North Wexford Community Group Forms In Opposition To Proposed Wind Farm

A new community group has been formed in north Wexford in opposition to the proposed Kilmichael Wind Farm development near Gorey.

More than 140 people attended a public meeting at the Amber Springs Hotel in recent weeks, leading to the creation of the “No to Kilmichael Wind Farm” committee. The proposed development by Regnum Renewables would see up to eight wind turbines, each standing up to 182 metres tall, constructed in the upland areas between Hollyfort and Craanford.

Residents from the Hollyfort, Craanford, Monaseed and surrounding areas say they are concerned about the visual impact, noise levels and proximity of the turbines to homes.

Committee member Chris Montage told South East Radio that many local residents were unaware of the project until recently.

“They called to people who wanted to talk to them and I talked to them and went through the proposals with them, but the level of community engagement is limited to their obligation, which is 90 people who are very, very close to the turbines,” he said.

“We've discovered over the last two months that there are hundreds and hundreds of houses within two, two-and-a-half and three kilometres who have heard nothing about it at all.”

Michael McGovern who is also on the committee said members of the committee have spent time speaking with other communities around the country affected by wind farm developments to better understand their experiences.

“We've spent a lot of time going around the country talking to other groups, learning about their concerns, their experiences, the problems, the good points and the bad points,” he said.

“The obvious concerns are the visual impact, the noise from the turbines and the flicker people could experience early in the morning or late in the evening. But one thing many of us weren’t aware of is low-frequency noise or infrasound.”

The proposed Kilmichael Wind Farm would have the capacity to generate enough electricity to power approximately 43,000 homes annually. Regnum Renewables say setback distances from homes can be achieved in line with national draft wind energy guidelines, while environmental and visual impact assessments are ongoing.

The No to Kilmichael Wind Farm group says it plans to continue engaging with residents and is preparing to oppose the development as it moves through the planning process.