Families vow to fight plans for Lee Valley windfarm

Families living in the Lee Valley area of Co Cork are refusing to give up their nine-year fight to stop a windfarm being sited close to one of the Europe’s last ancient river forests. They are to appeal Cork County Council’s latest decision to An Bord Pleanála.

Earlier this month, the local authority granted planning permission to Cleanrath Windfarm Ltd to build six wind turbines near Inchigeelagh. The planned farm is sited at the head of the Toon river that flows into the forest, a special area of conservation.

In recent months, Cork County Council has been taking part in meetings with the ESB, Inland Fisheries Ireland, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) about the future conservation of the Gearagh site.