Plans for a 46-turbine wind farm on the Kildare-Offaly border have been met with opposition after a planning application was lodged by Bord na Móna.
Independent representative John Bryan is among those opposing the proposed Ballydermot Wind Farm.
Bryan told Gript that the proposed development would industrialise rural landscape, with turbines reaching up to 220 metres in height.
Voicing strong opposition to plans for the 46-turbine wind farm on the Kildare-Offaly border, the local representative warned that the development could have a significant impact on the area’s landscape, wildlife and boglands.
Mr Bryan, who represents the Clane LEA in County Kildare, criticised the proposed Ballydermot Wind Farm following the lodging of plans by Bord na Móna Powergen Ltd.
The project’s website states that the layout has been designed with a minimum setback distance of 880m to the nearest house from a turbine.
The development would involve 46 turbines measuring between 200 and 220 metres in height, alongside associated infrastructure, including approximately 60 kilometres of internal access roads.
Bryan said the scale of the project raised serious questions about its environmental impact and the benefits it would bring to local communities.
“We cannot continue to destroy our natural landscapes and boglands in the name of green energy without asking some very serious questions,” he said.
He argued that the turbines would fundamentally change the character of the rural landscape, describing them as industrial-scale structures that would leave a lasting footprint on the area.
He also raised concerns about the proposed construction of turbine foundations, access roads and hardstanding areas, questioning the potential impact on peatland, drainage systems and local ecosystems.
“How much concrete will be poured into these lands? What will be the impact on the peat, the natural drainage systems, the local ecosystem and the wider environment?” he asked.
“We cannot claim to be protecting the environment while simultaneously burying it in concrete.”
Bryan also questioned what financial benefits would accrue to residents living near the proposed development and what guarantees would be in place to ensure local communities benefited.
He warned that allowing the application to proceed would effectively give developers a “blank cheque” to industrialise the countryside.
However, the representative stressed that his opposition was not to wind energy itself, but to the scale and location of the proposed development.
“I am not opposing wind energy, I am asking whether this is the right development, in the right location, for the right cost – and I believe these are the same questions many residents in North West Kildare are also asking,” he said.
Bryan said he would stand alongside residents concerned about the proposal and encouraged those opposed to its potential impact to make their views known through the planning process.
“Our countryside, our boglands and our natural heritage are not disposable. Once they are damaged or destroyed, they cannot be replaced,” he said.
In spite of opposition, Bord na Móna says that it estimates approximately €24 million in community benefits over the first 15 years.
The development is expected to generate approximately 322MW of electricity.
The plans indicate that the Ballydermot Wind farm will be located across the townlands of Cushaling, Ballina, Ballinrath, Ballydermot, Ballykilleen, Ballynakill, Clonbrown, Cloncanon, Cloncant, Clonmel, Clonroosk Big, Clonroosk Little, Codd, Coolygagan, Derries, Esker More, Kilcumber and Shean, Co. Offaly.
According to the plans, it will also stretch across to Allenwood Middle, Allenwood North, Allenwood South, Ballinure, Ballysooghan North, Barnaran, Blackwood, Brockagh, Cappanargid, Clonkeen, Coolree, Curryhills, Cushaling, Derrybrennan, Derrymullen, Downings North, Drumsru, Goatstown, Graigues, Killinagh Lower, Killinagh Upper, Killinthomas, Killybegs, Killyguire, Kilpatrick, Lullybeg, Lullymore East, Lullymore West, Rathangan, Ticknevin and Ballybrack, Co. Kildare.
Members of the public have until January 5 to respond to an online consultation.
A decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála is expected by October 28 2027.