Up to 8,000 heavy goods vehicles needed to build nine-turbine Limerick wind farm , say group

THE BRUREE, Charleville, Effin Wind Farm Action Group is holding a public meeting over a planned nine-turbine wind farm with a tip height of 170m in the townlands of Garrane, Ballynagoul and Creggane. 

A spokesperson says to put this in perspective, the Croke Park pitch is 145 meters long - at least 25 metres shorter than the turbines.

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The meeting takes place in the community hall in Bruree on Tuesday, September 9 at 7.30pm.

The action group say the Garrane Green Energy’s (GGE) planning application to An Coimisiun Pleanala (ACP) is available on the GGE website.

“While the documentation runs to thousands of pages, it appears our community has only until October 10 to submit our observations and concerns.  This is in sharp contrast to GGE who have the finance, experience, knowledge, expertise etc to prepare their application over a significant period of time.  

“To highlight just one alarming statistic from GGE’s application. Table 17.9 refers to HGV and abnormal load deliveries. 

“The ‘circular traffic system’ as described by GGE means that in excess of 7,000 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will travel along the L1537 (Garrienderk, Ballinagoul, Garrouse roads) through the village of Bruree over the estimated 12-18 month construction period. Please be mindful, this is just the HGVs, and it will have serious impacts on an already congested Charleville town.

“This is also just one statistic referring to a potentially imposed development, but it is our community,” said a spokesperson who adds that all are welcome to the meeting next week.

They say if you think nine of these skyscraper-size structures erected between Charleville, Bruree and Garrienderk  will be “hidden away over there behind a ditch, please reconsider”. 

The Limerick Leader contacted Garrane Green Energy who said they are “committed to meaningful and transparent community engagement”.

“A programme of community consultation was launched in April with an advertisement in the Limerick Leader. Project information was sent to all houses within 2km, and all houses within 1km of the proposed project were visited by the community team. 

“Community clinics were recently held in the Charleville Park Hotel. The dedicated community team continues to be available for consultations, and engagement is ongoing,” said a spokesperson.