ENNISKEANE WINDFARM PROJECT - Organic Power

Public attitudes to wind energyDr Charles Warren of St Andrew’s University School of Geography and Geosciences, Scotlandpublished the findings of a study carried out in 2005 the perceptions and experiences of thosewith a wind farm in their ‘backyard’. Several hundred people were interviewed at wind farm sites inthe Scottish Borders and south west Ireland. Interviewees were asked about their reactions to theprospect of wind farms and how they actually reacted when they were put up. Respondents foundno noise issues and regarded wind farms as attractive additions to the landscape.The study uncovered similar attitudes in the Irish counties of Cork and Kerry, where 73% ofrespondents stated that their initial fears about wind farms were not realised. The survey revealedthat people living near proposed wind farm sites were less supportive of the technology thanthose in close proximity to established wind farms. A large majority said their fears about windfarms had failed to transpire. Opponents tended to view the environment as locally conceived andabout protecting their local surroundings.Consultation processA consultation process has been carried out to find out the views of local residents and localcommunity and business organisations to the proposal.The aim of the consultation is:• To obtain initial feedback on the wind farm proposal• To identify key concerns• To discuss with local stakeholders opportunities for scheme modification and additionalmitigation or unforeseen environmental or social impactsAn independently audited survey of 100 randomly selected interviewees in Newcestown,Castletown, and Enniskeane/Ballineen has shown that 68.9% of interviewees feel that a windproject is a good idea for the area and 14% feel that it would be incompatible with the area.An independently audited door to door survey of a sample of 100 residents of the area where theproject is proposed was also undertaken and 64.4% of these people thought that a wind project isa good idea for the area, and 22.4% thought it would be incompatible with the area.Organic Power organised an exhibition of the plans and other information regarding the WindProject at the Castle Ahan Inn in Enniskeane on Monday 8th of October until Saturday 13th ofOctober 2007.