Turbine opposition has online support

Turbine opposition has online support

29 July 2015

A SOCIAL media campaign urging politicians to oppose plans for a new wind turbine in Ballygowan has been signed by almost 500 people in just under 24 hours.

An on-line petition has been posted on Facebook by the family of Denis Murray who are concerned about the impact a proposal to locate a 40 metre high turbine near their Carrickmannon Road home will have on his health.

Denis — who turned 20 last month — suffers from a rare chromosome disorder, known as Tetrasomy 18p. He has severe learning difficulties, no speech, an impaired ability to respond to danger, increased sensitivity to noise and is entirely dependent on his family for his care.

The application for the 250km turbine is due to be discussed shortly by Ards and North Down Council and Denis’s mother Patricia is hoping planning permission will be refused. She is also prepared to address councillors ahead of them discussing the application.

“The proposed site for the turbine is a short distance behind our home and we are concerned that the noise generated by the turbine will have an adverse effect on Denis who is a vulnerable person with an acute sensitivity to noise,” she explained.

“We are concerned that due to this noise sensitivity, it will cause sleep and emotional difficulties and effectively render Denis a prisoner in his own home. The noise and disturbance generated by the turbine might also breach Denis’ rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.”

Mrs Murray hopes planners will veto the proposed wind turbine and insists that if she lived on her own she would have no objection to the proposal. However, she is greatly concerned about the impact the turbine’s noise and flicker created by its blades would have on the youngest of her four children.

She said her family agrees that wind energy is an important part of Northern Ireland’s alternative energy provision and should be encouraged, “but not when it is going to damage the lives of those left in its wake.”

Mrs Murray said her family believes there are alternative sites for the proposed wind turbine in the area that are far enough away from human habitation.

“Denis does not have the ability to speak up for himself and make his struggles known. Placing a wind turbine so close to the place he loves so much puts his future at risk. We are pleased that 24 hours after we posted the petition on line it has been signed by almost 500 people. Their support is greatly appreciated.

“Denis suffers from an incurable disorder and cannot adapt to change easily. His world is his home and we are very concerned about the impact the proposed wind turbine would have on his health,” his mother continued. “His needs come first and that is why we are objecting to this proposal.”

Mrs Murray added: “If the turbine proceeds we would have no alternative but to pull all the blinds so Denis would not see it. Once the turbine is in place, the noise it generates will never go away. Denis is a very loving and caring person and we hope this turbine does not secure planning approval.”