Transcript LISNAHARNEY WINDFARM Ref: K2013/0181/F

LISNAHARNEY WINDFARM Ref: K2013/0181/F
Our Reasons for its Refusal
Presentation Outline

Introduction to Lisnaharney Residents Group (LARG).
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Outline of LARG’s Reasons for Objection to the Proposed Wind Farm.
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Community Opposition.
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Other Bodies Who are Opposed to this Wind Farm Development.
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Next Steps.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Who is the Lisnaharney Area Residents Group?
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We are a Registered Community Group.
Our aim is to promote and to maximise the potential of our area for the
recreational and tourism use.
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We have our own active Facebook page and website www.lisnaharney.co.uk.
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Committee:
Chair Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer -
Jason Devine
Shauna Ward
Kerry Coyle
Rena Weir
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Why are we opposed to the wind farm development?
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Detrimental Impact on Visual Amenity and Landscape Character.
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Located in an AONB.
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Creation of a Cumulative Effect.
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Negative Impact on Tourism and Recreation.
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Negative Impact on Residential Amenity.
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Negative Impact on the Environment.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
The Impact To our Visual Amenity
In accordance with Supplementary Planning Guidelines this LCA’s overall sensitivity to
wind farm development was rated as “High”.
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It is described as follows:
“The majority of this landscape is highly sensitive to wind energy development,
notwithstanding the presence of existing and consented wind farms. This is an
iconic and widely visible Sperrin landscape, whose summits and steep upper slopes
are particularly sensitive to the introduction of any new structures. Sensitivity is
further increased by the LCA’s popularity for outdoor recreation…..Overall
Sensitivity – High”
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
The Impact To our Visual Amenity
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Adverse impact on visibility and views from well known local view points and vistas:
 The
Gortin Glens.
 Gortin
Lakes (NI Quality Walk).
 Gortin
Forest Park and Scenic Drive (Containing 3 NI Quality walks).

Robbers Table Walk (NI Quality Walk containing 2 public rights of way).

National Cycling Network.
 The
Ulster Way.
 Mullaghcairn.
 The
 A5
History Park.
Scenic Route.
 The
magnitude and scale of the 14 Turbines will have on views from homes on the
Lisnaharney Rd in particular, as quite a number of these are facing the proposed site .
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
The Impact To our Visual Amenity
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Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) response to Planners dated 15th August
2013 states:
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“ the proposed development is unacceptable in landscape and visual terms”.
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“this is an iconic and widely visible Sperrin landscape.... Sensitive to the introduction
of any new structures.”
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“Sensitivity is further increased by the LCA’s popularity for outdoor recreation”.
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The “Lavender Test” reference below:
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“ Visual Impact 66. Paragraph 39 of the PPS22 Companion Guide affirms that the planning
system exists to regulate the development and use of land in the public interest”.
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Dr Lavender found:“when turbines are present in such number, size and proximity that they
represent an unpleasantly overwhelming and unavoidable presence in main views from a
house or garden, then there is every likelihood that the property concerned would come to
be widely regarded as an unattractive and thus unsatisfactory (but not necessarily
uninhabitable) place in which to live. It is not in the public interest to create such living
conditions where they did not exist before.”

