Con with the Wind...

donegal | environment | event notice Friday August 06, 2010 13:15 by Gweebarra Conservation Group - Gweebarra Conservation Group gweebarraconservation at gmail dot com

Plans to erect 85 wind turbines in and around the small town of Glenties will destroy the region's tourism potential and endanger the health of local residents

Public Meeting in Leitirmacaward, Donegal

The Gweebarra Conservation Group is holding a Public Meeting in Elliott’s Lounge, Lettermacaward on Saturday, August 7th, 2010 at 4.00pm.

The group is concerned that Mytilus Minerals Ltd are now drilling in the Rosses to prepare a report for the Dept of Energy and Natural Resources on the area’s suitability for a hydro-electric scheme. The company were granted 3 licenses to prospect for gold, silver, barytes and flourites in 50 townlands in and around the Gweebarra Bay in March despite local objections but the real purpose of their drilling is linked to the growing number of wind farm applications along the proposed route of the 110kv high voltage power line.
As wind is not constant a hydro-electric scheme would keep the grid going when there is no wind. However if these wind farms get planning permission people would be forced to move to avoid the ill-health effects of ‘wind turbine syndrome’ such as disturbed sleep; headaches; ringing and pain in the ears; dizziness; nausea; blurred vision; racing heartbeat; irritability; problems with concentration and memory and panic attacks. People up to 10km from wind plants can experience these symptoms according to Dr Nina Pierpoint, a leading US authority on the subject.

Agent P J Molloy has applied to build nineteen 147m high turbines in 10 townlands north-east of Glenties while Straboy Wind Energy Ltd wants to erect thirty-eight 100m high turbines in six townlands north-west of Glenties. Another ten turbine wind farm west of Glenties at Loughderryduff wants to double in size as does a 5 turbine wind farm at Tangevene in the Glen of Glenties. Together these wind plants would destroy Glenties’ tourism potential and would be seen from Fintown, Doochary, Lettermacaward, Dungloe, Ardara, Ballybofey, Glenveagh National Park and Portnoo.

Hundreds of families live close to these sites, most much closer than the international recommended 2km minimum distance of turbines from homes. As well as the environmental, health and visual impact, these wind farms would devalue property by as much as 80%.

Donegal’s hills are wholly unsuitable for industrial wind plants as excavating tens of thousands of tonnes of peat releases more C02 into the atmosphere than these turbines will ever offset. There is also the very real threat of landslides.

Locals and holiday home owners are urged to attend the meeting in Elliotts at 4.00pm. For more information email GweebarraConservation@gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page.