Turbine may be in wrong place

Turbine may be in wrong place

21 September 2016

CONCERNED residents in Crossgar have urged planners to carry out stringent checks when planning permission is granted for huge wind turbines across the district.

The call comes after planners recently confirmed in a letter to South Down MLA Jim Wells that a 50 metre high turbine erected at the New Line in the village “would appear to have been constructed in a different location from that approved.”

Planners have now commenced enforcement action against the developer.

Several residents in the area are confident the industrial scale turbine has been built in the wrong location and are keen for planners to outline why they did not realise sooner this was the case.

Residents insist they are not opposed to renewable energy and have suggested wind turbines should be erected in agreed locations across the district, with care taken to ensure they do not generate noise or visual amenity issues.

In addition, they have backed calls from other concerned residents in parts of the district for Newry, Mourne and Down Council that planners host a series of public meetings to spell out the policy which is being used to determine which turbines can be erected and where.

A residents’ spokesperson said while it is their understanding work is currently underway to move the 225kw mast at the New Line the short distance to where it should have been built in the first place, they have not been officially informed by planners this is the case.

“We are not opposed to wind turbines,” declared the spokesperson. “Our main concern in this particular case is the planning process and how this structure came to be erected in the wrong place.

“It would appear planners did not check the location of the turbine when the foundations were put in. If someone builds a house, not only are the foundations checked, but the exact location of the new home is examined to ensure it matches with the planning approval.

“During a meeting with a planning official we were informed the New Line mast would not have any visual impact, but it is clearly visible from the Downpatrick and Killyleagh roads on the approach to the village and can be seen from Teconnaught. That’s how big the structure is.

“The New Line turbine dramatically alters the landscape of the area and this is not the first part of the district where something like this has happened. It is 300 feet from one home and, in our opinion, is too close. This is an alien structure in a rural environment.

The spokesperson added: “Planning approval was granted for three turbine blades each 1.36 metres in length but it is our contention that they are much bigger. We would like planners to clarify this issue for us. Can they also provide us with guarantees that the scale of the turbine which has been erected is the same as the one they approved?

“We have many concerns about the New Line turbine and aspects of the planning process in this particular case. We are also keen to hear what Rowallane councillors have to say on the issue and would very much welcome their input and support.”

Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s planning department was asked for a response but declined to comment.