Canadian energy company refused planning permission in Longford

A Canadian renewable energy company has been refused permission by the planning authority for the development of a wind turbine farm in the Longford townlands of Cloonanny Glebe, Corragarrow, Derryharrow, and Gorteenorna. Natural Forces Renewable Energy 2 Ltd had also sought permission for a 35-year operational life from commissioning.

The controversial proposed development was met with a number of formal objections, including one from ESB networks whose analysis indicated that turbine 1 of the development would significantly impact their link infrastructure, specifically the link between Ardagh Hill and Mohill.

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One of the strongest objections however was submitted by Dr Gerard Rafferty PhD of Melview Glen, who said “dwellings built in close region of the proposed wind farm have been refused planning permission for decorative windows and balconies on the basis that they are not in keeping with the general landscape in the specific area, yet it is proposed to erect a 200m Wind turbine within reach of small cottage type bungalows dwellings and flat green fields.”

To emphasise the visual dominance of 2 wind turbines, each standing at the proposed height of 200m, Dr Rafferty compared the structures to the current tallest landmark in Longford, St Mel’s Cathedral, which stands at just 51m in height.

Dr Rafferty also observed that the nearest wind turbine farm appeared to be Slieve Bawn in Roscommon, and despite those turbines being over 25kms away and standing at 130m high, they were still “distinctly visible from several points in Longford Town, and other towns many kilometres away.”

In a separate point, he stated that the proposed development contradicted previous government efforts to attract people to rural areas.

Dr Rafferty wrote, “A number of homes in this area were provided with grants from the Government under Section 23 Owner Occupier Relief, in an effort to attract people to move from urban areas to rural areas to re-populate the rural landscape on the promise of rural living, away from urbanisation and industry.

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This proposal now seeks to disrupt the unspoilt panorama sold by the Government as the attraction to bring people back to rural areas.” Adding that it seemed “wholly unnecessary and excessive” to disrupt the unspoilt beauty of a rural area for just 2 wind turbines, Dr Rafferty said the application suggested that the longer term plan was in fact to increase the number of wind turbines over time using a “foot-in-the-door approach.”

An objection lodged by Cllr Seamus Butler described the proposal as “ludicrous”, pointing out that the proposed turbines would be “four times the height of St Mel’s Cathedral.”  

Aileen White from Lucan stated in her objection that the proposed windfarm would be located just 1.22km from her mother’s house. In recounting her experience with Natural Forces, she wrote of their lack of engagement with locals, and how the first three people she spoke with at their “extremely poor” information session could not answer the basic questions.

“Just let that sink in,” Ms White wrote, “they couldn’t answer those basic questions and this was an information session for residents! I was astounded at the lack of clarity and transparency.” 

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In refusing planning permission, the Longford Planning Authority said it had done so as it was not satisfied that the proposed development “would not have a detrimental impact on the aquatic environment and fisheries resource of the Camlin River” nor was it satisfied that the proposed development would meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive to prevent deterioration of the Camlin River.

The proposed development was therefore considered “prejudicial to the protection of the environment.”
Natural Forces have four weeks to appeal