Controversial wind turbine proposals vetoed by planners

Controversial wind turbine proposals vetoed by planners

16 November 2016

PLANNERS have vetoed proposals for two huge wind turbines outside Downpatrick.

At a meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Planning Committee last week, proposals for two 250 kilowatt turbines at the Myra Road and Loughmoney Road were refused permission.

Politicians were told the Loughmoney Road turbine would stand almost 60 metres tall at its highest point when the size of the rotary blades was taken into consideration, with the Myra Road turbine standing 54.5 metres tall at its highest point.

With regard to the Loughmoney Road application, planners expressed concern about the impact the proposed turbine would have on the setting of the historic St Patrick’s Monument by reason of its design.

In a report prepared for members of the local authority’s Planning Committee, planners said the turbine would appear as a “prominent feature” in its immediate landscape setting and when viewed from St Patrick’s Monument would appear as a “striking, prominent structure and would impact on the landscape character of the surrounding undulating hills and Strangford Lough.”

Planners said the proposed turbine would be “highly visible” and that when viewed from the Loughmoney Road junction with the Carrowvanny Road, would appear as a “prominent skyline development.” They also ruled there was no overriding reason to allow the proposal in the countryside.

In addition, planning officials voiced concern that it had not been demonstrated that a suitable road access could be achieved to the proposed Loughmoney Road site for vehicles during the turbine’s construction period and to allow on-going servicing once operational.

Planners said it had not been demonstrated the proposed turbine would not have an unacceptable impact on a nearby property in the absence of an updated noise impact report and details of the impact of shadow flicker associated with turning blades on a turbine.

Planners also ruled the proposed turbine would be likely to have an “unacceptable, adverse impact” on Northern Ireland emergency services radio communications and public safety telecommunications infrastructure.

In relation to the Myra Road proposal, planners said it would have an “adverse impact” on visual amenity and the landscape character of the area. They ruled the turbine’s environmental, economic and social benefits did not outweigh objections to the proposal.

Planners said the proposed turbine contravenes planning policy and would, if permitted, have an “unacceptable adverse impact” on the visual and special landscape character of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) by reason of size, scale and proposed siting.

They also ruled the Myra Road proposal posed a threat to public safety as the location infringes on the minimum safety clearance for overhead power lines.

Earlier this year, residents who live at the Myra Road voiced concern about the planning application for the turbine near their homes and six others close to them in an AONB area.

The concerned residents called for a moratorium on erecting industrial scale wind turbines across the district until a definitive policy on their provision is agreed. They argued that before Newry, Mourne and Down Council was handed responsibility for planning, applications for huge turbines were dealt with by experienced planners in Belfast. 

The concerned residents believe politicians must give the wind turbine issue their “fullest attention” and ensure areas of outstanding natural beauty are not blighted by turbines. They say the Lecale area is special and should be protected from what they described as “inappropriate wind turbine developments.”