NWTAG urge public to examine plans for Coolnagun wind farm

The North Westmeath Turbine Action Group (NWTAG) have urged people to closely examine the plans to develop a wind farm on Bord na Móna lands in north Westmeath.

The project is part of a “joint venture partnership” between Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables, to be located on Bord na Móna land at the Coolnagun, Milkernagh and Coolcraff bogs in north Westmeath and south Longford.

The firms held public consultation sessions in Coole and Multyfarnham last week and hold another in Streete Parish Park this evening, Wednesday December 4 (5-8.30pm).

While the full details of the development are yet to be released, 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 and set a precedent which will result in the industrialisation of the landscape and destruction of fragile habitats”.

“Without further information, it is difficult to fully assess what is planned but the area highlighted on the map of the proposed wind farm site would show that this first development could be up to four times the size of the proposed Coole Wind Farm.

“Its scale would automatically class it as a Strategic Infrastructural Development, meaning planning would go straight to An Bord Pleanála.

“The prospect of such a wind farm 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 those 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 affect the area and the lives of people living in this part of the midlands.

“I would encourage people to attend the meeting Streete 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, please email jengallagher@hotmail.com or Caroline on nwtagroup@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.”