Plans by the ESB and Bord na Móna to develop what has been billed as the world's largest wind farm in north Mayo have been set back by a request for further information from Mayo County Council.
Both State-sponsored bodies had applied to Mayo County Council for a change of use for a site in north Mayo from industrial peat production to include use as a wind farm. The site, near the Bellacorrick power station, covers some six townlands and is more than 5,000 hectares, or almost 12,400 acres.
The planned 210 turbines will generate 320 megawatts of electricity providing power to 200,000 homes. The turbines will stand at more than 100ft in height, higher than the existing chimneys at Bellacorrick peat station. The existing Bellacorrick wind farm has 21 turbines and provides just over six megawatts of power.
The ESB and Bord na Móna claim the project will cost in the region of €320 million and will give employment to 100 people during construction, with 20 permanent jobs for operation and maintenance of the project. Bellacorrick peat station is due to close in 2004-05 with the loss of more than 200 jobs.
The wind farm proposal, submitted on October 31st, 2001, has elicited several objections from people in the locality and notifiable bodies. To date, there are 29 letters of objection and observation listed on the council planning file. Some of these letters represent groups of people. Only one letter of support is on file, from Mr Jim Higgins, former Fine Gael TD and now Senator.
Two letters from Fine Gael TD Mr Michael Ring, written on behalf of constituents to Mayo County Council, outline concerns over the project. Many local people are concerned about grazing rights, land ownership, the necessity for new high-voltage lines, television and mobile phone interference, and the visual impact of the project. On December 19th, 2001, Mayo County Council wrote to the ESB/Bord na Móna consortium seeking further information on 50 different issues. That information was provided to the council on August 13th. Two weeks ago, on October 10th, Mayo County Council wrote to the consortium again seeking further clarification on the information supplied.
In a letter from senior executive planner Ms Breda Gannon, she stated that she had documentation that disputed Bord na Móna's title to the property.
