CLARE County Council has granted permission for the retention of a controversial wind turbine in Parteen on the outskirts of Limerick City.
The local authority issued its decision in respect of the single 800kW wind turbine, which is 73 metres in height, at Gortatogher, Parteen on Monday.
Expressing disappointment with the council’s decision, local Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe said that as a member of the local community, he sensed that a strong majority of locals were opposed to the presence of this turbine.
“The grievances I and other locals had centred around the height and location of the turbine which is the same height as the Big Ben clock in London and towers over nearby homes.
“It was granted permission more than a decade ago and this application was renewed in recent years, but the structure was only built during the Covid pandemic and took people by surprise.
“The wind turbine was built at a location different to what the initial application suggested, and this was central to the objection I lodged.
“Although businesses are keen to make the switch to renewable energy, it must be done in a proper fashion. The Parteen wind turbine, is far too big in scale for a village environment and far too close to local homes and amenities.
“A turbine such as this would be better suited to a more rural landscape. Local residents will take a number of days to digest the outcome of this planning decision and I will be supportive of their actions going forward,” Deputy Crowe added.
