Communities demand Mayo/Galway UNESCO status holds weight against wind farm proposal
PLANS for the Rooaunalaghta green energy project on the Mayo-Galway border are facing escalating local opposition.
Residents have raised concerns that the large-scale development is being advanced within the Joyce Country & Western Lakes UNESCO Global Geopark.
The communities in south Mayo and north Galway are eager to stress that they are not opposed to renewable energy in principle. Instead, they believe industrial-scale wind turbines are entirely inappropriate for a landscape that is recognised globally for its geological, environmental, cultural, and tourism significance.
Local concern is growing across Glencorrib, Shrule, Toorard, Moyne, and the wider Headford approach area. Residents are arguing that the international UNESCO designation must carry real weight in planning policy and cannot be treated as a mere branding exercise.
The area is highly sensitive, featuring vulnerable limestone geology, unique turlough systems, and direct connectivity to Lough Corrib.
A critical milestone has been set for Monday, July 13, when Mayo County Council members are expected to consider Proposed Draft Variation No. 2 to the Mayo County Development Plan 2022-2028. The current Draft Renewable Energy Strategy treats this specific part of south Mayo as 'Unsuitable' for wind development due to landscape, ecological, recreational, and heritage constraints.
Concurrently, July 13 is the exact date An Coimisiún Pleanála is due to decide its early-stage pre-application case (Ref: PCX16.324133) regarding the project.
Don Langan, local spokesperson for the community, stressed that the residents are not against renewable energy.
“Our community supports renewable energy and recognises the need for Ireland to move towards cleaner sources of power. However, we believe that this must involve choosing the right technology for the right location, with proper consideration given to residents, sensitive landscapes, heritage, biodiversity, and the long-term future of rural communities.
“This is about putting renewable energy in the right places. A UNESCO Global Geopark, beside one of Ireland’s most sensitive lake and limestone landscapes, is the wrong place for industrial-scale wind development,” he said.
The developer has objected to the council's 'Unsuitable' classification. However, the council's chief executive report has backed the protections, recommending 'no change' to the restrictive draft plan.
Mr. Langan acknowledged the local authority’s stance in recognising that some landscapes are simply too sensitive for large-scale wind development.
He said: “We are asking councillors to stand over that position on July 13. If a UNESCO Global Geopark can be opened up to industrial wind farms, it begs the question: what practical planning value does Geopark status actually have.”
The community is calling on elected representatives to support maintaining the 'Unsuitable' classification for the area, and ensure no strategic mapping changes are made in favour of the developer before full environmental, hydrological and wildlife evidence is subjected to public scrutiny.
A community meeting has been called for Tuesday evening, July 7, beginning at 8 p.m. in Glencorrib Community Hall. Elected representatives from across the region have been invited to attend. At the meeting, indicative visualisations will also be presented, based on the estimated turbine locations and dimensions currently available.