ROAD… The Cottage Lawn in Belcoo
FERMANAGH District Council have agreed to a request by a windfarm developer near Belcoo to a temporary road being made through the village’s Cottage Lawn to carry plant and equipment to the site on the Garrison Road.
In return, the council will be compensated for the lifespan of the windfarm, which is expected to be 25-years plus.
Speaking to the Herald, Gerry Knox, the council’s director of technical services, explained that the site was midway between Belcoo and Garrison, in the townland of Tullinoid.
“The road is need to carry components to the ste and, because of their size, they have to bring them from Enniskillen. That means there’s a need for a temporary access to allow for a right turn.
“It doesn’t mean relocating anything. It simply means putting down a temporary roadway with a geo textile membrane. The road will then be then reinstated.”
However, before works can start, the developer has to get planning permission for the windfarm.
“The works aren’t likely to start within the next 18 months, for at least 18 months. There’s a 25-year lifespan for these windmills and, obviously, the council will get some recompense during that time.
“The road will be taken out, once the windmill is up.
“But, if there was a need for replacement parts to be transported to the windfarm site, then the road will have to go down again and we would get extra payment if this were to happen.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere