Ceramicx Windfarm Sucks! - why this windturbine is total greenwash.

In 2009, Ceramicx Ireland in conjunction with their consultants applied for planning permission to erect a large and noisy wind-turbine at their factory, within a couple of hundred metres of our homes. Although we are all long-term 'green' enthusiasts, and generally in favour of alternative energy solutions, we also felt that this turbine was totally unsuitable for the proposed location, and was unlikely to actually generate much power - and so we opposed the planning application.
We were pleased when the local Planning Authority agreed with our objections, and refused the planning permission.

In June 2011, Ceramicx Ireland reapplied for planning permission, this time with new consultants FJ Coyle for a larger wind-turbine in a slightly different (and even less energy-effective) location. Naturally we submitted our objections again, this time in much more detail, and greater numbers.

Imagine our surprise when the Planning Authority performed an astonishing 'about-face' from their previous decision - and granted planning permission to the new turbine!

We feel that this represents a serious failure of the planning system - and have appealed to An Bord Pleanala (the national authority with the final, independent ruling on planning applications).

We realise that this looks like a bad case of 'Not in my back yard' - but we invite you to read on and discover why we feel that allowing this turbine to be installed would be bad for the environment and local widlife, bad for visitors to beautiful West Cork, bad for the local residents, and bad for the democratic planning process.

NOTE
We're not 'anti-alternative energy'.
Several of us already have our own small-scale installations, using heat-pumps, solar water heating and micro-wind turbines. What we do object to is badly thought-out, allegedly 'green', initiatives that are inappropriately sited, have a significant detriment to local residents, and are unlikely to actually make any significant contribution to the important business of saving the planet. We're also unhappy when local Councils are so blinded by the 'green' label, that they are unable to see the basic unworkability of a project.

We're not particularly fond of American vernacular either - but couldn't think of a better word than 'sucks' - which accurately sums up our feelings towards this particular planning application.