Tyrone group opposes turbines

A PLAN to build upwards of a dozen wind turbines in a scenic area of the Sperrins near Plumbridge is being strongly opposed by a group of families living close to the proposed development.

The site earmarked for the turbines is at Mullaghclogher Mountain, in the Aughabrack area. People in the local community are now formally setting up a ‘Save the Moat’ campaign group, named after an historic cairn located on the mountain.

The group alleges the turbines would have serious health and environmental effects. More than 30 households are involved in the campaign, which claims that more than 200 homes across the Aughabrack and Glenelly Valley areas would be affected.

An application for the development is expected to be submitted soon by RES Global Renewable Energy Solutions.

It follows the submission of a Proposal of Application notice to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) for what is being described as the ‘regionally significant’ proposal.

In a statement released to the UH, RES claimed the proposed wind farm would have the capability of powering 86,000 homes.

The company further stated that the Mullaghclogher wind farm would have the potential to deliver around £3.7m into the local area in the form of jobs and the use of local services.

Annie Mullan, who lives close to the mountain, said local people were worried about the medium and long-term impact of the turbines on their health. She also has serious concerns about what she claims would be the ‘disastrous’ environmental impact of removing thousands of tonnes of pristine peatland.

“There is a lot of concern locally about this potential application. This is putting an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty under serious threat,” she said.

“This is a massive and beautiful peatland site, and we are worried about the threat of landslides similar to what happened in the Glenelly Valley a number of years ago. To be digging up tonnes of peat and replacing it with concrete and an industrial landscape should not happen.

“It’s already having a terrible impact on our community in Aughabrack. The nearest home is just one kilometre from this proposed site.

“A massive concern surrounds shadow flicker and the fear of how the turbines will affect people’s health, their homes, shops, the church and the GAA pitch.

“Noise is also worrying people, because, at the moment, this is just such a peaceful and undisturbed area.

“This is a wild and tranquil place, and it’s being turned into an industrial landscape.

“All of this is extremely stressful for those of us involved. Our lives have been put on hold.”

Local people are calling, instead, for the development of tourism in the Sperrins, and alternative renewable energy methods to be considered by Stormont.

Another local resident, Brian Gormley, said the scale of the turbines being suggested was ‘mind-boggling.’

“The blades of the turbines that could be put up would cover the full length of Croke Park,” he claimed.

“At the moment, the exact locations of the turbines has not been revealed.

“My fear is shadow flicker, and one man who lives here says he will be able to see nine of the turbines from his sunroom. Are we going to have to live in our houses with the curtains drawn on a good day, or have to close our windows on a warm summer night due to the noise?

“People are worried about how this will affect their sleep patterns. The potential medium and long-term health impacts are very serious, including the real dangers of low-frequency noise.”

Ellen Cross, RES’ Development Project Manager for Mullaghclogher Wind Farm, said the location had been chosen due to its plentiful wind resource.

“We have considered the comments received by the community and key consultees, alongside the results of ongoing environmental and technical surveys, to inform the design and layout of the wind farm and expect to be able to submit a planning application in the next couple of months.

“RES is committed to being a good neighbour, and we have an ‘open door’ policy, which means that anyone can contact us about the Mullaghclogher proposal at any stage.”