Roe Valley ‘encircled’ by wind farm turbines
A device measuring the suitability of an area near Dungiven for wind turbines. INLV1612-3015KDR
ROE Valley communities are being “encircled” and “surrounded” by wind farms turbines, according to the chairman of a local campaign group.
A device has been erected near Dungiven to measure the suitability of the area for further wind turbine development, the Sentinel can reveal.
Another has been erected near the Hogg’s Quarry, towards the end of Kilhoyle Hill, sometimes known as Donald’s Hill near the Drumsurn area.
Carlo McCloskey, Chair of the Roe Valley Anti Wind Farm Association, warned that these were a further sign that the area was becoming inundated with wind turbines and wind farms – something his group is opposed to.
The two devices are known as ‘anenometers’, and are used to measure wind speed. It is being used to determine the suitability of the area for a potential wind power development just off the Killunaght Road near Dungiven.
The anenometer near Dungiven has been erected by Element Consulting to measure wind speed in the area for Ash Park Energy, who have lodged an application for planning permission for a wind power development.
It can be seen from the Killunaght Road, which is itself just off the Foreglen Road from Dungiven to Londonderry.
Another application for a wind turbine has already been approved by planners in the vicinity of the area.
Carlo McCloskey said: “We are going to be surrounded – we already have two wind farms down at Smugdeon Hill. They are going to encircle us completely.
“This is despite all the evidence that they are inefficient at generating electricity. This is a disaster. The countryside and beautiful landscape is being destroyed and it is you and me who are paying for it – through our electricity bills. The scale of government subsidies for these things is quite staggering.
“I think if councillors in Limavady had any interest in the views of local people and any interest in protecting the local environment you would think they would be going down the line of saying – we don’t want to see the countryside destroyed – we don’t want to see the environment destroyed – we don’t want to see local people being surrounded by wind turbines on all sides.
“You would think there is something more they could be doing to put pressure on Stormont to oppose wind farms and wind turbines in the Limavady Borough. The facts speak for themselves.
“Just this week I was reading about Conservative back-benchers in England coming out against them, and the Energy Secretary has said there will be no more onshore wind farms.
“Unfortunately it is too late for us here – unless Limavady Council puts their foot down – they should be going to Stormont and telling them what we are saying.”
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Weather for Londonderry
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South west
