Public meeting in Erris over contentious new windfarm

A public meeting on the contentious Muingmore Windfarm in Erris takes place this weekend.

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, and a public meeting takes place at 4pm on Saturday, June 13, in the Erris Coast Hotel, Geesala. Organisers say the meeting is open to all and aims to give the community a chance to learn more about the project and make their voices heard.

“This will affect every person in Erris,” the organisers stated.

A public meeting in December, organised by Rural West Environmentalists, previously heard community concerns.

A report, commissioned by the applicant, stated that while the proposed project will generate some 'residual high ranging landscape and visual effects, principally at the nearest surrounding receptors, these have all been assessed as not significant in the context of the EIA Regulations'.

Opponents fear the wind turbines which will reach a height of 180 metres to the blade tip.

Cllr Gerry 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 and call it very rapidly."