Tuesday 23 May 2017

'Crucial' wind planning guidelines must protect communities - Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow and East Carlow John Brady has said that legislation must be put in place to protect communities and homeowners from the development of industrial windfarms.

Teachta Brady said:

“We cannot allow a situation where corporations are imposing themselves on small rural communities against the will of the people for corporate benefit.

“It is very disheartening and frustrating for the people of South Wicklow to see a second application from ABO Wind Ireland to build 11 industrial scale wind turbines after their previous planning application was so unanimously rejected.

“The government made a commitment in their programme for government to publish wind planning guidelines within 3 to 6 months of forming a new government. One year later this has still not happened.

“These guidelines are crucial to ensure that there is a proper effective regulatory framework in place to manage wind farm construction.

“Last July, Sinn Féin introduced the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2016 which seeks to address the concerns that have been raised in communities’ right across the State when it comes to wind farm development.

“Central to this Bill is the protection of nearby dwellings from noise and shadow flicker by providing minimum set back distances which increase as the height of the turbine itself increases. With that, this Bill also ensures there is an open and fully extensive public consultative process.

"I hope that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs will support this Bill when it comes to the floor of the Dáil for debate.

“When it comes to the protection of homes and communities there is an onus on us, as legislators to take action. Wicklow will not become a dumping ground for big corporations to come in and set up wind turbines wherever they like. The concerns of people and their homes must be respected.”

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