'Totally unacceptable' - Clarity sought by locals on divisive Kilkenny issue

Independent councillor Maurice Shortall received widespread support at May’s Plenary meeting of Kilkenny County Council as he called on the local authority to request the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne to publish updated planning guidelines for wind turbine developments.

It’s a move which has been held in reserve since 2006.

"This has been a divisive matter in communities across the country and needs to be published now, not only for the benefit of Kilkenny but for the benefit of the entire country," Cllr Shortall said.

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Cllr Tomas Breathnach 'wholeheartedly' supported the motion, stating, 'all bodies are deserving of having one set of clear guidelines'.

Cllr John Brennan also voiced his support, claiming the process as it stands is 'creating a lot of hassle'.

"A lot of these proposals are dividing communities and creating a lot of hassle," he said, adding the guidelines should be published 'once and for all'.

"I think it’s totally unacceptable that the minister would have something sitting on his desk for that length of time considering all the controversy we have with windfarms," independent, Cllr Eugene McGuinness remarked, criticising the poor information available to all parties meaning they cause 'so much trouble' in his view.

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