Residents opposed to a contested windfarm development in West Waterford are to hold a public information evening this week.

Energy Minister Alex White has signalled that long- awaited guidelines on windfarms in communities may not be changed or even decided before the general election.

The way has been cleared for the development of a wind farm after the Court of Appeal rejected a challenge to planning permission centring on concerns for a “critically endangered” freshwater pearl mussel.

A rural community in west Waterford has claimed there are “compelling public issues” which demand a public oral hearing into a wind turbine being erected.

Wind turbines may be required to be a minimum of 700 metres from residential dwellings under proposals being considered by Environment Minister Alan Kelly.

Anti-wind-turbine protestors said today that the Government’s energy policy is flawed, and are calling for a re-think.

Leading doctors have called on the Government to reduce the noise levels of wind turbines — which they claim are four times that recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.