Map 12.4 is also of concern to the us (referencing east of Area 25 referred to in Appendix 6 Wind Zoning Methodology) . We support green energy, and we know that we all have to play our part in this regard. However we are concerned about the scale, location and extent of the areas that are designated as ‘open to consideration’. Most of the area to the east of Moyvane comprises upland heath and bog. As shown by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, bogs are carbon sinks, and in their natural state, they play a very important role in preventing climate disruption. Therefore, bogs need to be preserved and protected. It flies in the face of best ecological practices to disturb bogs for the construction of wind turbines. There are also several socio-economic imperatives as to why Kerry County Council should instead promote community-energy projects and more sustainable approaches to energy generation that benefit local economies. These include supporting the growing of energy crops, investigating the merits of anaerobic digestors in close proximity to GNI pipeline and the placing of solar panels on the roofs of community and farm buildings.
With reference to the Draft Revised Wind Energy Guidelines 2019 we strongly urge a doubling of the setback distance of 4 times tip height of wind turbines and residential property with reference to SPPR 2, page 129 of said document.
Setback distance is designed to meet balance for wind energy and annoyance wind turbines cause by noise, flicker effect and amenity adverse effects. This is varied across countries. About 10 years ago a bill was brought to Dail to propose 500m setback for WT height up to 50m, 1000m for WT height up to 100m, 1500m for wind turbines up to 150m and more ... but this did not pass as bill would it was deemed it would hinder Irelands ability to meet renewable energy targets. This looks to us that houses close to turbines were told to take one for the team.
Councils in England have setbacks 700m to 2km but is varied. Scotland have setbacks to 2km. Denmark has setback of 4 times height like here but in the past if there is a house within 6 times height then there is paid for professional estimation of depreciation of property value and if the adjudged depreciation is more than 1% compensation is paid to value of loss by wind turbine owners. Also evaluation but paid by householder for greater than 6 times height to 8 times height with above stated mechanism for compensation also applying.
We ask the question is it fair to ask households in close proximity to wind turbines to take a hit in order to meet national targets? We argue if there is a disadvantage financial or otherwise to households in close proximity to proposed wind turbines that it is only fair that the collective rather than the individual pays. We recommend that there is a case that where wind turbines are located between 500m and 1000m or between 4 times to 8 times tip height, then that wind turbines are allowed save only with consent of householder and entitlement to depreciation value professionally adjudged, or otherwise have a stipulated 1000m or 8 times tip height for wind turbine development. We propose that this is a very fair and balanced view recognising need for wind energy and annoyance/financial loss of property value to households within certain distances. We recognise that there are different international setbacks but we don’t see why Ireland have to be a lower scale of such.
We request that Kerry County Council make a submission to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications & Transport regarding above request for wind turbines proposed between 500m and 1000m or between 4 times to 8 times tip height. We also ask that due consideration is given to setback based on noise levels at different wind speeds and low frequency noise annoyance.