Shannon Airport and Airnav Ireland are objecting to the proposed windfarm in Co Clare
An Coimisiún Pleanala (ACP) is to stage an oral hearing into a planned 50MW windfarm for south-east Clare that AirNav Ireland and Shannon Airport are opposing.
ACP has told parties in the case that the oral hearing due to take place in Shannon this Thursday will be limited to deal with aviation issues relevant to Shannon Airport and Woodcock Hill radar station in Clare.
Last year, Limerick firm Ballycar Green Energy lodged plans to ACP for the 12 turbine windfarm to be located 3km north-west of Limerick city.
ACP has received 74 third-party submissions with the bulk opposed to the windfarm which is proposed for a 105-hectare site neighbouring the townland of Ballycar, north of Meelick, Co Clare.
The tip height of the wind-turbines is to be 518 feet. Arising from the objections lodged by Shannon Airport and AirNav Ireland, ACP commissioned an independent aviation review by aviation consultancy Sagentia Aviation.
The Sagentia Aviation review stated: “At this point in time, it is Sagentia Aviation’s view that despite significant engagement, the aviation concerns have not been addressed to the satisfaction of AirNav and the airport.”
At the oral hearing, the applicant is to address the aviation issues relevant to Shannon Airport and the Woodcock Hill radar.
AirNav Ireland and Shannon Airport will present their concerns while Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe is one of seven individuals scheduled to outline their views on the application.
Air Nav Ireland provides air traffic management and related services and employs over 200 air traffic controllers in Dublin, Cork and Shannon and 50 radio officers in Ballygirreen, Co Clare.
In an objection against the windfarm, Charlie O’Loughlin of AirNav Ireland has told ACP that it objects to the windfarm as the development would result in a reduction in the level of safety in the Shannon and Dublin air traffic control centres which depend on the Woodcock Hill radar station.
Mr O’Loughlin contends that the proposed windfarm “would degrade the performance of the Woodcock Hill radar”.
AirNav Ireland’s objections are supported by Shannon Airport.
A spokeswoman for Ballycar Green Energy has previously stated that the proposed project “would play a central role in Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050”.
She said Ballycar Green Energy “will generate a community benefit fund estimated at €3.75m over the first 15 years of operation which could be utilised on sustainable initiatives for the growth and development of the local area”.
source