Sinn Féin councillor and general election candidate Conor D. McGuinness has there are still questions to answer over last year’s decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a colossal wind farm development at Lyrenacarriga in West Waterford.
McGuinness made the comments after he and fellow Sinn Féin councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy had met with residents of Knockanore, Glendine and Kilwatermoy. They were the only public representatives to attend the meeting.
McGuinness said:
“I was deeply disappointed by the decision reached late last year by An Bord Pleanála. It is frustrating to see stage agency be so deaf to the considered views of Waterford Council and the local community, which will be impacted by this colossal development.
“This is an upland landscape which is particular sensitive from an environment point of view. In many cases the wind turbines will be located immediately adjacent to family homes. The regulatory framework under which this application was made is almost two decades old and didn’t take into account the huge increase in turbine heights that has occurred since that time. The area is utterly unsuited to a development of this scale and nature.
“Wind energy has an important part to play in our move away from damaging fossil fuels, however we have a duty to be careful and considered in how we develop wind energy. I don’t believe the proposed development at Lyrenacarriga achieves the balanced and forward-looking type of development that we as a country need and deserve.
“The local community was united in its opposition. There were dedicated queues in several local post offices such was the volume of submissions being sent to An Bord Pleanála.
“I made a detailed submission opposing the development as part of the planning application. I also secured a strong official position against the development on the part of Waterford Council management, and worked across party lines to secure a strong endorsement from councillors for this position.
“The planning process was extremely convoluted and it seems to me that the goalposts were shifted time and time again. I believe the decision to treat the proposal as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) was a cynical move to allow the application bypass Waterford Council and go straight to An Bord Pleanála for decision.
“The disregard and disrespect shown to local democracy by An Bord Pleanála cannot be allowed to stand. This outfit is not above the people and must not be given free rein to override local decision making.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 