The Kellehers claimed they started experiencing health problems in and around their family farm from May 2016 and had to move out of their home in November 2016. ...They claimed their symptoms eased after they moved away but returned if they spent any time attending at or assisting on the family farm. The defendants denied the claims, denied any breach of constitutional rights and said the wind farm was operated in a lawful manner.

Impact on People Legal Ireland

The meeting in Mountmellick heard concerns about the height of the turbines, the noise they make and the flicker effect on nearby dwellings. Health and safety of the people in the surrounding areas was also high on the agenda. A number of people said the company did not consult widely and that a booklet distributed to some residents contained information “not conveying the true state of serious side effects from such monstrosities”.

Impact on People Zoning/Planning Ireland

“Evidence to date has clearly shown that the measures proposed will simply not protect families from the negative health impacts of industrial-scale wind turbines. They will condemn families to unnecessary lifelong misery, resulting in a massive waste of people’s time, energy, community money and a clogging of the courts. Communities will not stop fighting this injustice; these guidelines are unacceptable."

Impact on People Ireland

Should the development be given the go-ahead residents would be left in a situation where they have windmills surrounding them on three sides in a horseshoe shape resulting in “intolerable noise.” As well as the noise, which is already an issue from the existing turbines when the wind blows from the east, there are also concerns in relation to infra sound and low frequency noise; the visual impact; shadow flicker and the devaluation to properties, in some cases making them unsellable.

Impact on Landscape Impact on People Ireland

“In Ballyduff, families living close by were forced to leave their homes after the development breached planning regulations – the blades in the turbine were too long. Other residents are now complaining of nausea, tinnitus and insomnia.”

Impact on People Ireland

The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) has said that how the industry has engaged with communities in the past is “not the way to do it”, referring to those negatively impacted by the development of wind farms.

Impact on People Ireland

Major concerns have been raised this week about natural habitats and the environment, as wind farm developers continue to seek planning permission for wind farms from local authorities around the country.

Impact on Wildlife Impact on People Ireland

A recent series of protests by a small number of people living close to the site at Bellacorick has highlighted wider concerns about the developers’ approach. “North Mayo has learned the meaning of community but the handling of this wind-farm project so far shows the State clearly has not,” says Brendan Lavelle of Keenagh Community Development.

Impact on Landscape Impact on People Ireland

The number of complaints received for wind farm noise is significantly higher in Omagh and Fermanagh District than any other council area. According to latest statistics from DAERA, there was a total of 13 noise complaints.

Impact on People Noise Ireland

This article examines the issues surrounding infrasound and low frequency sound (ILFN) by reporting on the work of Dr Mariana Alves-Pereira. Accredited acousticians cannot ascertain compliance levels for ILFN because there are none – the vast majority of regulations worldwide do not cover this part of the acoustic spectrum. The full article including charts and images can be accessed by clicking the links on this page.

Impact on People Noise Ireland

The court said it was setting aside An Bord Pleanala’s decision on grounds including that irrelevant considerations were taken into account by the planning authority when it turned an application by Element Power Ireland Ltd to develop the project.

Impact on People Legal Ireland

'The Bill was to put a legal framework for wind farm development by the proposal of setback distance of ten times the height of the turbine, along with provisions to protect against noise and shadow flicker. The Bill also allowed for both optional community ownership and greater consultation. The Bill was rejected by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael last night."

Impact on People Ireland

It was the humming sound of a wind turbine at 750 metres which certainly stood out to the hundreds of people who turned up at the information meetings both at Gneeveguilla and Ballydesmond.

Impact on People Noise 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

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

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 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 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