Residents’ anger over lack of consultation
Local residents in the Kilcash and Farbreagues area insist there has been no engagement with the company behind a proposed wind turbine in the area ahead of today’s (Thursday) deadline for planning submissions to Roscommon County Council.
Residents have reacted angrily after Natural Forces Renewable Energy Ltd., issued a statement claiming to have sent letters to 17 homeowners living within 1km of the proposed development.
Kilcash Wind Turbine Action Group PRO Brian Kearney told the Roscommon People this week that no consultation process has taken place ahead of today’s deadline for submissions.
“Natural Forces Renewable Energy say they have written letters to 17 residents living within 1km of this proposed wind turbine, but I can confirm that no one has received anything,” he said.
Mr. Kearney, a married father of three whose home is 620 metres from the proposed development, said there is anger among local residents.
“The initial shock has turned to anger. The one thing in particular that has angered us is the lack of engagement from the company. This wind turbine will be 600m from our doors and it will destroy the local landscape when there are better places for it.
“We have all heard horror stories about turbines close to homes, from people being unable to sleep at night due to light flicker and people wanting to move out. The problem is no one will want to move into these areas and the community will eventually die off,” he said.
Mr. Kearney added that the development would overshadow the entire area, and the hill on which it stands, which is listed as view 19 in the county development plan.
He said that the group and local residents had done all they can ahead of the submissions deadline to prevent the development from going ahead.
In a statement to the Roscommon People this week, Natural Forces Renewable Energy Ltd. described the development as a “community energy project”, claiming letters had been sent to residents.
“Natural Forces hope to develop a single wind turbine in Kilcash. The project will be developed as a community energy project under the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) published by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC).
“The location of the wind turbine has been selected based on a number of factors, mainly compliance with wind farm planning guidelines and the Roscommon County Development Plan ‘Wind Energy Strategy’.
“Natural Forces have issued letters to residents living within 1km of the proposed turbine location, we will continue to share project information with the local community as the project progresses and more information comes available. Details of the project can be found on our website: www.naturalforces.ie/projects”.
