Consultation for proposed Leitrim Wind Farm was publicised - FuturEnergy
A statement issued to the Leitrim Observer said that community clinics took place on Tuesday March 31 and Wednesday April 1 at Rossinver Community Centre and were publicised in advance of the clinics.
FuturEnergy Ireland, the company behind the proposed development of a 14-turbine wind farm at Lissinagroagh, contacted the Leitrim Observer this week stating that they hosted well-publicised community engagement clinics to share information on the proposed Wind Farm.
The statement came after Leitrim group, Save Dough Mountain, outlined their opposition to the development with Darren Sweeney, Chairman of the group, outlining the reason for his concerns.
Mr Sweeney called on locals to lodge their concerns during a "short" five-week window ahead of an imminent by An Coimisiún Pleanála
Speaking to Niall Delaney on Oceanfm, Mr Sweeney insisted that the group is "pro wind" and "not against renewables" but wanted a "no-regrets approach regarding our transition towards a more renewable grid".
He had also stated there was a "lack of community engagement" with locals adding that there was a meeting in the local community centre by appointment-only which he described as "guarded - you only get the true feeling of a community when you bring everyone together; some people can step back a bit when its one to one". He also said that the meeting itself was well not well publicised to locals and he only became aware of it after finding a "brochure blowing around".
He said that he attended the meeting and the answers to his questions weren't "strong enough" or "gave me any confidence that their due diligence on the actual deal was done".
A statement issued to the Leitrim Observer said that community clinics took place on Tuesday March 31 and Wednesday April 1 at Rossinver Community Centre and were publicised in advance of the clinics.
A press release said: "These clinics will give the local community an opportunity to access information, meet the team and discuss the project in detail. These information days are by appointment only to ensure that community members have ample time with specialist members of the project team to discuss their individual queries."
The statement continued: "As part of the ongoing community engagement programme, which began in 2020, all homes within 2km of the proposed site recently received final project brochures delivered by Lissinagroagh’s dedicated Community Liaison Officers, Tom Costello and Eamonn Keavney. This brochure outlines details of the design process, presents extracts from the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and provides a final layout map that shows 14 turbines. This brochure is also available to view and download at www.lissinagroaghwindfarm.ie."
It noted that a Virtual Exhibition is available on the project website. "This online tour features project information including photomontages that show what the proposed turbines will look like from various local and regional viewpoints. If this project receives planning approval, it will bring long‑term investment into the local area through employment and supply chain opportunities, local business spending, commercial rates contributions and community funding."
It stated that the proposed Lissinagroagh Wind Farm has the potential to produce "250,000 MWh of electricity a year and provide a Community Benefit Fund of approximately €500,000 per annum for 15 years in line with industry best practice. FuturEnergy Ireland also commits to an estimated €250,00 per annum in funding for the remaining lifetime of the project. In total, approximately €12.5 million would be contributed to the local area via community funds, depending on wind farm output and turbine selection."