South Donegal residents near wind farm call for review of compensation scheme

Residents in south Donegal near a controversial wind farm are seeking a review of a compensation scheme.

Several people who live near the Clogheravaddy Wind Farm, located between Frosses and Glenties, say they have been affected by noise and have had their television and telephone reception impacted.

Homeowners are concerned that their properties could be devalued due to the proximity of the wind farm.

The near-neighbour payment is made to people who live within 1km of a wind farm, but there are calls for further scrutiny.

“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,” Independent TD Thomas Pringle said.

“A number of 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 their lives.

“They have described a number of 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.”

The Clogheravaddy Wind Farm is situated on a 9.3 hectare site around 12km from of Donegal Town

Donegal County Councillor Jimmy Brogan says he has been contacted by people who were previously in receipt of funds, but those payments have stopped.

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“Their homes and their lives continue to be affected,” Councillor Brogan said.

“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 clearly 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.”