2021 is worrying enough for people thanks to Covid-19 but families in East Cork and West Waterford say they are also now under threat from another source that could have a major impact on their lives.
Locals described a planning application made by RWE (formerly Innogy) – under the name Curns Energy Ltd for 17 x 150m high industrial wind turbines at two separate locations as ‘devastating’.
Within this well-populated area, there are also plans for a large substation and battery storage facility, both of which, they state, would be located on the water supply for Youghal and Tallow.
East Cork homeowner, Joe Collins, is vehemently opposed to the Lyrenacarriga Wind Farm, and wants as many people as possible to send in objections to An Bord Pleanala as soon as possible.
“Anyone that knows me would agree I am not an activist or anti wind energy by any stretch, but what RWE/Curns Energy Ltd plans is a giant wind factory built around hundreds of countryside homes. This would come as a massive loss to us all here – harming our health, polluting the environment, decimating wildlife, and wrecking our local communities – all for profit at our expense,” he claims.
He added: “This company wants to put 17 of the largest wind turbines ever onshore in Ireland, right beside our family homes, farms and businesses. Lyrenacarriga Wind Farm would disrupt and contaminate the water supply to Tallow and Youghal. It’s an industrial development too far, and there are hundreds of people living round here who reject it and want them to leave us alone.”
The Blackwater Wind Aware group is encouraging everyone in the area to scrutinise the planning application and turbine map at www.lyrenacarrigawindfarm.com to see how it affects their homes and area.
“Residents and homeowners are mystified as to why RWE, multinational renewable energy company, would lodge such an application when in 2017, An Bord Pleanala rejected an application for a similar wind farm – just 11km due west of the proposed site. The decision and inspectors report about Ardglass Wind Farm can viewed online at http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/246824.htm.”
Closing date for objections for Lyrenacarriga wind farm to An Bord Pleanala is March 5, 2021 but should really be posted 10 days in advance of this date. Objections cost €50 per submission, and there is a GoFundMe page (Blackwater Wind Aware) to help those who cannot afford the fee to still have their say. People are encouraged to make multiple objections per household for greater impact, wherever possible (over 18s).
Blackwater Wind Aware invites everyone interested in making an objection, to get in contact by e-mail at blackwaterwindaware@gmail.com. For planning application number and information visit www.blackwaterwindaware.com, follow on Facebook and Instagram – Blackwater Wind Aware – and Twitter @BWindAware.
