This article is from page 37 of the 2009-06-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 37 JPG
TURF cutting rights going back generations are threatening to derail plans for a €50 million windfarm near Lissycasey.
Last month, ESB subsidiary, Hiber- nian Windpower lodged plans for an eleven turbine 410 ft high windfarm at Boolneagleragh three kilometres from Lissycasey. The windfarm was to be developed on a 180 hectare site and Hibernian said it would produce 27.5MW otf electricity.
However, it is not the windfarm’s environmental impacts that ag- grieved locals, but the effect it would have on their “turbary rights’ to cut turf for domestic use which has been carried on for centuries in rural ar- Crh
26 separate submissions have been
made by turbary right holders, in- cluding the newly established Boo- lynagleragh Tubridy Rights Action Committee.
In his submission, Patrick J Warren states that his family has exercised their turbary rights since the 1940s.
‘Every year, between the months of May and August, the turf is harvest- ed from the bog to provide fuel for the household and the extended fam- ily households of my seven children in Cork, Dublin and around Clare. Exercising our turbary rights is part of my family’s heritage. Having worked with my own father on our bogs, I have passed the tradition on to my own seven children and indeed my grandchildren, who enjoy taking part in his familial activity.
NS) eLeLUU CCM deb mures slmolomcinu lO) OSem AUER YA it will be sorely missed and regret-
ted by my family and generations of Warrens to come. I am highly dismayed and disgusted to have not been consulted by Hibernian Wind- Power Ltd in relation to the proposed development of the wind-farm in our bog.
In a separate submission, William Pyne of Kilmaley stated that both himself and his family had been cut- ting turf in this bog for the past 50 years.
“It 1s of the utmost importance to me that my turf cutting rights are not infringed and that access to my bog is not in any way violated. I am also concerned that if planning is grant- ed, it will have financial implications for me as I use the turf from this bog to heat my house.
“IT would like to express my dis- belief that neither Hibernian Wind
Farm nor Clare County Council have been in contact with the people of whom these proposed developments have an impact on.
James O’Connor, Lisheen, Ballyna- cally said the turbary right had been in his family for generations and they continue to cut and dry turf ona yearly basis. There was no consulta- tion between turbary rights holders and Hibernian Wind Power and he was concerned that the development would have an adverse impact on his turbary rights.
Michael Maher of Inch, Kilmaley said he was very worried that the windfarm and turbines could stop him using the rights which both he and his family were using for 20 Wer Duce
The is due to make a decision on the application next month.