeadh míle go leith idir theach agus tuirbín gaoithe i mbille
príobháideach atá tugtha os comhair an Oireachtais aige’.
‘Sa bPlean Forbartha Contae tá rangú tírdhreach áilleachta ‘Árd’ ag an gceantar seo, uimhir a 3 ar scála ó 1 go 5’, a deir Ó Clochartaigh. ‘Tá muintir na háite den dtuairim go bhfuil contúirt ann go dtitfidh luach na dtithe mar gheall ar an athrú mór a thiocfas ar an dtimpeallacht. Dar leo, beidh radharcanna athraithe, iargúltacht agus ciúnas imithe agus gnath shaol na ndaoine curtha trína chéile, gan trácht ar an méid tógáil á bheas le déanamh a d’fheadfadh an imhshaol a athrú. Tá Loch Gleannach Muireann buailte air, áit a mbeidh soláthar uisce poiblí á fháil ag muintir an cheantair, ó Rosmuc go dtí an Cheathrú Rua, agus meastar go mbeidh sé sin é féin i mbaol’, a deir Ó Clochartaigh. ‘B’fhearr ag an bointe seo go dtarraingeodh an comhlacht an t-iarratas seo siar go dti go mbeidh plé níos leithne agus glacadh iomlán ag an bpobal áitiuil leis’.
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