HomeMy WebLinkAbout2560400 - Submission - Gregory Sheridan1
To Whom It May Concern,
I objected to this turbine before. Having read the Further Information, I still believe a turbine of this size is too close to
my home and farm. My concerns about farming, nearby homes, wildlife, flooding, water quality and aviation lighting
remain. I ask the Council to refuse permission.
1. Proximity to Active Agricultural Infrastructure
My cattle shed is only about 383 metres from the proposed turbine. It is used every day for cattle, milking, feeding,
machinery and veterinary work. On 22 April 2026, a turbine blade at Drumlins Park Wind Farm in Co. Monaghan broke
apart, scattering debris across nearby farmland. Local reports stated that some pieces were up to 10 metres long. The
same report referred to research indicating that blade fragments can potentially travel up to 450 metres. As my shed is
within that distance, this recent local incident adds to my concerns about the safety of my family, workers and livestock.
2. Animal Welfare and Dairy Operations
No proper study has been done on how this turbine could affect my dairy herd over its 35 -year life. Noise, moving
blades, shadow flicker, lighting and maintenance could disturb cattle and interfere with the farm.
3. Residential Amenity
The noise figure of 33.2 dBA is only a prediction, and shadow flicker depends on shutdown controls. I do not think the
site is suitable if it needs constant controls to protect nearby homes.
4. Confirmed Woodland Clearance, Hedgerow Removal and Continuing Vegetation Management
The works will clear conifers and about 340 metres of hedgerow, removing habitat and changing the farmland.
Vegetation will need ongoing control. The reports also give two different bat buffers, 87 metres and 91 metres, which
should be explained.
5. Bat Activity and Operational Curtailment
The 2025 survey recorded 4,888 bat passes, including bats at high risk of collision. Five years of monitoring and
possible shutdowns show that the turbine is in the wrong place.
6. Bird Monitoring, Adaptive Management and Shutdown Procedures
There is still uncertainty about Whooper Swan and Greenland White -fronted Goose at Bishop's Lough. The proposal
relies on more surveys, collision checks and possible shutdowns instead of dealing with the risk now.
7. Flood Risk and Watercourse Impacts
The access route crosses the Legarhill Watercourse and lies partly in Flood Zones A and B. If the drainage or pollution
controls fail, my land and nearby watercourses could be affected.
8. Appropriate Assessment
Water runs from the site through the Legarhill Stream and Finn River to Lough Oughter and Associated Loughs SAC. If
the Council cannot rule out a likely significant effect without relying on mitigation, a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment
should be required.
9. Aviation Lighting
The turbine will have a fixed red aviation light of at least 2,000 candela, shining in all directions. This will affect nearby
homes, birds and the dark rural countryside.
10. Community Engagement
A website, newspaper notice and liaison contact are not proper consultation. Local residents, landowners and farmers
should have been spoken to before the application was made.
11. Conclusion
This site is too constrained. The turbine depends on habitat clearance, vegetation control, wildlife monitoring, possible
shutdowns, flood works, drainage controls and permanent aviation lighting. That tells me it is not suitable.
For these reasons, I ask Monaghan County Council to refuse Planning Application Ref. 25/60400.
Sincerely,
Gregory Sheridan
Tanderagee
Newbliss
Co. Monaghan
H 18RW72