Last month, when EDF Renewables Ireland announced plans to develop a wind farm on a site located approximately 8kms North of Drogheda at Kellystown it was met with mixed feelings by people living in the area.
In their announcement the company, which is part of the huge EDF multinational energy conglomerate which are world leaders in alternative forms of energy, said that the c.50MW wind farm would generate enough power for more than 35,000 homes but many people living close to the proposed site were less than happy about it.
Local residents have organised themselves into a group and have arranged for a public meeting to take place on Wednesday 23rd November at The Drumshallon Forge starting at 8.15 pm.
A spokesperson for the group told Drogheda Life that they are all in favour of renewable energy but the siting of wind turbines is a very sensitive matter.
“We agree wholeheartedly with the appropriate development of green energy in suitable locations” he said. But not in a highly populated residential area such as ours.”
He said that some of the local community had been visited by representatives of EDF about the proposed siting of up to 8 Wind Turbines (180M from top to ground) tall.
“Other members received a letter through their post box while other people received no information at all. The proposed plan has caused a lot of distress, uncertainty, worry and many unanswered questions” he added.
He said that the purpose of next Wednesday’s meeting is to give the local community an opportunity to discuss their reaction to this issue.
“If you live within 5K of the proposed site please attend and pass on the word to your neighbours” the spokesperson said. Remember, the proposed turbines are each 180 M tall from tip to ground. This is almost twice the height of the Chimney in Platin (100m) and three times the height of Liberty Hall in Dublin (59.4 m)
He also expressed fears about possible adverse effect on people’s health which had been well documented at other windfarm sites and worried also that the development will entail destruction of the local countryside, biodiversity and archaeological sites.
A spokesperson for EDF told Drogheda Life that EDF Renewables Ireland had not been invited to attend the meeting but they believed that the site could accommodate up to eight turbines with tip heights of up to 180m.
“The company is currently carrying out detailed environmental studies at the site, including ecology, noise, landscape and visual assessments.
“The results of these studies, together with feedback gathered in consultation with local communities, will be used to determine the final wind farm layout and number of turbines.”
He added that the company will be holding a number of public consultation events as plans for the Kellystown Wind Farm progress.
Read our previous article: Plans revealed for huge wind farm North of Drogheda at Kellystown
