Another storm brewing

Over 200 residents hear concerns about proposed Kilconly windfarm

IN the region of 200 people attended a public meeting in Kilconly on Monday night aimed at raising awareness and airing concerns regarding a proposed windfarm in the locality.

RWE Renewables Ireland, based in Co Kilkenny, is intending to lodge a planning application for 11 wind turbines in the Shancloon, Cloonsheen, Cloonbar townlands, which take in areas around Kilconly and Caherlistrane.

Kilconly Community Hall was full of residents from Kilconly, Kilbannon, Caherlistrane and Sylane, where fears were expressed about the scale of the proposed development which includes turbines of up to 180 metres high.

RWE Renewables has submitted details of the Shancloon Onshore Windfarm to An Bord Pleanala seeking a decision on whether it meets criteria for a SID – Strategic Infrastructure Development. This will determine whether it lodges an application with An Bord Pleanala directly or to Galway County Council.

The company indicated in a letter distributed to households in autumn that it intends to lodge a full planning application for the windfarm in the first quarter of 2024…

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