Concerns over windfarms' impact on health and quality of life raised at Offaly council meeting

A number of Offaly councillors have raised concerns over the compliance of windfarms with planning and environmental standards, amid rising concerns over their impact on communities and the county’s unique landscape.

A motion brought forward at Monday’s meeting of Offaly County Council by Cllr Sean O’Brien calls for strict adherence to the Offaly County Development Plan and the World Health Organisation 2018 Environmental Noise Guidelines, which aim to protect public health.

The council also wants its chief executive to ensure all future reports to An Coimisiún Pleanála explicitly confirm compliance.

“There has to be a balance,” said Cllr O’Brien. “It impacts tourism potential, the future rehabilitation of the peatlands, the visual and residential appeal of the area, and there is noise disturbance.”

Sinn Féin’s Cllr Claire Murray added: “The people of South Offaly are most impacted. Those standards are in place for a reason, to protect people. The number of windfarms here has caused stress to residents and impacted their quality of life.”

Cllr Masterson raised concerns about the potential development of solar farms, saying: “We have more than carried our weight when it comes to renewables.”

Cllr Liam Quinn echoed the sentiment, noting: “The county has just learned to deal with the windfarm developments.”