Permission granted to remove bollards and lighting in Moville

Councillor Martin Farren said the removal of the bollards and lighting was done so with the permission of Donegal County Council on payment of a bond for any damages by the developer.

Councillor Farren said he was “not very happy” about the removal of the bollards and street lighting but added: “An Bord Pleanala have put us in this position after granting planning permission for this development.”

Permission was granted by An Bord Pleanala for the erection of two wind turbines at Crockbrack Hill, something which has led to concern locally due to their proximity to the picturesque Kinnego Bay.

At a recent Inishowen Municipal District meeting, Councillor Farren raised concerns over the transporting of the turbine blades to the location, stating there had been some difficulty in doing so, particularly at ‘Bonner’s Corner.’

Councillor Farren said at the meeting that the lorries used to transport the parts did not succeed in getting to the site and he said he had “major concerns” the vehicles would not be able to go around the corner due to the bollards and lights.

At the same meeting, Councillor Bernard McGuinness queried why a judicial enquiry into An Bord Pleanala’s decision into the development did not take place. Donegal County Council had refused permission for the development and An Bord Pleanala’s own inspector also recommended it should not go ahead.

Colr Farren told the ‘Journal’ yesterday that a bond of 40,000 euro had been paid to enable the removal of bollards in and around Bonner’s Corner and some lighting at “two or three locations.”

He added there will also be temporary street lights erected.

Councillor Farren said that assurances had been given that the ‘Moville tree’ would not be damaged and a bond of 5,000 as well as terms and conditions were added to this stipulation.

Councillor Farren said the tree was a “priceless” asset in Moville.

Colr Farren added it was his “understanding” that a ‘dummy run’ of the transporting of turbine parts to their location would take place today.

He said: “These terms and conditions have been out in place and hopefully there will be no damage done.”

Councillor Farren added that a furter 20,000 euro had been allocated to carry out repairs to the Glen Road. Local residents contacted the ‘Journal’ over the weekend expressing concerns that the road at Mossy Glen and Meanletterbale had been closed to enable road repairs to take place. They claimed that while the repairs were “highly necessary and welcomed,” residents were not informed of the road block. The residents alleged there were no detour signs in place and no temporary traffic operations supervisor present. Due to the Bank Holiday yesterday, there was no-one at Donegal County Council available for comment.