The Kellystown/Monasterboice Wind Action group are dead set against a proposal from EDF renewables, a French state-owned company, to build up to 8, 180-meter-high wind turbines in their area.
“These turbines will be double the height of the Mary Mc Aleese Boyne Valley Bridge and as close as 720 meters to homes in a densely populated scenic area” they say in a statement issued to Drogheda Life.
“We are truly blessed with the beautiful surroundings we live in, therefore we are extremely worried that the natural habitats will be disturbed, impacting on the whole biosphere of this picturesque area. Protecting biodiversity should be more important than creating wind energy for profit” they continue.
They say that, if the proposed turbines are built, they will be visible from a wide area, including from Harestown which is a designated Area of High Scenic Quality on the Louth Development Plan (2021-2027).
“Do we really want to turn this beautiful rural landscape into a concrete ghetto?” they ask.
“Also, we are concerned that this proposed development site is adjacent to an active blasting quarry. There is no evidence to state that building 8 x 180 m tall turbines on a site like this is safe.”
The group members are also concerned that there are health issues for people living in close proximity to wind turbines including headaches, insomnia, heart irregularities, tinnitus, and nausea.
They cite the case of a Belgian couple Christen and Luc Fockaert who had six turbines built 700 meters from their home in France who experienced all the health issues mentioned above and compared the turbine noise to the washing machine continually turning. They were awarded 100,000 Euros in compensation by a judge in Toulouse.
“In Germany Local pressure groups are suing wind farm owners because projects are being built too close to residential areas. In Bavaria, for example, the regional government has imposed a so-called 10H ban on new installations, which stipulates that the distance between a turbine and a settlement must be a minimum of 10 times the height of the turbine.
“Make no mistake, our worries have nothing to do with NIMBY (NOT IN MY BACK YARD) argument, all of them are based on scientific evidence” they said.
They also claim that Wind farms are not cost effective.
“The literature tells us that onshore wind turbines are between 20% and 40% efficient, they only supply intermittent power because if the wind is not blowing they are not working. More to the point they wouldn’t be built in the first place if not for the subsidies provided and the huge profit they can make. They are not renewable energy; they actually destroy more energy than they create.
They deplete carbon storage areas; they are extremely heavy on maintenance: they require huge infrastructure; they affect climate. They only make money because they are subsidised. Most wind turbines are made abroad and transported to Ireland for assembly.
Wind farms are not very green. Vast amounts of concrete are used for the turbine base. What happens to turbines at the end of their 25 -30year life span?
The action group say they will address these questions to EDF renewables and Louth county Council planning authority when the time comes.
“Most of our members and part of our community have spent their entire lives in the beautiful area of Kellystown / Monasterboice. They choose to raise their kids here, grow professionally. Some people moved to this picturesque area to get away from hustle and bustle of the city, to grow old and enjoy this unspoiled tranquil place. It seems that now, the biodiversity of Louth region is threatened on all fronts.”
“EDF initially stated that they would hold a Town -Hall style community meeting to listen and consult with the community as a whole.
“Now it seems they plan to hold so-called Clinics where they will set out their stall and will meet people one-to-one rather than as a group. A well-known divide and conquer technique, where people are not able to hear the concerns of their neighbours.
“EDF might not care about the rich heritage and biodiversity of the beautiful Monasterboice area, but we do. We want to preserve this land for future generations.
“Finally, we would like to stress that different types of green energy have a role to play. Mixed sources of energy allow for better targeting of sites that will cause the least disruption to people and wildlife.
“However, 8, 180 meter high industrial wind turbines have no place in the beautiful, wildlife-rich and densely populated rural area of Monasterboice. Approximately 1200 people live within 2K of the proposed development.”
