A public inquiry in to the construction of a wind farm in the Mournes has been postponed amid large scale opposition to what is described by opponents as the building of a “forest of steel” in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
ABO Wind NI Ltd, with headquarters in Lisburn, wants to construct eight turbines and an electrical substation close to Hilltown in Co Down.
Over 4,000 objections to the wind farm were made by planning authorities. It is planned to place the turbines in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The inquiry was due to begin within weeks but has now been delayed to September, according to a Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) letter.
In the letter to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), the PAC cited “significant resourcing pressures”.
Independent councillor Jarlath Tinnelly said: “Will we be having an input in to that inquiry? Assuming we will and if we intend to do that, do council intend to bring a paper back for further discussion? Had we not agreed that we were against it as a collective, is that not the case?”
A collective objection signed by hundreds of residents and environmental campaigners reads: “This project will create a forest of steel in the Mournes and the industrialisation of the stunning and spectacular scenery of our area. I am deeply opposed to the application.”
ABO Wind NI Ltd was contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service for comment.
Its website states: “We have several projects across Northern Ireland and Scotland that are between early stage assessment and planning.
“Northern Ireland has a very good wind resource, however continued investment in the grid is required to ensure satisfactory integration of renewable energy to the grid.”
In a response to questions relating to the inquiry and the construction of the wind farm, the council said: “There was a recommendation from this council to request that minister (Nichola) Mallon at the time put the project forward for public consultation.
“So, that’s one of the reasons why I believe that this public consultation is now happening.
“I think that is the decision of the council and I don’t see any further engagement other than may be through individual parties representing at the public consultation.
“The council didn’t reach a position either way in respect of whether in support or rejection to it.”
