Determined group of 60 people gather for Birr meeting against Wind Farm

A DETERMINED group of about sixty people gathered in Ballyegan Hall near Birr last week to voice their objection to the proposed Ballincor Wind Farm (with its 11 mega turbines) and to discuss a plan of action for the months ahead.
Liam Egan told the meeting of the Greater Birr Wind Action Group that he had rarely in his lifetime come across an issue which had generated so much strong feeling and had brought together such a determined group of people focussed on fighting it. He said many people in the locality are “very concerned” about the proposed wind farm.
He pointed out that the company behind the proposal, RWE, would be holding an information clinic in the County Arms Hotel in Birr on the following day and he said people should attend the clinic.
He thanked the Councillors from Offaly County Council who were in attendance. He pointed out that members of Ormand Flying Club Birr were present as well because they are concerned about the proposal, which will be only a few kilometres from the Flying Field.
A short video was played to the meeting, which featured a farmer from West Cork speaking negatively about a wind farm in his area.
Cllr John Leahy, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council (OCC), said Cllr Peter Ormond is strongly engaged with the issue and has been in discussion with the executive of OCC about it. “The farm contradicts the zoning in our County Development Plan,” remarked Cllr Leahy, “the land is not deemed suitable and Offaly County Council will not be supporting it in any shape or form. You have the full weight of the Council, including the Councillors and the Executive, behind you in this matter. In effect, RWE has chosen to ignore the County Development Plan, and the Council doesn't take kindly to such an attitude.”
“Where you are now is where our community was 20 years ago,” the West Cork farmer, in the video, told the meeting. “Twenty years ago many of us didn't object to the wind farm. We believed everything they said. We are 41 houses in a one kilometre radius of the turbines, however four of those houses are now vacant because the people wouldn't live beside the turbines and decided to move away. We are not against turbines and we are not Climate Change sceptics, however our experience of the wind farm, for a number of reasons, has been very negative. It is evident to me that the government doesn't care about the mental and physical impacts of these mega turbines on people's health.” He said many wind farm companies are “trying to pull the wool over people's eyes.” The farmer remarked that the reality is that very few people would choose to build a house near a turbine. “Between people moving away and others choosing not to build, community numbers begin to dwindle.”
He spoke about the problems of shadow flicker and noise. He also mentioned Low Frequency Noise. “Low Frequency Noise can really impact on your health. You wake up in the morning with very bad headaches.” Tinnitus is another issue.
The farmer said wind farms can be very divisive issues and he urged the Greater Birr community to stick together as much as it could.
A committee member of the group, Laura Walshe, pointed out that no one years ago objected to the turbines on nearby Knockshegowna, near Ballingarry, however the mega turbines nowadays are much bigger. “These are basically offshore turbines in an inland setting. They are completely inappropriate.” She said the Greater Birr group had enjoyed an excellent meeting in December and had enjoyed strong support since.
She held up a bundle of documentation several inches thick. “This documentation is typical planning applications for wind farms. We are studying this with the aim of drawing up the best objection submissions that we possibly can. The devil is in the detail and we have engaged with environmental consultants to give us advice. A forensic attitude is required. The approach we are taking is not an emotional one. It is in fact a focussed and intelligent approach. We will be closely examining planning regulations and European directives.”
She said it's unusual that a wind firm developer would choose an area where there are so many houses.
“We were told that RWE will probably be in this room in some shape or form, so we have to be careful what we say.
“Because we are a voluntary group we need to raise funds. Our aim is €16,000 and we've raised a significant portion of that. People have been very generous. We know we have a strong case but we don't know how we can make it strong enough. We still don't know when RWE will submit its planning application. As soon as the application is submitted then we will spring into action.
“The Supreme Court judgement on Coolglass wind farm in Laois is due in the next couple of days. That is going to be a really important judgement.”
