*Signs opposing the development in Broadford.
191 valid submissions have been made to An Bord Pleanála regarding Ørsted’s plans to construct 11 wind turbines in Oatfield.
A freedom of information request has revealed that a total of 191 valid submissions have been received by An Bord Pleanála prior to the deadline of February 19th for the Oatfield development. The Broadford to Oatfield Windfarm Action Group had been formed in advance of this deadline to assist local residents with their submissions.
To make a submission costs €50 so the planning authority have obtained €9,550 in relation to observations on this development alone.
An Bord Pleanála’s strategic infrastructure development (SID) team are handling the case, a spokesperson confirmed. The case is due to be decided by June 26th of this year.
Surveying for the project began in 2016, a spokesperson for Ørsted confirmed to The Clare Echo. As it is a strategic infrastructure project, Ørsted was required to prepare a comprehensive planning application for Oatfield Wind Farm to An Bord Pleanála for assessment. This consisted of four parts, planning application documents, drawings, an environmental impact assessment, and a natura impact assessment and was submitted to the planning authority in December with a non-technical summary document of 70 pages.
All five elected members of the Killaloe Municipal District made a submission to the planning authority on the development.
Broadford residents, Theresa and Patrick O’Connell detailed how they were listed as an associate dwelling for the project. “This is incorrect, we have not given any consent for our land to be used for delivery, access routes, turbines, connection cables or any other component of this wind farm development. Ørsted naming us as an associated dwelling has caused us a lot of anxiety and has caused upset with our close neighbours as we have been blamed as signing up for this development. It is incredibly upsetting”.
Principal of Broadford and Kilbane NS, Aonghus O’Brien expressed his worry on the impact of flicker and noise on their student population. There are 138 students and 17 staff at the primary school which has seven mainstream classes and one special class for children with autism. “In response to my concerns, last month I sought reassurances from Ørsted that the flicker and noise generated by the proposed wind farm would not impact the children in my school. The response I received from their portfolio department manager was wholly unsatisfactory”.
O’Brien continued, “it is patently obvious to us that Ørsted either do not have the technical information detailing the impact their windfarm will have on our school or chose not to shared it with me. That in my opinion is totally unsatisfactory”. A coach with the Limerick senior hurlers who previously represented Clare, Aonghus added, “It is obvious that flicker and noise are going to become a permanent feature of life in Broadford village and in our school if this project proceeds to construction. I am bringing to the board’s attention that if this project is allowed to proceed then the most vulnerable children in our community will have their school lives permanently changed for the worse”.
Autism spectrum disorder consultant, Dr Susan Crawford outlined, “As an autism and fundamental movement skill specialist I advocate daily for autistic children and adults to engage in quality movement programmes. Potential developments like these in such locations as Oatfield can negatively impact quality of life issues for the autistic community, its families and support networks. Hence, this development should be rejected”.
Paul and Linda Maher based in Broadford detailed that they are not a family opposed to renewable energy. “Our primary observations and concerns in relation to the Orsted Oatfield windfarm relate specifically to the possible impact on our daughter Kate who suffers from cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, visual impairment and seizures”. Their submission included an attached letter from Kate’s paediatric team.
Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) in his submission stated, “the proposed turbines are absolutely incredible in size for such a rural setting. In my travels as a public representative I have seen wind developments with turbines of this scale but they tend to be located in remote unpopulated areas. East Clare is not such a location and the proposed site is wholly unsuitable from a visual and environmental viewpoint”.
Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) believed the height of the turbines were “excessive” and that there were “visually obtrusive”. He expressed his belief that the planning conditions of Slieve Callan were not properly monitored or enforced.
Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) warned of “traffic chaos” during the construction phase. “ Building turbines on blanket bogs and sensitive uplands can cause peat slides, this was seen in Galway in 2003 where a massive peat slide resulted in large scale pollution including killing fish. A huge fine was placed on the Irish state plus €15,000 for each day it continued to operate”.
Opposition to the project was also flagged by the board of trustees at Sunyata Buddhist Centre and the 12 O’Clock Hills & Recreational Project. Emer O’Cearbhall of the Buddhist Centre’s board of trustees included a twenty page submission where she warned that the proposed development exhibits a concerning lack of specificity on critical elements such as visual and sound distribution, casting doubt on the thoroughness and accuracy of the impact evaluation.
‘Strong opposition’ was also voiced by the 12 O’Clock Hills project committee. “We urge the planning authority to consider the potential irreversible damage to natural beauty, safety and overall experience that the wind turbines would impose on this cherished community resource,” their submission detailed.
Users of the Buddhist Centre were among those to air their concerns with the potential development. Laois based, Vito Romito previously attended a three-day retreat in the locality and argued that the turbines be located more than 800m from the centre. Ennis woman, Maria Lockett stated, “I wish to protest most strongly with respect to the potential construction of the turbines for both the residence of the area and those using the centre now and for the future”.
Fáilte Ireland, Shannon Airport Authority, Air Nav Ireland and the Irish Aviation Authority also made submissions. The Shannon Airport Authority said it “fully supports the position and serious concern of Air Nav Ireland”. A representative of Fáilte Ireland noted that it was “important to consider the significance of the visual impacts on the potential amenity value” and the proximity of the development to the 12 O’Clock Hills.
An aviation review statement has “highlighted a number of potential safety issues,” the Irish Aviation Authority stated. These “could negatively impact the existing systems put in place by Air Nav Ireland and used for the safe provision of an air traffic management service in order to maintain the separation and safety of aircraft operating within the State”.
Representatives of the Broadford to Oatfield Windfarm Action Group were among those to raise their concerns with the planning authority. Jim Fitzgerald of Oatfield said the community liaison officers attached to the companies were “evasive at best and no up-front, truthful or fair in their dealings with the general community of Oatfield or Broadford”. Describing himself as a “keen environmentalist,” Broadford’s Alex O’Connor warned, “This is not a plan led development but rather an opportunistic attempt to access a power grid connection which will be shared with Ballycar and Knockshanvo”.
Disruption to drainage, daylight, health, drinking water, hillside and well-being were among other areas flagged by persons from Broadford, Kilmore, Limerick, Sixmilebridge and Bridgetown.
