An Bord Pleanála (ABP) has granted planning permission for 7 enormous (178m) wind turbines in the locality of beautiful Gougane Barra, Co. Cork. If they go ahead, they will be visible from the Gougane Barra skyline, altering the magic and tranquility of this unique place of peace and pilgrimage forever.

The project is set to include a 38KV substation and “4 no. battery storage containers” of unspecified technology; there’s been no discussion of fire risk or a mitigation plan for fire, should it occur, and there have been a number of serious fire incidents reported across the world involving so-called Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Cork County Council rejected the initial planning application out of hand. Unusually, they urged ABP to reject the developer’s appeal. The ABP appeal inspector, who visited the site, recommended in the strongest possible terms that the appeal should be refused. At the beginning of February 2022, ABP overturned that refusal by Cork County Council and granted permission.

Not only will the turbines be visible from a number of angles day and night, including red warning lights on each of them, there will also be constant noise and flicker from them.

We fully support the need to make fast progress on renewable energy; there are already more than 35 turbines visible from the hills around Ballingeary village, just a few kms from Gougane Barra. However, as stated by TD for North Cork Aindrias Moynihan in the Dáil, “You cannot make another Gougane Barra but you can find other locations for a wind farm.”

We oppose this act of national self-harm in the strongest possible terms and urge decision-makers to re-think the irrevocable impact this project would have on this unspoilt treasure which holds such a special place in the hearts of Irish people and many others around the world.

We urge decision-makers not to turn support for renewable energy into a source of controversy by making poor “box-ticking” decisions taken in far-away places which destroy the natural environment and unique locations such as Gougane Barra.

Please note that donations made to change.org are used to promote this petition, not to fund any challenge to the planning permission. If need be, we may be crowdfunding at a later date to take legal action.