Sir, - The refusal of permission for a wind farm at Kilrush is good news (The Irish Times, August 4th). As the chairman of Kilrush Urban District Council says, "Such projects are more suited to upland and offshore locations and a comprehensive national policy should be drawn up by the Government to offer guidelines on the issue, pinpointing suitable sites for wind farms." Wind energy is a most important cause, but it will be damaged if the question of siting is not addressed and we find that our most beloved landscapes in the windy west are beset by demented clockwork giants.
The proposed Inis Meain windfarm is a case in point. The decision of Galway County Council to grant planning permission was astounding, given that the Aran Islands are a Special Area of Conservation, a proposed National Heritage Area, and an area of scenic amenity under the county plan; also that the council advised that an Environmental Impact Assessment be carried out, and then meekly accepted the Inis Meain Co-op manager's assurance that that was not necessary and would be too expensive!
So I am delighted that this decision has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Friends of the Irish Environment. An Taisce and the Heritage Council will also be submitting their observations, along with other groups and individuals, including myself. This procedure will at least provide a breathing space, during which I would respectfully urge the island community to note the widespread concern this ill-advised project has caused, and direct their Co-op manager to withdraw it. - Yours, etc.,
Tim Robinson, Roundstone, Co Galway.