Large turnout at meeting opposing Lemanaghan Wind Farm
A packed public meeting on the proposed Lemanaghan Wind Farm took place last week, as plans for the major renewable energy project were formally submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The meeting, organised by the Lemanaghan Bog Heritage and Conservation Group, was held on Thursday, April 30, and drew a large attendance as locals gathered to express their concerns over the proposed development on Lemanaghan Bog.
The planning application for the project, lodged in late March by Lemanaghan Wind Farm DAC, a joint venture between Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables, seeks permission for a 15-turbine wind farm near Ballycumber, Ferbane and Pollagh.
If approved, the development would have a generating capacity of 90MW, with the developers stating it would produce enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of up to 65,700 homes annually, while displacing more than 56,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
The proposed turbines would have a blade tip height of up to 220 metres.
The public meeting heard presentations from Brenda Dowling of the Community & Environmental Protection Alliance (CEPA), residents from Stonestown, Cllr Seán O’Brien, and representatives of the Lemanaghan Bog Heritage and Conservation Group.
Some residents living near existing wind turbines in Stonestown, Cloghan, shared what they said was their experiences of noise, sleep disruption and impacts on daily life. One speaker urged those present to "fight for your lives", while another told attendees "don't allow this to happen".
Brenda Dowling of CEPA spoke about what she described as the health implications associated with wind turbine developments, including noise, infrasound, disrupted sleep and stress-related impacts.
She told the gathering the issue was "not an abstract or theoretical debate" but something already affecting families living near operational wind farms.
Independent Tullamore councillor Seán O’Brien also addressed the meeting and expressed his opposition to the project, adding that he had submitted a motion on the issue which is due to come before the May monthly meeting of Offaly County Council.
The meeting also heard concerns relating to heritage, biodiversity, road infrastructure, water supplies and shadow flicker. Particular attention was drawn to information contained within the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) submitted as part of the planning application.
According to the documentation, 157 homes are located within 1.5km of the nearest proposed turbine.
Members of the group claimed modelling within the assessment showed some homes could experience levels of shadow flicker exceeding the limits outlined in the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines.
In a statement issued following the meeting, the Lemanaghan Bog Heritage and Conservation Group said it had concerns over how issues would be addressed should the development proceed.
"The developer's own assessment acknowledges that impacts such as shadow flicker and noise may occur and proposes to address these through a complaints-based system once the turbines are operational," said the group.
It also criticised what it described as a lack of meaningful public engagement by the developers, and disputed claims within the planning application that "comprehensive public engagement" had taken place.
In response to the meeting feedback, Lemanaghan Bog Heritage and Conservation Group has launched an iDonate fundraising page to help finance consultants' reports and legal advice in relation to the development. As of yesterday (Thursday), the group has amassed €790 of its €5,000 fundraising target.
A message from the group said: "To fight this properly, we urgently need professional planning, environmental, noise, health, heritage and legal advice. We are asking everyone to please donate, share and support us in any way you can. This is about protecting our homes, our children, our health and our future."
Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables say the the project followed "an extensive consultation process with local residents and communities since 2021, and that feedback received had informed the final design".
The developers said the project would provide “homegrown, secure and affordable clean energy” while supporting employment and investment in the Midlands.
Members of the public can inspect the planning application and supporting documentation online and at the offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, Offaly County Council and Ferbane Library until Tuesday, May 26.