Plans for 500ft tall wind farm in Co Clare strikes sour note with locals

Gordon Deegan

Plans for a five-turbine, 500 foot wind farm close to the Willie Clancy Summer School in Co Clare is striking a sour note with locals.

This follows more than 200 objections lodged with Clare County Council against the wind-farm plans by the Swiss-owned Illaunbaun Wind Farm Limited, which is seeking a 10-year planning permission.

Illaunbaun Wind Farm Limited is a subsidiary of the Swiss-based international renewable energy developer, JC Mont-Fort Holding SA, that has developed projects in eight countries and currently has a portfolio exceeding 5GW of renewable electricity generation capacity.

The firm’s plans West Clare concern a large site 4.2 km northeast of Milltown Malbay, 2.9 km from the Clare coast and 5.2 km southeast of Lahinch across five townlands of Tooreen, Slievenalicka, Illaunbaun, Lackamore and Drumbaun.

In one objection, Deirdre Culligan of Kilrush told the council that there are already existing or permitted wind farm turbines in the wider Miltown/West Clare region.

Ms Culligan stated: “Adding another large development risks over-saturation, where turbines from multiple sites combine to create a substantial change in skyline, undermining the rural character, scenic beauty, and sense of place for residents. This was a key reason for prior refusals near Miltown.”

In his objection, Odhrán Lynch said: “This development would be overwhelming in terms of view in all directions, inescapably dominant and unpleasantly encroaching.”

Mr Lynch from Rockmount, Miltown Malbay, said that “the proposed entrance to the wind farm is directly across the road from our property and I am deeply concerned about the level of noise, dust, and disruption this will cause”.

He said: “In setting up home here in Rockmount, we never anticipated or expected a wind farm to be constructed in our local community here and potentially impact our day-to-day life in such a negative and fundamental manner.”

In its objection, the Moy Opposition Group asked how the council can justify the construction of 150 metre tall turbines, when people applying to build houses are limited to the height of the skyline.

The group states: “It appears to be one law for the normal people and another law for the big developers”.

A planning statement lodged with the application states that the proposal “is justified by a clear and compelling national, regional, and local need”.

The planning report states that “it supports legally binding climate action, renewable electricity generation, and energy security. It aligns with Project Ireland 2040, spatial planning and infrastructure policy, and contributes to Ireland’s commitments under both national legislation and EU directives. The proposed development forms part of a needed and timely transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient energy system”.

The report states that the layout of the proposed development “has been carefully designed to minimise potential environmental impacts whilst optimising the energy generation from the wind resources available at the site”.

A decision is due on the application later this month.