This article is from page 7 of the 2006-08-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
PLANS have been lodged for a €10 million windfarm midway between the village of Connolly and Kilmihil by Cork-based company, DP Energy Ltd.
The planned six-turbine windfarm is an extension to existing 15-turbine windfarm that became operational last year. It is the first time in two years that planning permission has been lodged for a windfarm in Clare.
Already, within 10km of the proposed development, there are 62 wind-turbines consented to or built.
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.
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. The EIS states that the proposal is not within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), although there is one National Heritage Area (NHA) protecting an area of blanket bog identified adjacent to the site.
“The overall quality and ecodiversity of the habitat has diminished over time as a result of the peat extraction and intensive forestry practices…it is a speciespoor area,” the statement adds.
The EIS points out that the dominant habitat at the proposed extension site is intensive coniferous plantation and that the ecological value of the area has diminished over the years. Blanket bog is confined to the eastern section of the section and consists of five hectares.
The statement concludes that the development will not in any way negatively impact on the Blanket Bog habitat.
It also pointed out that a nineturbine extension to the site was considered, but developers felt that a smaller extension to the current layout would be the best option and avoid unnecessary impact on the Hen Harrier population.
A decision is due on the application later this year.