Windfarm will threaten 'visual integrity' of north Mayo coast
Mayo County Council call on An Coimisiún Pleanála to refuse planning for Tirawley Windfarm
Mayo County Council have called on An Coimisiún Pleanála to refuse planning for a windfarm in north Mayo which they believe will 'threaten the visual integrity' of the Ceide coast.
A report by the planning department of Mayo County Council has recommended to An Coimisiún Pleanála that they give full consideration to the potential adverse impacts the proposed Tirawley Windfarm will have on the north Mayo coast.
Constant Energy Ireland applied directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála for planning permission to develop a 16-turbine windfarm across seven sites between Ballycastle and Killala which will have an energy output of 68.8MW and have a 35-year operational life.
The matter came before the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council yesterday (Monday) afternoon where councillors supported a recommendation by senior planners that they would not be in favour of such a proposal at this location and asked An Coimisiún Pleanála not to give planning permission.
No local support
Killala-based councillor Jarlath Munnelly welcomed the council's recommendations saying that there was no local support for the project and if it gets the go ahead it will destroy tourism in north Mayo.
“Fundamentally this proposal would damage the spectacular natural landscape we have around Ceide, Downpatrick Head and Lacken, Kilcummin and Killala. It would have a huge negative impact on the householders who live in that location and I think this application would destroy the tourism market we have in north Mayo.
“Mayo County Council is a partner in the recently announced Wild Mayo Fáilte Ireland tourism plan for north Mayo which is a fantastic document. It is something we have been looking for for years and for long last north Mayo has a roadmap for the development of the tourism market in north Mayo. This project would be at variance with that and would ruin the work done in advancing the tourism market. It would impact on our beaches and our harbours and would undermine that part of Mayo.
“We cannot ride two bicycles at one time, we have to pick a bicycle. We will either have to support developing the area in industrial windfarms or support the tourism offering but you cannot support both. As a local authority we are backing the tourism offering,” he said.
Brendan Munnelly, the Senior Executive Planner with Mayo County Council, outlined the council's objections to the proposed windfarm and stated that granting the application will be a material contravention of the county development plan.
The report states that the location of the proposed development is in a visually sensitive landscape with many vulnerable features including the Céide Fields coastal landscape, Downpatrick head, Lacken Strand, Rathfran Priory, Killala and Moyne Friary.
Raised concerns
A submission from the Tourism, Recreation and Amenity section of the council raised concerns regarding the potential negative impact of the proposal on the Wild Atlantic Way. They stated that the introduction of industrial-scale infrastructure in this area would diminish the long-term value of the destination and threaten the visual integrity of Downpatrick Head, one of Ireland’s most iconic coastal landmarks.
“The planning department had pre-planning discussions with the applicants and once again we reiterated our opposition to the proposal. This would essentially be for the impact the five or six turbines would have around Lackanhill and Castlelackan which would have a severe detrimental impact on the coastline especially when viewed from Downpatrick Head,” said Mr Munnelly.
He also pointed out that only three of the proposed 16 turbines were located in an area designated for large windfarm developments with five located in undesignated open countryside.
Cllr Munnelly said he was also critical of the lack of public engagement from the developer in the locality and feels in the future, the local community should have a stake in projects of this scale.
Erris-based councillor Gerry Coyle also welcomed the report and recommendations saying that a new windfarm proposed for near Geesala will have an impact on the local landscape and there needed to be a rethink on the number of windfarms for the area.
“The Bellacorick area now with all the wind turbines is called 'the red light area' because of all the red lights on top of them. I think it is time for us to stand up and say enough is enough,” he said.
Ballina-based councillor John O'Hara said that the area is the wrong location for a windfarm while Cllr Harry Barrett said that the windfarms are being used to power datacentres around the country with no benefit to the local communities.
Sinn Féin councillor Gerry Murray told the meeting that there should have direct democratic accountability and ownership with the roll out of windfarms around the country and the State should take responsibility for windfarm development and not private companies.