Major council reaction to plans for wind turbines in 'scenic' area of Kilkenny

At a special plenary meeting of Kilkenny County Council held on Tuesday, local councillors strongly opposed a wind farm development that is awaiting a decision for planning permission in North Kilkenny.

The special meeting was held to review the Chief Executive’s report on a planning application made directly to An Bord Pleanála for twelve turbines at Ballynalackan, County Kilkenny.

Rowanmere Limited lodged plans for the development to the national planning body back in March.

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The twelve turbines are proposed to be located in the area of the Castlecomer Plateau between Castlecomer and Ballyragget, and south of Ballinakill.

The Chief Executive’s report raised a number of potential issues with the plans, including (but not limited to): noise and vibration, shadow flicker, proximity to housing, impact to residential amenity, impact on landscape, visual impact and potential traffic hazards.

The report also suggested a number of conditions that should be applied to application, should An Bord Pleanála decide to grant permission.

The floor of the council chamber was then opened to elected members, who were invited to have their own say, in the knowledge that their comments would be supplied to An Bord Pleanála, attached to the Chief Executive's report.

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick stated that the turbines would be ‘highly unsightly’ in ‘an area of natural beauty’ and that the road network in the area, which he described as 'scenic', is 'not suitable' to facilitate the construction of the development.

He also suggested that An Bord Pleanála hold an oral hearing in order to better gauge the views of those in the local area.

Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh agreed with the comments of Cllr Fitzpatrick.

“I can’t understand how any company would have the cheek to submit an application like this when in the past the council rejected a smaller previous development proposed in the area,” she said.

Cllr John Brennan referred to the area as ‘a tourist attraction’ with ‘great potential for the future’ and raised concerns about potential impacts to biodiversity and habitats in the area.

Cllr Eugene McGuinness stated that the issue should be dealt with by the local planning authority, and lamented the fact that the ultimate say on the development would lie with An Bord Pleanála.

“There is no doubt that it will destroy the area. An Bord Pleanála will have to listen,” he said.

Cllr Maurice Shortall said that he found it highly insulting as a local representative that external bodies would take it upon themselves to come into the area and try to ‘rule the roost’.

“This development would turn Castlecomer into a building site,” he said.

“If this goes ahead, we as a council have no say over our own mission statement.”

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Cllr Tomás Breathnach raised the ‘precedent’ set by a planning application submitted in 2003 for fewer turbines in the area that the council objected to - a decision that was subsequently upheld by An Bord Pleanála.

Cllr Maria Dollard stated that ‘we are out of time’ when it comes to addressing the climate crisis.

“It’s a very disappointing application given the deficiencies that have been pointed out in the Chief Executive’s report,” she added.

“It has too many serious shortcomings and shouldn’t be granted. We are not against renewables. We need more bio-energy solutions.”

Cllr Joe Malone raised his own concerns over potential health implications from wind farm developments, as well as the potential impact on property prices in implicated areas.

Cllr Seán Ó hÁrgáin stated that ‘days like today strengthen the argument for the livestreaming of these meetings’.

“This is a very deficient report,” he said, before raising his concerns around the delays in implementing draft national guidelines in relation to wind energy.

He also called for more grants and improved grants to be introduced for ordinary citizens in relation to solar energy, as well as for former grants to electric vehicles to be brought back.

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick proposed accepting the Chief Executive’s report in its entirety and (on behalf of all elected members) asking An Bord Pleanála to reject this application in its entirety. That was seconded by Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh, with no opposition.

An Bord Pleanála will now consider the entire report from the Chief Executive, which will include the commentary from the councillors, as part of its assessment of the proposed development.

More reaction to follow..

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