This article is from page 107 of the 2008-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 107 JPG
AN EAST Clare-based company has secured planning permission for a project that will allow it to supply up to half of its energy costs from alter- native energy.
Clare County Council has granted planning permission to Olympus D1- agnostica for a 200 foot high wind turbine on the site of the facility near O’Callaghan’s Mills.
The company has overcome the council’s concerns in relation to a device that is designed to scare away
bats from the structure.
The company stated that in rela- tion to the nature and scale and use of the proposed development, the policies of the County Development Plan and the pattern of development in the area, the proposed develop- ment would not seriously injure the amenities of the area and would not be prejudicial to public health.
In the planning application lodged with Clare County Council, Olym- pus is “seeking a solution which would meet a portion 40-50 per cent of our electrical base load using al-
MIELE MoM StS EA ae
The company stated that it would consume all the energy from the wind-turbine and there was no need for a grid connection. It stressed that the proposal turbine didn’t lie with- in any recognised flight path of the Whooper Swan and the Greenland White Fronted Goose.
In a submission lodged with the plan, the company stated: “The ra- tionale for this project has its roots in spiralling energy costs which are set by international markets and impact severely for two reasons:
the wide fluctuation in energy costs which make financial planning more difficult and the underlying trend is upwards.”
Stressing its adherence to “corpo- rate social responsibility”, Olympus pointed out that it had already re- duced its greenhouse emissions by putting in place a wood chip burner instead of oil which also created a lo- cally-based market for wood-chip.
The company stated that the noise emissions from the wind-turbine will be lower than similar sized turbines.
Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said yes-
terday, “It is a positive move. I am delighted with the decision of Clare County Council and I hope that other Koy enh oy-bauCecmayya 00s ce) 0 Ce) annetcs bane) ome
The company also stated that the Clare County Development Plan had deemed the location “a suitable area for wind energy” and didn’t have any scenic or environmentally sensitive OLAS hea sree ley ekse
The company also stated that it has held a number of local meetings and had relocated the wind-turbine from its original location in response to local concerns.