Activists urge attendance at windfarm information sessions
The North Westmeath Turbine Action Group has urged people to attend the information meetings being held this week regarding the proposed Coolnagun Wind Farm project, which straddles the Westmeath/Longford border.
The first meeting is being held this evening (Wednesday, November 27) in Coole Hall (5-8.30pm), followed by sessions in Multyfarnham Community Centre tomorrow evening, and Street Parish Park on December 4.
The proposed project is part of the recent “joint venture partnership” between Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables. The wind farm is to be located on Bord na Móna lands at the Coolnagun, Milkernagh and Coolcraff bogs in north Westmeath and south Longford.
The chairperson of the North Westmeath Turbine Action Group (NWTAG), Jen Gallagher, has encouraged local people to examine the plans closely.
She said that if the project goes ahead “it will dramatically alter the landscape of north Westmeath and south Longford for decades to come and will set a precedent which will result in the industrialisation of the local landscape and destruction of fragile wildlife habitats".
" Without any further information, it is difficult to fully assess what is being planned but the area highlighted on the map of the proposed windfarm site would show that this first development could be up to four times the size of the proposed Coole Wind Farm. Its scale therefore, would automatically class it as a Strategic Infrastructural Development meaning planning for the project would go straight to An Bord Pleanála.
" The prospect of such a windfarm is frightening and will set a precedent for many more such developments in this locality which will alter the landscape for generations.
"NWTAG would urge anybody who lives near or in these areas and are likely to be affected by this large-scale industrial wind farm development to attend these so called Community Engagement Sessions and see for themselves what is being planned and how it will impact the area and the lives of people living in this part of the midlands.
“I would encourage people to attend these meetings and ask questions about how this proposed development will affect their health, the impact it will have on the landscape, the devaluation of property values and the environmental consequences it will have on the bogs, watercourses and any protected species and sites in the locality and beyond.”
“Anyone who has any queries or wants advice on the questions to ask, please me an email to jengallagher@hotmail.com or Caroline on nwtagroup@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.”