Michael Viney article in Saturdays Irish Times 4/10/2008 Why we chose a wind farm

See Michael Viney's article “Why we chose a wind farm over a gold mine” here:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2008/1004/1222959337293.html

I was saddened and disappointed to see Mr Viney’s column being used as a forum to support the development of a wind farm in Mayo, in what I would call misleading terms.

The following are not mentioned:

1. That the proposed area for this development is both adjacent to, and in, an area designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Natural Heritage Area (NHA).
2. That this area is also listed in the Mayo Wind Strategy document as being unsuitable for wind farm development.
3. That the Landscape Appraisal section of the County Mayo County Development Plan, Development Impact, states that the landscape sensitivity matrix of wind farms in this area has “High potential to create adverse impacts on the existing landscape character. Having regard to the intrinsic physical and visual characteristics of the landscape, it is unlikely that such impacts can be reduced to a widely acceptable level.”
4. That the Mayo Development Plan - Landscape Appraisal designates the Mweelrea Mountains as vulnerable and under policy 3.1(b) Policy with Regard to Areas Designated as Vulnerable: “These areas or features designated as vulnerable represent the principal features which create and sustain the character and distinctiveness of the surrounding landscape. To be considered for permission, development in the environs of these vulnerable areas must be shown not to impinge in any significant way upon its character, integrity or uniformity when viewed from the surroundings. Particular attention should be given to the preservation of the character and distinctiveness of these areas as viewed from scenic routes and the environs of archaeological and historic sites.”

Also of note is that an appeal to An Bord Pleanala for a 50 meter mast bearing wind speed and direction equipment in Moher, Co Cavan, by Organic Power, was refused. The application site was on a blanket bog, in an SAC, a proposed NHA, a High Landscape Area and in an area where there was a presumption against such development. Organic Power do “do peat”, aparently if they were allowed. See details of An Bord Pleanala’s decision and inspectors report here:

http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/222575.htm

Michael Viney’s publication “A Living Island” supports recognition and respect for SACs and NHAs, but laments their presentation to a rural society “generally so ill-equipped to see their point.”
See here to open or save a copy in Word format:

http://www.comharsdc.ie/_files/comhar0310.doc

Important quotes worth noting from the Living Island are:

1. “The challenge is to identify and map the essential network of habitats so that they can be taken into account by local authority planners and recognised and respected even at community level.” “It is sad, however, that the whole conservation apparatus of Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), the Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) selected from them, and the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds, has been presented to a rural society generally so ill-equipped to see their point.”
2. “But only when the damage became scandalous and undeniable was the grazing impact on blanket bog vegetation suddenly worth studying”
3. "One option is to accept – as I do – that other species and their habitats have an intrinsic claim or ‘right’ to exist which is independent of the interests of human beings.”
4. “It has also helped people to accept the idea of Special Areas of Conservation, and to accept the list of a representative range of ‘important’ habitats which were designated as SACs – Ireland’s contribution to Europe’s Natura 2000 network.”
5. “It has also helped people to accept the idea of Special Areas of Conservation, and to accept the list of a representative range of ‘important’ habitats which were designated as SACs – Ireland’s contribution to Europe’s Natura 2000 network.”

The issue of wind turbines is one that is fraught with complications. Even the offshore option would mean the destruction of valuable habitat. I understand that up 1,000 tonnes of concrete could be needed as a foundation for a large, land based turbine. It has always been a question in my mind: is there a balance to be struck, are the total emissions from the construction and placement, of a large wind turbine, offset by its renewable energy output verses alternative energy production, and I am not just counting the costs in heavily subsidised financial values. In this sum I would include the like of the emissions from the man taking his car to the factory to build a turbine, to the like of landscape value. I cannot find out a satisfactory answer to this question.

I believe that if we pursue the wind energy option, an easier and generally acceptably starting point would be that every home should have a small one (they do not require planning permission) and an export meter to the ESB, where full financial credit is given back from the ESB to the customer. Noisy and unsightly Industrial parks and IDA estates, train stations, even airports, are more appropriate places for larger turbines, the turbines can be switched off for certain hours if necessary. These are a few of the many areas that need exploration and could possibly raise a large amount of the energy needed while spreading the impact throughout the island, before we ingress on our SACs and our NHAs.

The columns use of words, such as “unremarkable slope”, “lonely inland valley” and “tucked away in a costal cul-de-sac”, could create a picture in the reader’s mind of some faraway place of little consequence, and that in my opinion is deceptive. The prevention of new houses in the area is not a reasonable reason for supporting wind farm development in a protected area. Neither is the situation a choice between a gold mine or a wind farm. It is too late to decide whether you mind about the noise from the wind turbines after the fact and the reference to 70 meter wooded poles across the bay 100 years ago, in the context of the article, was erroneous.

It is my understanding that NHAs and SACs are part of a network of sites which will safeguard the future of Ireland's fauna and flora. While some people can choose to adjust to the visual and auditory impact of such a development, I believe that it is in the national interest, and a national responsibility, to preserve designated SACs and NHAs.