She pointed out that the Greater Birr Wind Action Group will have to focus on as many points of objection as possible. “We can't place too much emphasis on the Offaly County Council Development Plan or its Land Use Zoning directives, because these could be overlooked by the powers that be.”
Cllr Peter Ormond pointed out that in the OCC Development Plan the land south of Birr was deemed not suitable for wind farms. “The Coolglass wind farm application was turned down at first and the developers took it to the High Court and the High Court threw the book at the County Council. I used to think the County Council Development Plan was the be-all and end-all; but I now realise that in the matter of renewable energy developments it isn't, or, at least, it has become less definitive and certain. I am worried that if the Supreme Court decision finds in favour of the Coolglass wind farm company then it will make the OCC Development Plan null and void.”
Laura Walshe said the Group had asked RWE for the GPS coordinates of the 11 proposed mega turbines of Ballincor wind farm, “but they haven't replied to us.” She said the Greater Birr Group has set up a bank account and is running an idonate campaign. “We have already raised €11,500 of the €16,000 needed, which is phenomenal.”
She added that most of the adverse health effects occur with those living between one and 2.5 kilometres from the mega turbines, health effects such as tinnitus, nausea, migraines and palpitations. It also contributes to anxiety and has been linked with serious health effects such as cancer or strokes.
The meeting heard that wind farm data guidelines from 2002 to 2005 are being used more often than more recent guidelines, “because the older guidelines are more favourable to the wind companies.”
Liam Egan said that in the EU the value of homes next to wind turbines reduces by up to 25%, the most common reason being the visual impact of the turbines.
Cllr Seán Maher remarked that he is a homeowner living about four kilometres from mega turbines “and I am concerned about the impact of these turbines on the important Whooper Swan population in the locality. Like Cllr Ormond I am also concerned that if the Supreme Court decision goes against those opposed to Coolglass then Offaly will be inundated with turbines.”
Liam Egan said Offaly has more than pulled its weight in terms of turbine numbers. “Offaly has the third highest amount of wind generation in Ireland. Perhaps our huge contribution is because the wind companies think we are a soft touch. As things stand, at this stage it seems to me that there is a bit of boldness and arrogance present in the various wind companies' attitude. Make no mistake about it, our Group has a mountain to climb; it's going to be a tough fight.”
He added that the issue is a divisive one in communities, with some people fully supportive of the State's wind farm strategy and others, landowners, receiving substantial payments from the companies. He said it's expected that RWE will submit its planning application within the next few months. He pointed out that three of the proposed turbine sites are presently under floodwater.
“If you can catch them on a technicality then they will have no way back,” remarked Cllr Ormond.
Colm Wright of Ormand Flying Club Birr said his club isn't happy with the proposed development, “and I suspect that the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) will not be too keen about it either. Our airfield is licensed by the IAA. The development will be only a few kilometres from us. We have a lot of students flying from our place, undertaking lessons. With the students we fly a rectangular circuit about 800 feet above the ground, following the line of the Little Brosna River. Our height will not be far above the tips of the blades. It doesn't leave much room for error for a student's mistake. Flying near giant turbines can be intimidating for a pilot. We will also never see the return of the Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships to Birr if this development goes ahead.”
Laura said a WhatsApp group is being set up and she encouraged people to join it.
The meeting was told that Ballincor Wind Farm will affect about 200 houses within a two kilometre radius.
The meeting was also told that the carrot of free electricity for locals affected by wind farm developments is not true. What they receive is an electricity discount. Landowners could receive anything from €18,000 to €40,000 per year per turbine on their land; however some solicitors warn that the deal mightn't be as rosy as it is being presented and landowners should seek legal advice and think carefully before signing.
Liam Egan said the Shannon Pipe will be crossing the road near the former Black Bull pub in Sharavogue, therefore the Pipe will be very close to the wind farm. He added that the wind levels are also “substandard” in the Ballincor area.
Cllr Audrey Hennessy Kennedy said the Greater Birr Wind Action Group “has the full backing of the Councillors.”

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