Campaign group express fear for future of key northwest landmark

A campaign group opposed to a planning application by ABO Wind to erect a windfarm on the top of Benbradagh Mountain in Dungiven have expressed fear for the future of the key northwest landmark. The group have outlined their concerns in the article they have penned below.

There is growing alarm and outcry amongst people in Dungiven and outlying areas regarding a planning application for a new windfarm on the top of Benbradagh - a key iconic landmark overlooking Dungiven, surrounding areas and the whole of the Roe Basin. Local communities have held the mountain close to their hearts for centuries - it is part of their local heritage, revered in folklore, poetry, art and songs – such as “Benbradagh’s crown o’er Dungiven town”, and the well known ballad “Finvola The Gem of the Roe”. The mountain forms the backdrop and setting against which generations of local communities have lived out their lives – it features in just about every family and local photograph down through the years and is deeply embedded and referenced in all their activities - as one local stated - “I know I am nearly home when I can see the ridgeline of Benbradagh in the distance”.

The proposed development, submitted on 5th January 2023, is for 6 turbines at 150 meters high with rotor diameters upto 136m wide – nearly as wide as they are tall - half the height of the mountain, and 3 times the size of the single turbines dotted about locally! These will dominate the prominent, distinctive west-facing skyline and destroy the character of the mountain and setting of the local town and area forever. Contrary to misinformation being circulated, the proposed turbines will be highly visible from Dungiven and surrounding areas - Gortnaghey, Burnfoot, Feeny, Drumsurn, Banagher, Foreglen and Drum, and beyond – plans submitted very clearly show turbines positioned in close proximity to the viewing point/ carpark at the top of the mountain.

Not only is Benbradagh a haven for the locals bringing all sections of the community together, it is also popular amongst hill-walkers and is one of the top spots in Ireland for paragliding. Dungiven and catchment areas are steeped in history and renowned for their beauty, and increasing efforts in recent years to grow and promote tourism and the fitness and wellbeing opportunities the area offers have begun to bear fruit, with many new businesses springing up since the covid pandemic, and local shops, bars, and eateries feeling the benefit. The recent opening of new A6 by-pass has created new picture-postcard approaches to the town and area, the rich tapestry of Benbradagh a stunning backdrop. Locals are now deeply worried that a windfarm on top of Benbradagh, the second most northerly peak in the Sperrins and gateway to the North West, will damage current and future business and tourism endeavors in the wider area. Given that a report for the Irish Tourist Industry in 2014 detailed that “the outlook for tourism in Ireland will be bleak if an essential component – beautiful and unspoilt scenery – is lost” – it would seem the concerns of local people are not unfounded.

“It’s shocking,” one resident stated, continuing: “we have families and are off course very aware of and support renewable energy targets, but - it cannot be at all costs – it would be a travesty if after having caused so much damage with fossil fuels, we now go and place turbines on protected landscapes - there has to be a balance, otherwise there will be nothing of beauty left for future generations. Key landmarks cannot be sacrificed and ruined in the process of achieving renewable energy targets - otherwise we might as well just throw planning policies and legislation in the bin and let wind companies do whatever they want. There is a place for windfarms and that place is NOT on the top of Benbradagh”.

The proposed turbines are gigantic in scale and will dominate the mountain and tower over the surrounding areas – but yet the proposed development only came to light a few months ago, putting the locally impacted communities at a huge disadvantage. It would seem that ABO Wind has tried to downplay and keep this proposed development for Benbradagh under the radar, and avoid engaging with the people of Dungiven and risk a massive public outcry. “This is the biggest-impacting planning application in the history of Dungiven and the surrounding areas”, said a local mother, “and yet the only community consultation event was held in Glenullin, in June 2022 - when the biggest impact is on the west-facing Dungiven side? That’s just insulting! Advertised in not widely read newspapers, and no notifications in shops, local churches, sports or community groups? Only 12 people attended - ‘cos nobody knew about it! ... What use is a leaflet drop to houses within 1 and ¼ miles away from the application site – when most of that distance is empty mountainside!”

A local business owner wasn’t too impressed by the community fund on offer, referring to it is a ‘sweetner’. “£52k - even if that whole sum in its entirety went to the folk of Dungiven, (which it won’t) – approximately 3,500 people, sure that only works out at £14 per head!?.. Destroying our treasured landmark and proposing to pay us the equivalent of 4 cups of tea and a packet of biscuits a year?!” he fumed.. “This is not a price worth paying, for being surrounded by wind turbines on what will soon be every horizon; keeping a valuable part of our landscape intact is really important and beneficial for the health and wellbeing of our children and future generations. Let’s not dress this up, the only reason why ABO want to put a windfarm on top of Benbradagh is to make more profit from the higher wind yields that such a prominent location offers. Having examined the figures submitted with the application, this project will only put money into the pockets of a few; meanwhile the development will negatively impact local house prices and potentially deter folk from moving to the area – let’s face it, living in close vicinity to windfarms isn’t seen as highly desirable”.

