Sir, – Senator John Kelly from Roscommon has drafted a Bill that introduces minimum distances for private homes from wind turbines according to the height of the turbines.
Those who live near turbines have very little rights as the existing minimum distance in Ireland is 500 metres, whether the height of the turbine is 50 metres or 200 metres.
Many people who live close to wind turbines are disturbed by the noise and visual impact of the machines.
Wind turbines are increasing in height because the larger the wind turbine is, the more power it can generate. Where I live on Sliabh Ban, Co Roscommon, the 20 wind turbines proposed are to be 131 metres tall.
If Senator Kelly’s legislation were to be passed, the development on Sliabh Ban would not be allowed to proceed in its present form, because most of the turbines would be too close to residential homes. – Yours, etc,