Community voices deep concerns over latest windfarm proposal

Mayo Abbey residents have expressed their concerns that the development of a proposed windfarm in their area could led to the spread of an invasive plant species and have a negative impact on critically endangered species.

A public meeting was held last Thursday evening at Mayo Abbey Community Centre to discuss a proposal for a seven-wind turbine development, which includes a 110kV substation. Cunlaghfadda Green Energy has sought permission from Mayo County Council for the facility.

Meeting host Paul Derrig gave a presentation outlining some of the key concerns locals have with the proposal, how it may affect the landscape around Mayo Abbey and advised them to make submissions to the local authority outlining their concerns.

“These will be among the largest structures in county Mayo if they go up,” he said. “There are already five existing windfarms within 10km of the proposed site. How many windfarms can the landscape absorb before the historic character is fundamentally changed?” 

Mr Derrig said there would also be a “human cost” associated with this development arising from shadow flicker from the 160m high turbines. He said there were 90 homes that would be “sensitive” to shadow flicker, which he described as “unusually high” for a modern windfarm.

He said there was also an ecological threat associated with this application as it could impact species such as the curlew and the marsh fritillary butterfly which live in the bog around the Cunlaghfadda area.

Another local resident said they were fearful regarding a potential spread of the highly invasive plant Japanese Knotweed. The developer’s environmental impact assessment report (EIAR) indicates they intend to commit to an extensive treatment plan to deal with the Japanese Knotweed located at the south of the site, but this resident said they cannot see how the plant will “behave itself” during the construction process.

“It is located right across roads they plan to widen and I am worried. Japanese Knotweed is a problem that can get out of hand,” she said. “I cannot see how this plant will behave itself during construction. It could spread beyond the windfarm and into Mayo Abbey and out the Balla Road.

Concerns were also raised regarding the public consultation meeting held in the McWilliam Park Hotel in March, which was said to have been poorly advertised by the applicant and poorly attended as a result.

Another attendee expressed their fears that the energy being generated from this windfarm would be solely used to power data centres and that windfarms are being developed using 20-year-old national policy.

“Windfarm policy was written in 2006 and that is where the advice on shadow flicker comes from. It is disappointing that this is being railroaded onto us to benefit data centres,” he said.

The meeting was attended by a number of public representatives including Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh, Aontú TD Paul Lawless, local Independent councillors Richard Finn and Patsy O’Brien and Fine Gael councillor Donna Sheridan, who was the sole attendee associated with a Government party.

“There are no national planning guidelines, this is being done in the dark without proper structures or guidance,” said Deputy Conway-Walsh, who advised local residents to make a submission to Mayo County Council regarding this proposal.“It costs €20 but it might be the best €20 you could spend to have your voice heard. This is a serious situation,” she added.

“Communities are being run roughshod over,” said Deputy Lawless. "Deputy Conway-Walsh and I both supported legislation to put guidelines in place to protect families. Fair setback distances are not in place. If we don’t do something, this beautiful countryside will be destroyed."

Cllr Richard Finn said local communities "are being invaded" by windfarm companies.

“Communities are not being made equal partners in any of this and these applications are proving divisive in local communities.

“The only people in this area who won’t be affected by this are those up in the graveyard,” he added.

Cllr Patsy O'Brien bemoaned the absence of government representatives.

“They have a duty to be here tonight but they’re not."

Cllr Donna Sheridan said the area fell just outside her municipal district but she was happy to assist the local community.

“We need green energy but not anything that will disrupt people. Your real trump card here is the curlew and the butterfly, they are both protected under EU law and you would want to get an overall report on that.

“You all have a long road ahead. It is really hard in communities when you see things like these, they can get divisive.”