bcc wind farm public meeting
DESCRIPTION
Bunclody Community Council presentation on Wind Farms, from a public meeting on 10th July 2012.TRANSCRIPT
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