Limerick campaigner's concern over lack of HSE involvement in planning applications

A CAMPAIGNER against a new wind farm development in Limerick has expressed concern over the level of involvement the health service has on planning applications.

Brenda Dowling, who is part of the Coolcappa Community Action group which is opposing plans for a wind farm in their village, wrote to the HSE expressing concerns over this.

She wrote to the HSE expressing concerns over a number of wind farm developments across the country on health grounds.

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In an email response - seen by Limerick Live - she was told: “The HSE role in the planning process is a statutory consultee and has no role in the decision making or deciding the merits of any planning application.”

“The HSE makes observations to the planning authority where it considers it is appropriate to do so and these observations are considered by the planning authority along with any other valid submissions made in the planning process,” the email continues.

Ms Dowling was advised that any concerns she has over public health should be made to the council which is deciding on an application.

Her action group is part of the Communities and Environmental Protection Alliance, an alliance of volunteer organisations across the country concerned about the increase in wind farm applications.

She said: “Our first concern is public health and it is shocking to know the vast majority of wind farm planning applications have not been sent to the HSE. Clearly an urgent review is required as public health is continuously put at risk.”

An application to formally build has yet to be presented to council, but locals in Coolcappa say they are expecting this in the months to come.

Among their concerns are shadow flicker, which occurs when the sun is low enough in the sky - in evenings and mornings - that wind turbines pass across it causing a brief shadow over landscapes and buildings every few seconds.

For its part, the developer, Ballynisky Green Energy has said the turbines are designed with technology which prevents shadow flicker.

The firm has also previously said it remains open to talks with the community action group set up as a result of its plans.