More significantly, the drafted proposals also retain the mandatory minimum setback distance of 500m for wind turbine construction near residential homes, something Fitzmaurice does not think will sit well with local communities. “People won’t stand for what they are proposing and won’t accept the 500m setback area. I would expect people to lodge a submission against them,” He continued.

Zoning/Planning Ireland

A group of families in a north Cork village who sued a wind farm operator claiming the huge turbines adversely affected their health have settled their High Court actions.

Legal Ireland

A group of families in a north Cork village who sued a wind farm operator claiming the huge turbines adversely affected their health have settled their High Court actions.

Impact on People Ireland

The Government has decided not to increase the mandatory set back distance for high-powered wind turbines in its new rules for the wind energy industry. However, a raft of new restrictions for wind turbine construction are expected to limit the impact on communities affected by the rising number of wind farms in rural Ireland.

General Ireland

At the public meeting, Cllr Brendan Cronin (Ind) said he strongly backed the local campaign, ‘Sliabh Luachra Windfarm’ and residents who objected, and said he has seen the consequences of what wind turbines do a to region. “This has a devastating effect on families and it splits communities without question. It’s a huge problem,” he said.

Impact on Landscape Impact on People Ireland

The message from a packed room in Gneeveguilla on Monday night rang out clearly: “No one wants these monsters of wind turbines near our homes, our families, our children, our schools or on our land. They are not wanted in any shape or form”.

Impact on People Ireland

The Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) is to be asked to decide issues concerning the extent of Coillte's environmental responsibilities in relation to grid connection works for a wind farm in Co Laois.

Legal Ireland

The wind industry continues to operate a ruthless cloak-and-dagger, divide-and-conquer strategy. “Community gain funds” and payouts have resulted in disharmony and disagreement among neighbours, sometimes causing major family fallouts. Turbine construction is governed by out-dated planning guidelines ...which allow them just 500m from homes, sometimes resulting in devastating consequences for families. 

Energy Policy Ireland

And even if Ireland gets close to reaching its 2020 targets, the EU plans to move the goalposts again by increasing the EU-wide renewables target to 27pc by 2030, with even greater fines proposed for breaches. The fines, which are set to be applied at a daily rate of €25,000, will then ratchet up at an ever more rapid pace.

General Ireland

South Wicklow Wind Action Group (SWWAG) said that the decision by Minister Coveney not to impose any limitations on wind farms has caused outrage in local rural communities. It had been proposed to restrict wind farms in Wicklow to ‘ least 1,000m or 10 times the tip height of the proposed turbines from any residential properties or other centres of human habitation.

Impact on People Ireland

The Supreme Court wants the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) to determine European law issues before ruling whether An Bord Pleanála properly assessed the impact of a Co Tipperary wind farm on the habitat of the hen harrier, a protected species under EU law.

General Ireland

In “Ireland must continue to invest in wind farms” (Opinion & Analysis, February 20th), Gary Healy states that new planning guidelines are being finalised that will determine how future wind farms will be developed, and adds that it is critical that these guidelines do not imperil future investment in the sector or Ireland’s obligations regarding renewables.

Noise Ireland

Clonroche residents have confirmed that a legal challenge is under way against An Bord Pleanala's decision to grant planning permission for a windfarm development on Ballinclay Hill.

Legal Ireland

The case is next listed for hearing on April 25, and will be closely observed by many of the families living in close proximity to wind farms and who claim that there should be a greater distance between homes and turbines.

Impact on People Noise Ireland

The massive structure, near the Begny Hill Road between Dromara and Ballynahinch, was photographed lying in pieces on the ground. The images also showed a large crane active on the site amid the wreckage.

Safety Structural Failure Ireland

They are used to generate electricity but this wind turbine at Ballynahinch, County Down, sparked interest from a sharp-eyed snapper after appearing to keel over.

Safety Structural Failure Ireland

The Farmers Journal understands that the cases taken by the families claim that the wind farm caused them nuisance as a result of excessive noise. The wind company is Enercon Wind Farm Services Ireland Ltd and it formally admitted liability to the Court.

Impact on People Legal Ireland

The majority of councillors voted in favour of Cllr Shay Cullen's call for an exclusion zone which would restrict wind farms from at least 1,000m, or ten times the tip of the height of the proposed turbines, from any residential properties or other centres of human habitation. 

Impact on People Ireland

He was on the ground and not operating any machinery when an area of bog shifted and trapped him. A second worker was also caught up in the incident. He was in a digger when the bogland started to move but was able to climb down and walk to safety.

Impact on People Safety Ireland

The Government has deferred a decision to issue new guidelines for wind farms following a European Court ruling which imposed duties on the State to inform the public fully.

General Ireland