'Act of national self-harm' to build wind farm near Gougane Barra
St Finbarr's Oratory at Gougane Barra. There are fears the turbines 'will be visible from the Gougane Barra skyline, altering the magic and tranquillity of this unique place of peace and pilgrimage forever'. Picture: Denis Minihane
Cork County Council is to write to An Bord Pleanála expressing concern over its planning approval for a wind farm 3km from Gougane Barra while 7,000 people have signed a petition against the “act of national self-harm” near the iconic beauty spot.
There was cross-party support at Monday’s Cork County Council meeting for letters to be sent to Environment Minister Eamon Ryan and to An Bord Pleanála, which last month overturned the county council’s planning refusal for Wingleaf Ltd to build a seven-turbine windfarm at Curraglass/Derreendonee, against the recommendation of the board’s own planning inspector.
