Planners are urged to veto wind turbine

Planners are urged to veto wind turbine

2 May 2012 - by Ciara Colhoun

RESIDENTS of a rural area outside Ballynahinch are urging anyone opposed to a proposed 40-metre hilltop wind turbine at Mullaghdrin Road East to lodge an objection with planners without delay.

They are concerned that the proposed wind turbine, which will create electricity, will be a blight on the environment and are urging planners to reject the proposal.

Planners, who have been considering the application since late March, have already received 55 objections to the proposal and are awaiting responses from consultees before a decision on the application is made.

Residents, who have been rallying support for their campaign against the proposal, met at Mullaghdrin Road East on Thursday evening to discuss the issue.

Mr. Peter Allen, who is a resident of the area, said the level of local support made them hopeful the planning application would be rejected.

“We are hopeful planners will listen to us,” he said.

“All we can do is encourage anyone with reservations about the scheme to contact planners. We feel we have a strong case.”

A spokeswoman for the Planning Service has confirmed the receipt of dozens of objections and said many centre on the proximity of the turbine to rural houses and the detrimental effect objectors fear it will have on the quality of life of the local population.

Objectors have also expressed concern about the visual impact and potential noise pollution of the wind turbine, which will have blades extending up to 55 meters, and its impact on wildlife.

Some have also queried the way in which machinery needed to build the turbine will access the site on the rural road network.

A decision about the proposed wind turbine may not be made until the summer.