Residents disappointed as planners give wind turbine the green light

Vivienne Hanna from Roughfort said she was “very disappointed” about the wind turbine application being granted.

“I am not all opposed to wind turbines, however, this is of mammoth scale and the planning precedent it sets in this rural area is shocking.

“There are no buildings in Belfast at present which are of this scale, the Obel Tower when complete will stand at 80m, but this is 99.5m.

“It will only commercialise the area and as research shows, will devalue properties within the vicinity of it.

“Of course there are the noise, environmental and flicker concerns, but what is the point in raising objections - the planners and Brett Martin have not be able to address or acknowledge concerns from the start.

“Neither have they been able to demonstrate their ability to manage our objections without prompting. We have no voice and Brett Martin did not give us a real opportunity to discuss our concerns.

“It is a sad day for the democratic process. Brett Martin have chosen a financial option which they feel they can sell on an emotional level in respect of ‘going green’.”

Another Roughfort Road resident, Boyd Carson, himself a self-confessed supporter of ‘green energy said: “It is very disappointing that the planners could approve the tallest structure in Belfast with little regard to local residents.

“I approve of wind turbines but not on this scale.”

Lorraine Dennis who lives at nearby Fort Road described the approval as “unfortunate news”.

“The erection of this wind turbine demonstrates a failure of democracy and should serve as a warning to many other communities as to what can happen in their local area against and without their consent.

“Brett Martin have failed to take any account of local concerns in making absolutely no attempts to engage with us prior to, or during the planning process. Following their previous application in 2007 they made considerable efforts to highlight in the local press how vital they were to the local economy. How disappointing that a company of this size cannot extend their PR activitites to outside their gates to simply talk to local residents. Indeed, when I did approach a senior manager at the company he admitted that he would not want a wind turbine of this size anywhere near his house!

“The Planning Service were presented with substantial evidence of the potential health and safety effects of a turbine of this size, and in doing so have ignored local concerns. Also, I would question the procedures and accountability of the Planning Service as they failed to notify residents who had commented on an earlier wind turbine application and went full steam ahead at getting this passed.

“Most distressingly, however, is the lack of engagement the Planning Service must undertake with Newtownabbey Borough Council - with the passing of the application at local council level no more than a rubber-stamping exercise. Councillors have done what they can, but only have limited powers.”

Speaking after Monday night’s meeting of the Council’s Planning and Consultation Committee, its Chair, Alderman Nigel Hamilton said: "Obviously residents are very upset about the planners’ decision to approve the 99m high turbine with all the issues they feel have not been addressed.”

Alderman Hamilton explained that Planning Service had been adamant about approving the application.

“At our council meeting on Monday night, the decision to approve was to include specific requirements on shadow flicker which would be monitored and satisfied before authority is given to permit operation of the wind turbine,” he said.

“The senior planning officer made it clear that he could not stand over any enforcemnt on noise interference and suggested that council manage this area if concern was raised.

“I have made my views clear on several occasions previously about this application - that I favour all positive moves to help businesses reduce costs in the longterm and help their own sustainability, and following meetings with Brett Martin directors I am satisfied that that process needs to be tempered with a consideration for residents who have to reside within the vicinity of the turbine.

“At 99m it exceeds any existing building on the Belfast skyline. No matter where it is placed on site it will be visible, and therefore have an impact upon residents into the future, and become a landmark not only in Mallusk, but the Newtownabbey area.”