This article is from page 15 of the 2006-09-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
THE Department of the Environment has requested that the developers of a €10 million wind farm in mid-Clare put in place measures to protect Hen Harriers, which are protected under the EU Habitats Directive.
In a submission to Clare County Council, the department has stated that owing to the sensitivity of the general area for the Hen Harrier and the presence of at least one Hen Harrier on the next site, it is recommended that there should be ongoing monitoring of Hen Harrier populations in the area.
The department also made the recommendations on the number and size of windfarms in the area.
The department has also stated that the windfarm should be designed to avoid areas of deep peat, even if these areas are modified by afforestation or drainage.
The proposal has also received one objection from Noel McGuane.
He told the council that the proposed extension to the existing wind-farm would seriously alter the format of the existing windfarm in the area.
Mr McGuane said that some of the turbines were very close to Lough Nan, which is the main water supply for over 2,000 homes.
The planned six-turbine wind-farm is an extension to a wind-farm that became operational last year. It is the first time in two years that planning permission has been lodged for a wind-farm in Clare with the council.
Already, within 10km of the proposed development, there are 62 wind-turbines consented to or built.
The existing 15-turbine windfarm at the site is only the second windfarm in Clare – the other is located at Moanmore, outside Kilrush.
Five years ago, DP Energy secured planning permission for the proposal in the face of strong local opposition and only after An Bord Pleanala disregarded the recommendation of its own inspector and granted planning permission.
The appeals board gave the plan the goahead, citing the National Development Plan in relation to the development of renewable energy and the national strategy on sustainable development.
According to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the new plan, the closest village to the proposal is Lissycasey at 6km, while the closest house is 700 metres away.
A decision is due on the application later this month.