The controversial existing turbines.

The controversial existing turbines.

RESIDENTS in the Portlaw area have vowed to fight ‘tooth and nail’ to prevent the erection of a third wind turbine in their area.
Planning permission was granted last week by Waterford City & County Council for the erection of a wind turbine at Beallough by Tornado Electrical Ltd. with rotor diameter not exceeding 54m and a hub height not exceeding 60m and maximum output of 850 kilowatt together with extended access road.
Emotions ran high at a specially convened meeting of Portlaw Against Turbines (PAT) which was held in the area last Thursday night July 1st.
Those living near the existing two wind turbines in Beallough highlighted the increased noise levels as well as the visual impact which a third turbine would create.
Residents claim they have been “condemned to a life of misery and noise by the powers that be” through the granting of permission for a third wind turbine.
“We are dismayed at the granting of permission for a third wind turbine at a time when great plans are being made to put Waterford on the tourist map, none more so than the Marquis of Waterford who is promoting nearby Curraghmore Estate as a tourist attraction,” said a PAT spokesperson.
Lord Waterford, who recently hosted the hugely successful Bluebell Festival at Curraghmore, is supporting the campaign by local residents.
The PAT spokesperson added: “We have witnessed our road being ripped apart by huge machines and have had to navigate little more than a dirt track for seven years. The council, after a lot of calls, repaired the road last April. Now, all this will have been in vain.”
The residents vowed to fight ‘tooth and nail’ to prevent the erection of the third turbine and local Fianna Fáil Cllr Mary Butler has assured them of her support.
Anti-wind turbine groups throughout County Waterford have also assured residents in Beallough of their support.
“In Germany, they are decommissioning wind power and are fast waking up to the fact that wind power is not only insanely expensive but utterly meaningless as a power source. Perhaps we should follow their example,” said the PAT spokesperson.
The planning decision is subject to 22 conditions
An appeal against the decision may be made to An Bord Pleanála within four weeks beginning on the date of the making of the decision.