Mayo wind turbines would dwarf Statue of Liberty
The wind turbines would tower over the Statue of Liberty or the former power station in Bellacorick.
A Mayo councillor has produced a graphic that shows the height and scale of the wind turbines proposed for a contentious windfarm development in the county.
Cllr Gerry Coyle has highlighted how the 180m turbines proposed for the Muingmore windfarm in Erris would tower over the Statue of Liberty and the former Bellacorick power station. The iconic ESB station stood at 88m while the famous New York landmark is 93m high.
RWE Renewables Ireland is seeking to develop a windfarm consisting of 13 wind turbines with a capacity of up to 86MW in an area located approximately 11km west of Bangor Erris and about 4km north of Geesala. The study area comprises lands at Muingmore and Doolough measuring approximately 455 hectares. The development seeks a 35-year operational life.
There has been opposition to the project from local organisations and councillors.
“I wanted to show people exactly what is proposed,” said Cllr Coyle. “When the American tourists would be down here in Belmullet I would be telling them to go out to Blacksod and on a clear day you would nearly see the Statue of Liberty, now they will be able to see us!”
Cllr Coyle said Erris has already taken its fair share in windfarm developments.
“There is no reason whatsoever to put these windfarms in a scenic area, particularly with the torture we have gone through with planning for our local people.
“Erris has given enough. End of story. It’s time to call a halt here.”
The developer withdrew their initial application after they were directed by An Coimisiún Pleanála to readvertise the planning application following a ‘clerical error’ on the Irish translation of the public notices.
A corrected planning notice was advertised in the local media with closing date for submissions extended to August 7 next.
