PLEASE DONT DONATE TO THIS CAUSE JUST SIGN AND SHARE. THANK YOU.

Brookfield Renewable Ireland and Coillte have submitted a planning application seeking permission to erect 22 Wind Turbines, each will be 169m high (that is 2.5 times the height of Cork County Hall). The development will also include 2 electrical substation compounds, one at Mullenaboree and one in Lackendarragh. The substation compound planned for Lackendarragh will consist of 20 battery storage units. Each battery storage unit will be 2.4m high, 13.7m long and 2.9m deep. There was also be a 110kv cable laid underground which will run from the Wind Farm in Glenville right through Ballyhooly and out to Fermoy. There are also 2 permanent meteorological masts with a height of 100 m proposed within the townlands of Tooreen South and Knoppoge. The developers have sought a 10 year planning permission and 30 year operational life from the date of commissioning of the entire wind farm.
This development poses a serious threat to our landscape, ecology in the areas affected and the health of those living in close proximity to these wind turbines.
The developers have failed to engage in proper and meaningful consultation with us on this project. Initially we were promised 5 technical workshops which never happened.
The NVTA and those we represent are not against renewable energy or the need to reduce our carbon footprint. We are very aware that we all need to play our part in reducing this country’s reliance on fossil fuels and we as a community will take our share of responsibility for that. However, the need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel cannot be at any cost. It needs to be done in a responsible manner and not to the detriment of the health and well-being of those living in rural Ireland and the ecology it hosts.
The NVTA and our local communities have numerous concerns about this project. The main concerns can be summarised as folllows:
Visual Impact - this development will destroy the rural landscape surrounding the Nagle Mountains and in our local areas. Visually a Wind Turbine standing at 169m high is a monstrosity of a structure. It's 2.5 times the height of the Elysian in Cork, 2.5 the height of the Cork County Hall. We will have 22 of those if this project goes ahead!
Ecology - the Nagle Mountains and surrounding areas are home to many species and wildlife to include the Hen Harrier which is a protected bird of prey under EU Law and Irish Law. However, the population of the Hen Harrier is fast declining. If this project goes ahead, it will wipe out the Hen Harrier in our areas.
Noise - noise from wind turbines is generally low frequency. The noise has been described as a plane overhead that never lands or a fridge that is constantly running. Its constant and unrelenting. The result of this unrelenting noise is disturbed sleep. If you are not getting a good nights sleep, then this has a knock on effect for you in all aspects of daily living in going to work etc. but children are particularly vulnerable to the noise from Turbines and there are reports of children’s suffering regression at school because they are sleep deprived and cannot function at a basic level. The Noise from Wind Turbines can also have a great effect on anyone with Autism or a heightened sensitivity to noise. The WHO published revised guidelines in October2018 and for the first time ever they now recognise noise from Wind Turbines is detriment to human health.
Shadow Flicker - wind turbines, like any tall structures, can cast long shadows when the sun is low in the sky and this effect is known as “shadow flicker”. It occurs when the turbine is directly between the sun and houses. As the blade is rotating it blocks the sun and causes the shadow to flick on and off, very similar to flicking on and off a light switch in a room. This shadow flicker is very unsettling but it can also be an issue for anyone with Epilepsy, particularly photosensitive epilepsy. Autism can affect people in many different ways and again, if someone was sensitive to light, shadow flicker would be very upsetting for them.
Property Devaluation -the prices of houses and farmland in the area will plummet if this project goes ahead. No one will want to build or buy land/houses in our communities with this large industrial development on their doorstep.
Please support those of us who will be forced to live with the effects of this project if it is granted permission by An Bord Pleanala. These Wind Turbines, are too tall, too close to homes and there are too many of them. The 2006 Wind Energy Guidelines our outdated and not fit for purpose. The people of rural Ireland urgently need new guidelines to be implemented to project our landscape, our homes, our health and our wildlife/ecology. The Battery Storage aspect of this project is also highly dangerous and these units have been known to catch fire. If that were to happen, the entire woodland surrounding the Nagle Mountains would be set alight.
Please help us to stop this development by signing this petition.
Thank You!