http://www.denbrookvalley.co.uk/resources/North+Dover+Decision+Mar+2009.pdf
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Impact on AONB
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Best Practice Guidance to PPS18 indicates that a cautious approach is necessary in
landscapes designated as AONBs.
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NI has a renewable energy target of 40% by 2020. 32% has already been consented.
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Contributions from less intrusive renewable energy sources eg solar, hydro, biomass etc
will mean that this target will be reached.
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Continual opening of AONBs for wind farm development must be seriously considered if
longer necessary.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Creating a Cumulative Impact
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NIEA stated in their response to Planners dated 15th August 2013.
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“The proposed development will have a significant cumulative visual impact on the
immediate area”.
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“The existing developments at Bessy Bell already give rise to concerns regarding
cumulative impact within this LCA”.
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Planning applications in process for extension of Bessy Bell and 7 turbines at Slieveard.
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All within a 10km radius.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Impact on Tourism and Recreation
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The Supplementary Planning Guidance states:
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“Areas offering access to high quality landscapes, memorable places and special
experiences and a range of opportunities for open air recreation may be more sensitive
to wind energy development”.
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The Gortin Glen area has a huge potential to be developed more for outdoor
recreation.
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Current scoping exercise being undertaken by Outdoor Recreation NI
Council members were in attendance with us recently at an Creggan.
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MOU being developed between ODC and Forestry Division.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Impact on Tourism and Recreation
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June 2013 The Gortin Glens hosted NI Mountain Bike Championships.
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At opening of Castlewellan Mountain Bike trail, Arlene Foster stated:-
“NI is building a reputation as the new go to place for mountain bike adventure. The
number of bikers has already exceeded all expectations and this is a reflection of the
quality of trails not only as a test of ability but also the beauty of the scenery and
landscape in the Mournes”.
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Over 100 mountain bikers, local cycling club and Omagh Tri Club have all objected to
the proposed Lisnaharney Wind farm”.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Impact on Tourism and Recreation
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Study entitled “The Impact of Wind Turbines on Tourism” prepared for the Isle of
Anglesey County Council (Feb 2012).
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Survey by Activity Scotland states that 88% of operators believed the impact of wind
farms on tourism to be negative.
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Tourists visiting wind farms were by a novelty factor which wears off when turbines are
more common place.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Impact on The Robbers Table Walk
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Impact on Residential Amenity
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British Medical Journal dated 10/03/12 by CD Hanning and Prof Evans.
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Recommends separation distances between turbines and houses of 1.5km.
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Houses on Lisnaharney Rd are 900m away.
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ETSU-R-97 requires updating.
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Ancedotal evidence of residents of sleep disturbance and other health issues.
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Shiveen and 7 other families in Banteer Co Cork are taking developer to High Court.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Impact on Residential Amenity
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Estate Agents are briefing potential buyers of proposed wind farm in our area.
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Buyers withdrawing from sale.
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Knock on effect on rural communities and services within the area especially our
schools.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Impact on the Environment
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LARG are engaging with relevant specialist to assist with a study on the environmental
impacts.
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This report will be submitted to planners in due course.
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4km North is the Owenkillew River Special Area of Conservation, designated by the EU
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC.
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The burns on the Southern catchment area from the proposed site, namely Lisnaharney
and Cappagh Burns are of special interest to the Loughs Agency.
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The presence of eight red-listed and eleven amber-listed species we believe is
concerning should the application progress.
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This same mountain suffered the effect of a hill fire a few years ago, this happened a
year before any Environmental Impact Studies were started, effectively wiped out any
potential species that could cause planning concerns.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Community
Opposition
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Over 260 Objection
letters signed from local
residents within the local
roads.
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Over 1300 objection
letters signed in total.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Other Organisations Who have Objected
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Outdoor Recreation NI
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Sports NI
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Mountaineering Ireland
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Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs
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4Elements NI
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Coasteering NI
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Adventure Sports North West
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Walk with Marty
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Omagh Tri Club
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Omagh Harriers
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Strabane Ramblers
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Next Steps
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LARG will continue to object strongly on behalf of the residents in the area.
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LARG are committed as a group to develop the recreational and tourism potential of
this area, and will continue to assist and help ensure this can be completed with
assistance from bodies such as ODC, ORNI, SPORT NI, etc.
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Communicate and influence with key decision makers.
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Continue to engage in scoping and consultation exercise to promote tourism and
outdoor recreation in our area.
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Would appreciate ODC support in objecting to this Lisnaharney Windfarm.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Other concerns
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Renewable Energy International (REI) have since been found in breach of Advertising
Standards by ASA.
The information leaflet they distributed at information evenings breached CAP Code
(Edition 12) rules 3.1 (Misleading advertising), 3.7 (Substantiation), 3.9 (Qualification),
3.11 (Exaggeration) and 11.1 (Environmental claims).
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Copies of the report are available to councillors if required. A link to the online version
was sent to all councillors last week.
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Added concern that the developer has already got this site (Lisnaharney) up for sale to
the highest bidder on a number of their websites.
www.lisnaharney.co.uk
Thank You
Your Questions?
www.lisnaharney.co.uk