Environmental group raised concern about ‘high risk’ project in Leitrim ahead of public clinics

A Leitrim environmental group are opposing a planned industrial windfarm in the county ahead of public consultation clinics on the project later this week.

The group, Save Dough Mountain, has called the proposed project, which would see the construction of 14 windmills on a hillside outside of Manorhamilton, “high risk”, warning it could cause “long-term environmental damage that cannot be undone.”

The project, which is still in the application stage, was proposed by FuturEnergy, a joint venture between Coillte and ESB, and is due to be decided upon at the beginning of April, according to An Bord Pleanála.

Site studies and surveys have been carried out already on the area the windfarm would be constructed, and the company will hold clinics on Tuesday (12:30pm to 8pm) and Wednesday (12pm to 6pm) this week to liaise with the public at Rossinver community centre.

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The company was formed to help Ireland meet its climate goals and to tackle climate change through the development of renewable energy sites.

Save Dough Mountain has raised concerns that a wind farm on the site, about 3km outside Manorhamilton, could create a landslide risk due to the drainage of the peat, which makes up the landscape. 

The group cites the Shass mountain peatslide of 2020, where C.160,000 tonnes of peat and vegetation slid down a mountain, near Drumkeeran, which damaged local property and farmland.

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A government-led geological survey following the incident pointed to drainage caused by forestry as a major contributing factor in causing the slide.

Save Dough Mountain also cites water pollution concerns and damage to natural carbon sinks in the area, and calls for a stop to windfarm installations being erected on peatland.

According to An Bord Pleanála's website a decision on the windfarms application is due by later this week.