Bcc wind farm public meeting

Bunclody Map

Wexford Wind Energy Strategy

Implications for Bunclody

Overview

Planned and zoned areas for wind farms around Bunclody

Key issues with wind turbines Key issues for Bunclody Elements of Draft CDP of concern

Bunclody Wind Farms Since 2006 planning permission has been

granted for 13 wind farms in Co. Wexford

10 of these wind farms are located within 5 miles of Bunclody

2 wind farms have been granted planning permission in Co. Carlow

1 of these is located within 5 miles of Bunclody

That’s 50 wind turbines in total within 5 miles of Bunclody

WexfordWind Farms

• 1 East Wexford

• 2 South Wexford

• 10 North Wexford

• West zoned in CDP 2013-2019

Bunclody Wind Farms

Only 3 of the 11 wind farms granted planning permission near Bunclody have been constructed

All of these 3 wind farms are at least 4 miles from the town

3 permitted wind farms are located between 1 and 2 miles from the town

Planned and Existing Wind Farms North Wexford

Wind Farm Zoning Carlow and Wicklow

Both Carlow and Wicklow have also zoned areas on the North Wexford border as open for consideration for wind farms.

Developments in these zones will also impact visually on Bunclody and surrounding areas

The cumulative impact on Habitats and Birds in the area will also be considerable

Carlow and WicklowAreas open for Wind Farms

County Carlow Wind Farm Zones

Key Issues for Residentswithin 1 Mile of Wind Turbines

Visual impact is significant Permitted night noise of 43 Decibels is double

the level which the World Health Organisation stated in 2009 causes sleep disturbance and, as a result, damage to health

Amplitude modulation including “thump and swish” is an issue, particularly in downwind conditions

Low Frequency sounds: even though the wind farm industry says there is no problem, some countries, including Denmark, have introduced regulations to limit them

Shadow flicker: like strobe lighting inside a house – long-term health effects not yet clear

UK Davis Case (2011) Health and Property Value Claim

Davis v Tinsley, Watts, Fenland Windfarms Ltd, EDF Energy plc and Fenland Green Power Co-op Ltd (2011)

Couple’s farm 1 km from turbine Compensation claim against landowner and

wind farm developer for:– damage to couple’s health– reduction in market value of their house

Case settled:– Confidentiality clause on total amount– house bought by developer

Phil and Catherine Hickey

Ballylusk

Ballindaggin

Our Story

What happened in the planning process

What it’s like to live near turbines

What we’re trying to achieve at this stage

The Planning Process First planning application for wind farm refused in

October 2006 New application in January 2007; objections made in

February 2007: not accepted by Wexford County Council as deemed one day too late

Planning permission granted at the end of February 2007.

Significant changes by developers to permission:– Road access changes– Turbine now 360 metres from our home, without our

consent– Misrepresentations in the EIS

Even after further objections, the Council granted retention permission to the developer

What It’s Like to Live Near Turbines

• A turbine is located 360 metres from our home

• Regular noise from the turbines: inside and outside our home

• Visual damage to our home: 4 turbines are visible from our kitchen table

• Shadow flicker from November to February at various times in the morning

• Sleep disruption• Stress and ill-health: physical and mental• Financial loss: our home is our only asset

View from Our Garden

View from Our BackGround Level

View From Our BackSecond Level

View from Our Kitchen

View From Our Sunroom

What we’re trying to achieve Correcting the damage to our health Correcting the damage to our home’s value Independent review of how permission was

granted for this wind farm Independent review of how other wind farms

were granted permission in “areas not generally allowed”, including how the accuracy and quality of EISs are assessed

Your support and submissions to the Council

Key Issues for Bunclody

No public consultation – in breach of EU Law Cumulative noise impact has not been assessed and is in

breach of WHO 2009 recommendation Cumulative visual impact will be considerable No assessment of cumulative impact on Habitats and Birds

in breach of both EU Directives UK survey by Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

showed that property values decreased at 60% of properties from where a turbine was visible

In terms of the Draft CDP 2013-2019:– No designation of ‘Landscapes of Greater Sensitivity’ in this area– Policy of clustering and extending wind farms may have significant

negative impact – Route for infrastructure (400Kv overhead lines) not yet decided, but

may locate close to wind farm developments

Draft CDP 2013-2019

Issues of concern include: Stated policy preference is a combination of locating

wind farms where wind resources and infrastructure exist and clustering wind farms in certain locations to minimize impact on rest of the county

“Special cognisance” has been given to private developers, the ESB and Eirgrid in terms of their investments.

No “special cognisance” of impact on local areas or residential health and amenity

No areas in the North of the county have been designated as ‘Landscape of Greater Sensitivity

No changes to the Development Management Standards for wind farms – distance from dwellings, and noise

Infrastructure for Wind Farms

Eirgrid have launched their Project 25 consultation regarding proposed route for 400Kv Pylons 

Bunclody Community Council have submitted feedback on proposed route objecting to its location close to Bunclody on the following grounds:– Health– Constraints of SPCs– Impact on the Heritage of the area– Impact on tourism and areas of special

scenic beauty

Eirgrid 25 Study Area Map