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Pringle, Brogan, raise concerns of Donegal households near wind farm
- Updated: 24th October 2024
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, and Independent Donegal County Councillor Jimmy Brogan have called for a review of the terms of near-neighbour payments for people who live near a wind farm.
Deputy Pringle said: “Several constituents who live near the Clogheravaddy wind farm have contacted my office, due to the impact the wind farm is having on their homes and lives.
“They have described many issues, including problems with noise, depending on the direction the wind is blowing, and with television and phone reception. They said the value of their property could also be affected by their proximity to the wind farm.
“If they lived within 1km of the wind farm, they would be entitled to an annual near-neighbour payment. However, they are outside of that area, but they are still affected.
“We believe the terms of the near-neighbour payment should be reviewed, to ensure that households affected negatively by nearby wind farms are eligible, even if they are more than 1km away,” he said.
Cllr Brogan said: “The constituents who contacted the office had been receiving some funds through the scheme, but this payment has stopped, though their homes and their lives continue to be affected.
“If people live close enough to a wind farm to be affected in this way, and are not eligible for the annual payment, the guidelines for the payment must be reviewed. People should be getting an annual payment if they are affected, even if they are more than 1km from a wind farm.
“The people who contacted the office are not opposed to wind farms. This is about making sure people whose properties are affected are being treated fairly.
“I’d say this issue affects other areas that are home to wind farms as well, both in Donegal and across the country,” he said.
