‘Save Benbradagh’ campaigners issue stark warning to local council and NI Executive

The Save Benbradagh group has welcomed the decision of the planning committee of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council on Wednesday, September 24 to visit the site of the proposed wind farm at Brishey.

However, they say political representatives need to appreciate the consequences of their decisions to date and the implications of any further approvals in the absence of a robust management plan.

Just last week Kieran Kennedy announced his resignation from the Board of Invest NI as in his opinion, “the team was not committed to achieving regional balance and felt that the North West was being discriminated against.”

The campaign group say the contentious issue of Brishey wind farm must also be viewed within the wider social, economic and political context.

“The Sperrins AONB is a disadvantaged area that has suffered from historical underdevelopment and underinvestment, and this continues to be the case post-conflict. Indicative of the neglect is the lack of a management plan or comprehensive tourist strategy for the area which would allow for an integrated approach and critically, investment. There is no comprehensive tourist strategy for Dungiven and Banagher despite its location on an arterial route, scenic beauty, natural amenities and rich cultural heritage. Typifying the neglect is Dungiven Old Priory, a designated heritage site of regional significance which continues to deteriorate. There has been no conservation of the site in living memory, accessibility is limited, and an interactive tourist experience seems like a long way off. The grass is cut a few times a year which tells us that we don’t deserve much more than that. Instead, the erosion of our cultural and natural heritage continues unabated by the development of more wind farms while other AONBs thrive under careful management and sensitive, sustainable development.

“With the recent PAC decision on Magheramore wind farm (adjacent to Banagher nature reserve) and more turbines planned for Benbradagh, the people feel besieged and there is a strong sense of injustice and unfairness. There is an imminent risk of totally disenfranchising the people in this part of the Borough. The approach to wind farm development in the Sperrins AONB cannot be objectively and reasonably justified. It wouldn’t happen in the Glens of Antrim or in the Mournes and it cannot be allowed to continue in this part of the Sperrins. The voluntary community group, ‘Save Benbradagh’ is desperately trying, with limited resources, to protect our most precious natural assets, ensure access and maintain the connection with our cultural and natural heritage.”

The group say 'under legislation and planning policy, the onus shouldn’t be on the people'.

“It is for State authorities to meet the designated objectives - conserve the natural beauty, wildlife and heritage of the mountain, promote its enjoyment by the public and maintaining access. ‘Exceptional circumstances’ for renewable energy have been applied to such a degree in our area that there is now imbalance and inequality. Our political representatives must step in to protect our AONB from any further developments and ensure social cohesion within the area. The Sperrins was first designated in 1968, yet it is the only AONB not to have had the benefit of a management plan, unlike the other seven designated areas. The lack of a coherent plan and integrated approach has allowed the protections afforded by law and planning policy to be nullified. Salami-sliced wind farm development has resulted in an over saturation of wind turbines and altered the distinctive character of this fragile landscape. The scenic Roe Valley route has become saturated with windfarms that do not comply with cumulative separation distances. The cumulative impact of the existing 111 industrial wind turbines within a nine mile radius of Dungiven has not been fully assessed to date. ‘Binn Fhada Rí Chiannachta’ was the name of the mountain recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters and meansc‘the long peak of the King of Ciannacht’. Benbradagh mountain shelters the town of Dungiven, it is the backdrop to our lives and provides a place of serenity for our people and visitors alike. Benbradagh is the gateway to the Sperrins and has visual prominence across the North West. It also has protected peatland and wildlife including the internationally protected whopper swans. Wind turbines should never have been allowed on Benbradagh mountain.”

ABOVE: Dungiven-born singer named one of her albums after Benbradagh.

The spokesperson continued: “Evishagaran windfarm was approved on the basis that the unique, protected ridgeline would not be broken. The turbine blades have in fact broken the unique ridgeline and there is no remedy whatsoever. The current proposal at Brishey aims to site four even larger turbines near the famous crown of the mountain and will prevent access along the customary walkway over the top of the mountain that links our glen with Glenullin (Gleann an Iolair – the glen of the eagle). Benbradagh is inextricably bound up with our identity yet there seems to be a complete lack of understanding of, or utter disregard for, the deep connection between the people and the mountain. Benbradagh has long been celebrated in song and story, both ancient and modern, and famously featured as the album title for Cara Dillon’s ‘Hill of Thieves’. The right to cultural life is at the core of all human identities. Indeed, the UN Rapporteur for Cultural Rights recently affirmed that‘cultural rights are indispensable to sustainable development’. A human rights-based approach must be adopted in line the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Indigenous peoples and minorities have very particular rights yet there has been a failure to consider any of these rights in the planning process. The revival of the Gaelic language and culture is at the heart of our community. We have a flourishing Irish-medium education sector with Gaelcholáiste Dhoire providing education to almost 400 students in the landmark heritage site of Dungiven Castle. The governors of the school are unanimous in their opposition to the wind farm development at Brishey given the potential adverse impact on the Castle, old bawn wall, protected environment and cultural heritage. As occupants of the Castle, the Board views their role as stewards of the built heritage and custodians of the unique cultural and linguistic rights of their students and wider language community. The Board of Governors has lodged a substantive submission opposing the application. The language of the mountain and the entire area is the Gaelic language which forms part of the ecology. Brishey is the placename on the upper slopes of Benbradagh where the largest ever wind turbines are to be sited. It is recalled in local memory as a place where there was a battle and this is mirrored in the placename, ‘Briseadh’ which means ‘break’ or ‘breach’. Our sensitive environment and our people are at breaking point. Lamentably, balance cannot be restored but all further wind farm development in the Roe Valley area must be halted until all relevant impact assessments are incorporated into the process and a management plan put in place. We call upon the Council and the Executive to immediately place a moratorium on all further wind farm developments in the area.”