Residents reject wind farm images

The photo montage of the proposed wind farm

Pictures of a controversial wind farm proposed for the north coast of County Antrim have met with disapproval from local residents.

The long-awaited photo-montage of what the turbines could look like off the coast at Portrush and Portstewart were released on Monday.

Earlier this year, several hundred people held a protest against plans to build the £200m project which would be located in the sea between Portstewart in County Londonderry and Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

However, the north coast is famous for its sea views and some residents feel "clean" energy would be generated to the detriment of tourism, one of the area's main incomes.

Ashley Moore: "Do these people know what they are doing?"

The proposed wind farm could supply power for up to 140,000 homes, but residents say the unsightly structures are not welcome in the area.

The plans would involve constructing up to 85 turbines, each almost 200 feet tall.

Local Ulster Unionist assembly member David McClarty had supported the project until he saw the photo montage.

"The north Antrim coast is the premier tourist area in Northern Ireland and this is going to have a hugely detrimental effect on the landscape," he said.

Lack of confidence

However, a spokesman for one of the companies behind the project, Offshore Developments, urged the public not to read too much into the pictures.

"They explicitly do not represent the final project," said Michael Harper of B9 Energy.

"We simply don't know what that will be until the results of the feasibility assessment have been completed."

However, local businessman Ashley Moore said the company's comments did not inspire confidence.

"We are now told that this photo montage is not what is going to be built," he said.

Michael Harper: "They do not represent the final project"

"That, in fact, it is not as bad as that which begs the question do these people know what they are doing?"

The wind farm feasibility study is expected to last until next summer.

If initial exploration is successful, work to construct the wind farm could start in 2005.

Meanwhile, residents in County Fermanagh have said they are concerned over a proposal to build the largest wind farm in Ireland in their area.

The plan for the farm in Fermanagh, at the Knocks, would be the biggest on the island of Ireland to date and local people are making clear their feelings about the proposal.

Criteria

They say it would have a major impact on the scenery around the townland.

However, according to the company behind the proposal for a wind farm, the site at Carricknabrattoge meets all the criteria.

They say it is not designated for conservation, is a suitable distance from housing and is in a very windy area.

It is a trade-off between scenic value and green value, acknowledged by Sasha Workman from the company, B9 Energy.

It is holding exhibitions at Knocks and in nearby Newtownbutler to allow residents to see what is being planned.

But in the Knocks, local people say they will not be easily persuaded.