HUNDREDS are expected to attend a public meeting in Crossroads, Killygordon tonight to progress an objection to be lodged to An Bord Pleanala (ABP) against the development of a 49 turbine windfarm in the area.
Plans were formally lodged with ABP two weeks ago by Planree Ltd, for the Carrickaduff Wind Farm, which is to include some turbines with a maximum height of 500 feet, stretching from the iconic Barnesmore Gap, along the Tyrone border, to near Castlefin.
If it gets the go-ahead, it will become Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm.
The meeting, which takes place in the Parochial Hall at 8 pm, is to finalise the committee and measure progress on how the objections to the development are progressing. They must be lodged to ABP by the close of business on March 27.
The meeting will be addressed by a planning expert as well as members of the committee.
A spokesperson for the committee, formed at a public meeting last week which was attended by over 150 people, said they are expecting another huge crowd tonight.
“We would encourage as many people as possible to attend as this proposed 49 turbine wind farm – which will be Ireland’s biggest, if it gets the go ahead – will affect a large number of people living in the area,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, local Fianna Fail County Councillor, Patrick McGowan, has requested a ‘special’ full meeting of Donegal County Council to be held in Lifford on Friday, March 6, to discuss the plans.
The six councillors in the Stranorlar Municipal District signed the request.
“This will be an information meeting as the application has been applied to An Bord Pleanála as a Strategic Infrastructure Development,” Cllr McGowan said.
In addition, local Sinn Féin Councillor, Liam Doherty, called on Minister Alan Kelly to do more to protect communities from the “divisive nature” of wind farm developments, stating that the interests of communities must come before those of developers.
Cllr Doherty made his comments ahead of tonight’s public meeting in Crossroads, Killygordon which has been organised by locals opposed to the planned wind farm development for Carrickaduff Hill and Lismullyduff.
“As we’ve already seen from the recent experiences of communities such as in the Midlands – or closer to home in Glenties – wind farms have the potential to polarise and divide communities and I am fearful that this too may happen in the Finn Valley.”
Further details on the project can be viewed at www.carrickaduffwindfarm.com
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