Wind turbine wars break out in Down

Wind turbine wars break out in Down

28 August 2013

THE Planning Service is being accused of hampering proposals by local farmers to provide their own renewable energy sources.

They are becoming increasingly frustrated at the refusal to allow them to erect wind turbines to produce their own energy to cut running costs and make their businesses more sustainable.

Farmers’ anger and frustration surfaced again this week when it emerged that planners are recommending that a proposal to replace an existing wind turbine at Edward Carson’s farm at the Minerstown Road in Tyrella should not be approved.

Planners argue that if permitted, the replacement turbine would have an “adverse impact” on the visual amenity and sensitive landscape character of the area as a result of its scale, siting and size.

The Planning Service contends that the proposed replacement turbine would harm the living conditions of adjacent residents due to noise disturbance, suggesting it has not been provided with sufficient information to establish if this would not be the case.

Planners are also concerned about the impact the proposed replacement turbine would have on the Strangford and Lecale areas of outstanding natural beauty, arguing the proposal is contrary to the Department of Environment’s policy on renewable energy and could lead to an “unacceptable cumulative impact when viewed with other proposed turbines.”

Mr. Carson said the existing turbine has been in place for four years and he is seeking permission to replace it with one slightly bigger to generate all the electricity he needs to run his farm. He said he’s “surprised” at the recommendation to refuse permission for a replacement turbine and warned the jobs of several of his employees hinge on his application being approved.

“Electricity is one of our major costs. We need it to grind grain and for heating and ventilation around the pig unit and to mix our own feed for cattle and sheep as well,” explained Mr. Carson.

“The cost of electricity in Northern Ireland is amongst the most expensive in Europe. We

were initially coaxed into erecting a turbine by the Department of Agriculture which offered a grant. We thought generating our own electricity was being in vogue with what the government and the EU wanted to make farming sustainable.”

Mr. Carson said he went out of his way to site his turbine as close to his farmyard as possible, to ensure it was “not slap bang in the middle of someone’s view.”

He added: “I hope the planners will reconsider their refusal recommendation for the replacement turbine as people’s employment is at risk here. If we don’t become more efficient jobs will be at risk, including those of my own family. I don’t think the planners have taken this into consideration.

“I find it very strange that we currently have a wind turbine up and running, but the Planning Service won’t allow me to replace it with a more efficient one. Essentially, we are replacing like with like. This will not have a major impact on the horizon.”

Mr. Nial Montgomery, a spokesman for the Down District Farmers for Renewable Energy group, described the Planning Service recommendation to refuse the Tyrella application as “crazy.”

He added: “The decision highlights the obstacles that commercial farmers in Down District have come up against with the Planning Service over the past four years. Planners are treating this as a new turbine and ignoring the economic necessity to reduce costs in milling grain and providing heating for livestock at a farm whose local production is almost entirely exported.”

Councillor Cadogan Enright believes the Planning Service appears to have “completely missed” the fact that a wind turbine is already in place at the Tyrella farm.

“It would appear planners have also failed to take into account economic factors as it is required to do by law. Carson’s farm is a model of sustainable development and grows and mills feed for its livestock,” he explained.

“The farm uses renewable energy to heat and ventilate its piggery, processing and milling grain and recycling waste to make fertiliser to grow the grain in the first place. This farm is a model for the future of farm enterprises across the country according to governmental policy.”

The planners’ recommendation was due to be discussed at last night’s meeting of Down Council when politicians were hoping to persuade the Planning Service to defer its decision to allow the application to be discussed further.