Fears over impact of turbines on beauty spot

Councillors have called on Mayo County Council to ensure that a wind farm development does not impinge on the view from a popular tourist destination.

A report on the 22-turbine Glenora wind farm, located near Ballycastle, came before last week’s meeting of Mayo County Council. An Bord Pleanála will decide on planning permission for the project with the local authority submitting its views on the development and any potential impact.

The proposed development is located approximately 6.5km southwest of Ballycastle village and 5km south of the Atlantic coast.

Cllr Jarlath Munnelly said the proposed location is quite an exposed site and he expressed concerns that views from Downpatrick Head could be impinged upon. He said if any turbines are visible from the popular viewing point and beauty spot then that needs to be addressed.

Cllr Munnelly said people trying to build houses in Ballycastle are subject to rigorous scrutiny by planners and the same rules need to apply to wind energy developments.

“We have invested a lot in this area and we cannot ruin it. We need to protect our views of the Wild Atlantic Way."

The Killala-based councillor said there is considerable anxiety in North Mayo around other wind energy projects, adding that the lack of proper guidelines is not aiding matters. Mayo County Council has been working off 2019 draft guidelines.

Cllr Michael Loftus said locals are concerned about the potential for bog slippage and archaeological impact on the nearby Céide Fields. He also raised the issue of how these large wind turbine blades will be transported to wind farms in Erris. Cllr Loftus said there is a fear in Crossmolina that buildings may need to be demolished if large-scale turbines have to travel through the town.