The community has every right to be outraged. This is not an area where folk oppose each and every wind turbine, in fact quite the opposite - the area already hosts the largest windfarm in Northern Ireland – Altahullion, outside Gortnaghey which has 45+ turbines; together with windfarms at Rigged Hill, Drumsurn; Craiggore at Legavallon Pot; the recently consented Smulgedon at Legavallon Pot; and Evishargan with a further planning application in for a windfarm on Teeavin Hill, Banagher. However, the new proposed windfarm on top of the iconic Benbradagh is seen as a step too far and is widely opposed by local people and businesses - the community rallying against the industrialization of their highly valued landmark.

A Planning Appeals Commission report in 2016 highlighted the importance of protecting the distinctive west-facing Benbradagh skyline, which is within the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area is noted as being “highly visible” and of “very high scenic quality” in NIEA Landscape Character Assessments, and “highly sensitive” to wind energy development - “particular care should be taken to avoid adverse impacts on distinctive skylines of… Benbradagh”. Dungiven is described as “particularly scenic, reflecting its proximity to... Benbradagh”, with “spectacular views of the mountains”.

Indeed ABO Wind’s own LVIA report for Evishargan highlighted “the key and most notable views of the Benbradagh west-facing skyline”…. It is not the intention of Planning policy that valued landscapes are sacrificed indiscriminately for renewable energy. The Department of Infrastructure (Planning) clarified this in a June 2023 consultation - “it is important... there continues to be a balance between facilitating renewable energy development and other important interests.. such as… amenity … and protection of important landscapes”…. So - why has ABO Wind submitted an application for a windfarm in such a designated, highly visible, sensitive area? If this goes ahead it sets a very dangerous, province-wide precedent that all and any key landscapes and landmarks up for grabs in the onward march to meet renewable targets…. Where does this stop? Will Binevenagh, Slemish, The Mournes, Cavehill be next? …. The Roe Valley Country Park? Mussenden Temple?

A spokesperson representing the community-led effort to oppose the scheme said: “We are absolutely opposed to this application, and the massive, adverse, dominant impact it will have on the skyline of Benbradagh and the character of surrounding areas and wider Roe Basin. This application on such a key landmark is only about wind companies maximizing profits. We are deeply concerned if the application is granted permission, and precedent is established, it will be impossible to stop further turbines along the ridgeline of the mountain in the future. Some places need to remain sacred, and we are adamant we will try to protect our natural heritage for the benefit of generations to come. We urge everyone to submit an objection as soon as they can - each and every member of every household (all ages) is entitled to make an objection. If the people of Dungiven and outlying areas want this scheme stopped they need to act now, we are running out of time. Please ensure you include your name, address and postcode on all submissions.”

A spokesperson speaking on behalf of ABO Wind said: “ABO Wind follows an extensive and rigorous process when identifying, assessing and bringing forward proposed sites for our renewable energy projects. 

“After pre-application community consultation, which went beyond statutory requirements, a planning application for the Brishey wind farm project was submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in January 2023. 

“Landscape and visual, and all other key considerations are set out in detail in the application and will be considered fully by the planning authority and statutory consultees in line with all relevant policies. 

“Across the world, wind farms are successfully developed in areas which continue to attract tourists, visitors, hill walkers and those who enjoy outdoor leisure activities and the natural environment. 

“They also create social and economic benefits across Northern Ireland, and through community funds support local organisations, schools, sports clubs and voluntary initiatives, particularly in often underfunded rural areas.  

“An essential part of the fight against climate change is removing our dependence on fossil fuels. This is emphasised by Northern Ireland’s renewable electricity consumption target of at least 80% by 2030. The proposed Brishey wind farm and other renewable energy projects are needed to meet this target and help protect our natural environment, which is under threat from global warming.” 

Objection letters can be picked up in most local shops and businesses, or can obtained by emailing savebenbradagh@gmail.com

Objections can be submitted by post to: (The Planning Department, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Cloonavin, 66 Portstewart Road, Coleraine, BT52 1EA);

-or by email to: planning@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

-or online to the Planning Portal: - https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/666462

For further information check out the ‘Save Benbradagh’ group on Facebook.