By Dan Walsh at Gorey Kilmuckridge meeting at Gorey Civic Offices
Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council has voted 9-1 calling on Regnum Renewables to withdraw their proposal for Kilmichael Windfarm due to the overwhelming opposition to the project by the residents in the townlands of Mount Nebo, Craan Upper, Slievebawn, Monaseed Demense and Kilmichael Gorey.
The decision was taken at today’s monthly meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District held in the Council Chamber at Gorey Civic Offices. Cllr Sullivan’s motion was seconded by Cllr Donal Kenny, Cathaoirleach.
Cllr Sullivan said his motion was a belief in democracy and allowing the voice of the people to be heard. The people have come to realise how big and intrusive this (the windfarm) will look like in the areas affected. Cllr Kenny (seconding) said he did so in support of his neighbours, siblings and friends.
Cllr Oliver Walsh voted against saying that as elected representatives’ councillors had supported the planning process as it is in the County Development Plan. “We unanimously adopted wind energy in the County Development Plan,” said Cllr Walsh, who added; “This motion won’t affect it anyway. Everybody has a right to apply for what they want,” he continued and suggested that interfering with a planning application and pre-empting the planning motion is merely playing to the gallery.”
Cllr Pip Breen said he could see a case for both sides and said “I am not in a position to NOT support the motion” as he supported 100% for wind energy in the County Development Plan.
Cllr Nicky Boland supported the motion saying there are 630-odd houses in the area. “We are all elected members. We are here to represent our community and support the people who elected us.” Cllr Craig Doyle agreed.
Cllr Paddy Kavangh favoured the motion. He pointed out the shame of using good agricultural land for solar or wind energy and stated that the proposed pylons are way bigger than the original.
In conclusion, Cllr Sullivan said;” Nobody is against wind energy, it is the positioning and the size of the windfarm that was concerning.
Cllr Mary Farrell said she fully supported renewable energy but spoke of the dreadful situation experienced by people living in the immediate vicinity. “I acknowledge what the people of the area is concerned about, but we do support renewable energy,” added Cllr Farrell.
Director of Services, Liz Hore, told the meeting that there is no plenary application at this time and that a strategic infrastructural development application would go straight to Coimisiún Pleanála. She pointed out that everyone has a constitutional right to the democratic process.
Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council approved consideration of a deputation request from the ‘No to Kilmichael Windfarm’ committee for the June district meeting.
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