Windpower worry

Brannockstown Community Committee has written to Kildare County Council expressing concerns over a planning application for a proposed wind turbine at Moorhill.



The application for the turbine was made by Brian Mullins last May, and the development consists of a 24.5 metre high wind turbine on his lands adjacent to Kennycourt Hill Road. The turbine is designed to serve the electricity requirement of a geo-thermal heating system in his new house. Any excess energy is to be supplied free of charge to the ESB national grid.

Mr Mullins says the unit is situated away from the road and will be part hidden beside a natural screening of woodland which he says stands at 15 meters high.

This development -- which is due for a decision on February 8 2007 -- comes as a surprise to many people living in the vicinity. The Diary understands that they are concerned about the level of visual impact such a high structure will have on the local environment and say it will be visible from many many miles away.

The Planning Application reference number is 06/997. Our picture shows a typical small wind turbine made in the US by Bergey Windpower; it is not necessarily the one proposed for use by Mr Mullins.

Brian Byrne.