Ballivor Bog windfarm concerns raised in group’s submission to An Bord Pleanála
Land ownership and ecological considerations form two of the major levers that members of the Delvin-Raharney-Ballivor Community Group (DRBCG) are hoping may topple an application for a 26-turbine wind farm proposed for Ballivor Bog.
Particular concern is raised over the potential effects on the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly – the only Irish insect that has legal protection.
The group has made a 14-page submission to An Bord Pleanála, which is currently considering the application lodged by Bord na Móna Powergen Ltd. A decision is due by October 25 of this year.
In its submission, the group contends that Bord na Móna Powergen does not have landowner consent for several portions of land that are intended to form part of the wind farm.
While Bord na Móna has given consent to Bord na Móna Powergen Ltd to include its lands, the DRBCG says a Land Registry search shows that there are several tracts of land included that are not currently owned by Bord na Móna and for which consent of usage is not evident in the application.
The group also argues that since the proposed development is close to the Bracklyn Wind Farm, the result is that there will be 35 turbines and three wind masts in an area where the topography is very flat: “The visual impacts will be experienced both day and night, the latter being the night sky pollution associated with the 38 intensively-lit red warning lights. Overall, the daytime view of 105 rotating blades (cumulative 35 turbines) from scenic vantage points is at an unacceptable density level,” its submission states.
Considering the effects on biodiversity, the group raises concerns over the potential for impacts on curlews and whooper swans, and goes on to state that it objects to the destruction and loss of habitats including tracts of Poor Fen and of ancient oak and hazel woodland at Clondalee More as described in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) submitted by Bord na Móna Powergen Ltd:
“The ancient woodland contains plant species which are indicators of such centuries old established woodland eg wood anemone, lords and ladies, bluebell, wood sorrel, and pignut. Wood anemone is considered above all as an indicator of long continuity of woodland on the site. It is likely that woodland on the southern edge of Ballivor Bog, and close to the proposed Turbine no. 8, is very ancient given that it was located on an island in the bog as indicated in the 1840s OS maps. To lose such an historically important habitat in part or in full is entirely unacceptable. ABP must consider this in the strongest terms possible,” the submission says.
The group is concerned over the “ineffectiveness” of the Bord na Móna Powergen Ltd EIAR since it stated that “no suitable habitat for Marsh Fritillary was identified within the construction footprint” – contrary to the findings of a study commissioned by the DRBCG, and the group goes on to voice the fear that further species may have been missed.
The group also queries the adequacy of the metrics used in assessment of the carbon impacts and payback, and contends that the calculations should include the fabrication of the turbines and also the manufacture of all cabling, production of stone and sand, steel construction of all foundations, the substation build, the car park and roads build and all transport.
The group also points out that the Westmeath County Development Plan notes that the area has a low capacity for wind.
A further contention by the group is that 89,789 loads, including concrete, will have to be delivered to the site by heavy goods vehicles. That will all happen over a 12-hour period each day. As a result, it wants an assessment of the impact on school traffic during peak times.
The group also contends that some of the houses in the area are than 800 metres from the turbines, which is out of step with the 2019 draft guidelines on wind energy development.
The group also contends that no photo montage has been provided to show the impact on the view from Uisneach to Tara. They claim the view will be completely compromised for decades to come, which is unacceptable given that both sides are candidates for UNESCO World Heritage status. The group is also critical of the level of community consultation that has been held describing it as poor.
Also raised by the group is the conflict between wind farm development and the rewetting of peatlands, and claims that some of the area targeted for development is sensitive to flooding.