Plans for a new wind farm straddling the West Waterford / East Cork border poses 'a significant risk' to water sources serving Tallow and Youghal, a retired construction engineer has claimed.
Tom Morley, who has over 35 years' experience working on water treatment plants in East Cork, said the proposed wind farm of 25 turbines of up to 150 metres in height would have serious negative impacts - contrary to the developers' claims.
Mr Morley claimed, 'Representatives of developers, Innogy Renewables and McCarthy Keville O'Sullivan who were in the community last week, called to my house and a number of other houses in the area, trying to reassure the community that there would be no negative impacts from living near the windfarm.
'When I raised the issue of the water supply they had nothing to say' he claimed.
Local resident Michael Murphy said the developers plan to lodge a planning application 'by the end of the year'. However, they have 'demonstrated a complete lack of local knowledge' as they were 'unaware' of the 'essential water source' serving Youghal and Tallow.
Mr Murphy and the community of 270 families who will be 'directly affected' would not accept the development as it's 'inappropriate' for the area.
East Cork TD and Minister of State, David Stanton said the current policies for onshore wind farms are 'not fit for purpose' and claimed that a 2017 ruling by An Bord Pleanala against a wind farm 14kms from the proposed site in West Waterford 'set a precedent in relation to wind development in the region'.
- by Kevin Kirrane, Dungarvan Leader
