BY C.J.MCGINLEY
PLANNERS in Donegal are proposing turbines for new wind farms be erected at least times their tip height back from ‘centres of human habitation’
The centres include schools, hospitals, churches, residential buildings or buildings use for public assembly.
The new proposals are recommended in submissions to be forwarded to the Department of Environment’s review of Wind Energy policy in the coming weeks.
The council has formulated a range of more stringent amendments to the regulations around wind farm developments including greater setback, separation and regulations relating to noise and shadow flicker from wind farms.
The proposals will be forwarded as part of the public consultation process on the review which closes on February 20. The key recommendation relates to the proposal that wind turbines should be set back ten times the tip height of a turbine.
There is a proposal turbines be set back at least 1.5 times the height of a turbine from roads and site boundaries.
The Council is also seeking to prohibit wind energy developments in areas identified due their significant environmental, heritage and landscape constraints.
These include Special Areas of Conservation, Areas of Fresh Water Pearl Mussel in places identified under the Sub-Basin Catchment areas such as Clady, Eske, Glaskeelin, Leannan, Owencarrow and Owenea.
Wind farms will not be permitted at Glenveagh Castle, Gardens, Lough Beagh, Visitors Centre, including the main entrances, walking trails and parking areas.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)