Approval sought for Castlederg wind turbine replacement

PLANS for a replacement wind turbine in the Castlederg area have been submitted to Derry City and Strabane District Council.

A recent planning application seeks to replace an existing turbine on the Aghalougher Road with a 50-metre tower ‘for the harnessing of wind power for energy production’.

The application stated that the scale and design of the turbine ‘will not have a significant environmental impact’.

In response to the application, the Council said, “There is an existing commitment on the site, and the replacement proposal is not likely to have a significantly greater visual or cumulative impact.

“Visually, the proposed turbine is not considered to have a significant impact given that it will replace the existing turbine.

“Impacts, in terms of noise, shadow flicker, bat populations, ground water etc, have been assessed through the submission of the relevant reports and assessments.

“However, it is anticipated that any impacts would not be significant.

“It is considered that the proposal can be implemented without having a significant environmental effect.”

The Council said there was no use of natural resources in the proposal other than ‘possibly soil removal to provide foundations’.

“There is potential for some waste to be produced during the construction of this turbine. The foundations for the turbine could potentially impact on groundwater flow paths and receptors.

“Any potential impacts can be identified and mitigated against through a risk assessment and conditions, if deemed necessary.”

The council stated that, although there are a number of unconnected residential properties in the vicinity of the site, the proposed turbine is ‘not anticipated to have a significant environmental effect’.

“The nature of this proposal means that it will not affect natural resources within this area,” the council stated.

“This proposal will not involve the loss of any trees or habitat which is likely to accommodate protected species. Any anticipated impacts are not considered to be significant and can be mitigated, if considered necessary.”