This article is from page 38 of the 2008-09-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 38 JPG
INTERFERENCE with radar equip- ment at Shannon airport could signal the end to plans by a Cork-based com- pany for the construction of a wind farm in the Sixmilebridge area.
Last week Clare County Council granted planning permission to Cork- based firm, C Wind Ltd to construct a 200 ft high test mast at Knocknaur- ha Hill, Oatfield, Sixmilebridge for a period of 15 months.
But the company may not get fur- ther than the test stage as the Irish
Aviation Authority (IAA) has in- formed the council that they opppose the proposal and request that plan- ning permission not be granted for a windfarm at the location.
The IAA say their opposition is based on the potential interference the windfarm would have on radar installations operated by the Shan- non airport traffic control.
The council granted planning per- mission for the test mast because of the rural nature of the site; the intend- ed use of the proposed test mast and the provisions of the Clare County
Development Plan. The local author- ity also concluded that the wind farm would not injure the amenities of the area.
However, the local authority made it clear that the planning permission does not infer a favourable response on a subsequent application for a wind-farm.
Elsewhere, west Clare may be about to get its third wind farm with EirEn- ergy lodging planning permission for a 200 ft high test mast at Crossmore, Knockalough.
Wind speeds will be tested before
a decision is made on lodging plans for a windfarm in the area.The devel- oper in this case has the advantage that no wind farm in this area has the potential to interfere with Shannon airport.
A decision is due on this applica- tion later this year.
To date, there are only two wind- farms operating in Clare, one at Monmore near Kilrush and a second near the mid-Clare village of Con- nolly and plans are currently before the council for an extension to that WAnNele-Dueee