A small community in one of Cork's most scenic areas are set to launch a judicial review against the granting of planning for a wind farm in their area.
It's hoped the Save Gougane Barra Fund will raise over €95,000 in the next two weeks to allow the group to challenge the €30 million development by Wingleaf Renewable Energy.
The plans for the site at Curraglass, which is around 2 kilometres from the famous St Finbarr's Oratory and lake, include seven wind turbines which are 178 metres from the ground to the tip of the blade.
The group say the turbines- which are taller than a 40-storey building- are not suitable for the area and have questioned why An Bord Pleanála gave the project the go-ahead after Cork County Council refused permission.
Speaking to RedFM News, Neil Lucey from the Gougane Barra Hotel says the group are very concerned about the impact of the proposed wind farm:
"Gougane Barra is iconic and maybe we could actually stop this one going through. Because it's too big for the location that it's actually planned for. It is the wrong site. We have over 10,000 signatures on our petition already. We've got lots of friends of Gougane Barra. So maybe if we reach out to them, and we're not looking for big handouts. We've set up a donation page and we're looking for small donations because this case is important for our future as well, as this wind farm is planned for the next 30 years."
Link to fundraiser: idonate.ie/fundraiser/SaveGouganeBarraFund
