RESIDENTS in Northern Ireland\u2019s idyllic Mourne country are fighting a determined campaign to change the Government\u2019s policy \u201cof allowing wind turbines to spring up in this area of outstanding natural beauty like giant, unsightly mushrooms\u201d.<\/p>\n
Speaking in the coastal village of Ardglass, environmentalist John Peacocke \u2013 along with campaigners Brigid McBride and Mike Mann \u2013 spoke of the iconic landscape being spoiled by the giant turbines.<\/p>\n
That landscape includes the Tyrella dunes, Tyrella beach, Minerstown, Coney Island, Killough Bay, St John\u2019s Point, all to the backdrop of the Mournes.<\/p>\n
Killough Bay is an internationally-recognised area where migrating Brent geese settle after their long flight from Canada.<\/p>\n
With a sweep of her hand from the lounge of her home in Ardglass, Ms McBride showed all those mini-wonders, and there on the top of a hill, towering above the scenic village of Killough, is one the first of the \u201coffending\u201d turbines. A total of 62 applications have been received in the Down area, 16 of which have been approved, seven refused and the rest pending.<\/p>\n
Their average height is thought to be around the 60m mark, although giants of the future could measure 124m.<\/p>\n
In Northern Ireland as a whole, 1,500 \u2018single\u2019 turbines \u2013 as distinct from planned wind farms \u2013 are in the planning system, prompted by the fact that landowners are paid between \u00a312,000 and \u00a314,000 a year, over 25 years, to permit them on their land.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe small number of turbines in this area has a horrible effect on the landscape,\u201d said Ms McBride.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut they will be here in dozens if the government presses ahead \u2013 and it looks as if Environment Minister Alex Attwood is determined to go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Peacocke said: \u201cThe turbines are popping up with no apparent overall plan \u2013 just like wild mushrooms.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe realise that turbines are part of the European \u2018green\u2019 policy, but this government is riding a horse and cart through that policy. It is totally alien to this environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Mann said the group was entirely realistic about the need for turbines. He said: \u201cIn the case of properly planned and constructed wind farms, they are designed by experienced architects and sited \u2013 where possible \u2013 well away from towns and villages.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, a major wind farm is being planned about 9km off the coast of this very village (Ardglass). We have no problems with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Peacocke said the off-coast farm would provide significant power for Northern Ireland, \u201cwhile these metal mushrooms in this area will be totally insignificant, but Attwood and company seem hell-bent of destroying this wonderful landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the \u201cad hoc\u201d method of single turbines was totally unacceptable: \u201cWhat it does is provide unplanned wind farm by utter stealth.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t succeed in stopping this, these monstrosities \u2013 at various heights \u2013 will be dotted at irregular intervals all over this beautiful landscape. It will be spoiled for ever, both for locals and for tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Dan Kane, chairman of the Province\u2019s Wind Watch organisation, said that the Mournes\u2019 \u201cdisgrace\u201d was typical of what was happening in various parts of Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThis area of Co Down had largely escaped the scourge of wind turbines. But now they have arrived like the plague. The Mournes are an area of outstanding natural beauty and must be left that way \u2013 as they should leave the Glens of Antrim and the North Coast.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are properly-designed wind farms in various parts of Northern Ireland \u2013 in Antrim, east Tyrone, Fermanagh and Londonderry. The people of those areas were consulted all along the line.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut as these \u2018mushrooms\u2019 suddenly appear, there is often no consultation \u2013 invariably they are being excavated before the community is aware of what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Scotland, for example, any turbine must be 2km from a dwelling, but it\u2019s 500m in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many other issues \u2013 like property values, noise, safety, as well as environmental. This is a very serious issue, and in our view, it\u2019s being pushed by civil servants rather than politicians.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim Wells, MLA for South Down, said he had lobbied almost non-stop for the natural outstanding beauty of south Down to be respected by the planners, \u201cand I will continue to do so\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe government has laid out the criteria of these areas and the area stretching from Ardglass, across the Mournes and down the coast to Kilkeel must not be defaced any more with these turbines.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne or two have slipped through, and that has opened the floodgates, but this must be stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n